Best scope for $1000

scott_r

scott_r

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I've squirreled some cash away for a bit to buy some gun goodies and am thinking I would like some decent glass on my dedicated coyote rig. I don't really need to go with a power any higher then 14 or 15. I would like a 50mm objective. Not really hung up on a 30mm or 1 " tube.
I'm leaning towards a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44mm z800 plex but would be open to suggestions. Not really interested in any Bushnell products.

Cheers!!
 
I had the 3.5-10x50mm Leupold VX3 I loved that scope I now have a Nightforce. Or you can have a look at Sightron they have alot of good looking glass i dont think it compares to the Leupold though just my 2 cents..
 
stubblejumper said:
That is the exact scope that I have on my own coyote rifle. The optics are clear and bright, and the RZ800 reticle works well.
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I see the 4.5-14x50 has the turrets and this model doesnt. Would it be better to go with the 50mm objective and turrets? Ive read the turrets dont have caps and can be accidently bumped and moved in the field??
 
I see the 4.5-14x50 has the turrets and this model doesnt. Would it be better to go with the 50mm objective and turrets? Ive read the turrets dont have caps and can be accidently bumped and moved in the field??
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I have four Conquests with turrets, two 4.5-14x50s, and two 6.5-20x50s, on rifles that I generally use for target shooting. Yes they most certainly can be moved accidentally, which is why I don't have them on my hunting rifles. I don't want covered turrets either, because the covers make them too slow to access in a hurry.The Diavari that I just sold had locking turrets that could not be accidentally moved, but the cost was much higher.
 
How would the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44mm z800 plex compare to a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 brh reticle? I know your getting more magnification out of the Zeiss but in terms of quality? Both are priced about the same from dealers here on CGN?
 
Take a moment and look at a Minox. We were at the range about a month ago and a gentleman in his 80's was there with several rifles all with expensive Swarovski scopes.

We were admiring his firearms, looking thru the scopes at a target 300 yards downrange and he handed us a gun with a Minox scope.

I was absolutley shocked on how clear and well made that scope was, it was as good as if not better than any of the Swarovski's he had.

Told me he had recently purchased it and it cost $500.00 and the cheapest Swarovski on the rifles we looked at cost $1,000.00.

I was considering purchasing another Vortex however will probablly get a Minox for my next scope. I have a nice Vortex Viper however I think the Minox appeared to be better.
 
How would the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44mm z800 plex compare to a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 brh reticle? I know your getting more magnification out of the Zeiss but in terms of quality? Both are priced about the same from dealers here on CGN?
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The Z-3 is lighter and more compact, and to my eyes, the optics may be ever so slightly superior. I do prefer the RZ reticle if it works with the ballistics of your load, however, I did purchase a Z-5 3.5-18x44 with the BRH reticle for my new 7mmstw, because the reticle matched my 7mmstw load far better than the RZ800. The Z-5 is probably my favorite scope of all, due to the great optics, reasonable size and weight, and wide magnification range, but I paid $1600 for mine.

Take a moment and look at a Minox. We were at the range about a month ago and a gentleman in his 80's was there with several rifles all with expensive Swarovski scopes.

We were admiring his firearms, looking thru the scopes at a target 300 yards downrange and he handed us a gun with a Minox scope.

I was absolutley shocked on how clear and well made that scope was, it was as good as if not better than any of the Swarovski's he had.

Told me he had recently purchased it and it cost $500.00 and the cheapest Swarovski on the rifles we looked at cost $1,000.00.
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I compared a Minox to my Conquests and my Swarovskis, and my Diavari, and to my eyes, it came out last. As well, Minox has had some mechanical issues with their scopes.
 
I have the same scope you are talking about (with a Z-600) and I like it a lot.

I was out this week looking at some sheep in a field near dusk (because a coyote had been coming around and I was hoping to see him) they were about 200 m away and I could hardly see the sheep in the tall grass with my naked eye but when I looked through the scope, i could see them perfectly like it was the middle of the afternoon.

I spotted a bluebird on a fence post about 100 m away and I could clearly see his colours, and this was right at dusk.

To me, thats the telling tale - how well does it work in low light? Because you know it will be better in good light. All other factors being equal of course.

