Swarovski Z5 vs Vortex Razor LH vs Leupold VX5-HD | Backcountry Rifle Scope Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 1 сен 2018
- Corey uses first hand experience to compare 3 lightweight hunting scope options.
Finding Backcountry Podcast episode #32 - Choosing the Right Rifle Scope on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher
Link: findingbackcountry.podbean.co... 
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Good video. Swarovski started in the Hungarian crystal business, is one reason their scope are so good and overpriced but excellent.
I have Vortex scopes and am very satisfied but I just have to go for Leupold now. Thanks for the review. Very nice bear on the wall
Swarovski Z5 3.5-18PLX -$1,949.99 in Canadian dollars
Leupold VX5-HD 3-15x44mm -$1,399.99
Vortex Razor LH 3-15x42mm -$999.97...
I just moved away from Vortex and got a Leupold ..VX-6HD 4-24x52 w/ Impact 29 reticle. All adjustments are absolute perfection and its the clearest scope I've ever look through.
thank you
Ever looked through Swarovski's?
Every single optic I own is a Vortex. But I'm trying to put together a lightweight rifle. Weatherby MarkV back country. Seriously considering that Leupold VX5. I just cant bring myself to like that Razor with the capped turret. Always heard great things about Leupold. Guess its time I give them a try. Made in the US is always a huge plus.
These are the 3 scopes i’m looking at for my Tikka Superlite. I’m going with Leupold since I can get at the VIP discount price. Great comparison.
So what did you get? I just got a Tikka superlite
What a great video! Tons of information, I have a 204 that I use for coyote hunting and was leading towards the Swarovski Z5 with the ballistic turret but you definitely have me leaning towards Leupold. I don’t shoot past 400. Any advice on a scope would be helpful
Informative video that helped me make my decision on the Leupold. Thank you
blackdrag450r thanks for watching!
Leupold is the bench mark for scopes. Vortex is sub par and theres plenty of proof of that statement out there. You can't go wrong with them or if you go higher to maybe Zeiss or Steiner, etc.
And forgot to mention one of the 3 mentioned in the video, Swarovski.
Run all Swarovski on my firearms
Kahles on my 17hmr
Looking at what to go for long range on my 300win this was great thank you
Awesome optics review!! I couldn't agree more on Backcountry / MTN rifle glass setup, I think today too many people are mezmorized by the glamour and influence of PRS and think they need high power heavy glass and turning turrets. Optical clarity, FOV, weight, and reticle design are most important when I'm choosing new glass. I ran a 3-18 VX-6HD for over a year and come to find out I hardly ever used anything past 10X.....12X was only a very few times, why pay for magnification, weight, and extra glass you don't need?? Love the Trijicon accupoint series with green fiber optic dot.....if you get the chance definitely check one out and let me know what you think!
I have the VX5 3-15 x44, and spur bases. Let me tell you... greatest combination ever. Leupold guarantee is second to none, and it transfers to anyone who may get it after you... try to beat that. I also have the leupold RX-1600 TBR, combine that with the custom dial and you’ll be stunned at what you can do with your rifle. I have a Christiansen Traverse chambered in .270 Winchester... it’s a mulie busting machine.
Would you go with the z3 4-12 x 50 BT or the vx-5hd 3-15x for a .30-06? They are about the same price
I am looking at the Leupold 3-15x44 with Fire Dot for $810 shipped...I have been all over the map studying scopes for my hunting build. Thanks for the review & sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for the comment! Good luck with the new scope. Hope you like it!
Where did you find it for that low? Looking at $1000 for that at optics planet right now.
I saw the VX5 for $800 on Optics Planet a while ago but when I was ready to buy it was $950, same as my local sporting goods store. Just got the VX5 but noticed the Swarovski Z5 has come down quite a bit in price. Might pick that one up too.
You won’t be disappointed one bit my friend.
Hi! Between Swarovski, Leupold, and Vortex, can I ask if you've experienced any wandering zero issues with any of them?
I think we have the same incoming text tone, I keep hearing the bell, checking but finding no new texts - lol
I noticed the newer Swarovski claims 116 moa adjustment on Amazon. Think this is correct? Also have you had a chance to check out the ballistic turret? Also wandering if you've had a chance to compare Leica scopes to the Swarovski any. Are they much better optically? Is the Swarovski a whole lot better optically than the Leopold? I've been looking for something fairly light and good optically with good tracking for a mountain rifle. Having trouble deciding between a Leupold and the Swarovski. Does either one have any eyepiece movement at all which moves the reticle? Thanks for any input
Mountain ops...hell yeah! Love my vx5hd 3-15x44. Great glass!
