Zeiss R8 vs Swarovski V8 Scopes

[Fastrig]

Looking at both the Zeiss R8 and Swarovski V8 scopes. Both higher end optics but never owned either brand. Any insights on these scopes would be greatly appreciated. Looking at their 1-8 options for a 375 H&H and higher range scope options for a 300 win mag, 338 win mag, 308 win, and 9.3x62. Thanks!

 

[wesheltonj]

Leica and Zeiss person myself. Myself I would purchase German optics over Austrian.

 

[Fastrig]

Leica and Zeiss person myself. Myself I would purchase German optics over Austrian.

I’ll take a look at the Leica scopes as well....

 

[mdwest]

Overwhelmingly I think you’ll find Swarovski fans here..

I myself prefer Zeiss though...

 

[rnovi]

Fast, the only thing that matters are your eyes. How your eyes see the differences in proprietary coatings - do you prefer contrast or specific color spectrums - makes the difference.

Swaro, Zeiss and Leica: all their glass comes from Schott. The difference (*allegedly) is the type of coatings used.

Leica tends towards the "contrasty" spectrum (deep shadows). Zeiss tends a little more towards brightness. I'm not sure on Swaro as I don't own their stuff (*not for any particular reason, it just didn't happen that way).

The second thing is eye relief: the Leica ER scopes I have longer eye relief than the Zeiss scopes I have had (Zeiss 2.5-10 FL Victory) by a solid 1/2". That's a big difference for recoil. (*to be 100% clear, it's the absolute opposite when it comes to binoculars...with Zeiss have better eye relief but I still love the Leica contrast).

Only your eyes can tell you the fine differences. That's the suck of humanity. And our greatest joy.

 

[Dirtdart]

When I was looking for a 1-8 power the first one I purchased was the Zeiss V8. I did not like the 36mm tube, it just looked out of place. The illuminated dot would "bleed" when maxed out, which at that price point I didn't appreciate. I replaced the Zeiss with a Swaro Z8i with #4 reticle. As far as glass is concerned no clear winner to my eye. I wish the cross hairs in the Swaro were just a little "heavier".
I recently acquired a Schmidt & Bender 1-8 which I mounted on a similar rifle as the Swarovski Z8 and so far it is a toss up between those two.
A particular feature my be the deal maker or breaker, not so much the brand when you are talking about some of the top manufactures. Just my apples to apples comparison of 1-8 power scopes.

 

[Philip Glass]

When I was at SAAM shooting school I was asking the instructor Dave what his thoughts are on high end scopes. You must know at SAAM all the gun and optics manufacturers send them free samples of ALL their products. He says that he has developed a method for testing scopes to find his favorite. He takes a pile of scopes that he has access to and we don’t and goes out at dusk. He looks at trees and which ever scope gives the best clarity at that dark and getting darker by the minute tree bark will be the best glass. He says bottom line is the Z8 wins. So now I have two of them
Philip

 

[mdwest]

Swaro, Zeiss and Leica: all their glass comes from Schott. The difference (*allegedly) is the type of coatings used.

This is true..

What should also be noted is AB Schott is 100% owned by Zeiss.. there are no other shareholders.. So.. Leica, Swaro, and others buy their glass (made to their specs of course) from Zeiss..

 

[Ridgewalker]

How about warranty, customer service? Any issues?

 

[Fastrig]

Thanks guys for all the input!!!!! All these scopes are really good from what I have read, though I've only looked through a Swarvo scope so far....and it was very impressive compared to the lower level glass i currently have. I do like that the Swarvo's are using 30 mm tubes vs the 36 mm tubes some of the others are using as that provides more mounting options with mounts/rings. I'm going to track down a Zeiss and Leica dealer here and take a look through their scopes. Thanks again!!

 

[wesheltonj]

This is true..

What should also be noted is AB Schott is 100% owned by Zeiss.. there are no other shareholders.. So.. Leica, Swaro, and others buy their glass (made to their specs of course) from Zeiss..

At one time Leica did own its own glass factory. My understanding is that Leica sold the glass factory to Schott.

 

[Red Leg]

I think you will be satisfied with any of the three. I probably have more Leica’s mounted than anything else these days and most of them are the older ERi series. Two rifles are carrying the Magnus model. All are superb and have proven problem free (and as noted, they have generous eye relief). I used Swarovski for many years, and have no complaints. Simply gradually moved to Leica with some of the deals Europtic has offered over the years. All that said, three of my best rifles carry S&B glass. Technically, I really think their products may be the “best”, but it is hard to demonstrate it in any form that matters to the human eye. I am not interested in anything with a tube larger than 30mm.

