Zero Compromise 8-40×56 is the newest premium scope for long-range enthusiasts from this revered brand. Founded in 2018, Zero Compromise Optic came right out of the gate with incredible products. The riflescopes made by this Austrian manufacturer give an impression of bespoke production with superior features like switchable illumination color and precise locking mechanism, all of which are executed down to the minutest detail.
Physical Features
- tactical MIL/MIL scope
- 36mm optical tube in black matte
- lockable W&E turrets
- 90mm eye relief
- precise parallax ➞ 15 meters – ∞
ZCO 840 sports a 36-millimeter optical tube for extended turret travel (26 MIL of elevation, 16 MIL of windage). Some shooters may feel a bit iffy about the size of the scope. But no matter. Engineers at Zero Compromise do exactly what it says on the tin – make zero compromises in ensuring ultimate construction reliability and constant 5x zoom factor.
It’s also worth noting that the quality of 36mm scope mounts on the market is very high. You can hardly miss, but INNOmount, Recknagel, and EAW are especially secure options.
Back to ZCO. Attention-catching oversized, ridged knobs with high-visibility markings move 0.1 MIL per click for the ultimate precision in shot placement. The parallax setting is adjustable from 15 meters to infinity.
Like with other ZCO scopes, the diopter setting locks into place. Let us also mention that the scope is remarkably short for the 8-40×56 configuration.
Zero Compromise Optic 8-40×56 | IWA 2022 Report
ZCO 840 Model Measurements
Optical features
- FFP reticles
- powerful 8-40x magnification
- brilliant image ➞ high contrasts, sharp lines
- constant 5x zoom
- 92% light transmission rate
- lockable -3/+2 diopter
The scope is clearly looking to find its audience in North American shooters who follow the “the bigger, the better” principle. This is the biggest flaw of this product, made right from the development phase.
In truth, a more moderate range of magnification than the exorbitant 8-40x would do better in most precision shooting engagements; especially in NRL22 style competitions.
To achieve these numbers, ZCO 840 sacrifices the field of view, which is only 4.6m-1m/100m. On the bright side, the clicks are precise and the image stays sharp at the highest magnifications.
All reticles are in the first focal plane, the only usable plane for precision shooting. The switchable illumination color is red and green. The user can select the preferred color by moving the pins under the battery cap. The same steps are needed for the user-selectable AIM (ZCO’s catchy abbreviation of “automatic illumination management“).
ZCO 840 is available in 4 FFP reticle options:
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- MPCT1
- MPCT2
- MOCT3x
- MOA
The MPCT1 reticle is the best option for shooters who want a straightforward MIL reticle with clean lines. If the immediate area surrounding the target is also of interest to you, the MPCT1 reticle is definitely the one to choose. Target obstruction is minimal as the corner quadrants remain open. Nevertheless, perfect alignment is secured with the floating dot in the middle.
The second most popular option is the MPCT2 reticle, especially among competition marksmen. Holdover lines in a typical Christmas tree design and constant 0.2 MIL spacing between the lines are best for making quick and accurate W&E corrections.
The open design of MPCT3X is a mesh between MPCT1 and MPCT2 but it has clear merits on its own. Working with MPCT3X is fast and precise. The upper half of the reticle is almost completely free of lines (the vertical crosshairs only go up 0.4 MIL). The lower half sports an innovative grid pattern of dots in 0.2 MIL spacing.
The fourth reticle option is the tried-and-true MOA.
Technical Specifications
Zero Compromise Optic 8-40×56 Riflescope Magnification: 8-40x (5x zoom) Main Tube Diameter: 36mm Click Value: 0.1 MIL Elevation: 280cm / 100m Windage: 160cm / 100m Field of View 4.6m – 1m / 100m Eye Relief: 90mm Parallax: 15m – ∞ Illumination: red & green Made in: Austria 
Zero Compromise Optic 8-40×56 is priced at €3,649.00 (VAT incl.). If you’re hesitant about investing in a high-end scope from a relatively unknown producer, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Though ZCO as a brand may be new, the people behind it have decades of hands-on experience; having worked for esteemed scope manufacturers like Kahles and NIghtforce.
ZCO is headquartered in a small Austrian town Margarethen am Moos about a half-hour drive from Vienna. This is where the optical production takes place, as well as all post-sale operations. If you’re from the USA or Canada, there’s the ZCO branch in Idaho that has the staffing to cater to all your needs, including on-site repairs. You get European quality of the product, a lifetime warranty, and won’t have to bother with customs ever again.
All in all, it pays to go with ZCO in the long run.
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