Ditto, love that scope
What do you think of the vx5 hd 3-15-56 Leupold plant put on my browning xbolt 270 wsm . Would that bring my targets in close to see better ? I’ve mostly used 3-9-50 vxr firedot
Exactly what I needed
Glad I ran across your video you helped me with your comparison of these scopes. I am looking for a new gun and scope and was indecisive between the Leupold and Swarovski's. It sounds like either one I choose I will be satisfied with and like you my binos are Swarovski so the quality is awesome which makes me lean towards the Z5 and getting the custom turret yet on the other hand it is hard to beat the lifetime warranty that the gold ring VX-5 has compared to the 10 year Z5. I'm not hard on my equipment but you just never now. Do you feel the warranty differences is enough to pick the VX-5 over the Z5?
I do, leupold has the best warranty team out there... they are fast and efficient with repairs or replacements . Plus it transfers to anyone that may own it after you... who the hell does that anymore. Their Custom dial is pretty damn sweet, and armed with a TBR-1600 rangefinder... you’ll be hard pressed to miss anything you hunting.
Great video! Which scope rings do you use? Thank you.
Have a Swaro Z3 and Warne rings didn’t work. Had to mount with Leupold rings in order to secure scope to receiver.
Good video. Thanks
Great video , I got a Remington 700 SPG 30'06 can you tell me what kind of scope recommend me to buy, thanks go bless you
What’s your speed on your mussel loader that you are shooting it around 400yd?
After some field use, how do you feel about the Leupold vs the z5? If I don’t care about the zl2 on the Leupold, which would you recommend ?
David Hoff sorry for the slow response! I prefer the Z5 glass wise and love the BRH reticle. The only pro of The leupold is the ZL2 turret. The turret is an awesome and very usable design but if you don't need it I still prefer the glass and reticle options of the swaro.
I can get the Vortex for $700 and the Leupold with similar specs for $1100. The swarovski doesn't have and LE discount I can find. At that price range on a semi custom rifle from Shaw in 30-06, what would you go with?
I think I’m going to get the Leupold for my weatherby mk v 6.5-300.. thanks for the knowledge bombs👍😊
I have a z5 on my mark v ultralight weight , it’s hard to beat a swaroski scope
@@edencantu1 same I’ve looked through leupolds and the Swarovski seems way clearer in my eyes
Are those Nightforce Ultralite rings on the VX-5HD?
I bought a savage 22 magnum for $233 at Walmart and I put The Leopold VX5 HD 3 × 15 × 44 scope on it !!! I can't wait to take it out and shoot the gun.. While I'm waiting to find a high end 22 magnum which are hard to come by Is here in Utah.. But eventually one will surface and I'll grab it...
How did your Leupold scoop performed??
First, great video. I have the Z5 and love it. I'm thinking about the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44. Question for you: The 6.5 Creedmoor Precision Hunter has a 200 Yard Zero specified. What's the impact on aligning scope if I Zero at 100? Do I simply take the math of the rising and dropping bullet from the specs for the 200 Yd Zero? In the northeast where I live, a 200 yard shot is hard to come by. 150 yards is a "sometimes", but most shots are 60 - 120 yards in the woods. No big open plains like in Utah. Thanks.
You basically can take that math (as the bullet takes the same ark out of the barrel).
But I'd advise on using a ballistic calculator (they are available for free. For instance Swarovski themselves offers a free one on their website) and put in all of your ballistic data there. That way you can get pinpoint accuracy out of your combo.
go for a VX3 then my guy haha
What would recommend for a 270 Remington?
Do they all have adjustable objective?
Wish you would do another video with a tract leupold and say meopta or maven
Thanks for the comparison between those 3 scopes but I think you might be confused on what a 20 moa base does. It simply moves your zero point 20 moa closer to the lower limit on the scope adjustment, giving you an extra 20 moa of elevation. I think the problem you stated about the z5 not having enough adjustment to get past 400 yards on your muzzle loader would be solved with a 20 moa base. Also, any time you run an exposed turret, there's no benefit to setting you zero at 200 yards. Set it at 100 and dial for elevation. But anyway, great video and I hope this helps.
