SmallCaliberCentral

Friends,

I robbed the VX-3 6.5-20x40 off my 204 to put on the Vartarg, so I find myself needing another scope. I have narrowed it down to two: the Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25x50 or the Leupold VX-3 8-25x50LR.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the relative pros and cons of these two scopes? I'd be getting the Rapid Z-Varmint or Varmint Hunter's reticle, so on price and reticle it's a push. I like the 30mm tube of the Leupold over the 1" tube of the Zeiss, but that is just about the only difference I can see. Past that it's going to come down to clarity, resolution, eye relief, and adjustment.

I am a Leupold fan but I do have a hankering to try a Zeiss. One thing, actually the only thing, I don't care for about the Leupold 6.5-20x40 that I have already is that the optimal eye relief tends to vary significantly based upon the selected magnification. I'm usually scanning for rats at the near-lowest power and then increasing it once I am dialed in on a target. But that might just be the nature of a high-powered variable, I don't know.

Anyway, if you have a preference what would you choose and why?

Thanks,
Dan

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Dan, don't think I've ever heard a bad word concerning Zeiss optics. And Leupold is most likely one of the very best U.S. makers. You just have to ask yourself about warranty, customer service, and factory available changes/options that may or not be available.

If you have any problems with a Zeiss scope, do they have "no questions asked" warranty policy in the U.S.? Can you send it in for a reticle change? Add or change turrets? All good questions to ask before plunking down your cash.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather spend my money on goods made in the USA whenever possible.

Have to agree with Rick. Both really nice scopes but, considering where you live.......... Heck you could drive it to the Leupold factory if you ever needed to!

- Optically, they are pretty close, but I prefer the Zeiss reticle over the Leupold.

- Rick pointed out some good points to consider and IMO, Zeiss doesn't compare to Leupold when it comes to customizing.

- 30mm tubes give more internal adjustments so look at the your requirements because its fun to crank turrets.

HTH

Been looking at both myself. Have pretty-much settled on the Leupold, mostly because the field of view is larger (objects smaller) on the Zeiss at 25 power, I believe. Plus, as was stated, the LR VX3 is 30mm (which also lets one run slightly lower rings) and is customize-able.
Then again, on this soon-to-be-retired geezer's income, the similar Japanese-made (LOW) Clearidge 5-22.5X, at about half the price, looks pretty tempting to try.

On a different note, I'd take a look at the new Leupold VX6 line, I believe they have some that are compatable to these two.

HTH,

RAMOS wrote:Have to agree with Rick. Both really nice scopes but, considering where you live.......... Heck you could drive it to the Leupold factory if you ever needed to!

Ha! True, that.

Jim, I sure like what I hear about the VX-6 3-18x44. Just wish it came with the Varmint Hunter reticle.

The Clearidges do look interesting. That's a good price for Japanese glass. Another scope in that price range that I have been very happy with is the Falcon Menace. The styling is a bit on the tactical side, but good glass and ergonomics.

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They have a 4-24x52 with the Varmint Hunter Reticle per this link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... mm_sf.html

Not cheap, but nuthin' good usually is.


HTH

I have a Zeiss Conquest 6.5X - 20X on my Cooper. It has the Varmint reticule an I love it! BUT you have to remember that the turrets adjust backward from the "normal" scopes.

One very interesting app you can get for your iPhone (and probably others) is Strelok Pro that will tailor your varmint reticule to to your actual ballistics as well has adjust your POI for weather and altitude changes. The program has many many different scope brands and reticules available to use in this adjusting feature.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/strelok ... 29653?mt=8

George

I have both scopes you mentioned. You won't be disappointed in either one . The Zeiss is a little bit heavier but not a lot . The one thing I did notice is 5x on the Zeiss isn't and powerful as the leupold on 5x . But the Zeiss goes to 25 so it makes up for it . It's the same with my conquest compared to the hd5 . Not a problem just something I noticed. I got the varmint reticle and really like how fine the cross hairs are. I was worried it would be to busy from what I'm use to. Not the case at all.