Swarovski X5i vs SB Exos vs NF NX8 vs Zeiss V6

[JimThom]

Looking for opinions: I currently have a SB Exos 3x21 which I really want to love, but am struggling with the bulk and lack of elevation travel. I have had it on a 6.5 PRC with 22" bbl and AG Comp Alpine Hunter stock and it was too top heavy/unbalanced. Weight is also a factor, but not my primary care. I am having a custom 28 Nosler built for a "lighter" elk hunting rifle that will also get a decent amount of range time. Rifle will land in the high 6-low 7lb range with a 24" CF barrel. I would like to stay +/- 9.5lbs (or less) with optics and 11oz suppressor, but am more concerned with a balanced rifle that "carries" well. I have a Zeiss V6 that has great glass, turrets, and weight, but am not really excited about the thick reticle lines and lack of illumination. I like the glass, illuminated reticle, and weight of my Swaro Z6, but I would like a turret with numbers I can dial vs the BT. Right now my top choices are a NF NX8 in 2.5-20 or the Swaro X5i (That is currently on sale for $2200). Any experience with these scopes or other options would be appreciated. I have been a big fan of Swaro, but not sure why the X5i is discounted so heavily (33%). I am also a fan of the NF, and have a 4x32. Just looking for something less bulky. Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling!

NF NX8

 

[Mattheidel]

You said and asked all the right things, I have several of both Swaro X5s and the NF. We all know those 2 are not apples for apples mainly because of glass but the NF will not fail the Swaro sooner or later will fail . I'm sure I'll get some grief over that but it's going to happen.
as much as I love the many X5s that have I will not carry one on those once in a life time kind of hunts truthfully I did for awhile but I packed a back up! NF you will have the travel and it's not going to fail even when you think it would and should. Your call my opinion and experience. Good luck

Very good point! I will be using this rifle on a once-in-a-lifetime trophy elk hunt this November, and I have heard the same "Will not fail you" over and over again about the NF. I have a NF NX8 4-32, and have had 0 issues with it, as well as a Swaro Z6, but I have never had either of those scopes in a situation that I would consider "tested". Since you have convinced me (Or at least confirmed what I was already feeling) about the NF, do you have any experience with the ATACR? I am leaning very heavily towards the NX8 2.5-20, but have never looked through the ATACR glass and was curious if it was worth the additional $ and weight.

 

[waveslayer]

Love my old X5 5x25i. I sold it for a ZCO... I prefer the ZCO. Great scope though

 

[Railguner]

Take a look at the VX6-HD 4-24x52 with the impact23 reticle. Thin reticle, illuminated, 2nd F, 34mm main, 25.5 oz, 14.7"s long, zero stop on elev and wind, 75 min of Elev.

 

[Mattheidel]

Love my old X5 5x25i. I sold it for a ZCO... I prefer the ZCO. Great scope though

THanks!

 

[Railguner]

Very good point! I will be using this rifle on a once-in-a-lifetime trophy elk hunt this November, and I have heard the same "Will not fail you" over and over again about the NF. I have a NF NX8 4-32, and have had 0 issues with it, as well as a Swaro Z6, but I have never had either of those scopes in a situation that I would consider "tested". Since you have convinced me (Or at least confirmed what I was already feeling) about the NF, do you have any experience with the ATACR? I am leaning very heavily towards the NX8 2.5-20, but have never looked through the ATACR glass and was curious if it was worth the additional $ and weight.

Money no object, ZCO 4-20, more reasonable NF ATACR 4-20. Just using the 20x because you were thinking of NX8 2.5-20 and because it saves a few oz over the 5-25(7) models. Plus elk are big. 20x will get you to 1k yards easy peezy.

Glass on the ATACR is better than the NX8, plus 34mm tube aids in the bright crisp clear viewing.

 

[Pauleye]

I have a good deal of experience with the Swarovski X5i scopes. They are excellent low light performers and track well. The 3.5 x18x50 has 116moa vertical adjustment. The 5x25x56 has 82moa vertical adjustment. The dicounted ones that I saw were not illuminated. I prefer them to everything else that I tried, including Swaro Z8i, S&B Ultrabrite, and Nightforce ( NXS and ATACR). I have not tried TT or ZCO. My use is for hunting and longrange shooting.

Agree with the above assessment.

 

[BenelliHunter]

Opinions on this one are all over the place and i imagine personal preference will be the deciding factor.

I have had 2 S&B and I tried really hard to like them and just don't.

That being said, I have about a dozen Swarovski and I like the Z6i and Z8i the best. I have two X5i and I truly feel I lose 5-7 minutes of light at the end of the day compared to the Z6 and Z8. I will not have a hunting scope without illuminated reticle as it was the only reason I was able to take my last two nice bucks.

