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Zeiss Conquest 4x32 vs. IOR Valdada 4x32

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DAVE44 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Zeiss Conquest 4x32 vs. IOR Valdada 4x32
    Posted: February/16/2010 at 06:52
I want a quality 4x32. I was all set to purchase a Zeiss Conquest for $300 with the Z plex reticle but then I ran across a deal on a NEW IOR Valdada 4x32 with 7A reticle. Ive heard these are great glass also and I can get it for the same price as the Zeiss...actually a little cheaper. I got a look at the reticle from a picture online and noticed that although the outer posts are heavy which I like for low light they are also very far apart from each other in the center of the reticle. Also, the inner plex lines seem very thin. Im not sure this would be good in low light as it leaves a lot of guessing room as the exact center of the reticle with such a wide spacing between the heavy outer posts. Koshkin recommends the IOR but has never used the 7A reticle. Does anyone have experience with either or hopefully both of these scopes with these reticles and if so how does that 7A reticle work for you? If I dont like the IOR and decide to sell could I get $285.00 out of it? Im sure either would work fine but I for $300.00 I want the right reticle for low light woods hunting. Im also not to sure about IOR customer service. The Leupolds dont have as good of glass so Im concentrating on these two.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 06:59
Being you can resell the one you dont' like, gettem' both and do that. But if you only gonna get one think about it this way if you like the reticle on the Zeiss and aren't sure on the IOR I think that should be your deciding factor.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sakomato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 07:25
I think you are in good shape no matter which one you get. 
 
Just wanted to say that I have read good things about customer service with IOR, some say as good as Leupold (except you rarely need it unlike Leupolds).  They supposedly have a very good customer service center in Colorado.  I've seen the IOR 4x's around for $265.00 when I was looking but bought an IOR 6x42 here from the SWFA sample list.
 
Be sure and check the sample list here.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 07:32
I also am looking at the very same two scopes and considering them for a 30-06 or such. I have 2-8x32mm Conquest already and have tried it at 4x in very low light and the reticle works very well. Very sharp and bright scope and the reticle is visible in low light. In December i had a deer in the reticle in the last minute of shooting time, in almost complete darkness, and the deer and reticle were visible. No shot, the animal was on a public road.
 
I have not looked through the IOR 4x32. I suspect that the optics are equally good, but with the thinner portion of the reticle being wider, it may be more difficult to aim in low light. 
 
I would purchase the Conquest. HOWEVER, i found this scope listed in several places as having the parallax setting at 50 yards. It may be a typo, i am not sure. It would make no practical difference for hunting, especially not at the low power of 4x, but if the parallax is indeed set at 50 yards, it and the 4x power will not be conducive to precise target shooting at 100 or 200 yards.
 
A couple of other things to consider: eye relief and overall scope lenght. I love the 4" ER on the Conquests and the very comfortable and easy to acquire view. This makes for fast and easy aiming with both eyes open, regardless of position or angle or clothing.


Edited by anweis - February/16/2010 at 07:34
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 07:58
Some of the Conquest 4x reticles are parallax adjusted to 50yards.  I have one that is adjusted to 100yards. 
Just check before you purchase.  The Conquest is an outstanding rifle scope.  i got it to put on my .458 Lott, specifically for low light shooting.   Ruger #1 has a terrible front sight for low light conditions.  I was also considering the IOR, but went to a local gunstore, looked through both, and chose the Conquest.  I spent a little time outdoors with them; there were some backlight reflective qualities in the IOR I did not like that were not as apparent in the Conquest.  It was not the total deciding issue, but was a big factor.  I purchased my 4x Conquest from the samplelist...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 09:53
Kickboxer, which reticle did the IOR that you compared the Zeiss to have? Was there a big difference in ease of aming with Z plex compared to the IORs reticle? I am leaning toward the Zeiss. The Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 is a great deal at $399.99 but I leave my scopes at 4 power almost 100% of the time. Im not sure there will be much brightness difference between the 32mm and 40mm Zeiss but fixed powers have less glass and are said to be more rugged.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 09:56
To throw a monkey in the proverbial wrench, I have the IOR 4X and love it, great low-light performance, great glass, very handly little scope.

Mine has a #4 reticle and it is fantastic in low light.

I don't have the Conquest 4X (have owned a few Conquests, nice scopes) but would highly recommend the IOR 4X.

That said, if there is a problem with the Conquest, it is easily remedied.  If there is a problem with the IOR (and I have never heard of a 4X failing, but "if"), Customer Service is hit-n-miss with IOR.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 10:15
The Zeiss number 8 reticle is similar to the 7a reticle, which was the reticle in the IOR I looked at.  The posts on the Zeiss were a bit bolder.  I never did discover the subtensions of the IOR.  The Conquest subtensions are a bit "odd", but liveable.  The distance from post to crosshair is 70cm at 100meters which equals 25.2inches at 100yards.  If you are going to use the reticle for holdovers, you have to know how to divide it up.  I built a card with all the relevant info on it.  
I think the 3-9 #8 reticle is the same in the Zeiss.

As I said, I never explored the subtensions of the IOR.  To me, just looking through the two scopes, there was very little difference in acquisition.  I did not have "low light" except in a dark corner of the store... pretty close.  I chose the Zeiss because RifleDude has such high praise for them and Chris assured me the Zeiss would stand up to the recoil of the .458 Lott.  Good so far.

I really like the Zeiss, it has excellent low light performance.  I will spend a lot of time with it next deer season.  The IOR, I am sure would be comparable.  I try to get a "backlit" view of scope performance when I can and the Zeiss, at the moment, appeared to have a little better performance in that area.  To be sure, one would have to spend more time with both.  

As Sako stated above, I don't think you can go wrong with either.  

One other comment: The IOR I looked at was a used trade-in, the Zeiss was new.  The IOR had no visible ring marks, dings, etc, no glass scratches.  The guys in the store did not know how old the IOR was.  It had no box or papers, they took it in trade on a variable Swarovski.  


Edited by Kickboxer - February/16/2010 at 10:56
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 11:20
FWIW, I heard a rumor the 4X32 Conquest is being discontinued.  So, if you decide to get it, you may want to hurry.  That may not have an effect on your decision, but I thought it was worth mentioning. 
 
The Conquest 4X32 is a wonderful little scope, but I'm sure the IOR 4X32 is as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 11:22
Also, as Dan mentioned, most of the 4X32 Conquests are parallax adjusted for 100 yards, but Zeiss did produce a 50 yd parallax version for rimfires as well. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gvblack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/16/2010 at 20:47
I have two IOR 4 X 32.  They are very clear and very rugged.  It takes the recoil from my 9.3 X 62 without a hitch.
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