Reviews - Zero Tech Rifle Scopes

Zero Tech Rifle Scopes

Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: Technical
Forum Name: Reviews
Forum Description: Rate your airgun or pellets here
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=730
Printed Date: 22 Nov 2024 at 11:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Zero Tech Rifle Scopes

Posted By: mercs
Subject: Zero Tech Rifle Scopes
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2023 at 9:59pm

After noting that Ralph uses the Zero Tech Brand on his Sig ASP20 rifles and shared further information from other users I decided to take another look at the local sports shop in Stratford where they have been available for some time. There was an extensive warranty offer and after a little research on-line it was an easy choice to run a couple of these scopes through their paces over the next few months.

Planned use: Target shooting

Generally the most popular scope at the local range are the Nikko Stirling Diamond models but these are normally over $500 and have become difficult to source. My self imposed price limit of $200 to $300 would have to be put aside if I was going to acquire a side focus version of any named brand.

My requirements:

1 inch tube

Side focus

Power above x9

Durability

Repeatable results

Zero Tech Vengeance 3-12x40 ($350)

Nicely boxed with good foam supports so scope can be expected to arrive in good order. A perfectly useful manual was provided, along with a lens cloth and hex key for the turrets. Recommended torque settings for mounting rings were available and could not recall seeing that from the manufacturers in this price bracket. (22 - 25 inch pounds)

Lifetime warranty clearly stated on the box "Any Owner, Any Problem, Always covered".

Scope felt solid and definitely no lightweight, immediately liked the turrets and the locking feature seemed to function well.

I wear glasses so dioptre adjustment at the eye piece is a must and was achieved easily and covered well in the user manual.

Parallax is important and was specified as usable down to 15 metres, this checked out and would be workable for 20 - 25 yard targets and or possum up a tree.

Full power, no noticeable distortion at x12.

All movements checked thoroughly and repeatedly and scope is starting to stack up well.

It will be used on my Sig ASP20 springers at 20ft/lb and I look forward to reporting on progress.

Several hundred shots to date with some respectable 30 metre target groups and still working on 50 metres and beyond.

Also looking forward to arrival of Zero tech 4.5-18x40 1 inch tube side focus and getting that one on the range.

Replies:

Posted By: chopsuey
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2023 at 11:38pm

Thanks mercs for that review. Have seen them before and wondered how they would perform.

Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2023 at 8:02am

That sounds like very good value Mercs - thanks for the review.

Does the reticule have lots of mildots below centre for longer range shooting?

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Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2023 at 4:32pm

Almost every scope model has a different reticle, not much choice in the 1 inch tube range.

I doubt they envisaged their scopes being used on airguns.

all info from zerotech.co.nz

They call this zeroplex available with the 3-12x40 scope.

Provides 3 usable reference points and made some sense when zeroed at 30 metres.

This is called PHR available with 4.5-18x40 scope.

Definitely has some interesting markings and they have blank reticle range charts to download.

I checked out a similar reticle in store and thought they looked to be quite useable.

Extract from ZT website

Indexed in MOA, the PHR mimics a more traditional hunting reticle with the addition of some modern advancements.

A floating centre cross allows for a refined point of aim whilst losing none of the ‘pointability’ of a traditional hunting reticle.

Unobtrusive elevation holds are available at 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 MOA, allowing the shooter to maximise the potential of their rifle and ammunition combination.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2023 at 10:07pm

ZeroTech 4.5-18x40 ($430) arrived in good condition and well packaged again.

Nice and clear and in the evening light really worked well for my close in work at 15 - 50 metres.

Set up was easy as swapped out with the 3-12x40 on .22Sig ASP20

Nice to have some MOA markings on reticle and look forward to dialling them in as usable reference points.

All set up at 30 metres with a couple of target examples below.

At initial use I did prefer magnification 16 or less but will persevere at 18 when possible.

JSB Match Diabolo Jumbo Express 0.930 grammes 14.35 grains 5.52mm

Right to left drift for some reason no discernible breeze.

Ideal conditions early evening.

First pellet in bull then progressively upwards.

Pellet RWS Super Field 15.9 grains 1.03gramme 5.51mm

Posted By: CuteRabbit
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 2:03am

what price? maybe even more expensive than my Stalker Jr. Air Rifle ($149) LoL

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Squirrel goes Vege

@Crosman Benjamin Ironhide .22 Nitro Piston Elite
@Umarex Surgemax .177 Gas Ram 1000fps

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 8:31am

Great info mercs cheers.
From your comment, " I doubt they envisaged their scopes being used on airguns." would I be right in assuming the scopes arnt rated for springers?

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 5:11pm

Airgun rating never clearly stated but Ralph found a springer test review posted on the ZeroTech website.

Warranty states "any problem" however I have used the SportsMatch Dampa mount for shock protection.

No surprise with weather today, practice session on indoor 25 yard range.

ZeroTech 4.5-18x40 SF was initially high and right when starting on the centre practice target.

5 clicks left and 5 clicks down and a few single clicks as i went through the different targets.

I have changed to AirArms Diablo Field 16 grains 5.52mm from RWS Super Field 15.9 grain 5.51mm.

Sig .22 break barrel

25 yards bench rest

ZeroTech scope set at x18

AirArms pellets

Self scored at 172/200

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 5:20pm

What's your verdict?
You know you gun best and how you were shooting.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 7:18pm

Very interested to keep working with AirArms Pellets.

