Hi folks, Swarovski have seen fit to discontinue the abovementioned model in the uk (in fact all the Z5's) although they are still being made. Swaro have confirmed that they won't allow one to be ordered and their dealers aren't allowed to export from USA. Shame as this scope is light, great mag range, good FOV, decent low light and with the illuinated BRH reticle, suited for most things near or distant. Any thoughts?

I can't imagine why they would do that, except to make people buy the later models of even greater variable range.

To me, less is more in variables when all the complication has to be accommodated within an articulated erector tube held only by springs against recoil punishment. Add to that the size of a 3-18x scope carries a serious risk from bumps, so I would not harken after that model too much.

The Z5 does have Swaro's helical erector springs, however, so may be more reliable than the Z3, which only has a flat spring.

Illuminated reticles are not only a decadence of questionable sporting merit but a heart-break waiting to happen if you get addicted to them.

PS: 3-18x is actually a 6x multiple. Could it be you are looking for a Z6?

The thinking behind Swaro dropping the Z5 line isn't clear. Maybe the 1 inch tubes aren't popular with 30mm being far more common now.

Definitely not looking for a z6 as they are 30mm tubes and a deal heavier than the z5 and the 3-18 in the z6 line is a 50mm objective.

I should clarify that -should I ever obtain one- it will go on a 25-06 which is my only rifle. 3-18x44 has the mag range from near to far, can be mounted low so the rifle handles well and is light so doesn't make the outfit too heavy. Small critters to mid sized deer and it's an ideal combo.

Or would be if Swarovski deigned to sell them here of one could be imported.

I see the scope is actually 3.5-18, which makes sense because 3.5x5=17.5.

You can buy them in Euros, so why don't you try to get one online from the Continent.

It seems they now have a 'baby' Z5 in 2.5-12×. That would be better for most hunting purposes except that the objective is even bigger at 50mm.

In poor light you actually can use a 50mm objective (and more) at 12x but the bigger the lens the higher it has to be and the the more it sticks out, making it vulnerable to knocks.

With the 44mm objective on the 3.5-18, the exit pupil will only be about 2.4mm at 18x, a bit wee once the sun goes behind the mountain. Even finding the damned thing could be a challenge.