I am quite pleased with my Z3 scope. I have an opportunity to purchase a lightly used Habicht. How do they compare? which is considered higher quality? thanks!

By 'lightly used', I assume you mean some recent iteration, which may not be as good as a Z3.

However, if your Habicht is one of the reticle-movement models made up until about 1980, it may be a rare gem.

If in doubt, wind the knobs - and if the reticle goes out of centre, that is a good one.

thank you. It is much newer than 1980 so I will stick to the Z3.

quote:

Originally posted by swm:
I am quite pleased with my Z3 scope. I have an opportunity to purchase a lightly used Habicht. How do they compare? which is considered higher quality? thanks!

We'd need a bit more info to answer that for you. "Habicht" does not refer to a specific model. Also, what year was it made (the first few digits of the serial # tell you that)?

Most of these are different models including PH/PV, AV, PF, PF-N, PV-N, etc., but they are all stamped "Habicht." If you can get me a bit more info (or post some photos), I'd be glad to tell you how your scope compares to a Z3. Also, as to the other poster's comment insinuating that the pre-1980 models may be superior compared to more recent models, that's simply hogwash, to put it mildly. Lastly, you mention you like your Z3 quite well. If that's the case, chances are you'd love the scope in question as the Z3 represents Swarovski's entry-level line of riflescopes -- though "entry-level" here certainly doesn't mean low-end, either. The Z3 offers terrific optical qualities.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
I assume you mean some recent iteration, which may not be as good as a Z3.

The Z3 is the entry-level lineup for Swarovski.

I guess you've washed a few hogs at the bottom of your garden, Bobby, so might know something about it.

To what extent the mechanics of the Z3 would be worse than those in previous image-movement models surprises me, though. What I do know is that unless the previous models had helical erector springs like the Z5 and Z6, they are unlikely to be any better at resisting recoil.

That is the problem Swaro had explaining the need for those coil springs - they had to admit that flat erector springs can't take it.

I'm not sure the coil springs totally make up for the deficiencies of having an articulated erector tube either, but at least they are making an effort.

HABICHT is a European eagle, the logo used by Swarovski on many of their products i.e. translated to English their products would be iterated as Swarovski Eagle.

I don't know about their early scopes but a top of the range of Swarovski binoculars given to my father by a visiting German hunter developed a yellow tint in the optics as they aged, similar to that reported with early Leupold optics.
This particular model of binocular and maybe other optics in the Swarovski line did have a slight yellow hue from factory to give better optics when used in snow terrain (according to Swarovski) but it seems this yellow tint became deeper with age. One of my brothers still has the binocular and last time I looked through them the yellow tint was quite pronounced.

Maybe something to consider if looking at earlier Swarovski optics, and probably Leupold too.

I have seen that yellow tint in old Kahles and Schmidt & Bender scopes, too, Eagle, and understand that it comes from the ageing of lens cements.

However, I have scopes of those brands that are even older that have not yellowed. The only problems I've had with the early Swarovskis has been the seizing-up of the turrets and, on one, the eye-piece focus.

Ironically, the turret problem may have been a consequence of the scopes' internal stability: one seller told me his 4x32 had been on a Brno centrefire hunting rifle for three decades without ever needing the knobs twiddled.

It had not been a safe queen, though, because the outside had a fair few scratches. (I bought it just for research purposes.)

The other scope, a Habicht 6 6x42, was of beautiful appearance and so bright and clear I wondered how much better lenses and coatings could get. I got it going and it now graces my cousin's (early Brno?) 7x57 on permanent loan.