The Conquest does have a 1" tube. I just purchased one about a month ago for my Mod 70 7mm Rem. Mag. So far so good. I really haven't been able to tell if it is really any clearer than a Leupold yet. My stepfather has a Vari III 3.5-10x50 and I think I will put my 4.5-14x44 up against his sometime this week and see if you can really tell a difference. All and all, I dont think that the average hunter will be able to tell a difference between the two other than the $100-200 differecne. I really love my Conquest and all the features it has but I would have prefered a different reticle. And Leupolds reticle options are extremely good compared to most manufacturers. It all boils down to what you want and where you want to put however much money you wish to spend. Oh, another thing. Some people would not buy anything if it weren't made in the USA, Leupold definitely fits in to that catagory, but what surprised me what the the Conquest was assembled (parts, such as glass and inner workings I am sure are still foreign) in the USA as well. Whether or not the makes a difference. Hope this helps....

"Clutz by Nature, Hospitalized by Fate..."

Pyral