Glass with Class

The scene opens with a well dressed pair of gentlemen off the coast of the Isle of Mull, an island in the Hebrides with a population of red stag.  Beginning their stalk, they are armed not with an engraved J. Rigby or Westley Richards, but a (dead sexy) suppressed Sauer 404 Synchro XTC with a rather unusual scope on top.  The scope ranges the (CGI) stag, and adjusts automatically for distance, angle, air pressure and temperature in real time as the stag moves.  This is the new Swarovski dS.

The new Swarovski dS riflescope (Image credit: Swarovski Optik)

A new bell as well

The dS is not only different from previous Swarovski scopes in how the reticle functions, but in how it is initially zeroed.  Instead of adjustable turrets, the initial zeroing is done via adjustment rings hidden under panels in the objective bell of the scope.

The elevation adjustment is hidden under the panel with Swarovski’s logo on it.
(Photo credit: Swarovski Optik)

After that, one syncs the scope with Swarovski’s app on their smartphone, which contains ballistic data specific to the rifle and load.  (I’ve used Swarovski’s ballistic calculator before for my scopes, the data trued very well, and I’ve had success harvesting whilst using the data in the field.). See the below video from Swarovski on how everything works.

Specs and projected pricing:

Scheduled to be released in January of 2019, the new scope’s specs are as follows (via EuroOptic):

• Dioptric Compensation: -3 to +2 dpt
• Display: LCoS Monochrome
• Optical Coatings: SWARODUR, SWAROTOP, SWAROCLEAN
• Measurement Range: 30-1,375m / 33-1,500yds
• Measurement Precision: +/- 1m / +/- 1yds
• Measurement Time: ≤0.7s
• Angle Measurement: +/- 60°
• Max Aiming Point Correction: 1024m / 1120yds
• Display Height Adjustment Up/Down at 25x Magnification: 0.13-0.47m @ 100m / 4.68-16.92″ @ 100yds
• Display Lateral Adjustment Left/Right at 25x Magnification: 0.22-0.22m @ 100m / 7.92-7.92″ @ 100yds
• Laser: Class 1 EN/FDA
• Measurement Units: Yards/Meters
• Display Duration: 40/60/80s
• Battery Warning: 100x
• Display Switch-Off Warning: 10s
• Add-on Program: dS Configurator (iOS 8.1+; Android 4.4 KitKat+)
• Program Interface: Bluetooth
• Minimum Interface Range: 2m
• Battery: CR 123
• Operating Time: ~500 activations
• Brightness Levels: 64
• Functional Temperature (Electronics): -10/55°C / 14-131°F
• Functional Temperature (Mechanical): -20/55°C / -4-158°F
• Submersion Tightness: 0.4 bar
• Weight: 1090g/38.4oz
• Length: 403mm/15.87″
• Magnification: 5-25x
• Objective Diameter: 52mm
• Tube size: 40mm
• Turret adjustment: .25 MOA/Click
• Parallax Adjustment: 50->∞m/55->∞yds
• Reticle: Second Focal Plane
• Reticle Type: 4A-I
• FOV: 7.3-1.5m @ 100m/21.9-4.5ft @ 100 yards/4.2-0.84°
• Eye relief: 95mm
• Illuminated reticle: Yes
• Scope Finish: Matte Black

Pricing: MSRP $4499, EUR 4200.00

That’s a pretty high price, but we are talking about top-end glass combined with a lot of technology.  Sadly, a motorboat, a wardrobe that costs more than the optic and scope combined, and a guided red stag hunt are not included.

For more information, please visit EuroOptic or Swarovski Optik.