Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Conquest - 44 or 50? |
Post Reply |
Author | ||||||||
barrycuda
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/02/2009 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: December/18/2009 at 13:10 |
|||||||
I have settled on a Zeiss Conquest 4.5 - 14. Is there noticeable difference between the 44mm and 50mm when it comes to light gathering ability? I would like to go with the smaller objective but I also like to be able to see at last light. Also, which reticle would work the best for shots to 300 yds? Thanks, Barry
|
||||||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||
Barry,
Scopes, contrary to popular press, do not "gather" light. (I've always envisioned little guys like the "scrubbing bubbles" with brooms flitting around gathering up all the available light and shoveling it into a scope tube.). They transmit avaialble light through the lenses. Antireflective coatings on the lenses allow for better transmission, so the better the quality of the scope, the more light transmission you are likely to have. The Conquest line is of high quality. There would be SOME difference and some people may be able to see it, but I believe it works out in the end to be less than 1x in magnification level. If you can see "well" at 10x with the 44mm objective, you would be able to see equally well at about 10.5x, maybe a little more, with a 50mm objective. However, it would not mean the difference in being able to take a shot in legal shooting hours for most game. If you are typically hunting small varmints in low light, the 50mm objective might have some small advantages.
|
||||||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||||||
Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14962 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||
Buy the 44 mm and save some money then dial the scope down to a lower power like 6x or 7x to brighten up the image when it gets dark. The #4 reticle is often a favorite of many hunters. If you go with a reticle like a Z600 or Z800 keep in mind that those only work at the maximum power or one specific power for hold over. There is a lot of info on Z site.
I would probably buy the balistic reticle and just understand its limitations.
|
||||||||
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
||||||||
Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14962 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
||||||||
sakomato
Optics Master Joined: February/28/2008 Location: Houston Status: Offline Points: 1165 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||
Hey Barry, good choice on the 4.5x14 Conquest, now as to the 44 or 50
Background:
I have a 4.5x14x44 RapidZ800 on a 6.5 rem mag custom
I have purchased and put on friend's rifles (all Conquests):
223 AR - 3X9X50
6.5 rem mag custom - 4.5x14x50 RZ800
280 rem Wtby - 3.5x10x50
30-06 Rem - 3.5x10x50 RZ600
30-06 Sako Finnlite - 4.5x14x50 RZ800
30-06 Sako Greywolf - 4.5x14x50 RZ800
300 win mag Browning - 4.5x14x50 RZ800
300 win mag Rem SPS - 4.5x14x44 RZ800
300 win mag Browning - 4.5x14x50 RZ800
300 RUM Sendero - 6.5x20x50 turrets
and I have looked through all and shot most of them. On most of them I recommend the 44mm objective because it will mount lower on the rifle
however most choose the 50mm objective just because "it must be better, right?" The 50mm objectives are substantially larger on the Conquests
3x9x50
6.5x20x50
unfortunately I don't have a pic of a 4.5x14x50.
The thing is that what makes the Conquest such a great scope is the resolution and clarity, not the light gathering ability. They certainly gather a lot of light but are not in the same class as a Kahles 4x12x52 (I have 2) or the Zeiss Diavari 2.5x10x50 (I have one) but have better resolution and clarity than either of those (before anyone throws stones I look and shoot through all of them all the time and this is my opinion). If you want to see bullet holes at 300 yards then the Conquests will do it. If you want bright get a much more expensive scope with a large objective.
So IMO get the 4.5x14x44 Conquest RapidZ 800 and you will have a great scope that will mount low on your rifle and you will have a great hunting scope.
|
||||||||
Guns only have 2 enemies, rust and politicians
|
||||||||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||
I have to disagree. The resolution and clarity on the Diavari is better than the Conquest. I don't see a lot of difference in low light performance. The Diavari has an edge, but not a huge one. Everyone's eye is different..., I had never really cared for the Conquests until I got a "fixed" 4x. I'll take a Diavari over a Conquest pretty much any day, though. No aspersions cast upon Conquest, it is a VERY good scope, I just don't find it equal in any category to the Diavari. MY eyes...
|
||||||||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||||||||
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |