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For a long time, European optics manufacturers did not configure their rifle scopes to best suit American hunters. Their scopes were often large and heavy with bold reticles positioned in the first focal plane and with goofy click-value adjustments. But European optics have generally always had exceptional glass, with impressive resolution and clarity. Realizing the size of the American market, European manufacturers are coming around to our way of thinking. Austrian-based Swarovski introduced their first rifle scope in 1959, and they’ve been at the forefront of crafting scopes for American hunters. Their new Z5+ rifle scopes are a perfect example. They are feature laden, lightweight, and more affordable than other high-end Swaro models. In fact, after testing a new Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT, I'm going to go ahead and say that it might be the best general-purpose hunting riflescope you can buy. Here's my full review.
Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10X42 L BT Specs
Magnification: 2-10X
Objective Lens: 42mm
Exit Pupil Diameter: 4.2mm to 9.5mm
Exit Pupil Distance: 3.74 inches
Field of View: 10.8 to 53.7 feet at 100 yards
Diopter Adjustment: -3 to +2 dpt
Light Transmission: 91%
Twilight Factor: 5.7 (2X), 20.5 (10X)
Click Value: 0.25-inch at 100 yards (lockable turret)
Elevation/Windage Adjustment: 82.8/82.8 inches at 100 yards
Length: 11.9 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
Tube: 30mm
Reticles: Second Focal Plane – Plex (tested), BRS
Parallax Setting: 109 yards
Battery/Run Time: CR 2032/180 hours
Functional Temperature Range: -4° to +1318 F
Submersion: 13 feet
Price: $1,949
Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10X42 L BT Overview
Swarovski introduced the original 1-inch-tube Z5 rifle scope line in 2009. The new and enhanced Z5+ models include three magnification ranges: 2-10x42, 3.5-18x50, and 5-15x56. These riflescopes have a second-focal-plane reticle and substantial upgrades over the original Z5 line that include a 30mm tube, 80 MOA of reticle adjustment, and an improved zero stop with two rotations delivering 40 MOA of correction. That’s enough to take a 308 Winchester past 1,000 yards. They also have a ¼-turn adjustment lock; Swarovski’s excellent lens coatings system that enhances clarity, resolution, and light transmission; and high-definition glass, all in a more compact package. (Note that 2-10x42 Z5+ rifle scopes do not have HD glass, which we'll get to later.) Also, all Z5+ rifle scopes rely on four coil springs as opposed to two leaf springs for erector tube support. This helps guarantee reticle stability and repeatable, precision adjustments.
Within each magnification range there are options, and the best way to explain them is with the extra letter identifiers in the model designation. Z5+ riflescopes can have, i, P, and BT designations, which correlates to an illuminated reticle (i), parallax adjustment (P), and ballistic turret (BT). The “L,” designation for every Z5+ rifle scope stands for "lightweight." The included chart brakes down the models offered with features. However, for hunters wanting a solid general-purpose scope, one of the 2-10x42 Z5+ versions seems ideal, and the BT model is the cream of the crop. The 3.5-18X and 5-25x Z5+ riflescopes are better suited to dedicated long-range application.
What sets the Z5i+ 2-10X42 L BT apart from other Z5+ and most other rifle scopes, is its combination of features compared to its size and weight. At 17 ounces, you get a practical magnification capable of taking you out to about 500 yards. You also get 91% light transmission combined with a rheostat-controlled illuminated reticle that remembers its last setting.
Finally, there’s Swarovski’s unique, three-way, ballistic-turret system. The scope ships with a ballistic ring graduated in ¼-MOA clicks that offers 20 MOA of adjustment per rotation, and with a zero stop that allows two rotations. You also have a total of 80 MOA of adjustment in elevation and windage. But the scope also comes with four, thin, ballistic rings—each with a visual and tactile indicator—that allow you to custom-set ballistic corrections at four distances in addition to your zero. And finally, Swarovski will create a personalized ring to match the ballistics of any load you choose.
Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10X42 L BT Test Results
I mounted the Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT to a good-shooting 6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Ridgeline FFT rifle using Talley lightweight rings. After zeroing with Federal 140-grain Fusion Tipped ammo, I fired a box drill. Then I removed the scope, dropped it on a hard surface from waist high—three times—and then remounted and rechecked. The scope never placed a shot more than ¾ of an inch from the anticipated point of aim.
Next, I placed an optics chart, a dollar bill, and a multicolored target in the shade and in good light at 50 and 100 yards, for brightness and resolution evaluation. After this test, I dunked the riflescope in 10 inches of water for 30 seconds and tossed it in the freezer overnight. 12 hours later I reexamined brightness and resolution, while also looking for signs of fogging or leakage. Admittedly, without sophisticated testing instruments, brightness, resolution, and clarity are a bit subjective, but I’d rate the performance of the Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT as exceptional. There were also no signs moisture infiltration.
Performance is one thing; shooter interface is another. Ideally, all riflescope adjustments and controls should be easy to operate and somewhat intuitive. While shooting from a rest and from field positions, the focus, magnification, illuminated reticle brightness, and turret controls were all evaluated for ease and preciseness of adjustment. The scope’s magnification adjustment was easy and smooth, the elevation turret lock system is the best I’ve seen, and correcting for trajectory with the customizable four ballistic rings was super simple out to around 450 or 500 yards.
Final Thoughts on Swarovski’s Newest Scope
Pros
Lightweight
Compact
Illuminated reticle
3 ballistic turret options
Cons
Expensive
You might think the absence of the HD glass in the 2-10x42 Z5+ riflescope would be a hindrance, but at a 2-10x magnification range it offers no substantial performance gain. The same is true for a parallax adjustment. Many hunters believe a parallax adjustment is mandatory for distance shooting, but inside 500 yards, which is where Swarovski 2-10x42 will perform best, it’s not necessary. With a factory set parallax at 109 yards, at 500 yards the maximum parallax possible would be 192mm or 7.55 inches. However, to induce that much parallax your eye would have to be as far from riflescope’s centerline as possible, while still seeing a tiny sliver of the field of view. With reasonable eye positioning, the maximum parallax you’d most practically experience at 500 yards would be less than two inches, and that hardly matters for big-game hunting.
Weight and size do matter. Hunters today want suppressor friendly rifles capable of connecting at distance, but they don’t want to head into the backcountry with a heavy load. With the Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT mounted to the Ridgeling FFT 6.5 PRC rifle, total weight was only 6.75 pounds. Carrying and working with the combination from field shooting positions was easy, and with a 7.8-ounce Banish Backcountry suppressor added, the total weight was only 7.24 pounds.
I especially liked the four ring customizable and lockable turret option. It allows you to zero at 100 yards, set the rings for distance, and then lock the turret at your maximum point-blank range in case you need to make a hurried shot inside 300 yards. Alternatively, you could zero the scope at any distance, and then set the four rings for shooting at any four other distances. With the Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT rifle scope’s illuminated reticle and versatile ballistic turret options, it’s hard to imagine a big-game hunting situation at reasonable distance where this scope would not excel. This is even more true with the addition of the BRW reticle.
The Plex and the BRW reticles are available for Z5+ 2-10x42 rifle scopes. I like the simplicity of the Plex, especially in conjunction with the versatile turret system. However, the BRW reticle is a ballistic reticle, and when paired with the Swarovski Optik Hunting APP or their online ballistic program, you can tune it to match your specific load and then see actual reticle subtensions at different ranges. With the BT turret option and the BRW reticle, you have four options for trajectory compensation.
The Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT will give you the ability see clearly in any lighting condition, allow you to aim with multiple options and precision out to 500 yards, and it helps keep your shooting system compact and only adds a pound to your rifle. Like all Swarovski optics, Z5+ riflescopes come with Swarovski’s 5+5 -year scope warranty (5 years manufacturer's warranty plus 5 years good will) and 2+3 year electronic warranty. Granted, at just shy of two grand, the Z5i+ 2-10x42 L BT is not cheap, but you’ll not find all these features in another compact, premium-quality riflescope, for less, or at any price.
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