The world of optics keeps evolving by leaps and bounds.  New in the past year or so is a selection of 8x zoom optics from a number of companies, one of those being Swarovski.  Swarovski Optik, purveyor of fine glass, had released their new Z8 scopes at IWA 2016.  As previously covered by TFB’s Eric B., the Z8 line comes in four variants: 1-8×24, 1.7-13.3×32, 2-16×50, and 2.3-18×56.  I was looking for a super high quality hunting scope, and after looking through an example of the Z8 line decided to bite the bullet and invest in the scope despite it’s great cost.  I chose the 2-16×50 Z8i (the “i” is for illuminated) with their BRX-I reticle model, as it would cover all of the possible hunting scenarios I could find myself or my guests hunting in.  

Specs and initial impressions:

Per Swarovski Optik:

Technical Data

Magnification	2-16x
Effective objective lens diameter (mm)	16.3-50
Exit pupil diameter (mm)	8.1-3.1
Exit pupil distance (mm) (Eye relief)	95
Field of view (ft/100 yds / m/100 m)	63.0-7.8 / 21.0-2.6
Field of view (degrees)	12.0-1.5
Field of view, apparent (degrees)	24
Dioptric compensation (dpt)	-3 to +2
Light transmission (%)	93
Twilight factor acc. to ISO 14132-1	5.7-28.3
Impact point corr. per click (in/100 yds / mm/100 m)	0.36 / 10
Max. elevation / windage adjustment range (in/100 yds / m/100 m)	54 / 1.5
Parallax correction (yds / m)	55-∞ / 50-∞
Objective filter thread	M 52×0.75

Length (in / mm)	14 / 356
Weight (oz / g)	23.8 / 675
Central tube diameter (in / mm)	1.18 / 30
Functional temperature	-4 °F to +131 °F (-20 °C / +55 °C)
Storage temperature	-22 °F to +158 °F (-30 °C / +70 °C)
Submersion tightness	13 ft / 4 m water depth (inert gas filling)

Illumination unit

Brightness levels	Twilight: 0 – 32 / Day: 33 – 64
Operating time (h)	Twilight factor at medium brightness: 1,400; daylight factor at medium brightness: 180

 

MSRP as tested: $2939.00 scope, $295.00 Turret

The Z8i comes in a very nice, sturdy box with cleaning cloth, scope cleaning wipes, see-through scope covers, manual, battery, and awesome little drop chart stickers for the scope’s reticle that are pre-printed for 100 different hunting rounds.  It also comes with blank stickers for one to make custom drop charts.  Though the mini drop charts are awesome, I recommend users true the data at the range prior to using them on a hunt or in a competition, just to be sure.  After taking the scope out from the protective padded brackets, I tried out the controls.  The illumination switch is very positive and stays in day or night mode easily.  I also could tell right away that Eric B. was correct in opining the throw lever will be a necessary accessory, as the magnification range is so large that the ring can take come time to turn without it, and can almost not be rotated through the full range smoothly in one motion.  The parallax, focus, and zoom adjustments were all very smooth.  Looking through the glass gave me peace of mind, as the optics were of the expected Swarovski exceptional clarity.

Mounting and Illumination controls

I mounted the Z8i in a GG&G Accucam quick-detach integral ring scope base, as I will be moving this optic from rifle to rifle quite a bit.  I first mounted this optic on a .300wm Benelli R1 that I set up for guest hunters to use on big game, as it hits hard at long range but has little recoil due to the ARGO system.  It’s not the most accurate rifle I have, but I was setting it up for a last minute wild boar hunt for a guest who did not have a rifle available.  Once mounted and leveled, I noticed that it zooms out far enough for me to see the front sight in the bottom 1/8 of the field of view at 2x zoom.  This didn’t really annoy me, however, as it does not obstruct the target in any meaningful way.  I played with the illumination levels of the center square quite a bit.  The light controls have +/- brightness adjustment buttons on the top of the scope body just forward of the magnification ring.  There is a 3 position toggle switch to the rear of those buttons for night, off, and day. The night levels are not at all visible in full daylight, but the daylight illumination levels were nicely visible and never got to the point that they had a halo.  The controls adjusted easily with bare hands as well as light and heavy gloves.

