I would like some honest opinions from those who have experience with the Leupold VX-III versus the Zeiss Conquest. Looking specifically at the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 and the Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40. I am familiar with the Leupold VX-II and the older Vari-Xii's. I have looked through both scopes in stores but I realise almost all scopes look good in the store. The scope will be replacing a Nikon Monarch ona Remington 700 chambered in 270 Winchester.
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I have VX-III's on 90% of my guns,big Leupold fan for many years! A few years ago a friend of mine picked up a 3-9-40mm Conquest and I had a 3-9-40mm VX-III while deer hunting. It was getting late in the day when we saw deer in a small patch of pines,we both put the scopes on the deer and he said "all doe"! I coulden't tell with my scope so I looked through his. I was so suprised,I never thought in a million years there would be that much difference. Long story short,I bought 2 new scopes since then a 3-9-50mm and a 4.5-14-44mm and both are Zeiss Conquest...
Both are good scopes to be sure. IMO, the glass is just better in the Conquest. Also the Conquest has good, constant eye relief. For those reasons I favor the Zeiss but, in most cases, the Leuppy is just fine too. Whatever lifts your skirt!
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why are you replacing the Monarch if i may ask? i've never used a Monarch but have heard nothing but good things.
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Zeiss has better glass, etched reticle and better eye relief at all magnifications. It has a harder anodized finish and just as good if not better customer service. There is no way I spend more money to buy a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40 over a 3-9x40 conquest. Just no way
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why are you replacing the Monarch if i may ask? i've never used a Monarch but have heard nothing but good things.
The Monarch will be reassigned, possibly for my sons first deer rifle. I had always heard good things about the Monarchs as well so I decided to try one. My 3-9x40 is brighter and clearerto my eyes than my Leupold VX-II 3-9x40. The Monarchs eye relief is much better than the Busnell Elite's but not quite as much as Leupold.
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"Never stand and take a charge...charge them too."
Zeiss has better glass, etched reticle and better eye relief at all magnifications. It has a harder anodized finish and just as good if not better customer service. There is no way I spend more money to buy a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40 over a 3-9x40 conquest. Just no way
That's what I'm thinking. The Conquest always seems to get great reviews and is cheaper to boot.
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"Never stand and take a charge...charge them too."
I have Leupolds on most of my guns, and I one West German made Zeiss on one rifle. The American made Zeiss & the Leupolds are about even, but if I comparethem to my West German Zeiss, this Zeiss blows them away
I have 2 Vari-X III's .... a 3 year old 3.5-10x 50 mm and a 1 year old 2-7x32 mm "Compact". I have had a Monarch 3-9x50mm (new 2005) and have a 3-9x40mm (new 2007). I also have a Conquest (new fall 2007) 3-9x50mm with a heavy plex. I have not had the Conquest long enough to judge the durability. It is on a 50 cal ML and has been rattled approximately 200 times + been out in hot, cold , rain, fog, sleet, snow, and dusty conditions. Worked fine.
It is my judgment from the single season of use of the Conquest that it has better glass. I would judge it way out front of either of the Monarchs I have, and better as far as edge to edge clarity and low light performance than the Vari-X III's. If I had to do it all over again, I'd purchase the Conquest again.
Leupold vs Zeiss