Scope

Yes to extra $80 for increase from 12-18 power plus MOA marking on reticle.

Yes to side focus.

Yes to locking turrets.

Yes to warranty.

I would prefer MOA or mildot on the 3-12x40 model, but expect others appreciate the clean look of duplex.

Less than 1 months use but hundreds of pellets, many other brands would have failed before now.

ZeroTech rifle scopes appear well up to Airgun use.

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 7:23pm

I'd be keen to hear a few updates on the scope as time goes by. See if holds.
Are you sorting your AA pellets?
They have a bit of variation in them, from my experiance.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2023 at 8:07pm

ZeroTech Vengeance 4.5-18 x 40SF progress.

I am tending to back it off full magnification when in close.

After working at 30 and 50 metres i came back to yard friendly 20 metres as a bit breezy.

Zero was set at 50 metres and left as is.

Correction was using reticle markings with magnification at 16.

.22 Sig ASP20 using Air Arms Diablo Field 16 grains 5.52mm. (not sorted)

Bench rest using front bag.

First shot high, second shot low and next three through the top hole.

Second shot rather annoying but I was interested to get up close for a look.

Nobody going to believe that target so….....

Repeat, first shot high, second shot low and next three through the top hole.

Getting a bit wonky but more believable.

Wanting to check out vertical alignment.

Good examples on web with scope held and tracking appeared precise.

However I thought what happens between shots when attached to a springer?

I prefer to work with hold over but the four MOA moves using the turret were not bad.

I need to fit some tape to the turret and mark up with distance markings and do a bit more.

Ruled lines on blank A4 sheet.

Top left (needs revisiting)

Turret moves at 1 MOA (4 clicks)

Disappointing not very uniform Top right using reticle markings and looking ok

Lower left

Turret moves at 4 MOA (16 clicks)

Starting to look ok with bigger moves

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2023 at 11:33am

Would I be right in assuming the retical is mildot and turret moa?
Nice top target. Makes the bottom one look shabby and spread out. Lol(not serious great second group)
Why would no one believe the top one.
Good gun, good shooter. That second shot would have been a absolute annoying pain in the...
Still if that's a flyer, may they all be that tight in.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2023 at 8:44pm

Both turret and reticle are MOA so I should be able to get consistency between the two with some practice.

50 metres centre, then lower to top of cross then one more step across the gap approx 5 MOA and at this point can shoot well at 20 - 25 metres.

Will Zero again at closer range and see if i can use the lower markings, early attempt did not go so well but I am improving with the combo.

elevation holds are 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 MOA

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2023 at 8:48pm

very well 20m to 25m I'd say.
👍

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2023 at 9:19pm

Range chart from ZeroTech site hope I can find useful airgun distance and elevations and mark up accordingly 20 - 80 metres will be enough of a challenge, the pellet drop from 50 metres should bring the 10 and 15 MOA markings into play.

Good fun but may have to wait a bit if weather packs in.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2023 at 6:19pm

Three weeks with the .22 Sig and Zero Tech Vengeance 4.5-18x40 combo and eight weeks with the 3-12x40.

Stopped counting pellets <1000, scopes appear well up to modern springer duty.

I will continue to utilise the Sports Match Dampa mounts.

Best outcome is I have a reliable MOA turret move between 50 and 25 metres.

With those two settings I can cover normal airgun ranges and trust the point of impact.

Well done the Aussies.

Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2023 at 7:05pm

Awsome mercs.
With all that's happened my great plans for new scope was taking a back seat as this season has been shyt for work, and may not get much better, financially a huge kick in butt.
Least now I have a viable option for something to put on the eventually weihrauch that sounds fit for purpose, gentler on the pocket and probly I would have over looked.
Great review, great info
cheers.

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2024 at 10:23am

Looking for mil-dot scope and selected ZT 3-12x44 ($520)

30mm tube required new rings so a pair of WARNE 731M ($110)were also purchased.

Planned use is sub 12 ft/lb field targets.

Looking forward to working with this.

Warne medium rings fitted to Umarex 850 M2 no bother.

Single screw and lightweight construction compared to my normal choices.

Sighted in 13, yards, 8 shots, with very few clicks and then turrets zeroed, no fuss.

Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2024 at 5:36pm

Hey Mark.

Those rings supposedly fit both dovetail & Weaver mounts by swapping the clamping piece. Doesn't that leave you with one of them roughly 5-6mm off barrel centre line (worst case) or both of them 2.5-3mm off (best case)?

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FX Wildcat MK111 BT Sniper .25
FX Dreamline Classic .22
Diana Outlaw .22
Cometa Fenix 400 .177
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Crosman 2240 PCP Custom .22
Crosman 2250 PCP Custom .22
Brocock Grand Prix .22

Posted By: mercs
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2024 at 9:23am

Warne 731M Scope Rings

Specification is 11mm or 3/8" dovetail by rotating the clamps.

There is an indent mark so they can be orientated correctly. (dimple up for 3/8)

70/30 split requires even spacing both sides to ensure screw threads start easily.

Top sections clip onto the scope quite firmly.

Torque setting: all screws 25 in/lb.

Slim, lightweight option in low, medium and high format.

Posted By: KiwiTR6
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2024 at 10:28am

Apologies, the version that Gun City sells can be used on either rail type and I can't see how that could work without horizontal offset at some point. Yours are obviously only for dovetail fitment.