Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

The Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 riflescope was one of the biggest news in 2016. These types of scopes were first introduced at the IWA fair in Germany back in March 2016, with deliveries starting later that year in the summertime.

Interested in this 8x zoom scope?

About the Swarovski Z8i series

The Swarovski Z8i line of riflescopes was the only one on the market with a true 8 times zoom range, all while maintaining a 30 mm main tube in 2016. According to Swarovski, the light transmission rate is a whopping 93 percent. At the launch, Swarovski Optics stated that the brightness of Z8i scopes exceeds that of older Z6i models, making them ideal for hunting during dusk or dawn.

The reticle is in the second focal plane, which means that it won’t cover a large part of your target at maximum magnification. This setting makes the reticle especially useful for long-distance shooting.

Swarovski designed a sleek new illumination system that is still located on the eyepiece. They moved the battery from the ocular to the parallax turret in the middle for easier use. The reticle’s illumination can be adjusted to any need: for use in bright daylight or at dusk and has the Swarolight function, which automatically shuts on or shuts off when the rifle is in a shooting position or not.

At any magnification, Z8i scopes offer an outstanding wide view angle and excellent build quality. For better and easier mounting, I recommend Swarovski SR rail, but this decision is ultimately up to the buyer.

The Z8i series includes the following models:

• Swarovski Z8i 0.75-6×20
• Swarovski Z8i 1-8×24
• Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42
• Swarovski Z8i 2-16×50
• Swarovski Z8i 2.3-18×56
• Swarovski Z8i 3.5-28×50 (introduced later)

You can watch the entire Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 Review below

The optical performance of Z8i 1.7-13.3×42

The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 has a wide field of view, more than 25 meters per hundred meters on 1.7x magnification. This makes it usable even for driven hunts, especially because the illumination system is so powerful. You can set it to a very bright daytime setting, which makes the scope perfect for using on a driven hunt where you need a wide field of view and a bright red dot.

Swarovski Z8i VS Z6i

Although the Z8i scopes are not replacements for the previous Z6i series, they offer significant upgrades in terms of optical quality. With high resolution from edge-to-edge and improved light transmission rates, these new models provide clear advantages over their predecessors. However, it is difficult to make radical improvements in this department.

The newly designed Z8i series from Swarovski is an upgrade compared to the older line, the Z6i.

The new and improved features in this include:

1. 8x zoom factor
2. Higher light transmission rate
3. Wider field of view

Physical properties of Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42

The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 model is one of the smallest in the Z8i line; 0.75-6×20 being the smallest, and 1-8×24 being the second smallest.

The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 is an elegant and good-looking scope that I think would look terrific on any single barrel rifle, especially something like a Merkel or Blaser K95. It’s also an excellent choice if you do a great deal of stalking.

This scope is 33 centimeters long, which is quite lengthy compared to other 1.5-6 or similar scopes with 40-millimeter or 42-millimeter objective lenses. But when set against the backdrop of all the big scopes with 50-millimeter and 56- millimeter lenses, this isn’t much at all. It weighs a mere 620 grams too.

Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 Reticle

The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 scope offers a few different reticles for the user to choose from, including:

• 4A-300-I
• 4A-I
• 4A-IF

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

All reticles in this model are positioned in the second focal plane and they’re very thin, thinner than most reticles in other hunting rifle scopes. They’re also all illuminated.

The 1.7-13.3×42 model (as well as the 1-8 model) comes with an illuminated flex reticle (4A-IF reticle). Though it is not labeled on the scope, this feature allows you to choose between having a traditional 4-A reticle with an illuminated dot in the center or a fully illuminated circle around the dot which completely disappears when turned off.

The disappearing dot technology is new to Swarovski riflescopes, and it’s a great function. We knew that with previous models from Schmidt and Bender, the dot would completely disappear after it was turned off. But now, with this scope, you have the whole circle which disappears. This Swarovski innovation is very well executed; it’s something new and different.

Illumination system

The design of the illumination system on the Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 eyepiece is noticeably different from that on Z6i. It’s smaller, and there’s no built-in battery; instead, it uses a side turret battery. The plus and minus buttons are both positioned at the top of the eyepiece.

The illumination system and the way it functions didn’t change from the Z6i series.

There are two buttons for pre-set settings:

1. daytime bright illumination (with small sun symbol), and
2. low light illumination (with small moon symbol).

The plus and minus buttons allow for more delicate adjustments, the illumination can be set to match any environment, and the level of intensity is almost limitless.

The scope also has a position sensor, meaning that if the scope is completely still or placed in a safe, it will turn off. The illumination system will also automatically turn off when not needed, which conserves battery life. When you put the scope back into the firing position, it turns on immediately. The system works incredibly fast; however, if you don’t want to use it, you can easily switch the function off.

Turrets

The turrets on the new Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 are completely redesigned and offer a smoother feel and easier reset compared to the older Z6i series.

