Swarovski Z4i 3-12x50

Though a household word amongst shooters and hunters for many years, top quality binoculars and spotting scopes aside Swarovski’s biggest contribution to optical development must be their Z6/Z6i series of rifle scopes. With what is known as a 6 x zoom range it allows for a wider magnification spread and in doing so offers an optic that can do more than one job successfully. For example their 1.7- 10x42 offers a reasonably traditional higher end up to x10, but also can be set as low as just x1.7 meaning you could use it with equal success on short range driven hunts as well as winding it right up for mid/longer range shooting.

DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?

I have two Z6s the aforementioned 1.7- 10x42 and the larger 2.5-15x56 with ballistic turret, of the two the former gets more use across its magnification range than the latter. It occurred to me that here in the UK we hunters tend to march to the beat of a different drum when compared to our European counterparts. Probably why a specification of around 3-9 x40 to 3-12 x 50 is most popular with very little need for a lower magnification as we don’t do driven!

These two specifications are based around the more normal 4 x zoom range, which has done well for many years and will continue to do so for many more to come. Swarovski doubtless with that in mind offer their Z4i range in three options: 1.25-4x24, 2.5-10x56 and 3-12x50 (on test). Of these my choice would be the 2.5-10x56 as I prize a 56mm objective more than a slightly higher option of illumination or not in the package top end magnification, to me it’s an ideal spec for general deer shooting! What is very different however is the method of illumination, which takes the form of a screw-on module, not dissimilar to what Kahles offered a good few years ago. I will come back to this later.

TECH SPEC

The build is familiar with a one-piece, round, 30mm body tube, it’s of average dimensions at 13.5” long and weighing 18.3oz. They also offer their Swarovski Rail (SR) fitment, which is far more popular in Europe, though very strong. There’s a fast-focus eyepiece and a ridged rubber magnification ring with an integral raised blade for fast operation. Turrets are reasonably standard being low hunter-types under screw-off caps – ‘set & forget’ as I term them! Click values are 1cm 100m/.36” @ 100 yards, with 34-clicks per rotation and 3.5 rotations top to bottom and side to side. This gives a ball park movement of 42” @ 100 yards, which is what you might expect from a European hunting optic. Turret rims can be lifted and disengaged to set a ZERO position.

The windage cap has a screw-off top compartment that holds a spare battery for the rheostat. Where the Z4i really differs is in its method of illumination! As opposed to a left side of saddle position that most makes go for, or the integral fitment with pressure pads in the eye bell section of the Z6i it uses a module that screws on to the elevation turret.

When you remove the turret cap you will see inside a metal connection disc. The rheostat screws onto this and makes a contact so providing both power and adjustment. Operation is simple - pull up the rubber-covered sides of the drum to turn it on then rotate it clockwise (+) to increase the brightness or anti-clockwise (-) to decrease it. Pushing it down switches off!

DIFFERENT APPROACH

It is a rather different approach in some ways and as I said similar in principle to a Kahles 1.5-6x24 scope a friend of mine has. His was 20-years old and the illumination was not by an electric contact but by a light in the turret shining down. I suppose the advantage is that you do not have to have the module fitted unless you want to. Conversely if you want it and it’s not on you have to fit it! On reflection I feel that an integral system is preferable.

Swarovski offer a choice of two reticules, both in this second focal plane system. First the more basic 4A-1 which is a generic #4 style, three thick outer bars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock with a thin inner cross coming down from 12 o’clock. Only the centre is illuminated. I have always found this a useful, across the board pattern! A little more detailed is the 4A-300-1, which is a more open version of the latter with a wider centre cross and three range bars below on the 6 o’clock inner vertical. These can be set up in conjunction with their ballistic resource (on line) that provides zero/drop points for both factory ammo and reloads.

AS EXPECTED

In use the quality I expect from any Swarovski optic was there; superb clarity, colour definition and low light capability. No complaints at all! The illumination control is flexible and also seamless and easy to use; however I do not like its 12 o’clock positioning. But in retrospect it makes manufacture easier as you do not have to have two different models – lit or unlit, so no extra machining process or material used.

PRICE:  £1,630
CONTACT: Swarovski UK Limited, +44 (0) 1737 856812, www.swarovskioptik.com
FOR: Usual top quality product
AGAINST: Illumination model makes elevation turret a bit high
VERDICT: Good general use scope Superb optics and performance Removable illumination bit of a Marmite feature