Swarovski Z6i not holding zero

[Dirtdart]

Call repairs at Swarovski. They will give you free shipping both ways for repairs. If you need a Scope they will furnish you one till yours is either replace or repaired. I forgot the name of the lady in repairs ; she is a sweetheart and will take care of the situation.

I am not in need of any warranty work but am curious as to how the OP felt Swarovski handled his particular issue.

 

[RockSlinger404]

I sent the scope back to the retailer, Optics Trade EU. They took over the process from there and it is back in South Africa. I haven't had a chance to mount and test it, the gun is currently at the gunsmith for some cosmetic work (engraved grip cap). Optics Trade are great to deal with, however Swaro did not even want to entertain the idea that there might be an issue. Also when I contacted them afterwards, they referred me to Optics Trade. In short, they did not blow my hair back... It sounds like the scope was rebuilt, however I can't confirm anything and look forward to testing it.

 

[Dirtdart]

I sent the scope back to the retailer, Optics Trade EU. They took over the process from there and it is back in South Africa. I haven't had a chance to mount and test it, the gun is currently at the gunsmith for some cosmetic work (engraved grip cap). Optics Trade are great to deal with, however Swaro did not even want to entertain the idea that there might be an issue. Also when I contacted them afterwards, they referred me to Optics Trade. In short, they did not blow my hair back... It sounds like the scope was rebuilt, however I can't confirm anything and look forward to testing it.

It seems the Swarovski warranty process is a bit less involved this side of the pond. I have not yet purchased anything from Optics Trade but they do the best reviews on optics I have ever seen. Good to hear that about Optics Trade customer service. Thank you for posting!

 

[fourfive8]

Good

Problem solved!!!

I swapped the Z6i with a Leupold VX5 and it is holding zero and shooting sub-MOA.

I much prefer the look and dimensions of the Swaro, however it is a useless piece of clear glass.

Now there’s a switch- using a pedestrian Leupold to check a Swaro

 

[Rare Breed]

I sent the scope back to the retailer, Optics Trade EU. They took over the process from there and it is back in South Africa. I haven't had a chance to mount and test it, the gun is currently at the gunsmith for some cosmetic work (engraved grip cap). Optics Trade are great to deal with, however Swaro did not even want to entertain the idea that there might be an issue. Also when I contacted them afterwards, they referred me to Optics Trade. In short, they did not blow my hair back... It sounds like the scope was rebuilt, however I can't confirm anything and look forward to testing it.

i too realized after sending back my Z5i to Swaro it no longer works…a tremendous disappointment. i love my Z3’s with no problems but for my leopard 25 hunt i just may switch to a Leopold fire dot given my bad repair experience with Swaro

 

[Rare Breed]

My wife's Z3 is one of the scopes that failed while we were hunting with @KMG Hunting Safaris. When we got home I sent it back to swaro and they repaired it. When it returned it held zero for exactly 9 shots. I am now deciding whether to send it back again or just use it for a hammer.

similar experience with my Z5i. it stopped working in terms of illumination. i sent it back and it still does not work. i will probably buy a Leopold from @markbiggerstaff with fire dot. very disappointed with Swaro!!!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Leupold all the way!
Tough reliable and guarentee is excellent

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I do not know if your rifle has iron sights. If so remove scope, try the same procedure at 50yds. See if you have the same group pattern.

Not very scientific, but like you said you do not have several scopes laying around.

This eliminates any chance of it being scope connected.

I had the scope failure on a M70 about 30 years ago. I was doing wildlife eradication on a farm being taken over by the “war vets”. Sad, but at least the farmer got the meat and skins.

 

[mark-hunter]

Have any of you had issues with a Z6i not holding zero? The specific model is the 1,7-10x42 on a CZ550 in 375 H&H. After 3 groups of 5 shots, the point of impact moves up by 4cm and 1cm right.

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

I have identical scope on ZKK 602 in 375 H&H.
No issues.

