Who makes the best scope available?
 

If you could choose any scope, what kind would it be? If you didn't base your decision on price?

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I don't know,But that is a darn good question.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Kahles or Zeiss.

For value, IOR or Meopta.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I chose aZeiss Diavari 3x12x56.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

The ones I have always trusted Nikon.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I am looking at getting a Schmidt Bender 2.5-10 x 56 Zenith. Several people who sell these scopes have told me that these are the absolute best scope that you can buy. Does anyone have any feedback?

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

My Dad had a Schmidt and Bender. Great Glass.
If you can afford it go for it.
But I would consider a 42mm obj.
I dont like "branch snagging bells" just me.

Leupold scopes have probally helped kill more animals than any other "top name" scope in North America.
Made in USAand owned by anAmericanfamily. Hard to shy away.

I have always liked Zeiss and Nikon.
I am not comparing the two, just what I like.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Swarovski if money was no issue. Crushed crystals used to make their glass which is unmatched as far as I can tell. Unfortunately I will most likely never be able to afford one, and even if I could don't know that I could justify it. My best value pick is a Maine Vue.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

If money was no object, yeah right..... not in my house, I would look at a 30mm Zeiss or Swarovski. The reason I say a 30mm is it's ability to transmit more light without any real trade-offs. But they are more money than a 1 inch tube, but you said money was no object.....so......

God Bless

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Zeiss...

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

My buddy has at least one of each of the best(Swarovski, Ziess, Smidt and Bender, etc)

He says the Ziess Diavari 3x12x56-30mm is the best !!

I have a Diavari 3x9x42-1" and my Swarovski 3x12x50-30mm isbetter but it is bigger !! I still would not say it's a lot better....those Diavari's are real good !!

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I see Swaro has a new line coming out that has 6x magnification range and it doesn't look like it cost them much in terms of weight or eye relief. It might be a contender for the best scope. Hows a 2-12 sound?

However I always thought that choosing optics was a little like looking for good wine. Each gun and application requires a carefull balance of size weight, magnification, clarity, brightness durability and other specialized features like adjustable AO, illuminated reticle or target turrets. These criteria are unique to each of us.

For exampleif I were setting up a rem model 7 in 308 I might go for a 1.5x6x40( looking for brightness and low magnification for the close dark woods I hunt) and the next guy might choose a 2.5x8x32 (for its compact size and better high end magnification because he carries his rifle in a more open area)

Coupled with this that few of us can do a top end Zeiss or Swaro on every rifle in the safe. So we try to choose the best scope for what we do at a price that we can afford for that particular application.

As for me my choices change from time to time. Some of this is price driven. Right now its a great time to buy Monarchs as they seem to be heavily discounted. 6 months ago the mostscope for the under 250 range probably was a Burris Fullfield II. At $400 the Conquest is a strong contender.. It just depends upon what its worth to you and what features you like in a scope.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Ziess ( not conquest )

Swarovski

Smit /Bender

Nightforce ( grate long Range Scopes )

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Sworovski is the best glass available.....
For North American Hunting,Leupold is the best optic for the price
Where hunting is dawn till dusk, and climate offers extreme temp variations.....
Leupolds are Tough and Rugged Bright, and backed up with great warranty...

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I like Zeiss lenses.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Leupold

best of luck

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I have a Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56 with a 30mm tube. It is definitely the most expensive scope that I have, but I prefer my Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 to it.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Why?Because I just bought one and I am waiting for the new Sako finnlight to put it on! I really like the conquest but have never looked through the Diavari, Is the conquest better?
Elmer

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I have a Leupoold 3.5 by 10 on my Remington 700model 7mm Mag. MY BABY!!!

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Swarovski is the best.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

NoKnees said it all... very well IMO.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

It may be just me, but to my eye the edges of my Diavari 3-12x56 are blurry. Not bad but a little distorted especially on 12x. I don't get this in my Conquest 4.5-14x44 or 6.5-20x50. I would not say that the Conquests are "better", but I do like mine.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Thank you,Retrieverman
Elmer

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Leupold. I dont care how much money I have, I will always buy Leupold.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I am going to have to disagree about the Leupold. It is not even in the same ballpark with the Schmidt Bender. I have a Leupold VXIII- 4.5-14 x50 on my Winchester Model 70 .270 and a Schmidt Bender 3.5-12x50 on my Savage Model 110 .25-06.I was at the range sighting the rifles in right before dusk. Shooting at a target at 100 yards with a red dot about 2 inches in diameter, I was having trouble seeing the red dot with the Leupold. I picked up the Schmidt Bender and I could see my bullet holes in the target. I have hunted all season with both rifles and the difference is more than noticeable.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I tested my Swarovski against my Diavari the other evening and the Diavari is slightly clearer (despite being smaller).........but they are very very close !!

Checked out my buddy's S&B the other day and it was not nearly as clear up on 10 power as either of my scopes .......but it seemed to be fine on lower powers !! Did not get to test it at dark !!

My vote would be for a big Diavari 3x12x56-30mm or 3x12x50-30mm !!

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

You guys need to put down the Leupold Kool-Aid, it is ruining your minds!!

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

No, the Conquest is the budget line of Zeiss scopes. If you are going to buy a Zeiss and can afford the Diavari, it is definitely the way to go.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

No question. US Optics

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

U.S. OPTICS period..........nightforce, Zeiss, IOR Swarzkovi (sp)?? Leupold are great too

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

forgot schmidt bender......among the best too

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Leupold LPS.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

A year or two back I would have argued for Leupold. Not anymore. They have tried to get cheap. I complained when the VXIII went to two piece tubes that it would be the downfall. I've had a couple that don't track properly.

I would have to say that Zeiss is probably the best on the market. And the Zeiss Conquest is by far the absolute best value on the market. I can't even believe they can sell that high of quality scope for so low a price. 3-9x40 for $399, I wish I had a couple grand to blow; I would stock pile a few before zeiss realizes they can get more for them.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

Shato its my understand the VXIII is 3 piece tube construction. In fact that was confirmed byLeupold upon it intial release a few years back. Theygave me a song and dance that it was actually stronger/better then a 1 piece tube like the Vari Xiii or LPS use. I agree cheaper had to be the reason for the switch to get competitive with other brands sweeping shooters off the gold ring bandwagon!I still have good feelings towards the Vari XIII.

I concur with regards to the Conquest line.My 3 have been awesome, track true, opticalperformanceand durable underall the conditions canada has to offer.

RE: Who makes the best scope available?
 

I'm a Leupold kinda guy all the way to the core, I love them Leupold MKIV's