Hello Fellas, I am considering breaking the bank and buying the new Swarovski X5 3.5x18x50.

I am also considering a NF ATACR.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the X5, and especially how it compares with the ATACR in terms of optical quality. The ATACR seems big and bulky, so it would be great if any of you have handled both scopes so that you can give me a comparison for size, height above bore and bulk.

I would appreciate anything that you can tell me about the X5.

I have had an ATACR in my hands.

Thanks!

Both are big and bulky; too bulky in my opinion for a hunting rifle of any sort. There is no situation in hunting game animals that 18X power is helpful. And there is no situation in which a lighter, smaller scope on a hunting rifle isn't helpful.

If you're putting one on a varminter used for stationary shooting then that's different.

That's what I was afraid of. I feel that the ATACR is WAY TOO BIG for my rifle. Have you handled the X5 yet? If you did, how would you compare size of it to ATACR?

I also like the high power since I do shoot targets and steel with it. I also like the fact that you can buy a calibrated knob for scopes too.

Hopefully you handled the X5 and can compare it size-wise to the ATACR.

I would also throw an NSX into the mix

Get on E-Bay. Find a 3 x 10 or a 4 x 12. Make sure they were made in Austria. I would only get one with a BRH, or a BRX, or a TDS recticle. I have used these in about every condition there is in Africa with no complaints. Just my .02 cents worth.

That's another thought, I could live with a 4x12

What is your impression of the bulk...especially compared to the ATACR?

Why do you say make sure it's made in Austria? Aren't all Swarovski made there?

No, Now a lot of them are marked "assembled in usa". I'm not opposed to the usa ones. Swarovski stands behind their products. They have never charged me for any repair that was needed. They will change recticles for around $200.00 if you want a different one. S&B might have better glass but not by much. I'm happy with the 1" tubes. All the 30mm tubes do is give a slightly larger field of view. I use mine with the Leupold QRW Rings and Bases and would take a spare scope with me. It makes a very quick change if needed.
What is your impression of the bulk...especially compared to the ATACR?
To be honest, I don't know what that is? I like the 1'' better than the 30mm as I find them a bit bulky.
Again just my .02 cents worth.

Thanks Larry!

Searching to find what NF ATACR meant, I stumbled on this. Great field blending ; at 5x there's more tunnel than vision


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbJvLj9sOu0

"There's more tunnel than vision."



What a great quote, Sambar! I hope you don't mind if I appropriate it when I point out to acquaintances the shortcomings of some of their ultra-expensive quasi-paramilitary paraphernalia.

quote:

I also like the high power since I do shoot targets and steel with it. I also like the fact that you can buy a calibrated knob for scopes too.

Higher power, while not useful for hunting, is nice to have when sighting in or if using the same rifle for some types of sporting targets. If I were looking for a scope to accommodate both activities adequately then I think I would gravitate toward the Leupold 4.5-14X40. It is only marginally longer and an ounce or so heavier than their 3.5-10X, and its 4.5X provides a sufficient FOV for all but the tightest hunting situations. It is also available with the calibrated elevation adjustment. Also, I think you would find the 14X better for steel targets than an 18X scope.

Having used 12X scopes for prairie dogs out to 500 yards, I can tell you that more than 14X is not only a waste, but sometimes a handicap, for anything other than bench shooting at paper.

Good advise as usual Stonecreek thanks!

I will have a look at the Leopold but I'm betting that the glass is nowhere as good as the Swarovski X5?

I'd be hesitant to say. I haven't been favorably impressed with the Swarovski optics that I've used, but that is limited to binoculars as I've never used one of their scopes.

European scopes typically have very good optics, but are invariably heavier and bulkier than Leupolds. There are many optical and physical trade-offs that have to be made in creating an excellent optical gun sight (as opposed to simply a good telescope). Leupold seems to usually put together the best combination of those compromises for an optical gun sight for use in hunting.

Some people claim "an extra 15 minutes" of hunting time at dusk with brand A or brand B or whatever. Where I typically hunt (Texas, mountain states of the U.S., Namibia), the law limits your hunting to either sundown or 30 minutes after sundown. I've never had a low light problem with a Leupold within legal hunting hours. Europeans, who sometimes legally hunt by moonlight, swear by their 8x56 scopes. But they also use them from stationary blinds where bulk and weight are secondary issues.

Do you really need the rapid adjustments of the X5? If you're not going to be fiddling with the knobs all the time, you'd probably be better served with a regular Z5 or, better still, a Z6. The Z6's are about the most expensive hunting scopes I've seen. They're right up there, though S&B might be worth your attention, too.

Glass on the X5 is bloody good Frank.

An NXS is probably a good compromise on a hunting rifle...can't see the point of an ATACR on one.

On a long range rifle where you want all the elevation you can get, I'd go with an ATACR.

Me too. I'm not going to need all that elevation

I really like the Swarovski but I'm wondering if it is same size as the ATACR or more like NSX

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
"There's more tunnel than vision."



What a great quote, Sambar! I hope you don't mind if I appropriate it when I point out to acquaintances the shortcomings of some of their ultra-expensive quasi-paramilitary paraphernalia.

Feel free, Stonecreek! I know that tunnel vision generally doesn't rob you of much more ground than magnification does but it is bloody annoying! At 1x, such as might be used on a DG rifle, however, the big black ring might have a sequel in the arm bands worn at your funeral.

Why tactical scopes have big, rubber blinkers amazes me, too. My theory is the army wants its snipers to keep their eye on the target, not the enemy troops returning fire from the side.

Ive got a Swarovski Z3 and a Zeiss Conquest on here right now. Take a look at both of them. They are NIB.

I did a 360 and bought a used but almost new Zeiss Diavari FL 6x24x56 with the Z1000 reticle