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Zeiss Conquest vs. Leupold VX-III

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tbone1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Zeiss Conquest vs. Leupold VX-III
    Posted: June/13/2004 at 10:23

I am looking for a scope to put on a new Kimber 300 WSM in the $400 to $600 price range and I seem to change my mind every few days.  Although I want it to be fairly light weight and compact, optics are the most important.  I have narrowed it down to a Zeiss conquest or a  Leupold VX-III, but can't decide.  I went to a hunting store last week and looked through several scopes.  Leupold Vari-X III (didn't have the VX-III yet), 3 conquests 3-9,3.5-10, 4.5-14, Swarovski A-line and a Profession Hunter.  Its always hard to tell that big of a difference looking outside a store in daylight but the one scope that really stood out from the rest was the Conquest 3.5-10.  It was very clear optically but seemed to have the best field of view of any of the others.  Now I know that viewing scopes this way is an unfair comparison and that it really won't compare to the swarovski's in poor light.  That is why I would like to get some opinions from this forum.

 

I have a Leopold tactical 4.5-14x50 LR (basically VariX-III glass) on another rifle and have been satisfied with it.  I say satisfied because the scope has performed perfectly every time mechanically and very good optically however not on par with the Schmidt & Bender or Zeiss VM/V that I have.   How do the new VX-III compare to the conquest.  Does the new Index matched lens really make a noticable difference or is it just marketing?  I am looking at a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44, Leupold VX-III  3.5-10x40 or VX-III 4.5-14x40.  What would you recommend?  Thanks.

 

 

 

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ranburr View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/13/2004 at 13:15

TBone, you know my answer, Conquest!  I got rid of of several Leupolds in favor of the Conquest.  Unfortuneately, none were the VXIII, but I can tell you tha from what I have seen of the new Leupolds, I will not be switching back.  Leupold is a very good scope, I just think the Zeiss is better.

 

ranburr

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tbone1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/13/2004 at 20:29
Thanks Ranburr.  I am leaning toward the conquest.  It seems like a great scope at a great price, at least in the 3x9 and 3.5-10.  The other conquest seem to be a little expensive for probably not much more performance.  I really like the new reticles that leupold has now.  The B&C looks similar to the TDS.
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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/14/2004 at 17:12

There are a bunch of good scopes in that price range and of the two you selected the Zeiss is better.  They are noticeably brighter than a VX-III when compared side by side in a low light situation and the VX-III is noticeably brighter than the Vari X-III.  They have a constant 4" eye relief that really makes them easy to use (especially on magnums).  They also use a square reticle adjustment that keeps windage from affecting elevation adjustments and vice versa.

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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/15/2004 at 20:46
Hey tbone, I own the same rifle you do. I have a B&L 4000 ( 16oz. scope) and I can tell you first hand to listen to Chris with regards to the 4" eye relief of the Leupold. I am not saying to buy the Leupold over the Zeiss. The Zeiss is well ahead of the Leupold from an optics standpoint. Ranburr will say 3-9x40 Zeiss, I say the Bushnell Elite 2.5-10x40 w/FireFly reticle, and Rainguard coatings, every time. I am seriously thinking of sending this mule to Vais for a muzzle break. With 180 gr. loads,it really kicks. Good luck with your new rifle. Kimber makes a great rifle for the money.

Edited by Roy Finn
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tbone1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/16/2004 at 18:56
Thanks Roy for the reply.  Like I said I have been going back and forth every few days about the scope.  From what I have read and heard the B&L 4200 is a fantastic scope, probably optically as good as the Zeiss, but I don't have any experience with either.   Chris, you said their are several good scopes in that price range.  Is there any in that range you think is better than the Zeiss.  I know you like Kahles.   Although I have no experience with Kahles I have looked through them on occasion and the 30mm Kahles really impressed me optically.  Although the 1" were great, I couldn't really tell that much difference between them and several other scopes that I looked through.  Not that this means anything or represents real hunting conditions, it's just hard for me to buy optics unless I think "WOW" when I look through them.  It's also been a while since I have looked through a Kahles 1".  While I'm on the subject, the Swarovski 1" have never really impressed me either, for whatever reason.  Even though I know that they probably are superior optically to both.  I just haven't been able to see it.  Any comments or recommendations?
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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/18/2004 at 09:29

The 1" Kahles and the IOR 2.5-10x42 are also very bright scopes in that price range.  Don't forget to check the SampleList.com site from time to time for deals too.

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tonjac View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tonjac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2008 at 18:09
Hey tbone1, I'm also considering optic in said price range.  Thinking ahead a little though.  Planning to mount on a gun I don't even have yet (Predator Pursuit from Rock River Arms).  Considered the Zeiss for sure - it seems to get great reviews, I don't think I've seen a bad one.  Also stumbled across the Falcon Menace in 4-14 (more of a tactical scope).  It also gets great reviews, just not as much talk about it yet - it's new to the market.  Planning to use mostly for whacking coyotes.  One thing I've seen about the Falcon is that it does not come with a lifetime warranty which we all hope we would never have to use but is nice when we do.  Falcon also costs a little less.  Any comments?
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