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Zeiss conquest 40mm or 50mm??

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Txaggie9307 View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/26/2010 at 12:52
Hey guys,


Is there a big difference in light transmission on the Zeiss 3x9 40mm and 3x9 50mm conquests? I am trying to determine whether or not the 50mm is worth $120 more for longer light.
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bricat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bricat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/26/2010 at 14:08
Short answer - NO, save your money and save the extra bulk. 3-9X40 best deal going right now, $399 - you will not be disappointed.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/26/2010 at 14:14
   +1     Plus 50mm scopes are mounted higher which can cause you to have to lift your head higher from the stock for a proper view.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lawnfella Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/26/2010 at 19:24
Go in the middle and get the 3.5x10 44mm. On most rifles you can use low mounts with this scope so you will still have good cheek weld to the stock. I have one mounted on a Browning A Bolt with standard Leupold low rings.
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bricat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bricat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/26/2010 at 20:03
Still not necessary, not worth the extra $300 to go to a 44mm by any means. You will gain little IF ANY low light performance by getting the 44mm. Also note that the Z-Plex on the 40mm is slightly different than the Z-plex on the 44mm. The 44mm Z-Plex is similar to the Leupold "wide duplex" in that the thinner, inner part of the plex is wider than a standard plex. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/27/2010 at 10:19
Bricat is correct, the inner plex is very wide in the 44mm model. That is why I got the 40mm instead. The inner lines are also very,very thin in the Zeiss reticles so in low light you will definately need the outer heavy posts to come closer to the center of the reticle to help determine the aiming point.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 2 Samuel 22 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/27/2010 at 11:10
I personally prefer the 50mm over the 40mm.  I spent a long time comparing the 40, 44, and 50mm Conquest scopes.  To my eyes, the 50mm was brighter in last light than the 40mm but very close to the 44mm.  The trade off is price and a slightly higher mounting.  If you can, try doing a side-by-side comparison.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/27/2010 at 11:35
  I don't understand HOW the European hunters make those 56mm scopes work for them.  My Husqvarna has QUITE a drop in the comb of the stock.  Even with a 40mm objective I can't get my cheek anchored the way I like.   Whacko
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 07:17
My 3.5-10x44 Conquest is mounted in a Burris medium ring on a long action, but would fit in a low ring if available.

I've never noticed any issues with the slightly more open crosshairs and didn't know there was a different Z-Plex until this thread.
The 44mm model (and the 50mm) also have a 3.5" eye relief instead of the 3-9X40's 4".
For me, 3.5" eye- relief works well. With that great big ocular, it gives a noticeably larger sight picture (don't know the official optics term) than any other scope I own- it's like stepping up to a 32" TV from a 26"... note: the field of view isn't affected.

My Sightron Big Sky with a 42mm objective resolves finer detail in low light of tan/yellowish- colored objects than the Conquest. I was amazed to discover this and have verified it several times. This color difference may be due to glass coatings as they seem about on par with each other otherwise. The Big Sky also has a duplex reticle which equals/exceeds a Z-plex in visibility- the center cross hairs are also thicker/closer than the Zeiss.

The 44mm Conquest seems to have less twitchy eye relief than the 40mm and definitely has more forgiving eye- relief than a Big- Sky, but neither scope has the comfortable eye relief of an upper- end Burris, which beats everything out there.
The Big Sky is a fine scope, but I definitely prefer the Conquest.

The 3.5-10X44  Conquest admits more available light than the 40mm- it's simple mathematics. For me, this isn't a big deal. I liked the 3.5- 10 better than the 3-9.
That's just me.
If low light performance is your main criteria, then a Conquest might not be your scope. For the price of any variable Conquest except the 3-9X40 model, you're getting into Accu- Point territory.
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Txaggie9307 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Txaggie9307 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 08:32

I am still unsure... After looking at through the 50mm and the 40mm, I can not tell that much of a difference.  Also I will be purchasing my scope from a big name shop where I have $260 worth of gift certificates valid.  The prices they have for the 3-9 40mm conquest is $399 and the 3-9 50mm conquest is $599.  I just dont know if the 50mm is worth the extra $390 out of my pocket or the 40mm for $179 out of my pocket...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 09:07

what are you mounting it on ?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Txaggie9307 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 09:12
I am putting it on a Ruger M77 Mark II .270,,
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 09:22

General all purpose medium game rig like that -- I'd go with the 3x9x40 .. right size ...appropriate magnification range .. mount low to bore .. and a super optics value ( save the $$ for ammo )

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bricat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 10:09

Martin is right, the 40mm  can be mounted using Ruger "lows" the 44mm will require you to use "mediums"  Keep in mind that medium rings are what come standard with Ruger M77s so if you are going to get the 40mm and mount it nice and low, you'll need to change ring height. You can still use mediums with the 40mm it will just be sitting up a little higher. I don't have a picture of my Ruger W/40mm but here is my M77 with a Zeiss Conquest 4X32mm sitting in Ruger "lows"     ................ and no, ...... bolt clearance is not an issue.   

 



Edited by bricat - April/28/2010 at 10:10
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bricat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bricat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 10:12
.........not sure if the 50mm will require meds or highs
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2010 at 10:31
Originally posted by Txaggie9307 Txaggie9307 wrote:

I am still unsure... After looking at through the 50mm and the 40mm, I can not tell that much of a difference.  Also I will be purchasing my scope from a big name shop where I have $260 worth of gift certificates valid.  The prices they have for the 3-9 40mm conquest is $399 and the 3-9 50mm conquest is $599.  I just dont know if the 50mm is worth the extra $390 out of my pocket or the 40mm for $179 out of my pocket...


That's the way it goes. The answer to your dilemma is to buy the scope that suits your eyes- the scope you want. If it costs a bit more (or less), so be it.
Most people around here will tell you that they've been unhappy buying a scope that wasn't exactly what they wanted, but chose a different model for price or some other reason.
The 2nd tricky part is deciding what you want...
Good Luck!
"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m_freeman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2010 at 02:26
I have the 3x9x40 conquest the only complaint I have is my binos see better in low light than the scope. If I could I would go for the 50mm but I have aging eyes and the low light conditions are very challenging for me. If I ever find an extra 1500 to 2500 I am certianly going for low light performance. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote REMF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2010 at 10:29
I have Conquests in both 40 and 50mm objectives.  My preference is the 50mm.  I agree that it is not absolutely necessary, but it'll give you about 5 or 10 more minutes in the stand.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris II Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2010 at 11:18
I personally don't think the 50 mm vs. the 40mm is worth the extra $180 especially considering the 50mm will only be brighter on 6x and up. Below 6X they are the EXACT same. So if you are looking through both scopes at dusk on 5 power NEITHER will have an ADVANTAGE over the other.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bricat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2010 at 11:32

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