This will be an ongoing review of the Minox ZA5 4-20x50 as it gets more field testing.
First impressions
- Mechanically sound.. the adjustments are positive and easy to dial in
- The side focus is actually correct on the distance markings for me... Setting it at 50/100/200 put the targets into perfect focus.
- It's a bright clear piece of glass... very impressive.
- The eye relief is generous
- 1/8th MOA adjustments took a bit of getting used to
For testing, it is mounted on a CZ527 .204 using CZ's 1" rings.
The real measure of scope quality to me is mechanical reliability. I'll try and shoot a few box drills with it over the next few weeks and see how it does.
In order to do a bit of comparison, I took 3 scopes in this range to my back patio and compared them side by side looking at objects both 100 yards away and also out to 500 or so...
- Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56
- Vortex 6.5-20x50
- Minox 4-20x50
- For overall ruggedness, toughness of design and just how tank like.. the NXS wins hands down.
- For optical clarity, especially side to side in the field of view, the Minox compared very favorably with the NXS with the Vortex a bit further back
- The power adjustment is sort of interesting.. I think the NXS is definitely more for field use, but I like the ease of dialing in the vortex and the angle on the markings. I can see where it's set with just a tilt of my head off the stock. The Minox is pretty typical, although it does have a rubberized coating on the ring, so it's easy to grab. I'm not sure if I'll be a fan of this in the long run. (Hopefully the rubber doesn't degrade over time or with use.)
- All three have pretty strong warranties. Nightforce and Vortex have a long reputation for quickly taking care of any problems.. Minox has a good stated warranty, but they are new enough, it's hard to say how it will work out.
It's a very promising optic. I think it's going to come in ahead of Leupold's in this price range on pure optic quality. If the mechanics / repeatability of adjustment are there, I think we have a new entrant in the sub $1000 optic category.
Would I want to carry this one out into a combat zone? No. would it be perfect on top of a varmint rifle for a high volume day of whacking vermin? I'd say we have have a top contender.
First impressions
- Mechanically sound.. the adjustments are positive and easy to dial in
- The side focus is actually correct on the distance markings for me... Setting it at 50/100/200 put the targets into perfect focus.
- It's a bright clear piece of glass... very impressive.
- The eye relief is generous
- 1/8th MOA adjustments took a bit of getting used to
For testing, it is mounted on a CZ527 .204 using CZ's 1" rings.
The real measure of scope quality to me is mechanical reliability. I'll try and shoot a few box drills with it over the next few weeks and see how it does.
In order to do a bit of comparison, I took 3 scopes in this range to my back patio and compared them side by side looking at objects both 100 yards away and also out to 500 or so...
- Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56
- Vortex 6.5-20x50
- Minox 4-20x50
- For overall ruggedness, toughness of design and just how tank like.. the NXS wins hands down.
- For optical clarity, especially side to side in the field of view, the Minox compared very favorably with the NXS with the Vortex a bit further back
- The power adjustment is sort of interesting.. I think the NXS is definitely more for field use, but I like the ease of dialing in the vortex and the angle on the markings. I can see where it's set with just a tilt of my head off the stock. The Minox is pretty typical, although it does have a rubberized coating on the ring, so it's easy to grab. I'm not sure if I'll be a fan of this in the long run. (Hopefully the rubber doesn't degrade over time or with use.)
- All three have pretty strong warranties. Nightforce and Vortex have a long reputation for quickly taking care of any problems.. Minox has a good stated warranty, but they are new enough, it's hard to say how it will work out.
It's a very promising optic. I think it's going to come in ahead of Leupold's in this price range on pure optic quality. If the mechanics / repeatability of adjustment are there, I think we have a new entrant in the sub $1000 optic category.
Would I want to carry this one out into a combat zone? No. would it be perfect on top of a varmint rifle for a high volume day of whacking vermin? I'd say we have have a top contender.