There is an advantage to a 200 zero, even with an exposed elevation turret - you can easily aim a bit up or down for 300 or 100 yard shots where you might considering shooting more quickly than longer shots you’d like to dial. 200 yard zero is the way to go.
Looking at a leupold vx6hd with illumination and CDS vs a vortex z5 with BT and illumination. Any thoughts on them?
I think the VX5 is a better option than the VX6. The scope covers can ruin a shot, and the level in my opinion is very limited and shallow. The Custom dial system makes the VX5 a very solid platform.... I use spurr mounts and a sendIt level. Leupold takes their warranty department very seriously, they never hassle and get your product back in your hands surprisingly quick. My firedot duplex has such a fast target acquisition it’s almost too easy.... very easy when I have my RX-1600 TBR... them dials in combo are a mule deers nightmare.
4” at 100 for hunting isn’t bad. I zero at 300 as the highest and lowest is 4”. Then you don’t have to think about adjusting scope unless the shot will be 300+
Thanks for sharing your video,what scope would you recommend around $550 -$850 US dollars I have just ordered the Anschutz Model 1761 .17 HMR it’s mainly Rabbits I will be shooting here in the UK.
Rabbits... you need a red 3X magnified Reddot. .17hmr is a very small round. I’d look at vortex or Burris’s line up
@@philibertorodrigo7118 Thanks for the info.
@@philibertorodrigo7118 I agree
Hi, which would you choose, leupold vx-5hd 3-15x44 cd-zl2 or swarovski z3 3-10x42 or z3 4-12x50 bt, im after better clarity. I hunt around 350-400yards, is the brh working well for hold?
Swarovskis will have the best glass.
Good work!
Thank you
Swarovski z8i 2,3-18x56 bt ???
Without sounding weird, what shirt are you wearing?
The brand is Mtn Ops
Great video, I’ve been looking at these 3 scopes for the past few months. So in your order you would suggest 1. Swarovski 2. Leupold 3. Vortex. Curious, why you decided to put the Leupold on your wife’s 6.5 instead of the Swarovski?
theleffs thank you! For her it was the ease of using the CDS turret after ranging the target instead of her having to use the reticle
@@The-Huntian but Swarovski has a BT turret? You can get custom rings for it too.
@@The-Huntian Is the CDS turret on the Leupold better than the Swarovski BT turret? Are the turrets stronger or more repeatable for dialing or anything? Thanks
+Team Backcountry In your opinion does the better glass in the Swarovski compensate for the 25.4 mm maintube vs the 30 mm maintube on the Leupold, all other things being equal? Thanks
Dan Baker Yes. Leupold doesn't take advantage of the 30mm by putting the a bigger glass tube in the scope to get more light. They use the extra space to give you more ROA in your turrets. The Z5 is brighter.
@@The-Huntian That's what bigger tubes are for
Leupold How can I order from Turkey I live in Turkey
Paid 1600 for my z5 3.5-18 ballistic turret.
After 5 seasons it’s lost its elevation tracking. Now the scope is $1300 so there went any of the re sale value after I send it off to get fixed. Now that I’ve had the problem I’ll never trust this scope as I hunt dall sheep, bear and moose with it in Alaska.
Sell that Z5 and buy the Meopta Optika6 3-18x56 with Mrad1 reticle for $650 from B&H. Don't forget to order the sunshade and decent flip up lens covers.
Why is Zeus scopes never mentioned in any comparisons
Never heard of Zeus. Do you mean Zeiss?
What kind of muzzle loader do you have what caliber and is it smokeless or black powder
Corey shoots a Cooper Firearms muzzleloader in .45 caliber, with Blackhorn 209 powder. Watch this video Corey did to get a better idea of what he uses in his muzzleloader: ruclips.net/video/9HX872ctwXI/видео.html
Haven't had a chance to test if it holds zero, but mounts just fine and has nice clear glass. Centered vertically true to a plumb line with the crosshairs which is always a plus!It's a great ruclips.net/user/postUgkxc4K63Fd5LglDMObu7-Bgapxp_ef0W8hE scope. There's no parallax adjustment or focus ring, so may be limited to 3-7x, have to see how it is on the range. Also be aware that the rings are "look through" so you can still use irons, but they are really tall if you only intend to use the optics. On a 22LR no biggie since I'm not shooting competitions or worried about a hard cheek press. Will boresight and range test, if all goes well, I'll leave it at that!
