Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

By Maja Pahič Oct 24, 2022

The Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 riflescope is unique in the Z6i line because it’s the only scope with a 56mm objective lens. While its main purpose is low-light hunting, it has become one of the most popular models in the series due to its ability to be used for long-range hunting as well. As expected, this model carries the highest price tag of all scopes in the Z6i series.

Swarovski Z6i series

The other models in the Z6i series are:

Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15x56 — Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56 riflescope

Interested in Z6i riflescopes?

Prior to 2020, there were two additional models available in the Z6i series: 3-18×50 and 5-30×50. However, these models are no longer available because they were discontinued when the newer Z8i series was released in 2020.

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 can have all the additional features you need like a ballistic turret BT and SR rail for mounting. The full name for such riflescope is Z6i 2.5-15×56 P BT SR.

“P” stands for parallax
“BT” stands for ballistic turret
“SR” stands for Swarovski rail
“L” stands for 30mm tube

Looking for more information about Swarovski Optik Acronyms?

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 riflescope was originally introduced in 2007 but was then upgraded and given the HD (high definition) rating in 2013.

The combination of various acronyms:

Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 P L – the riflescope has a parallax turret (side focus) and is mounted on the rifle with rings
Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 P BT L – the riflescope has a parallax turret (side focus), comes with Swarovski BTF ballistic turret, and is mounted on the rifle with rings
Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 P SR – the riflescope has a parallax turret (side focus) and has an SR rail for mounting purposes
Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 P BT SR – the riflescope has a parallax turret (side focus), comes with Swarovski BTF ballistic turret, and has an SR rail for mounting purposes

Watch our Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56 Riflescope Review Below

Optical performance

Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 scope has a 56mm objective lens with a minimum magnification of 2.5x and maximal magnification of 15x. It features a 90% light transmission rate, which is a high value for a scope with a six-time zoom. This is also the reason why this scope can still be used in low light conditions even though it offers such a wide zoom range.

It’s worth mentioning that it has 16.5 meters of field of view at 100 meters at 2.5x magnification- which is a lot.

Physical properties

The craftsmanship of the Z6i scope is impeccable. As you would expect from a top-of-the-line European riflescope, all controls and features work smoothly and effortlessly. The Swarovski logo adds a touch of class to this already excellent product.

This scope is approximately 37 centimeters long, making it one of the longer scopes on the market. However, it weighs less than 700 grams, meaning it is quite light for a scope with a 56-millimeter objective lens.

Need a mount for your scope?

Parallax adjustment

The 2.5-15×56 model is the first of Z6i’s series models with a 15x magnification that offers parallax adjustment. You can adjust parallax anywhere from 30 meters to infinity. Also, the turret produces a nice click at the 100-meter mark. The smaller Z6i models, 1.7-10 or 2-12 feature fixed parallax.

Turrets

Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15×56 features a traditional hunting ballistic turret. That means that clicks are marked, but more importantly, you can also mark the distances.

Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56

The first mark is the distance you will zero your scope. This is normally done at 100 meters. There are three additional rings beyond that, each with small color dots to help indicate different distances.

If you measure the distance to your target and it is 300 meters away, and your scope is zeroed at 100 meters, simply turn the ballistic turret until the yellow dot is lined up (the third mark), then you will be able to shoot at a target 300 meters away if the turret was set up accordingly.

This ballistic turret has a locking mechanism; this is also one of the key improvements between the first generation and the second. Plus, the rings on the turret are black now instead of silver. The contrast between the first and second generations is quite noticeable.

The ballistic turret has a total of only 45 clicks, so if you zero your scope on 100 meters, then with this turret you will be able to reach out to 400 meters with most regular hunting calibers.

How to zero a scope?

This turret is exceptionally easy to use. You must disassemble it when you’re zeroing the scope, and then you have the option of zeroing the scope for 100, 200, or 300 meters. Alternatively, if you calculate how many clicks you need at any distance, you simply move these three rings—with a green, yellow, and red dot—to your desired click number. This feature is great for hunters who do a lot of long-range shooting.