If it were me I would get the one you mentioned, or I would get a Leupold VX3 in the same magnification.
 
bearkilr said:
Save a bit more money and get a Leica 3.5-14x42 from Wolverine Supplies, around $1400. There's no scope out there that'll be superior in clarity/contrast at that price or any price for that matter.
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Im heading into Brandon in Aug, I may just stop by Wolverine and look at one.

It really sucks that no shops around me have a good selection of mid range priced optics. I've looked through and handled the Zeiss Conquests but finding a Leica, Minox or Sightron and being able to campare them is pretty much impossible. All the shops around here carry Bushnell and Vortex, not great scopes IMO. Lots of Leupolds, but Im not a fan of there scopes even though I have a few.

Cheers!!
 
Jordan Smith said:
Which Bushnell and Vortex scopes have you looked at? I'm guess not the Bushnell HDMR or the Vortex Viper PST or Razor....
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No you're correct on that neevr looked through a Bushnell HDMR or Viper PST.

I would never spend good money on Bushnell as there customer service is terrible. Plenty of complaints from fellow CGN'ers.
I have owned a Vortex Viper and it was decent but didnt compare to a Zeiss Conquest in my eyes. There are also complaints of Vortex owners saying there scopes do not track properly, there was a good thread here on CGN a while back on the subject.
I just did a quick google search for best $1000 LR scope and Zeiss Conquest seems to be the winner. I will go with that I think.
Appreciate all the help guys :rockOn:

Cheers!!
 
That's why I chose the PST over the HDMR- warranty.

I've owned the Conquest, PST, etc. It really just depends on what you want in a LR scope. Zero stop? FFP? Reticle and turret graduation preference? Illumination? Elevation travel requirements? Magnification and objective size preference?

Based on the few things you've mentioned, I'd go with a PST 4-16x50 FFP with your choice or mil/mil or MOA/MOA reticle and turret configurations. If you have $1500+ to spend, then my recommendation changes. The Conquest only comes in SFP, which is fine, but the big advantage to FFP, IMO, is that your wind and elevation holds are consistent, regardless of the magnification. The Conquest is a great scope, but it's limited in the options and configurations that it comes in.
 
Jordan Smith said:
That's why I chose the PST over the HDMR- warranty.

I've owned the Conquest, PST, etc. It really just depends on what you want in a LR scope. Zero stop? FFP? Reticle and turret graduation preference? Illumination? Elevation travel requirements? Magnification and objective size preference?

Based on the few things you've mentioned, I'd go with a PST 4-16x50 FFP with your choice or mil/mil or MOA/MOA reticle and turret configurations. If you have $1500+ to spend, then my recommendation changes. The Conquest only comes in SFP, which is fine, but the big advantage to FFP, IMO, is that your wind and elevation holds are consistent, regardless of the magnification. The Conquest is a great scope, but it's limited in the options and configurations that it comes in.
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I did some reading this evening and it does look like a nice scope. I really like the idea of the zero stop. May have to seriously consider this.
Is the quality of glass the same as the Conquests?
 
scott_r said:
Im heading into Brandon in Aug, I may just stop by Wolverine and look at one.

It really sucks that no shops around me have a good selection of mid range priced optics. I've looked through and handled the Zeiss Conquests but finding a Leica, Minox or Sightron and being able to campare them is pretty much impossible. All the shops around here carry Bushnell and Vortex, not great scopes IMO. Lots of Leupolds, but Im not a fan of there scopes even though I have a few.

Cheers!!
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I've looked through most of the top line scopes in all sorts of hunting conditions (no, not all were mine :( ) and I'd have to say that to my eyes the clearest ones out there are Schmidt and Bender's Zenith line and the Leica.

I've had a few Leupold including the LPS and VX7 and IMO they don't compare to the top tier Euro glass. Vortex Viper's are OK, not quite as clear as Leupold's VX3 or Bushnell 6500. Never looked through their Razor line, but at that price I'd just buy the European stuff anyhow.

Your best bet is to look through a bunch as everyone's eye are a little different. Chances are you won't have time to fiddle with turrets,etc when after coyote, at least that's what I found. I do like Swarovski's Ballistic Turret system, if one must have turrets for hunting.
 
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