 

[mario1987]

Looking for opinions: I currently have a SB Exos 3x21 which I really want to love, but am struggling with the bulk and lack of elevation travel. I have had it on a 6.5 PRC with 22" bbl and AG Comp Alpine Hunter stock and it was too top heavy/unbalanced. Weight is also a factor, but not my primary care. I am having a custom 28 Nosler built for a "lighter" elk hunting rifle that will also get a decent amount of range time. Rifle will land in the high 6-low 7lb range with a 24" CF barrel. I would like to stay +/- 9.5lbs (or less) with optics and 11oz suppressor, but am more concerned with a balanced rifle that "carries" well. I have a Zeiss V6 that has great glass, turrets, and weight, but am not really excited about the thick reticle lines and lack of illumination. I like the glass, illuminated reticle, and weight of my Swaro Z6, but I would like a turret with numbers I can dial vs the BT. Right now my top choices are a NF NX8 in 2.5-20 or the Swaro X5i (That is currently on sale for $2200). Any experience with these scopes or other options would be appreciated. I have been a big fan of Swaro, but not sure why the X5i is discounted so heavily (33%). I am also a fan of the NF, and have a 4x32. Just looking for something less bulky. Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling!

I have the NX8 4x32. I have it on my 6.5 PRC Savage Ultralight. The combination of the two makes for a very light set up. I have the Tremor 3 FFP reticle on my NX8. Some people think it's too busy a reticle to hunt with, but I like it. The scope is great but its Nightforce so it's not cheap. I will say this, I have two TRACT Optics scopes that are outstanding for the money. As good as my Nightforce scopes. They are a relatively new company, and they have a line of scopes made for hunting. My scopes are long range tactical PRS type and are outstanding. The glass is made in Germany and is really good glass. The price is outstanding, and they give a really good discount if you have prior military or Police. Anyway, good luck on your hunt for glass!

 

[tim2446]

Very good point! I will be using this rifle on a once-in-a-lifetime trophy elk hunt this November, and I have heard the same "Will not fail you" over and over again about the NF. I have a NF NX8 4-32, and have had 0 issues with it, as well as a Swaro Z6, but I have never had either of those scopes in a situation that I would consider "tested". Since you have convinced me (Or at least confirmed what I was already feeling) about the NF, do you have any experience with the ATACR? I am leaning very heavily towards the NX8 2.5-20, but have never looked through the ATACR glass and was curious if it was worth the additional $ and weight.

ATACR if I remember right is a little more weight, that's the only reason I moved to the NX8
but being I'm getting older I rolled to the 4-32 f2 field of view is tight and I can't remember the last time I shot a animal on more than 12 or 14 power my only reason for shooting the higher power is making sure my dope is right at the house I try to get out to that transonic range so I know my numbers are right even though I know I'm not going to shoot a animal at those numbers. sorry i got off track a little but any NF you decide on I think is a good choice.

 

[Txcowboy50]

I have a NF NX8 4x32 SFP on my 6.5 PRC with the AG alpine hunter but 26" barrel. It has good balance and I like the fine reticle with dual marks (good at 16 and 32 power) I set the scope to 16 power so I can use the reticle and have a good field of vision when hunting, but of course you can always dial in. I bought it because of NF's reputation of no fault return to zero.

 

[Greyfox]

Love my old X5 5x25i. I sold it for a ZCO... I prefer the ZCO. Great scope though

The ZCO420 is an OUTSTANDING scope in every respect….Really like mine!
.

 

[dblman]

Looking for opinions: I currently have a SB Exos 3x21 which I really want to love, but am struggling with the bulk and lack of elevation travel. I have had it on a 6.5 PRC with 22" bbl and AG Comp Alpine Hunter stock and it was too top heavy/unbalanced. Weight is also a factor, but not my primary care. I am having a custom 28 Nosler built for a "lighter" elk hunting rifle that will also get a decent amount of range time. Rifle will land in the high 6-low 7lb range with a 24" CF barrel. I would like to stay +/- 9.5lbs (or less) with optics and 11oz suppressor, but am more concerned with a balanced rifle that "carries" well. I have a Zeiss V6 that has great glass, turrets, and weight, but am not really excited about the thick reticle lines and lack of illumination. I like the glass, illuminated reticle, and weight of my Swaro Z6, but I would like a turret with numbers I can dial vs the BT. Right now my top choices are a NF NX8 in 2.5-20 or the Swaro X5i (That is currently on sale for $2200). Any experience with these scopes or other options would be appreciated. I have been a big fan of Swaro, but not sure why the X5i is discounted so heavily (33%). I am also a fan of the NF, and have a 4x32. Just looking for something less bulky. Thanks for taking the time to read my rambling!

Swarovski will customize a turret knob for you that is marked in yards.

 

[Mattheidel]

Opinions on this one are all over the place and i imagine personal preference will be the deciding factor.

I have had 2 S&B and I tried really hard to like them and just don't.

That being said, I have about a dozen Swarovski and I like the Z6i and Z8i the best. I have two X5i and I truly feel I lose 5-7 minutes of light at the end of the day compared to the Z6 and Z8. I will not have a hunting scope without illuminated reticle as it was the only reason I was able to take my last two nice bucks.

Totally agree on the illuminated reticle. I currently have a S&B Exos 3-21, but am having trouble getting used to the "bulkiness". But

Swarovski will customize a turret knob for you that is marked in yards.

Thanks! Will they do it for a Z6? I thought that was only available for the Z8