The Z5 and VX-5hD have about the near same lens quality. i would rate the Z5 a little higher. Both the Z5 and VX-5HD have better glass than the Vortex. When it comes to rifle/scope combo the glass is the deciding factor. While the Z5 has better glass the VX-5HD. The VX-5HD has a 30mm tube while the Z5 has a 1' tube which limits the amount of elevation adjustments.
You'd have to upgrade to the Swarovski X5i to get a 30mm tube which retails for close to the $3k range.
If you're interested in a long range scope with the adjustment with a 30mm tube and glass that is of higher quality the VX-5HD is the way to go. They retail for $949 at Optics Planet while the Z5 3.5-18X44 retailed for $1299 but has been discontinued.
The Razor LH has been replaced by the HD and retails for $1600 to $1900 depending on the zoom and lens size 50mm or 56mm. You'll have to get the Leupold and Vortex side by side to see which has the brighter and clearer optics.
Hunting over 400 yards with a muzzleloader? Sounds pretty wild to me.
Check out gunwerks videos. They make muzzle loaders for long range hunting. They show an elk taken at over 700yds. They not granpas muzzle loaders anymore.
This was a great no nonsense video. Leupold also has a no questions asked lifetime product warranty like Vortex.
Sorry, Joe, you’re wrong on that one...
“These warranties do not apply if the product has been modified, misused or has been damaged by accident, abuse, or misapplication.”
Read for yourself here: www.leupold.com/leupold-dna/lifetime-guarantee
Lmao
The warranty is targetable too
@@EEH85 I dropped and broke my Leupold, and they got me a new one anyway... there warranty department is generous and fair ... super quick too. I’ve sold rifle scope for the better part of 25 years, so I’ve seen the good and the bad of warranty issues... I feel like Leupold tries exceptionally hard to please everyone.
@@michaelbosisto6259 I’m not sure what to say. I’m glad to hear that’s been your experience but, as I quoted and cited above, that’s simply not what the official Leupold warranty states. You can argue functionality and quality of glass all you want between Leupold and Vortex, but the warranties truly are not comparable between these two brands. Vortex is the clear winner.
Man all I’ve ever hunted with is a 3x9x40 I’m out of my league big time watching this video lol
Vortex ok but not a Leupold. I have a vx5HD 2-10X42 by far the best scope I ever owned. clarity and light gathering ability unsurpassed. I used to thimk a Strike Eagle was a good scope. Boy, I learned fast.
I can't recommend any of the Chinese made scopes sold by Vortex. Their Japan made scopes are good. Always buy them from dealers who offer 40%-50% discount over the phone call.
Aren’t you “that guy” from “that game” which became “that movie” ???
I have no use for Vortex as far as I'm concerned they're crap. I bought a Viper 4-12x40 a few years ago and mounted it on my .35 Whelan, I put 10 shots through it sighting it in and the cross hairs blew apart. So I sent it back to Vortex and they sent me a replacement after I mounted it and took out to sight it in this one lasted 8 shots and the same thing happened again the cross hairs blew apart. I sent that one back to Vortex and told I wanted my money back, it took alot of arguing to get my money back but in the end I did. Now I realize that the Viper isn't exactly an expensive scope but to me it wasn't cheap either at well over 400$. I'll stick with Leupold from now on, I've had no problems with any of they're scopes that I've owned.
Some food for thought. I sell all of these optics and can tell you that when comparing them side by side I have NEVER had anyone pick either of the others over the Swarovski. Their actual optics are very noticeably superior. The Z3 and Z5 lines are assembled in the US with Austrian optical components. I own both the Vortex and the Swarovski. The were both on pro deals for me, so I have no "I bought this one so it MUST be better bias" and the Swaro is lights out better.....as it is compared to the Leupolds. I have a problem with Leupold as a company and I will lay it out like this. They trade heavily on their historic reputation and the idea that they are "made in America" while being being straight deceptive. NONE of their products are actually MADE in America......the non-electronic, gold ring products are ASSEMBLED in Oregon and they will NOT disclose where in Asia they get their products from. Knowing that there are only a few optical suppliers that can do the kind of work necessary for something like the VX-5 line I can say comfortably they are made in Japan ....and probably in the same factory as the Razor LHTs (Vortex states Japan directly on their scope). Another crappy thing they do is cut their lifetime warranty to 2 years for anything with electronics, and do NOT think about a claim a day after 2 yrs. They tried to get our optics manager to install a big display this year with "Made in America" plastered everywhere.........I don't appreciate deception as a business practice. The difference between the Z5 and the VX is 300 and the quality upgrade is much greater than that.
