Does anyone own one? Or has anyone actually hunted with one? Wanting to hear opinions on them. I’m thinking about buying one for my wife and a couple other guns that need scopes. However, I was curious if anyone has experience with them. Thanks.

I have two, both do just fine. They can hold a zero and work in fairly low light. They aren't the huge 56mm scopes like my Zeiss Diavari, but they certainly aren't as big and heavy as the 56mm either.

I was in Vans in Cullman and they had a sell so I bought a few Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x56. But before I put them on these guns I was curious to hear first hand experience. I appreciate your response.

What do you like better, Zeiss or Swarovski and why?

I have a Z6 1.7x10x42 and it's an excellent low light scope. Lightweight and a very large and forgiving eyebox which is great for shooting with both eyes open like i do. My only dislike is the 1 CM adjustments which take some getting used to if you've used 1/4" adjustments for 30+ years.

Also have a couple Z5 scopes which I prefer. Glass is the same as the Z6 line with a 1" tube and 1/4" adjustments.

I have the same Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15X56 2nd Generation. You really can’t get much better than this on a hunting riflescope but I am always thinking I need something better. I have the wants for a S&B Polar T96 56mm. Doubt the S&B Polar T96 is a decisive advantage over the Swarovski Z6i 56mm. The illumination system on the Swarovski is one of the best in the business for riflescopes. Really should get a Top of the line set of binoculars if You want an advantage for hunting in really low light. I have a set of Zeiss Victory HT 8X54mm and they are some of the best money You can spend for hunting in low light. If You need something more than that get Thermal optics.

Would you go with 8x54 or the 10x54? What are the advantages & disadvantages?

I personally like the 8 power magnification. You get a wider field of view and the larger exit pupil with the 8 power. The exit pupil bigger a little bigger will give You a bit more brightness to the eye. The 10 power will obviously give You better clarity at objects farther way. You will have a narrower field of view and the 10 power is harder to hold still without noticable shakeness.

I personally think you have the best scope made for hunting. Super clear and great light gathering. Not sure that there is a better scope out there. I am a complete glass snob too!

Totally agree


I’m also a glass snob.

I have a Z6, 3–18x50. It’s a damn good scope in every way, plenty clear and excellent in low light. Also have other high end German glass including Swaro, Leica and Zeiss. My eyes can’t really tell the difference. When you get to this level of scope, they are all good.

I have a Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15X56 Gen 2 on my main rifle and have no complaints. I had a S&B P96 4-16x56 on my previous hunting rifle and while it was the best low light scope I've ever looked through it was bulky and almost too bright on sunny days, especially out west. Just bought a Meopta Meostar R2 2.5-15x56 and for the $$$ it's dang hard to beat.

Honestly I can’t tell a difference between my leupold and my meopta meostar and Swarovski save the money

If I win the lottery, every rifle I own will have a Schmidt-Bender scope.

Swarovski is awesome, S-B is awesomer. Rifle scopes is all they do. Their L3 and FD7 reticles may be the best hunting reticles I ever used on illuminated scopes, They also mainly sell first focal plane, which I really prefer. Swaro stopped that years ago. Then Swaro bought Kahles, and ended the Kahles hunting lines.

I think the high end of Leica, Swaro, Zeiss, S&B, and now even Leupold are all exceptional scopes. Kahles was in that group as well when they were being made. I do not have a high end Meopta but it seems like the are well received too. It is great to have so much quality glass out there! Each company feels the pressure to put out a quality product and that is great for us!