I have been pleasantly satisfied with the ZP5, it comes from a heritage (no pun intended) of excellence and does not miss the target.
Reticle - the MR4 is about perfect. I like how the 0.2mil doesn’t have a hash. It makes the center less obstructed. I wish the 0.4 and 0.6mil had different hash heights, much like the SKMR, so 0.5mils is easier to pick out. This is a small gripe, but it would make the MR4 quicker IMHO.
Eyebox – The eyebox is easy to get behind in any position and is one of the best I have used. Every time I get behind the scope I am reminded of how good the eyebox is.
Diopter – Diopter is stiff with a locking ring. Set it and forget it.
Magnification Ring - Very smooth. There is a small tail that removes the need for a throw lever IMO. The numbers are not raised so unless you break cheek-weld you can’t see what mag you are on. Not a big deal, as I just count the hashes at the bottom of the reticle to tell what mag I am on now.
Elevation - I zeroed on a 20moa base and I have in access of 20mils of elevation up travel left. Spec sheet says 28mils, which is limited by the turrets. The scope has roughly 34mils of elevation travel in total. Elevation turret is 15mils per rev.
Turrets - The knurling on these is very aggressive and takes some getting used to. I would also call them “low profile.” The clicks are very definitive and audible. There is no over-travel or back-travel. Although they are stiff, and require a good amount of force to turn, they are easy to use once accustom to them. The spacing is sufficient enough to tell exactly what tenth mil you are on. I do wish they staggered the heights, much like a tape measure, for easier use. I do think the turrets would be easier to operate if the turret was a little taller.
Second Revolution Indicator - Two little boxes below the elevation turret turn white before you get into the second rev. I have a second gen model and the turrets are exactly how @CSTactical YouTube video shows them.
Minox ZP5 Gen2 second rev indicator
Windage & Turret - +/- 6mils. Turret feel is the same as the elevation turret.
Parallax - Phenomenal, more or less parallax free past 300 yards. The turret has no distance markings and is easy to turn. This initially concerned me but is more a highlight now that I have used it a bit. I had planned on taking a white paint pen and just putting digits, in 100’s of yards, for the setting, but I no longer think this is necessary. Inside 300yards it does need to be adjusted appropriately but besides that I would say there is really only 2 settings, mid and long range.
Illumination - don’t plan on using it but takes a CR2032 that can be opened with lose change or screw driver. Illumination has on and off in between each of the 11 brightness settings. It is daylight bright but not as bright as some others out there.
Glass - I am constantly amazed at the IQ (resolution/contrast/clarity) of this glass. There is no superficial hue or tint to the glass. It is very difficult to explain my sentiments on the glass other than it wows me every time. I am truly impressed with what Minox has done.
Form Factor - it is long, god is it long, at 16.3”. From the turrets rearward to the eyebox seems like it’ll never end. The turrets are lower profile and sleek. The magnification only has the small tail that protrudes. There is not much to get hung up on. Weight is acceptable for this type of optic at 34oz.
Fit/Finish - The fit of the machining is excellent. There is no wiggle or play in any of the fittings. The finish isn’t as good as some out there, but acceptable.
Warranty - The warranty concerned me at first, but after reading that Blaser USA is handling the warranty claims out of Texas and that the lead times have been cut down considerably, I am no longer concerned about this aspect. The warranty is in line with other optics at this price point.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/resources/minox-total-coverage-warranty-for-zp-scopes.13/
Summary - The design shows its lineage and doesn’t push the envelope forward but is a refined traditional scope that executes it flawlessly. My minor gripes or complaints are mostly preference oriented and does not affect the usage of the scope in any manner. In summary the glass is exceptionally good, MR4 is just about perfect, and both the eyebox and parallax are forgiving.
Reticle - the MR4 is about perfect. I like how the 0.2mil doesn’t have a hash. It makes the center less obstructed. I wish the 0.4 and 0.6mil had different hash heights, much like the SKMR, so 0.5mils is easier to pick out. This is a small gripe, but it would make the MR4 quicker IMHO.
Eyebox – The eyebox is easy to get behind in any position and is one of the best I have used. Every time I get behind the scope I am reminded of how good the eyebox is.
Diopter – Diopter is stiff with a locking ring. Set it and forget it.
Magnification Ring - Very smooth. There is a small tail that removes the need for a throw lever IMO. The numbers are not raised so unless you break cheek-weld you can’t see what mag you are on. Not a big deal, as I just count the hashes at the bottom of the reticle to tell what mag I am on now.
Elevation - I zeroed on a 20moa base and I have in access of 20mils of elevation up travel left. Spec sheet says 28mils, which is limited by the turrets. The scope has roughly 34mils of elevation travel in total. Elevation turret is 15mils per rev.
Turrets - The knurling on these is very aggressive and takes some getting used to. I would also call them “low profile.” The clicks are very definitive and audible. There is no over-travel or back-travel. Although they are stiff, and require a good amount of force to turn, they are easy to use once accustom to them. The spacing is sufficient enough to tell exactly what tenth mil you are on. I do wish they staggered the heights, much like a tape measure, for easier use. I do think the turrets would be easier to operate if the turret was a little taller.
Second Revolution Indicator - Two little boxes below the elevation turret turn white before you get into the second rev. I have a second gen model and the turrets are exactly how @CSTactical YouTube video shows them.
Minox ZP5 Gen2 second rev indicator
Windage & Turret - +/- 6mils. Turret feel is the same as the elevation turret.
Parallax - Phenomenal, more or less parallax free past 300 yards. The turret has no distance markings and is easy to turn. This initially concerned me but is more a highlight now that I have used it a bit. I had planned on taking a white paint pen and just putting digits, in 100’s of yards, for the setting, but I no longer think this is necessary. Inside 300yards it does need to be adjusted appropriately but besides that I would say there is really only 2 settings, mid and long range.
Illumination - don’t plan on using it but takes a CR2032 that can be opened with lose change or screw driver. Illumination has on and off in between each of the 11 brightness settings. It is daylight bright but not as bright as some others out there.
Glass - I am constantly amazed at the IQ (resolution/contrast/clarity) of this glass. There is no superficial hue or tint to the glass. It is very difficult to explain my sentiments on the glass other than it wows me every time. I am truly impressed with what Minox has done.
Form Factor - it is long, god is it long, at 16.3”. From the turrets rearward to the eyebox seems like it’ll never end. The turrets are lower profile and sleek. The magnification only has the small tail that protrudes. There is not much to get hung up on. Weight is acceptable for this type of optic at 34oz.
Fit/Finish - The fit of the machining is excellent. There is no wiggle or play in any of the fittings. The finish isn’t as good as some out there, but acceptable.
Warranty - The warranty concerned me at first, but after reading that Blaser USA is handling the warranty claims out of Texas and that the lead times have been cut down considerably, I am no longer concerned about this aspect. The warranty is in line with other optics at this price point.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/resources/minox-total-coverage-warranty-for-zp-scopes.13/
Summary - The design shows its lineage and doesn’t push the envelope forward but is a refined traditional scope that executes it flawlessly. My minor gripes or complaints are mostly preference oriented and does not affect the usage of the scope in any manner. In summary the glass is exceptionally good, MR4 is just about perfect, and both the eyebox and parallax are forgiving.
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