2 October 2026
Swarovski’s Z5i+ 5-25×56 P – crystal-clear optics for long-range shooting
BY BRIAN REILLY – Swarovski is an Austrian family-owned and -run business that has become a giant corporation with a diverse portfolio and is renowned for quality, craftsmanship and creativity.
The turrets and parallax adjustment on the Z5i are located in the usual spot. PHOTO: SWAROVSKI
Founded in 1895, the company was built on the manufacture of high-quality crystals, related jewellery and lighting products. Driven by his passion for astronomy, Wilhelm Swarovski, son of the founder who originally hailed from Bohemia, produced their first 6×30 binoculars in 1935. A subsidiary company, Swarovski Optik, was founded in 1949, marking their entry into the sport optics market. Their first non-military 4×32 riflescope was introduced in 1959.
This was bolstered by Swarovski’s acquisition of the renowned scope manufacturer Kahles in 1974, and they were arguably the first to produce illuminated reticles in 1994. They introduced an integrated laser rangefinder in 1995 and continued to extend their range with increasing magnifications right up to this day, trading heavily on the quality of their optics.
European riflescope manufacturers have slowly acceded to the American market and systematically moved to more refined controls and finer reticles, which, when combined with their superior optics, produce a really good product.
The Z5i is intended for the long-range shooting market. It offers a lot and comes with Swarovski’s usual warranty and excellent optical quality. PHOTO: SWAROVSKI
FEATURES
We tested the Swarovski Z5i+ 5-25×56 P (July 20025). Out of the box, it weighed in at 640 grams with a length of 378 mm and a 30 mm central tube. The difference from the previous model is the increase to a 30 mm tube and a 56 mm objective lens, thereby increasing light transmission characteristics.
This scope is clearly designed for long-range shooting and hunting, offering high magnification, excellent low-light performance (91% transmission) and precise adjustments. It features a 5-25x magnification range with an illuminated reticle but lacks the ballistic turret, which is an optional extra. The test riflescope was equipped with the BRW-I reticle, which, when paired with the ballistic turret, allows for accurate settings at long range.
Zoom control is via a rubberised ring just ahead of the rear bell, which moves flawlessly with the reticle in the second focal plane. This means the reticle remains a constant size as you adjust the magnification, unlike first focal plane (FFP) scopes where the reticle size appears to change with magnification. This is relevant because the reticle size (actually, the reticle subtensions used for holdover or windage adjustments) is calibrated at a specific magnification, so in this case, the subtensions remain consistent at all magnifications.
On the left of the saddle is the side-focus, simply marked in metres. The reticle focus ring is at the rear and can easily be adjusted while looking through the scope.
Magnification and illumination adjustments are conveniently located and easy to adjust.
Elevation and windage adjustments are done via turrets in the normal positions and shift the point of impact by ¼ minute of angle (MOA) per click. The large-diameter central tube extends adjustments to over 80 MOA of elevation and around 50 MOA of windage.
The BRW-I reticle looks like a Christmas tree with subtensions for windage and elevation. Handy here is the Swarovski ballistic program on their website, which, when you enter the parameters of your cartridge, projectile, velocity, and so forth, provides a printout of the reticle with ranges for elevation subtensions. For the loads that I used on the range – a .223 Remington with 69-grain Sierra Match bullets – the output overlaid on the elevation subtensions was produced by the program (see photo left).
Illumination is via on/off push buttons on top of the rear bell – a handy feature for low-light conditions, which is not something we often see in Africa but certainly applicable in the north woods.
Swarovski’s ballistic program, accessible via their website, made using the reticle fitted to the Z5i much easier.
OFF TO THE RANGE
On the range, it took a while to zero at 25 metres – always a problem when changing scopes. Moving to 100 metres and a few clicks on the elevation and windage, and we were spot on. Setting up with the controls was easy and the excellent optics resulted in some very small three-shot groups.
Adjusters are a little on the small side and a bit fiddly, but I’m sure the ballistic turret will solve this problem. Pulling the adjuster up on elevation and out on windage allows for setting your zero – again, I think the ballistic turret will be an essential add-on for this scope.
The reticle subtensions don’t clutter the fine line crosshair at zero, which helps a lot.
The tracking test was performed – one shot, followed by eight clicks down, and a second shot at the same aiming point, eight clicks right, one shot and eight clicks up, with a further shot and eight clicks left, which should bring you back to the start. The photograph tells the story, and the scope tracked true.
Swarovski products are imported and distributed in South Africa by Whylo Distributors (Pty.) Ltd. in Durban. For trade enquiries, contact them via the internet at www.whylo.co.za or phone them on 031 584 8088.
(This article was published in the July 2025 edition of SA JAGTER/HUNTER)