Zeiss over Leupold?
 

Got a purchase coming up as soon if Uncle Sam gives tax returns in '11. $600 Budget. Got it narrowed down to Zeiss or Leupold VX3. I'm on the fence. Can't really get a good comparison because I can't find a Zeiss local. Have to order from Cabelas because a decent chunk of the $$ is Cabelas gift cards.

not sure how much improved the VX3 is over the VX-III but the zeiss conquest vs. the VX-III is not much of a comparison in my opinion, zeiss all the way!

I can't tell you how a Zeiss Conquest compares to a VX3 but I am very happy with my Zeiss. Much better than any of my other scopes which include, Leupold Vari-X iic and VX2, Sightron S2, Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Elite 3200 and 4200.

Conquest all the way. I own both and the Conquest is better in clarity and low light situations. For the money, Conquest is the best deal going.

I love the Leupolds, I own one West German made Zeiss which will piss all-over the Zeiss Conquest, but the Conquest maybe a better scope then the Leupolds, and if it is, it's in the eye's of the hunter it isn't much better then the Leupold VX-III line. You can never go wrong with either one, love the Leupold warranty

i own numerous Leupold scopes. A few years ago i started buying Zeiss. Several of my rifles have Zeiss Conquest and German made Zeiss scopes. Every one of my Zeiss scopes is superior to the Leupold equivalent.

I have an old Leupold Vari-X III that is fifteen years old and still clear and does well in low light. I would seriously consider the Zeiss Conquest. I looked through one a few years back and it was crystal clear. I don't know how it does in low light conditions, but I have a feeling it would do well.

Of the Zeiss or Leupold get the Zeiss with out question.

If you are open to other suggestions...... If I were you I would look real hard at a Meopta meopro 3-9X42 or 4-12X50. We sell all three brands and the Meopta has easily become our best selling line of rifle scopes. We probably sell 10 - 1 Meopta over Zeiss or Leupold and there is a reason for that.

...... What's the price range on the Meopta's?

I dont think I would trust a person that sells them, I would look at what professional hunters are using rather than take advice from a salesmen. That would be like going to Home Depot and asking a salesman about plumbing advice instead of asking a licensed plumber his take on it.JMO. Most professional hunters you see will either have a Swarovski or a Leupold on there guns. There is a reason for that.

Cabelas has the Conquest 3-9x40 for $399,they've been running that special all season.

The reason is the "professional" hunters are PAID to use them! It doesn't mean its the best product out there!

Not all professional hunters are paid to use them, just the ones you see on T.V., that are promoting them just like a salsemen in a sporting goods store. A salesmen is going to try and sell you what ever product that they can make the most profit on, not nessasarly the best that they have. Go talk to some professional guides and outfitters, guys who make a living hunting and get there opinion, check world wide you will find the top scopes used on there personal guns are Swarovski and Leupold. I personally know numerous guids and outfitters worldwide and dont know any of them that get paid for the rifle or the scopes that they use.

I don't need to go talk to anyone, I know from experience the Zeiss blows Loopys away in every area!! But, that's not saying Loopys aren't any good, they make fine optics for sure just not in the same league in my opinion.

Just looked through both of them in the store...seem to have a distinct advantage. Wish I could look through them in twilight conditions. The zeiss does seem to be a smidge sharper and the crosshairs don't seem to fade out as your eyes are looking at things in the edge of the scope

Ole Fritz is still upset because he doens't know as much about firearms as he likes to think he does. He obviously doesn't know as much about sales or scopes as he thinks he does either.

Before you start talking our of your rear end again you might want to educate yourself about the company.

Meopta is one of the largest and oldest optics manufacturers in the world. They make glass for everything from medical grade and scientific instruments to sporting optics. They also manufacture glass to specs for other high end scope manufacturers.

I don't think TreenNC is going to get a Swarovski for $600.

I agree 100%. I'd take a Zeiss over a comparable Leupold any day and twice on Sunday.

The Zeiss is definitely the better scope over the Leupold. The Meopta is even better than the conquests are in edge to edge clarity. If there is a local Meopta dealer in your area go look through one you will like what you see.

