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The Different Grades of Swarovski Scopes

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South Pender View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/08/2019 at 15:50
I ran through the Swarovski website and noticed that they make scopes in several ranges, differing mainly in the zoom ratio.  The Z3's have a 3x zoom ratio, the Z5s, a 5x, Z6s, a 6 times ratio, and Z8s an 8x ratio.  So here's my question:

Is the optical quality--brightness, clarity, etc.--also different from one line to another?  In other words, if you set a Z3 to 9 power, a Z5 to 9 power, a Z6 to 9 power, and a Z8 to 9 power, would the image be noticeably better with the higher zoom-ratio models?  Ignore the illumination option in this.  Consider non-illuminated Z6s and Z8s when making this comparison (the Z3s and Z5s don't offer illumination).  Or is it solely a matter of differing zoom ratios?  Given the phenomenal difference in price between, say, the Z3s and the Z8s, you'd have to think more is happening here than merely a change in zoom ratio, but is this the case?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/08/2019 at 19:56
i have read that swaro uses the same optical quality optics in all the lines. But the optical systems and designs are very different. 

There is not going to be a huge noticeable difference between the lines. I used to have a z6 and i could not tell much if any diff optically between my z3.  But your milage will likely vary
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote saltydog235 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2019 at 17:40
If I’m not mistaken the Z3 and Z5’s are 1” tubes and have different mechanics.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/09/2019 at 21:33
There is a difference in image quality as well and it is fairly significant.

All are good optically though.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2019 at 13:06
Originally posted by saltydog235 saltydog235 wrote:

If I’m not mistaken the Z3 and Z5’s are 1” tubes and have different mechanics.

Yes, that's right.  The Z3s and Z5s have 1" tubes, and the Z6s and Z8s have 30 mm. tubes.  So this might account for better image quality for the Z6s and Z8s.

That raises another question for me: Does tube diameter affect image quality and light-gathering ability as well as extent of reticle elevation and windage adjustment?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2019 at 13:59
Tube diameter has no influence on light transmission. It doesn’t directly influence potential image quality either, except to the extent that having the additional space may allow for using larger diameter erector assembly lenses, which can decrease optical aberrations. It’s all dependent on the overall optical design of the system. You can have exactly the same coatings and grades of glass used in 2 different optics yet still have significant differences in image quality due to the arrangement of lens groups, shapes of lens elements, placement of ED lenses in the system, lens grind and polish precision, internal baffling design, etc — differences in overall optical design. These factors all directly affect how well the optic can correct for various aberrations. Sometimes achieving the design intent requires a larger diameter main tube.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/11/2019 at 20:18
Ted is spot on.

Scopes are built to fit a particular price tag and they perform according to that price tag.  If Swarovski wanted to build a $2.5k scope with 1" tube it would perform better than their $1k scope with 1" tube.  

Some things do require extra real estate (like higher erector ratios, travel, etc), but as far as pure image quality goes, tube diameter is not really a consideration.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/12/2019 at 06:09
Ouch now I have a headache...  but good info!
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