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B Elite4200 vs. Zeiss Conquest

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eyestrain View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/20/2007 at 19:56

Appreciate your thoughts on buying either  the Bushnell or Zeiss 3-9 scope.  With the 100 price diff aside, which is the better scope?  Or maybe, the Zeiss is not worth the premium?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2007 at 20:14
Boy has this one been beat to death !!!!!..... You can't go wrong with either... Weigh the $ 100 for yourself ( more like $130 or so assuming 3x9's for both ) . I have several 4200's and they've been ideal. Here's the rub for me-- the Rainguard on the Elite saved the day on my first 4200 during a rainy morning in Western Md deer hunting, and I got a few more because of that. . Some  folks like the Conquest for the extra dinero , but I'm happy with the 4200.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2007 at 21:13
Better depends on what you consider, is better for you!!....The only small advantages, if you can call them that, is that the Conquest is a small fraction brighter. Optically, the 4200 gives up nothing else and is just as clear and crispy. IMO, there would be no real clear advantage by one over the other in the field  .....The 2nd small advantage in the Conquests favor, that the 4200 detractors harp on, is the eye relief. Some members on this site have 4200`s mounted on 300 RUM`s, 338 mags., 300 mags and so on, with no scope whacking problems. I happen to be one of them!! I also have a friend with a 4200 mounted on his 340 WBY....... This eye relief business as far as the 4200 is concerned, is really, a non and mute point!! Even Kahles on some or all of their models has a 3.5" or 3.6" of eye relief. The 4200`s are 3.3." If you get whacked hard with 3.3" of eye relief, you will still get NAILED with a 3.5", a 3.6", a 3.75"r, and likely with a 4" If the proper shooting/cheek positions are maintained, 3.3" of eye relief is good enough, even for the big mags!! If anyone says otherwise, chances are they`ve never owned a 4200, let alone had one mounted on a hard recoiling magnum!.......Before I bought my 4200, I did an actual side by side comparison between the two, OUTSIDE the store in the back parking lot. I could not justify the added cost for the Zeiss!! If your eye balls can see a difference, then buy the Zeiss!..........In very harsh weather situations, you can`t beat the 4200`s Rainguard. This scope`s lenses will not fog up or become distorted in any way, regardless of weather! You will never lose a shot due to any lens distortions......In that regard, the 4200 has the advantage of added assurance in the field. Along with the great optics, the Rainguard too is what led to my decision to own the 4200!......For the bucks, the 4200 cannot be exceeded by any other scope on the market!.........I`ve read many posts and reviews. I always do read that many former Leupy owners (myself included), convert to the 4200!! What I don`t read about or see is, that ex 4200 owners convert to Leupys! Besides the Leupolds, the same holds true with other scopes as well.....Hmmmm! Very interesting!!!    
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/21/2007 at 02:17

I have both and I love the Conquest HOWEVER, the 4200 is right there optically.  I had both out in the early night (well past sunset and well past legal or ethical shooting hours) and yes the Conquest had a slight advantage in low light.  Not enough that it would make any real difference, both work great for those early morning late evening situations.

The Rainguard is something to consider if you hunt in areas of heavy rain.  All I can say is it works.

 

If you want a slight edge then go with the Zeiss, if you want to save some money and get almost the same amount of performance the 4200 is a great scope.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/21/2007 at 07:00

two slight nods i would give to the zeiss. reticle choices and eye relief.

 

they are both optically excellent. so whichever one fits your eye better is the better one.

 

good luck.

 

welcome to the OT.

 

and rainguard IS nice.

 

J

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/21/2007 at 07:29
Originally posted by jonbravado jonbravado wrote:

two slight nods i would give to the zeiss. reticle choices and eye relief.

 

they are both optically excellent. so whichever one fits your eye better is the better one.

 

good luck.

 

welcome to the OT.

 

and rainguard IS nice.

 

J

I personally prefer the 4200, but there is sage advice in what JB has posted. Good luck to you.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/21/2007 at 07:33
Oh, WELCOME to OT. 
With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kmad61 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2007 at 19:44
Go with the 4200,You wont be unhappy !!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote treeshepherd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2007 at 21:50
I just put the 4200 3-9x40 on a new .243, couldn't be happier.  I almost bought the zeiss, but used the extra cash for some ammo and a case.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote treeshepherd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2007 at 21:54
Oh, forgot to mention the free camo jacket you get with purchase of bushnell elite products.  I just got mine and I think it is a very nice jacket.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/26/2007 at 21:58
i'm facing the same dilema right now, and i think i will go ahead and give the 4200 a shot, just because i promised the ot i would, its a safe purchase, really because if you dont like it members here in the ot will be drawing straws to give you an offer for it if you change your mind, if the zeiss wasnt $130 more i would take it all day especially for a hard kicker 4" eye relief is nice. rain guard doesnt impress me at all i have hunted in the mountains of wyoming for years chasing elk and mule deer with inferior optics (varix II's) and even in the harshest conditions there i never had any issue with moisture on the lens, i also have hunted in monsoon like rain storms in mn with some optics i consider to be alright (nikon monarch) and in those cases too rain or snow never bothered my scope, so rainguard for me a moot feature, i am intrested to see how good bushnells cs dept is, i understand zeiss is pretty good with theres of course i have heard a few with mixed results lately, which i suspect is normal, but really i too agree they are both good pieces of glass.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 09:22
you will really appreciate the 4200 and the rainguard coatings - i said the same thing you did until i used it in a downpour and was amazed. and the cold truck/warm hunt or vice versa is definitely helped by the rainguard.  yeah, you can live without it, sure. but who would want to?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Focus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 10:10
Hello boys......back out of the woods for a spell. Saw this thread and couldn't resist posting. I only buy 4200 elite and conquest scopes at this point, figured I could give some hands on and eye into experiences......