Glad you have me figured out there. You are obviously a fireams and optics expert that is sitting behind the counter, thinking they know it all but probably getting paid about $10 an hour for that expertise and gun knowledge, just like the pros at Home Depot.:busted:

Never mind, I'm not gonna get into a pointless argument with someone that doesn't have a clue about me or what I do.

Exactly my thoughts! At least we can agree on something.

ANYWAY. Zeiss it will probably be for me. Just not sure what power and objective. It'll ride a M77 MKII 7mm Rem mag

The last person I'd consult would be a professional hunter. Most are walking commercials for anyone who'll sponsor them. Many who aren't have other employment during the off-season. As well, big differences between a guide on fenced land and one who guides on public land. I'm the one who'll use the scope, i want what's going to work best for me.

Much depends upon price point. While it might seem like a $1200 scope must be at the top of the heap to some, one can easily spend twice that, sometimes three times that, on a scope. As has been mentioned before, the Zeiss Conquest isn't as good as their military-grade glass. it's simply a cheaper line meant to compete in the consumer market against products like the VX-3. Put a Conquest up against a Schmidt & Bender, Hensoldt, USO, Horus, or even a Nightforce or Leupold Mark 4 and there's really nothing special about it but the lowest price in the bunch.

You do get what you pay for, and beauty (performance) is in the eye of the beholder. you really owe it to yourself to physically compare the glass you're considering. That's often a problem if you're having to buy online or from a catalog. JMO - for general use, the Leupold VX-3s and similar scopes in that price point from other manufacturers will handle all but the most extreme conditions, and it's unlikely you'll see or experience any benefit from "better glass" if you're using it for just a couple of weeks a year. There's no way I'd buy a Conquest and get halfway to the next level of performance i could get with a Nightforce or Mark 4 for only a couple hundred bucks more.

IMO you are making a good choice. I'm sure the VX3's are great scopes but I surely would not sell my Conquest to go buy one. I still hunt with an old Leupold Vari-Xii so I am not Leupold bashing here.

+1. I just prefer better scopes...period.

[QUOTE=homers brother;3751359]The last person I'd consult would be a professional hunter. Most are walking commercials for anyone who'll sponsor them. As well, big differences between a guide on fenced land and one who guides on public land.

I dont know any professional hunters that are sponsered by anyone, yeah their are a few that are on t.v., but the ones that are out there working for a living and dont have a t.v. show are deffinitly not being paid by anyone but there client. As far as guides that guide on fenced land, dont know any of those either, I can give names and numbers to dozens of guides and outfitters here and all over the country that do it on public land. No fence hunting, they do it the hard way, same as I do, I never have nor will I ever hunt behind a fenced game ranch. I dont use guides, I have been quiet sucsessful hunting the National Forrests here in Idaho, and have several trophy deer (one, Boone & Crocket and couple that almost makes it, Several Pope and Young), elk (several 300-350 class bulls) and bear (several Pope and Young) that I can be very proud of. NONE KILLED BEHIND A FENCE, beleive it or not, some people just know how to hunt and dont have to buy there trophies. But if you are looking for a guided hunt on public land let me know, I am in the process of getting my guide license.
Here is where I hunt, PURE WILDERNESS!!! no high fences or game ranches here, hell there isnt even any roads.

The only problem with the conquest is I can't see any discernible difference in the store between the two (obviously twilight conditions might tell the difference), and Id have to spend about $200 more to get what I want in power/objective in the Conquest as I would the Leupold. The only thing about the Leupold was how easy it "went up". I had to have the Conquest just right to get a clear sight picture and eye relief. The leupold just seemed more forgiving. I may be making a mistake, and asking for more power and objective than I need, but it's there if I want it. I'm putting it on 7mag and probably wont carry it unless a 250-300 shot is warranted, and will be my "out west" gun. I'm probably in the minority, but a deer sized animal isn't that big at 300yd even on 9X.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "bigger is always better" person, heck, I didnt even "want" the 7mag, but the condition of the gun was just too good to turn down in a trade.

The Leupolds do have better eye relief than most scopes on the market, including Swarovski, Ziess, and Nikon, actually I am not aware of any scope that has better eye relief than Leupold.

It seems like I have lived about half of my life in elk camps, and most of the experienced hunters use Leupold scopes, with Swarovski making a strong showing. I can remember a couple of guys with Zeiss scopes, but not the version that is made for the American market.