A Personal Ballistic Cam

In high-stress situations where time is limited to choose your shot, the color-coded dots on the turret can be confusing. To remedy this issue, Swarovski offers a new system: a personalized ballistic cam. With this device, rings with colors that represent different distances are replaced with one ring that has marked distances

If you want to use the ballistic cam from Swarovski, you must provide them with information about your rifle, ammunition, and ballistic data. Once they have that info, they create a personalized ballistic cam for your turret which replaces the dots. You’ll get easy-to-use distance numbers like 3, 4, 5, or 300, 400, and 500 meters. This is especially useful in high-pressure situations.

Reticle

The next thing on the list to discuss is the reticle. The Z6i 2.5-15×56 features a 4A-I reticle which is positioned in the second focal plane: it’s also extremely thin. To give you some perspective, on 15x magnification, the reticle is only one millimeter thick. The reticle is illuminated.

In the past the riflescope was also available with 4A-300-I and BR-I reticle, but those reticles are no longer available.

Interested in Reticle 4A-I? Watch our Reticle Subtension Video Below

Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56

Illumination system

The “I” in the Z6i riflescope stands for its illumination system. The illumination system is my favorite feature because it’s so advanced. If you put the general illumination switch on the left side, there is a preset intensity level for low-light conditions. If you turn the switch to the right, it will be set for daytime use instead. The illumination intensity can be fine-tuned by using the minus and plus buttons.

Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56
Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2.5-15×56

How does the illumination system work?

Choose your mode–for example, daytime mode–then use the two buttons on top of the eyepiece to make precise adjustments. The illumination system works nicely. You can choose from a variety of intensity levels to perfectly match any lighting conditions you might encounter.

The scope is versatile and can be used both in low light conditions and bright daylight. You can dim the reticle illumination for use in low light or pump up the intensity for use during the day. This way, you will always be able to see the dot in the reticle no matter what time of day it is.

Z6i 2.5-15×56 price and warranty

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 model is made in Austria, comes with a 10-year warranty, and costs 2680€. However, if you would like to purchase the model with an SR rail, 70€ will be added to the price. Additionally, the model with a BDC turret is 120€ more expensive.

Scope of delivery

With the scope you also get:

bikini covers
instruction manuals for ballistic turret
general manuals in different languages
warranty information
cleaning cloth
a special key for the ballistic turret so that you can set the ballistic turret based on your wishes.
sticker where you can write all the zeroing distances of the ballistic turret.

You may also purchase the following accessories for this riflescope:

Pros

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 provides excellent optical performance. Its great illumination system makes the scope a clear choice for anyone in the market for a top-quality product. The possibility to buy the riflescope with SR rail and BDC turret is another advantage. Even though this riflescope features a 6-time zoom, its great light transmission rate makes it useful in low-light conditions. Many hunters will appreciate that the scope can be used also for long-range hunting.

After the release of Z8i, Swarovski reduced the price for Z6i riflescopes which is great news for the users.

Pros summary:

excellent optical performance
great illumination system
SR rail
BDC turret
can also be used for long-range hunting

Cons

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 riflescope is a great product with only a few drawbacks.

For those who are practicing long-range, the ballistic turret could have more clicks.

The second remark would be that some people don’t like the illumination system on the eyepiece. But I don’t think this is a big remark. Everything else on this scope is top-class.

Cons summary:

the ballistic turret could have more clicks
some people don’t like the illumination system

Final thoughts

The Z6i 2.5-15×56 is the most popular model among all Z6i rifle scopes, largely due to its large objective lens of 56 millimeters. It’s designed for low light use; though a four-time zoom, or even fixed zoom scopes are typically better suited for such conditions. The high quality of this scope’s optics allows it to be used effectively in low lighting as well.