Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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.

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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...

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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!

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

why are you replacing the Monarch if i may ask? i've never used a Monarch but have heard nothing but good things.

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

both nice....both have ballistic reticles....z600 or B&C which both would work on a .270....

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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.

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

That's what I'm thinking. The Conquest always seems to get great reviews and is cheaper to boot.

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

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.

RE: Leupold vs Zeiss
 

Very interesting discussion here with some intermixed statements. First of all, the actual quality of glass probably resides with the Japanese, ergo, the Nikon. The quality of the scope in general resides with the Zeiss. I am really extremely fascinated with the new rapid Z reticles being unreal. In fact, I am getting a Z-800 conquest 4.5-14 scopes. I realize I can shoot further than 800 yards but to do so requires tremendous rifles and they are just too expensive for me. At 800 yards I can shoot very effectivelywith my 30-378 expecially with the Zeiss scope mentioned. I have Leopold, Zeiss, Bushnell and Nikon scopes. All function well but the Zeiss allows more light passage for certain. Probably Zeiss pales in relationship to Schmidt&Bender and Nightforce but their cost and size is ridiculous for most of us.

bob chronister