I have been in Africa a few times and it is reversed there. Lots of Swarovski scopes with Leupold making a strong showing. Reliability is most important.

If I had 2k make no mistake, a swarovski would be on it, and if I had that money I'd just have bought a remington 700cdl to go below it lol. Who knows, I may turn into a ruger snob now haha.

I think I may go with the 4x14x50 vx3. Any downside to having the extra power?

The last few minutes/first few minutes of the day is where that Zeiss will outperform the VX3. As I said, I don't have a VX3 to directly compare it to but my hunting partner does. He likes the Zeiss. I do agree with you on how easy a Leupold comes up to the eye. IMO it is one of their bests traits.

My favorite elk rifle has a 4.5x14x40 on it. The extra power is appreciated. The only downside for the type of shot that you have previously mentioned is extra scope size and cost.

You wont be disapointed with that choice, the extra power is really nice also. I have several of those same scopes on some of my rifles and couldnt be more pleased with them. I have them on my Ruger M77 MarkII 280 Rem, my Bushmaster Varmiter Special XM-15, Rem. 700 SPS 338 Ultra Mag., Rem 700 BDL 338 Win mag, Rem. 700 SPS 300 Ultra Mag, and I have a VXIII 6.5-20 Tgt on my Rem Sendero 300 Ultra Mag.. They perform great in low light conditions, great eye relief, get on target quick without looking for the sight picture, very durable, and should you EVER have any problems, Leupold is a pleasure to deal with, they really stand behind there products. I can afford any scope I want but you will only see Leupolds on my guns. Not saying there arent scopes out there that are as good, but if you find something that works why change? IMHO, They are the best, most durable hunting scopes on the market for there price.

The extra power is nice, I have a 4-16 Nikon Monarch and the 16x is nice to have sometimes.

I picked up a 6.5-20x50 Conquest for $650, so that's pretty close to your price range and is an excellent scope!

I am not personally a fan of the "new" Leupolds. I have a couple of VariXII's and VariXIII's and do not think the "VX" line is as good as the old ones.

The Conquests are nice glass too and I would choose one over the new Leupolds.

I also like the Monarchs (have a couple as well), cheaper and I think better than the Leupolds (again: the new "VX's").

I have also heard GREAT things about Meopta in both scopes and binoculars.

Have a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 on order as I have heard excellent things about them too and have used their binoculars right next to Swaro's in the field and they were close (but not quite) the glass. But they were also under $600.

You do know the new VXI is essentialy the same scope as the older VariXII and the new VXII is essentially the same scope as the older VariXIII?, according to Leupold anyway. I believe it to be true too, I have acouple of older VariXII 3-9's and they are identical to the VXI 3-9, that I have on my rem. 597 22L.R., the only difference is my VariXII's are glossy finished and my VXI is silver to match the stainless 22.

I know what they claim, what I see when I look through them does not bear it out though.

As I said: I feel the new VX line to be inferior to the old VariX line.

As was said already in this thread, much of it is in the eye of the beholder and arguing about glass is like arguing about politics or religion. I was just stating my opinion, much of it is subjective and cannot be "proven". That's why all of the statements in my post say "I feel" and "I think".

Where did you find that model zeiss for that?

I'm not suggesting that guides in general are sponsored. What do those non-sponsored guides do in their off-seasons, though? Most I know have work elsewhere and take their vacations to guide hunters.

Nice photo, but I'm thinking "What? No bug-killed timber"?! :)

PM Inbound :wink:

Don't get all wrapped up in excessively high magnification at the expense of low end magnification. 10 - 12 power is more than enough magnification for big game hunting out to several hundred yards. I personally wouldn't want to go over 4X magnification on the low end unless it were on a long range specific rifle.

With a 50mm objective lens you are going to get in increasingly darker image when you get above 10X magnification. Just because you can crank it up to 18 or 20 times magnification doesn't mean you are going to be able to see what you are looking at.

Leave the high magnification scopes for the specialized long range and varmint rifles.

This is true, and I've thought of that, it happens with any scope. 4.5x14x50....leaves me with a minimum of 4.5, which is generally low enough to shoot within 50 yards and at right at dark,if the need arises, but I doubt I'd carry it if my shooting would consistantly be within 150yards. I've got too many other, closer range, cheaper shooting calibers for that.