Suggestion.
First try the same scope on another rifle, with some comparable recoil. Like 9.3x62, 300 wm, 338 wm, etc.

If the scope holds the zero, on different rings and different rifle, then most probably the issue is mounts (or rifle). If there is no satisfactory groups, the issue is scope

You can try checking the same problematic 375 H&H rifle, with different scope, or without scope to see how it groups. If the rifle holds grouping well, then again the issue is mounts (or scope)

You get the idea.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I had an excellent experience with Swarovski service. Email them, send it in, they do their thing and send it back. No hassles, no hesitation, no superfluous questions, no charge.

 

[RockSlinger404]

Just an update, it seems like the Z6i held zero for 20 shots and is back to its old tricks - stringing up and right. I'll test it with a 300WM which I know if very accurate, but I'm not expecting any miracles.

I'll put the Leupold back on and take it further with Optics Trade EU.

 

[Inline6]

Swarovski has really good customer service. Call them up and get it sent into them.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just an update, it seems like the Z6i held zero for 20 shots and is back to its old tricks - stringing up and right. I'll test it with a 300WM which I know if very accurate, but I'm not expecting any miracles.

I'll put the Leupold back on and take it further with Optics Trade EU.

I gave up on all my swaros. No question awesome glass…all the rest a real pain in my a?! I switched to Leupold and have not looked back

 

[30.06king]

After a bit of life experience, and reading thread topics similar to this one, my own rule re scopes is: most rifles have something of a mix, either Leupold or Swarovski. Any DG rifle is scoped strictly with Leupold. No disappointments so far.

 

[Short Track]

Dam.. I've been pulling my hair out with my Tikka / Z6. Was a sub MOA rifle, drew a sheep tag, and missed by 4" @ 300 yards. I've been trying to figure this out since I got home. Rifle is now inconsistent and all over paper. 2-3" groups and moving everywhere. I figured it was the Tikka, but after reading this, I'm thinking the Z6. I had a Z8 failure years ago, and it was replaced no problem. Now I have a bad Z6 and bad DS. I can't believe Swaro is this problematic. Never been dropped, or abused.

 

[Scott CWO]

Dam.. I've been pulling my hair out with my Tikka / Z6. Was a sub MOA rifle, drew a sheep tag, and missed by 4" @ 300 yards. I've been trying to figure this out since I got home. Rifle is now inconsistent and all over paper. 2-3" groups and moving everywhere. I figured it was the Tikka, but after reading this, I'm thinking the Z6. I had a Z8 failure years ago, and it was replaced no problem. Now I have a bad Z6 and bad DS. I can't believe Swaro is this problematic. Never been dropped, or abused.

It’s the recoil. Awesome spotting scopes and binoculars but their rifle scopes are not tough enough. Leupold will also fail but less often. Best are SB, NF and Nikon for durability.

 

[Short Track]

It’s the recoil. Awesome spotting scopes and binoculars but their rifle scopes are not tough enough. Leupold will also fail but less often. Best are SB, NF and Nikon for durability.

yes, my little 6.5CM recoil destroyed a Z6. .. Actually it was the 1500 mile drive, where the scope was fully cased in a nice riding SUV Cadillac Escalade. Wasn't even bounced around too badly.
Just a complete failure cost me a sheep.

 

[Datchew]

typically on forums I read there's a lot of "my team is better than your team" with info that is anecdotal at best as regards scope brands.

The amount of people just on this thread that have attested to failed or problematic Swaro's is really surprising to me given their brand strength (and hi prices.)

 

[Short Track]

I had a bad Z8 out of the box years ago. They replaced it, and it's perfect.
Now my Z6 failed.
I'd certainly pay money for swaro glass that can hold 0.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Have 4 swaro Z8i’s with no failures(505 Gibbs, 458 Lott, 404 Jeff, and 375 H&H). Not sure what’s happening to all of theses scopes. I must be fortunate.

HH