Complimenti per l'onestà! Io vivo in Italia e leggo spesso che negli States tutti scelgono Leupold perché costruiti interamente in USA. Non è per nulla vero!
Filippine e Giappone alcune parti
Grazie
@@danielemezzadri4528 Prego! I was stationed in Vicenza for 4 years and my daughter was born in Sacile.......Italy holds a special place in my heart :)
@@larryborn1082 allora sarà un cuore fortunato!
So the z5 is outsourced too, even at that price range!!!
What a rip..
What’s wrong with anything being outsourced?
@@StopFear with a price that high you want real Austrian glass. It would be like. Buying a Colt Python made in Japan. It's just not authentic.
Please !!!
A is first,
O is second
in SWAROVSKI.
Razor glass is made state side the viper line glass is made in japan
nope. most viper scopes are phillipines. razor is all japanese except for AMG 6-24. I sell them for a living
I don't think any scope glass is made in the USA. Even Leupold doesn't manufacture their own glass.
This is really a personal opinion video.
1. No actual comparison of the clarity of 3 scopes.
2. Made in japan is Not made in China, in what world can you connect these two countries together in terms of manufacturing quality?. Leupold is only assembled in USA, but some parts are actually made in China.
Aren't 95% of videos on RUclips just "personal opinion" videos?
Justin has a point. Comparing Japan to China just sounds cringy.
He did the opposite of comparing Japan to China. He contrasted them, saying essentially I'd rather buy USA made, but importing from Japan is better than from China. I lived in both countries and have bought products from both countries as most of us have, and 100% agree with him, both for quality and for social/political/economic reasons. Agree to your point as well, it is getting more and more difficult to know what parts of any product we buy are from China.
Japan makes superior quality scopes compared to China. The word quality and China can't be used in the same sentence. China is used to manufacture for profit and not for quality.
Japanese are not just a bit better than China, they’re a lot better! With all said and done, Swarovski is the go to.
I'm a Leupold man . I prefer the older vx3 or the vx freedom it is now. For some reason the high end Leupold of the last few years w all the whistles and bells are losing zero really easy. The cheap bottom end Leupold though are fuckin bulletproof tough as hell n hold zero so far np.
Alot like my mono-toned...
Sophomore English teacher...
Made in Japan is better than Made in USA
Pronounced Loo-pold not Loo-a-pold or Lee-a-pold. Otherwise very good review.
Leo pold or Lou pold?
@@commonsense5709 Lou pold or Loo pold. It's not an English name. He was German.
If you want to pronounce it in German, it would would more like Loypuld
Leu pold. Too many say Leo pold, and could just do well to see how it is spelled.
Who cares.
Why do you have a shaved head?
Why do you have dumb questions?
It saddens me that the skill of stalking is something of the past. SHOOTING is NOT hunting. Respecting the game and the spirit of the HUNT should be paramount.
If it makes you feel better, most of our hunts are archery hunts... a lot more "skill of stalking" is used on those hunts :)
Haha you think that 300 yard shot doesn’t involve stalking? Get real guy. Harvest numbers are harvest numbers. Game commission doesn’t care if you stabbed it at pointblank or shot it from a mile away.
@@FinalFlaaaash I am not talking of 300 yard shots. Far to much focus is being placed on optical capabilities of big scopes that encourage shots at twice or three times that range. Listen to the dialog on the video. I think any game management authority would be concerned about animals limping or standing gut shot waiting to be put down days after the long shot.
Kerry Graham because a bow hunter has never made a bad shot, right?
Well Brad you may be misunderstanding my point. I don't bow hunt and it does not interest me. It is illegal in Tasmania AUSTRALIA. Only poachers use them here. The review is rifle focused and shooting at 600 to 800 yards is mentioned in the context of hunting. The longer the range the less foot pound energy figures are and there are no flags to indicate wind direction on a mountainside. I maintain that discharging a firearm at big game beyond 400 yards is shooting not hunting and beyond 600 yards is unsporting and ultra long range shooting unethical.
Japan has some of the best glass in world. Who do you think makes cameras? Nikon? Cannon? Your very biased 😂 I could tell rite away who you were Gona go with