Swarovski Optik X5 - Innovative. Light. Strong magnification with always clear vision. Robust tubular body thanks to the use of steel components. Simple to handle, thanks to perfect ergonomics. Reliable. Accurate without compromise. Equipped with various reticles. Customizable. The new X5 of Swarovski Optic, available since the end of last year, also in an illuminated version, not only sets itself at the highest levels of precision, but also wins the challenge of great distances, taking advantage of the maxi-magnification and the technology of the 2 ballistic turrets.
I confess: I have never loved and frequented long / very long distances; my personal hunting ethics - that of the "fall on the shadow"- it prevents me from shooting over 300 meters. But, since I tried the X5-25 × 56, my convictions are wavering: today, even a shot beyond “my” limit distances is not risky, but possible and with a precision difficult to imagine before. In the face of nostalgics who consider the technology "enemy" of the traditional ball hunt.
The ability to make shots clean at (previously) unthinkable distances it is the daughter of the selection hunt: the garment assigned must in any case be taken; so why not do it in the best way?
Personalisms aside, it is worthwhile to briefly examine the merits, defects and technical peculiarities of this new "jewel" Swarovski Optik X5 that really allows you to impress where-you-want.
In this research of the perfect shot, first of all comes the optimal vision - also and above all in low light - of the acquired subject: large enough, sharp, as defined as possible and not covered by the reticle. From this point of view it is useless to underline that Swarovski was born as a lens manufacturer and that, therefore, the X5 has a image quality simply stunning and high-contrast reticles (of your choice). Added to this is the possibility to choose between 10 levels of lighting, with a very wide field of view (7 to 10m / 100m) and magnification factors up to 18 and / or 25x, that the hunter can easily read - even with the rifle on the gun - on the specific indication ring. In the field test, especially with wild animals that have the bad habit of always going out only at sunrise or sunset, what we appreciated most was the high twilight value: measured according to ISO 14490-1, we are talking about values such as 15,5 , 37,4-5 for the 25-56 × 48, enhanced by a useful lens diameter of 56 or XNUMX mm.
With regard to the precision, we rely on the proven system of the two ballistic turrets. With the upper one you can set (80 or 100 clicks, per rotation) the aiming distance at any time. With the parallax turret, on the other hand, the parallax can be adjusted with extreme precision to the required shooting distance. Everything of course can be calculated by setting the ballistics program (free) of Swarovski Optik, also available in a version for smartphones and / or tablets, which can be customized according to the characteristics of our shot.
The undisputed advantage of this new technology and of the sophisticated but reliable spring system of the X5 is the ability to adjust - by 1/4 or 1/8 MOA the point of impact with absolute precision, both as regards the I rise that the drift.
In practice, it becomes impossible to go wrong with one Swarovski Optik X5 and this is much appreciated by the fans (as I am too) of single shot and perfect shot, that is, that reaches the vital points and avoids useless, simple injuries.
The main defect (which it is not) is certainly the price. The three models available cost the list: 2.950 Euros for the 3,5-18 × 50 (3.150 Euros for the model with lighting) and 3.150 Euros for the two versions of the 5-25 × 56 (3.360 for the models with lighting). If, however, we consider the high level of quality and, above all, the proverbial optical perfection of the products Swarovski Optic, the price appears adequate.
Personally, I was convinced of this in a recent visit to Austria, right at the "assembly line" of theX5: Even the smallest parts of each product marked with the goshawk symbol are subjected to countless checks in terms of development, production and quality.
Many hunters choose this priceless quality and they know that this is a lifetime investment.