More hunting optics just released by Swarovski!

Having been in this industry for as long as I have been, I am rewarded in two distinct ways. First, I get to see customers use the gear we suggest in the field and have successful experiences while outdoors. Second, I get to be a small part of gear changing and evolving to make those experiences afield better. The new products being released by Swarovski this new year do just that! 

Swarovski is introducing the new Z5(i)+ riflescopes and the 12x42 EL Range TA rangefinding binoculars. Both are long overdue and much anticipated!

Also, be sure to check out the podcast I recorded with Jay Scott and Swarovski Rep Tom McKenna:

Swarovski’s Z5(i)+ riflescopes

First is the completely redesigned Swarovski Z5(i)+ riflescopes. Having used the lightweight 1” scope tube version of this riflescope for more than 15 years and having sold them for more, to say that I am a big fan is an understatement for sure! The Z5+ just got better with a 30mm tube and multi-revolution turrets. This, along with turrets having a couple of reticle choices, make these extremely versatile and bridges the gap from the old 3-9x40 short-range to the long-range tactical riflescopes.

The are three 5x magnification scopes: 2-10x42, 3.5-18x50, and 5-25x50. There is a non-illuminated and illuminated version. Plus, there are options for with and without ballistics turrets. There is virtually a combination that works for everyone. There is even a dope compensator with a turret for those that want to combine those disciplines. There is side focus parallax on all but the 2-10x42, as well as generous eye relief with a dial for focusing. These scopes are going to range in price from $1,649 to $2,069 for the non-illuminated and $1,849 to $2,269 for the illuminated versions. There is also a custom yardage turret or Personalized Ballistic Ring (PBR) available for the Ballistic Turret models for $109.

All three of these boast a 30mm tube allowing for 80 total MOA adjustment on elevation and 50 MOA of total windage on the 2-10x42 and 3.5-19x50 models, with the 5-25x56 model having 50 MOA of windage. This means the old, limited one-revolution turret now has two FULL revolutions, extending your long-range capabilities. An MOA turret comes with each BT model, but as mentioned above, the Personalized Ballistic Ring is available for the custom yardage guys. This really extends the range of your rifle. With the old model and its one revolution, my 280AI with a 100-yard zero was limited to 675 yards, and now it will be extended well past 1,000 yards. This feature alone will attract many customers who look past the older Z5 riflescopes.

The non-illuminated and illuminated reticle choices give a lot of versatility to these riflescopes. The non-BT 2-10x42 models have a Plex or BRS reticle to choose from, while the BT versions have BRW and Plex reticle choices. The larger 3.5-18x50 BT and 5-25x56 BT will have the 4W, BRW, and Plex reticle options. Remember that all of these come illuminated for an extra $200. Well worth the price, in my opinion. These reticles offer versatility with crisp lines and no bleedover on the illuminated side. Swarovski even coupled a bullet drop compensator tree for you with their BT turret in both non-illuminated and illuminated scopes.

One of the best attributes of the older Z5 scopes was their weight. Swarovski knew this and kept the Z5(i)+ weight and size as focal points in their design process. The smallest and lightest is the 2-10x42 at 11.9” long and weighs 14.7 ounces, while the heaviest is the Illuminated 5-25x56 BT at 14.8” and 22.6 ounces. These weights and sizes are more than respectable for this type of scope.

My daughter Gracie was fortunate enough to get a late December Coues deer tag in a premium unit, and this was an ideal situation to put the Z5+ to the test. Having used the original Z5 3.5-18x44 BT 4W to shoot a 103” double main beamed buck in 2011, I thought, for comparison's sake, why not use the Z5+ 3.5-18x50 BT 4W. After a few set-up pointers from Swarovski’s Tom McKenna and Blake Newman, mounting the scope in some Ruff’s Precision Manufacturing Scope Rings in 30mm mediums, sighting the new glass was easy and exact. I used the Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph to make sure my ballistics were true. I simply added the MOA turret in place of the colored BT rings. Gracie and I, while practicing for her hunt, shot from 100 yards to 600 yards. I found the riflescope to be reliable and repeatable! Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to connect on a buck. There will be other opportunities to shoot and keep testing this riflescope soon. I can assure you this rifle will meet your long-range shooting needs. The new Z5+ did not disappoint… Swarovski just made it better!