 

 

Zeroing

It was super easy to initially zero the scope both due to the clarity and quality of the optic as well as the ease of use of the controls and the well written manual.  The manual itself was a huge step up from the Z5 I had bought some years back, whose English manual was lacking in translation from the original German.  Keeping in mind that the click adjustments for this model were 1/10 mil (.36 inches) at 100y, rather than 1/4 MOA, I had to make only a few clicks up and right.  Once I confirmed the correction, I lifted up on the outer ring, rotated it back to zero, and I was done.  Once zeroed, I ran a “box drill” test by shooting groups at the following points to see if the adjustments were true and would return to zero.  For those readers who don’t already know, a box drill is shooting groups from 4 clicks up, 4 right, 4 down, and the 4 left and seeing if connecting lines from group to group comprises a perfect square.  The Z8i passed with flying colors.

Optical Impressions

I looked through the scope at all ranges of magnification in various lighting conditions ranging from outdoor  from deep shade to bright sunlight during the day, twilight, nighttime and indoors.  Where the Z8i’s 93% light transmission really shines through is at night or in twilight.  I could definitely see far better and brighter through the optic than with the naked eye, even on misty evenings with little moonlight.  There was definitely enough definition to pick out bucks vs does at night, and count points from 1-200 yards away with a 1/4 moon.  This is an extremely impressive optic when it comes to light collection.  Though the Schmidt & Bender Polar line boasts 96% light transmission, their eye relief is certainly not as generous as the Swarovski.  I have tried both and much prefer the Z8.  The Z8 lenses have also shrugged off mist and rain, and have excellent coatings that I have yet gotten to fog.

Going Ballistic

Once the initial zeroing was completed, I could add on Swarovski’s BTF (Ballistic Turret Flex) accessory.  The BTF system is compatible with all Z8 scopes, and can be used on both windage and elevation turrets.   The BTF comes with the replacement turret and stacking rings numbered from 2 to 5.  I set mine up for use with elevation.  The turret itself replaces the original elevation turret with a press of a button in the center of the turret.  The way the system works is one plugs in one’s ballistic data or factory load into Swarovski’s free ballistic software, note what distances you want rings 2-5 to be set at, and the program gives you click adjustments to set each number at.  Stack the rings indexed at the appropriate points, put on the top until the button clicks in, and you’re set to go.  Then one can make super fast adjustments in the field for firing at different distances, and easily change the configuration for different loads and calibers in the future.  Usually I use the hold overs in my reticle in a hunting situation, but the BTF simplifies matters greatly for making quick distance adjustments, and is very easy for me to explain to guests who will use the scope.  The BTF also features an easy to use locking mechanism at the bottom to prevent adjustments when you don’t want them, with just a 90 degree rotation for on or off.

• Swarovski ballistic data for installing BTF turret. In this configuration, I have it set for each 100yards out to 500 with my hunting load in .300wm
• BTF box
• BTF components for windage or elevation use

• Steps for installing BTF: 1. remove turret by depressing top button
• 2. lift off stock turret, place BTF base on ring
• 3. add indexed rings at prescribed adjustment points
• 4. Complete stacking rings and press top on until the button engages and holds on the top of the BTF turret.

Overall Impression:

Though being a regular Swarovski user for over a decade (I first invested in a pair of their binos after a frustrating mule deer season trying to divine bedded Mulies from sagebrush with crappy optics), I was extremely impressed by the Z8i scope.  The excellent features, impeccable glass, and great addition of the BTF system all make for an excellent optic that, although rather expensive, is well worth the price and will likely last a lifetime.  This optic will not only help me harvest game during peak activity periods, but also be an excellent aid in introducing new hunters to the sport which is something I try and do as often as possible.  Buy it on sale, and you won’t have buyer’s remorse.

Pros:

• Incredible glass gathers and transmits light extremely well
• Night and twilight performance was exception for a non-NV scope
• Coatings proved durable and shrugged off mist and rain like it was nothing
• Illuminated center of reticle makes for easy twilight shots
• controls all useable with or without gloves, even with sausage fingers
• BTF system makes adjustment for shooting at varying distances a snap, and is user- reconfigurable
• 8x zoom!

Cons:

• Super steep entry price (MSRP $2400-$3200 depending on configuration)
• Not the lightest scope out there
• only 3 reticle choices
• 2nd focal plane optic means that the BRX holdovers are only correct at max zoom
• throw lever should be an included accessory due to large range of magnification