You can order the Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 with classic, hunting-capped turrets or BDC elevation and windage turrets.

The clicks on all models are one centimeter per 100 meters. The battery for the illumination system is located in one of the turret caps, and there is even a spare included just in case you happen to run out of power. I feel that this was a big improvement over the previous models.

BTF Turret

You can also order the BTF (Ballistic Turret Flex) as an accessory for both elevation and windage turrets. This turret can be set to accommodate any ballistic curve because it has 7 separate rings that can easily be allocated to any desired click value.

However, the most important aspect of the ballistic turret is that it is very user-friendly. The new BTF turret is easy to put on and take off, which makes it much more convenient than other models currently available on the market.

The BTF turret, even though made of plastic, is a highly functional product. You don’t need to have it connected to the scope when you set it up and if you don’t need it, you can remove it anytime. Additionally, attaching it to either the elevation or the windage turret is an option.

If you want to learn more about the ballistic turret on the Swarovski Z8i line, check out our separate video

Parallax adjustment

With the exception of the 1-8 and 0.75-6 models, all other models in Z8i offer a parallax adjustment. This means that the previous model, Z6i 1.7-10, did not have this feature but now the new Z8i 1. 7-13.3×42 does.

Parallax can be adjusted from 35 meters to infinity, and it clicks at 100 meters. This is the default setting. While I believe that most people will never use parallax on Z8i 1. 7-13.3×42 scope, I understand why some might feel differently.

Mounting solution

The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 comes with a 30-millimeter central tube, and you have the option to order a model with a Swarovski SR rail. If possible, always choose the model with the rail.

The rail mounting solution is definitively better than rings and provides a sleeker look. The model with the rail has been designed to allow extra space for easier mounting – something that isn’t seen often but is appreciated. Every detail was considered during the design process of this scope.

Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 price and warranty

The Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 is made in Austria and has a 10-year warranty included.

The basic model costs 3060€. If you wish to order a scope with the 4A-IF reticle, it would cost 290€ more. The Swarovski SR rail model is 60€ more expensive. Adding a BT elevation turret to the scope will be an additional 290€. If you wish to have a scope with both elevation and windage BT turrets, that will add 580€ to the total cost.

Scope of delivery

Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 riflescope comes with a:

• bikini covers
• instruction manuals
• lens cloth

You may also purchase the following accessories for this riflescope:

1. Swarovski PBR for BTF
2. Swarovski TL Throw Lever
3. Swarovski BTF Ballistic Turret Flex
4. Swarovski CSO Cleaning Set
5. Swarovski Scope Guard (Neoprene)

Pros

To summarize, this is an ideal scope model for both stalking and elegant rifles–especially drop barrel rifles. The Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 is very small and light. Its optical performance is excellent, and its field of view enables you to use it even during driven hunts.

The eye box on Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 is great. When you put your eye behind the eyepiece lens to look through the riflescope, you will immediately be able to see what’s in front of you. In this way, it is a remarkable scope.

Another great feature of the Z8i is that it can be ordered with a Swarovski SR rail. Another perk is the option to choose a BT turret.

Pros summary:

1. great optical performance
2. small and light
3. SR rail
4. BT turret

Cons

We all hope for the best with upcoming models like the Z10 or Z12, but in truth, the Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 is already a great model. I think that most users would never need more than an eight-times zoom.

Is there room for improvement? I would appreciate it if the scope’s magnification went all the way down to 1.5x, and if it had a slight increase in its field of view as well (an additional 1 meter would be nice).

I would prefer the scope’s range to be 1.7-13 – I believe the name is too complicated. Other than those two considerations, I think it’s a perfect scope and currently one of the best 42-millimeter scopes available on the market.

Cons summary:

1. lower magnification should be 1.5x
2. FOV could be at least 1 meter wider

Final thoughts on Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42

I am thoroughly pleased with the Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 riflescope – it’s an excellent choice for stalking the game and more sophisticated guns, especially those with a drop barrel feature. The optical performance is exceptional, and the field of view is quite broad, making it ideal for driven hunts where timing is crucial. Additionally, the eye box provides plenty of space to see what’s in front of you without strain while looking through the scope.

You can order this product with a Swarovski SR rail or BT turret to make it more fitting to your needs. All things considered, this is still an excellent scope and currently one of the best 42-millimeter scopes available for purchase.

Interested in this 8x zoom scope?

Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 Relevant Comparisons

Do you want to know how this product compares to others in its class? Check out the following relevant comparisons:

• Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 P VS Swarovski Z6i gen.2 1.7-10×42 L
• Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 P VS Leica Magnus 1.5-10×42 i
• Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 P VS Leupold VX-6HD 2-12×42

Similar Reviews

If you found this review helpful, you may be interested in reading reviews of the following similar products:

• Swarovski Z6i gen.2 1.7-10×42 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews
• Leica Magnus 1.5-10×42 i Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

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