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.