Swarovski’s EL Range TA 12x42 binoculars

Second up, is the often asked for Swarovski EL Range TA 12x42 binoculars. I have been selling optics for a long time, and every year customers demand for higher magnification rangefinding binoculars has increased. There is the Leica Geovid-R 15x56 Rangefinding Binocular but that has been it when it comes to “over 10x” rangefinding binocular game for a long time. Hunters are looking for a more of a “one binocular for everything” solution. Long-range shooters want more magnification to identify targets and range them at greater distances. Not to mention the guides and outfitters who want more ability to field judge and range distances while helping a client decide on whatever their quarry.

If you have been using the EL Range TA 8x42 W B or EL Range TA 10x42 W B you will enjoy the 12x version well. It rounds out their offerings nicely. They will be offered in the same Swarovski green or blaze orange at a price of $3,549. The 12x42 EL Range TA is the same size and weight as he previous models. They weigh 32.8 ounces. If the weight or 2x extra magnification makes you wonder if they can be handheld or not without getting too shaky, you have options. The Swarovski FRR Forehead Rest is available as an accessory for $159. 

Better yet, they can be tripod mounted with the Swarovski TA Tripod Adapter NL for $199. I found it to be easy to handhold for quick looks and grabbing ranges but found myself using them mounted on a tripod most often for glassing longer ranges. When using the MUTNT Gear CF-69 Carbon Fiber Tripod and MUTNT Gear FH-6 Precision Fluid Head, I can tell you that range accuracy is a big plus.

The 12x42 EL Ranges worked really well on Gracie’s Coues deer hunt. I found the glass to be like the other EL Ranges TA. With their 90% light transmission, 3.5 mm exit pupil, and 288-foot FOV they definitely held their own and helped find deer in low-light conditions.

I had these 12x42 EL Range TA binoculars set up just like my 8x42 EL Range TAs before this, with the distance first and the MOA equivalent to match the Z5+ riflescope. I found the ranges and MOA in red to be easily read on many different targets. I had it on the middle setting for brightness. Some might like to go to its highest but I found it to be perfect for me.

All the other features remain the same. Ballistic profiles can be loaded to the binocular via Bluetooth, One-off or Scan Mode, and Tracking Assistant using your last three measurements. These 12x42 EL Range TA were made for great glassing, plus I had all my ballistic info at my fingertips, and it was simply easy to upload and access. I am obsessed with technology that makes me more confident with my gear and ability to harvest game cleanly. If you like combining great glass and the ability to range distances without needing to swap over to a typical monocular rangefinder, the new Swarovski 12x42 EL Range TA is for you!

One of the coolest things about getting to use the newest Swarovski Z5+ 3.5-18x50 BT 4W and 12x42 EL Range TA is that I got to join them together on the NEW Swarovski Optik Hunting mobile app. This replaces the previous EL Range Configurator mobile app. The new app is compatible with DS riflescopes, EL Range TA, binoculars, and riflescopes. The app also has enhanced Tracking Assistant capabilities. By storing your last three ranges you can now share those latitude and longitude coordinates with a third party. Also, you can now load multiple profiles in the system, whether it is a Swarovski product or not. The system is way more advanced than its previous versions and is being made more efficient by allowing for updates as they become available. I urge you to give it a try. I verified my data against other apps and found it to be spot on!

If you have questions about Swarovski optics, gear needed when glassing, or further explanation, please feel free to comment or reach out to me at optics@gohunt.com, or you can give me a call at 702-847-8747, and I’d be happy to help.