Since this is a long range hunting site, I have chosen the most powerful model from both brands advertised as hunting scopes. If you had expected to see here the 4.8-35×60 model from Zeiss, I chose the smaller model on purpose. The Zeiss Victory V8 4.8-36×60 is much larger and heavier than the 2.8-20×56, and its ASV Competition is actually designed for target shooting. At the same time, Swarovski has their X5 rifle scope line for target shooting. The new Z8 line will be their top model for both long and short range hunting.
The factor numbers that you find in the magnification and field of view (100m and degrees) are obtained by dividing the bigger number by the smaller number. For example, 18/2.3 gives us 7.8, which is actually the magnification factor of the Swarovski Z8i 2.3-18×56 P. You can also see that Zeiss Victory V8 2.8-20×56 has a magnification factor of 7.1. However the field of view in degrees gives us a more correct factor. For the Swarovski, you can see that this is 8.2 compared to Zeiss, which has only 7.4. From this number alone, I wonder what that V8 in the name means? It is certainly not the zoom factor since all the models are between 7 to 7.4, so the zoom factor is presumably 7, rounded to a single number.
With its 8x zoom factor, this is definitely a really versatile scope. There is no hunting situation that cannot be satisfied by one of their models.
One of the key goals for the company was to develop an 8 times zoom in a 30 mm main tube, whilst not compromising the field of view or optical quality, which is really a challenge and makes this product outstanding on the market.
There are other features that were also available in previous Swarovski models, so I wouldn’t repeat explaining them in this report.
With its reticle 60, Zeiss has the smallest illuminated dot feature on the market to date. The coverage at 12x magnification is 0,55cm/100m. Since the reticle is in the second focal plane, this number gets smaller with higher magnifications.
The illumination control is really simple to use. It has an on/off button and the illumination power circle button.
There is also a windage turret. Theballistic and windage turret can be added later, but it can be done only in the Zeiss factory. You can read more about this turret in our Zeiss ASV+ review.
Until now, all that you have read is data taken directly from the manufacturers. Now I will write my own subjective point of view that includes some pros and cons of one product to the other.
So let’s begin with the most important part for long range hunting, which is the ballistic turret. Zeiss has a really nice ballistic hunting turret. It is locked and you need to raise it to correct the drop. Then it locks by itself. Swarovski has a different approach, where you need to lock the turret manually. In case you forget to lock it, the turret can move by itself; however, prior to making the shot, you have to check the adjustment no matter what kind of turret you have. Swarovski has 7 mrad(70 clicks of 0.1 mil) of adjustment which is more than enough for long range hunting, however the Zeiss ASV LR has 10 mrad (100 clicks of 0.1 mil) in case you want to practice on targets at longer ranges. Swarovski’s flexible turret that can be taken off the scope is amazing, but you need to pay attention not to compromise the zero if you forget to move it on 0 prior to take it off. With Zeiss, this cannot happen. However, since the Swarovski turret can be purchased later, and doesn’t need any special equipment or rifle zeroing to install it, it is a real game changer. Unfortunately, the Zeiss ASV can only be installed in Zeiss factory and needs to be re-zeroed again.
Zeiss has 3 models that cover all hunting situations (the 24, 50 and 56), whereas Swarovski has 4 models (24, 42, 50 and 56). I have to say that the choice is really hard with Swarovski since the 50 and 56 models have similar magnifications. I would expect the larger one to have a bit more magnification, but it also has a larger objective lens so that it makes hunting in low light easier.
Overall dimensions are hard to discuss. Zeiss scopes are shorter, but they look bulky with their 36mm tube. Swarovski is slightly longer, but really elegant with their 30mm main tube. There is also one thing that needs to be accounted for: Zeiss is 3mm higher than the Swarovski when mounted on a rifle (again because of its 36mm tube). This is the same even if it is mounted with the inner rail.
Let’s not forget that we have compared two of the best hunting scope lines available on the market. You can’t go wrong with either of them! Also keep in mind that the Swarovski Z8i is a new model, so more features are quite logical, however they achieved something technically almost impossible (real 8 times zoom in 30 mm main tube). At the end of the day, I guess the scope you think is best also depends on which brand you love more.
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