I prefer the constant eye relief of the conquest over the non constant, changing with power 4200 elite. Not a deal breaker but I like unchanging eye position with a scope as power changes, it keeps cheekweld the exact same.

I prefer the finish on the conquest over the 4200, I know this is preference and in no way effects the scopes use but I just like the finish on the one over the other.

I prefer in a big way the reticle of the conquest over the 4200, instead of nickel wire that reflects light and changes color in some conditions, the etched conquest reticle stays the same color black always. The conquest reticle is also my favorite for lower light shooting as its easier to see, the firefly reticle of the 4200 is a close second with the standard duplex 4200 my least favorite.

I prefer the fast euro style diopter focus of the conquest to the slower lock ring focus of the 4200, once set not a big deal but if given the choice I would always take the euro style.

I absolutely love the rainguard coating on the 4200, makes a real difference on rainy and wet days as well as the heat changes of getting too close to a warm body in stand after a long walk in, or leaving a heated vehicle to a below zero outside. Hope zeiss gets with it and soon offers their rain coating on the conquest line.

I like the fact that the elite line is less $, not being independantly wealthy, the dollar difference is a factor.

Service.....heres one of my pet peeves with bushnell, I've had two experiences with bushnells service department and both left me annoyed and unsatisfied. Yes they finially lived up to their warranty in one case and totally left me down in the other. Time frame was poor on an answer, or resolution in both cases however. They could take some notes from leupold and zeiss in this respect however....they aren't in the same league.

Resale value, heres where if the need or case arises that you need to sell a used but kept mint scope the conquest will just bring a much higher % of dollars spent,  back to your hand. I've sold both brands and speak from experience.

Optics are real close........I've used acuity and resolution charts at identical periods of light, both low and bright. An ever so slight edge to the conquest but it sure would never IMO make the difference between taking or passing a shot. Both clear edge to edge and fully capable of taking advantage of any legal shooting time.

I prefer the conquest over the 4200 in terms of flare-out, the range I use has an east to west direction and when the sun gets to the lower stages you get a chance to really compare which scope handles reflected light better without the halo or partial fog out that occurs with too much light entering the objective. My conquests with no sunshade will far outperform the 4200's with a 4" sunshade installed. Put a sunshade on the conquests and its not even a comparison.

I own several models of each scope brand discussed and like them both........for the reasons given above. They are my two favorites in their class and will continue to be into the future no doubt. I would say to the companies......

zeiss........add the raincoating to your conquest line!

bushnell........work on the flare - go to an etched reticle - ramp up the service speed and improve customer relations.

And both of you.......make at least one sub 13oz scope for the lightweight gun builders. Don't continue to give that market segment to leupold.

    Focus
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 10:21
good points, focus.
 
i have had good times w/ both scope lines but do give the nod to the conquest.
plastic caps and all!!!!Wink i have beat mine up and it has performed flawlessly.
 
hopefully they will add that zeiss rain coating to the conquest line.
 
J
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 17:10
Pyro!!!...........You are going to try the Elite 4200?????????????     Shocked.............Well Well !!!!!!....How about that!!!..............Your feet are coming out of the cement???? 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 17:17
Pyro...........Thought of this after my last post!.....Don`t get the 3x9 4200! I already have that one! Get the 4x16! That way if you don`t like it, I`ll buy that one from you and put it on the .375 Ruger or RUM that I will need to buy at a later time!!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 17:27
no squeeze i dont need a 4x16 here in northern mn, 3x9 is almost to much for some of the stands i hunt on, im going to go with a 3x9
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 17:47
No 4x16`s needed in N. Minn????? Hey! It was worth a try anyway!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2007 at 17:54
Focus and Cheaptrick!!!! Good points on the Zeiss!!! But!!! I`ll still bring em on home!!!    Thumbs%20Up   Wink        CT...You probably had me in mind with your last post?? Had the Squeezer in mind??? HMMM?..........What happen to the rest of the emoticon choices????? Still missing my favorites!
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