JD,
I think if I could afford the top end zeiss I would get it. It will be better in low-light(darkness) than just about any scope in the world (swarovski and nightforce are also excellent).
Seriously, how many times are you going to need it in the dark though? the top Zeiss' s have their famous T coating which is better than the coating on the conquest but is it worth the difference? Depends on who' s money buying the scope.
So yes the top zeiss are better but I wouldn' t say the conquest is cheap or lacks quality in anyway. FOR ALMOST ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, I THINK THE CONQUEST IS ONE OF THE BEST VALUES IN RIFLE OPTICS.