Swarovski introduced the original 1-inch-tube Z5 rifle scope line in 2009. The new and enhanced Z5+ models include three magnification ranges: 2-10x42, 3.5-18x56, and 5-25x56.

Standard 1-inch-tube scopes could triple their magnification, as in the case of 3X-9X, 4X-12X and 6.5X-20X, while 30mm models could increase it fourfold, such as 2.5X-10X or 4X-16X.

I prefer to dwell instead on the merits and limitations of Swarovski’s new “smart binocular.” Its technology is good but not great, since it requires the right combination of distance, light quality, ...