 

[Dirtdart]

How about warranty, customer service? Any issues?

I have only contacted Zeiss customer service once and it was to get some information about elevation adjustment in a an early 70's model Diavari on a Sauer 3000. They dug through the archives and emailed a nice diagram with instructions.
I have had Swarovski change a couple of reticles over the years and their customer service department handled those request in a timely manner for the agreed upon price.
I did have an issue with one of the old Swarovski AV 1" models that was taken care of hassle free but it was so long ago I do not remember exactly what the problem was.
That is all I have so far on the subject Ridgewalker.

 

[mdwest]

At one time Leica did own its own glass factory. My understanding is that Leica sold the glass factory to Schott.

I dont know about their scopes and binos.. but I do know that they owned their own glass and lens factory that made their camera lenses prior to WWII.. it seems to reason that if they were making camera lenses there, that they would have made bino and scope lenses there also..

When they would have sold the factory off or who they sold it to though I have no clue..

 

[wesheltonj]

Leica Propaganda:

 

[Fastrig]

I think you will be satisfied with any of the three. I probably have more Leica’s mounted than anything else these days and most of them are the older ERi series. Two rifles are carrying the Magnus model. All are superb and have proven problem free (and as noted, they have generous eye relief). I used Swarovski for many years, and have no complaints. Simply gradually moved to Leica with some of the deals Europtic has offered over the years. All that said, three of my best rifles carry S&B glass. Technically, I really think their products may be the “best”, but it is hard to demonstrate it in any form that matters to the human eye. I am not interested in anything with a tube larger than 30mm.

Euoptic is who I've used recently, been very please with their service. Going to order a number of scopes at one time and see what kind of "deal" I can make on them. Price tags on these scopes are all pretty close and Swarvos all had 30 mm tubes which is why I was leaning that direction for more mounting options. I'm trying to decide if the factory "rail" type mounts are a good choice or if I should stick with the tradition, non-rail style for ring mounts.

 

[Red Leg]

Euoptic is who I've used recently, been very please with their service. Going to order a number of scopes at one time and see what kind of "deal" I can make on them. Price tags on these scopes are all pretty close and Swarvos all had 30 mm tubes which is why I was leaning that direction for more mounting options. I'm trying to decide if the factory "rail" type mounts are a good choice or if I should stick with the tradition, non-rail style for ring mounts.

Rail mounts are the most "traditional" in Europe. Whatever works best on your rifle. I personally use take down Talley's on most bolt actions.

 

[Fastrig]

Rail mounts are the most "traditional" in Europe. Whatever works best on your rifle. I personally use take down Talley's on most bolt actions.

Thanks....never had a rail mount style scope but do have the QD Talley's on rifles....didn't know if there was an advantage to the rail mounts or just a preference.

 

[Red Leg]

Thanks....never had a rail mount style scope but do have the QD Talley's on rifles....didn't know if there was an advantage to the rail mounts or just a preference.

They allow for the most range in placement of the scope - no turret cap issues. That can be a problem on some actions.

 

[rookhawk]

Zeiss, Swarovksi (and their Kahles line), Leica, and Schmidt & Bender all make really nice stuff. My observations:

Zeiss stuff in most lines in the USA is "economy" and on par with Leupold and others. They make some really choice stuff but almost exclusively for EU consumption.

Leica is really overpriced for what you get. I buy a lot of it on closeout for 1/2 off at which point, its a great value.

Schmidt & Bender is quite durable, probably the most durable. It's also the most fussy when it comes to eye relief.

Swarovski is the best price/quality nexus of the bunch, and the Z6 1-6 EE and the Z8 1-8 EE are the most useful scopes I've ever owned.

At full boat retail, if you're not finding a steal/deal, go with the Swaro. If you're buying used and getting good value, all are fine optics. If you want a rail scope, there is a fine one for sale on the classified by S&B at a good price right now.

In vintage scopes, there are great models from all the above and from Hensoldt, Wetzler, Pecar, Docter, Habicht, and others that are a fine choice for the <$500 price tag. (1970s-1990s stuff that is just beautifully engineered and better than what you can buy new at that price)