leupold Vs zeiss (again)

MHUNT

MHUNT

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I don't want to beat this one to death, I know we've been over it before but..
I just bought 2 new Leupold 2 1/2 - 8 VXlll's for my -06 and my 35 whelen and a 3-9 zeiss conquest for my son's 338. As I was adjusting the focus on each scope I had to admit that the zeiss is clearer but I would still take the leupold since the difference in weight is greater than the difference in clarity.
On a different note.. I just got my -06 and my 35 back after having them powder coated at Corlane Sporting Goods in Dawson Creek. They did a great job and were a pleasure to deal with.
 
Personally, I can't like Leupold scopes mostly because the standard duplex is too thin and the heavy duplex is too thick. I have two Zeiss and love them, they are clearer and brighter than the VX111 series form Leupold and I love both the Zplex and the german #4 I have in them. Thickness and subtension is just right for me. I don;t think 2-3 oz is a significant enough difference in overall weight for me to use a scope I don't like. I also much prefer the constant eye relief to the variable that exists inthe Leupold line.
 
Vxiii

I have 2 VXIII 3.5X10X40 and 1 VXIII 4.5X14X40 and I find them very clear anytime even when it is almost dark, I do agree the standard duplex could be wider but it is not a big factor for me. I have used a rifle that had a conquest on it and it was fine also, I think where leupolds hold an edge is in eye relief, weight and by far service turn around time if ever needed.
 
leupold all the way, have 2 1.5x5's, 2.5x8, 4.5x14x40 and 4.5x14x50 VXL all with BC reticle, good clarity, great eye relief and outstanding service from Korth in Okotoks. Working in the industry I have sent too many other brands out for service and or warranty and had to explain to the customer why he won't get his scope back for several weeks to a couple of months, then most of them buy a Leupold so they can go hunting and sell the other one when they get it back. The only other scope I would even consider is the swaro's but now that the VX7 line is out scratch that idea.
 
I think where leupolds hold an edge is in eye relief, weight and by far service turn around time if ever needed.
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Have you actually had a zeiss scope sent out for repairs to see the turn around time yourself,or are you only making an assumption?I had to send one out after it was involved in a horse wreck, and it was repaired and returned very promptly,and free of charge.
As for eye relief,I much prefer the fixed eye relief offered by the conquest.My 6.5x20x40efr is a pain to use,because the eye relief varies so much as the magnification is adjusted,that you have to move your head back and forth.
 
martinbns said:
Personally, I can't like Leupold scopes mostly because the standard duplex is too thin and the heavy duplex is too thick. I have two Zeiss and love them, they are clearer and brighter than the VX111 series form Leupold and I love both the Zplex and the german #4 I have in them. Thickness and subtension is just right for me. I don;t think 2-3 oz is a significant enough difference in overall weight for me to use a scope I don't like. I also much prefer the constant eye relief to the variable that exists inthe Leupold line.
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Come on, with 29+ different reticles to choose from, you couldn't find one that worked for ya? Have a look at the LR Duplex or the new XT Duplex.
Constant eye relief? Not splitting hairs - just curious what you mean by this. If you get a chance, please try to explain it a little, and use easy words cause I am a little dumb, lol. Thanks Martin.
;)
 
Vxiii

stubblejumper said:
Have you actually had a zeiss scope sent out for repairs to see the turn around time yourself,or are you only making an assumption?I had to send one out after it was involved in a horse wreck, and it was repaired and returned very promptly,and free of charge.
As for eye relief,I much prefer the fixed eye relief offered by the conquest.My 6.5x20x40efr is a pain to use,because the eye relief varies so much as the magnification is adjusted,that you have to move your head back and forth.
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Just go on to any site and ask who has the best service you will find leupold will get the majority of the votes, I have never had to send one in myself but I sent one in for a friend and he had it back in 2 weeks. I do not have variable scopes with as much power as you do but my 4.5X14 doe not need any head movment or adjustment while in use.
 
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open-sights said:
Come on, with 29+ different reticles to choose from, you couldn't find one that worked for ya? Have a look at the LR Duplex or the new XT Duplex.
Constant eye relief? Not splitting hairs - just curious what you mean by this. If you get a chance, please try to explain it a little, and use easy words cause I am a little dumb, lol. Thanks Martin.
;)
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The eye relief of a Zeiss conquest scope is constantly the same. At 3 power it's 4 inches, at 6 power it's 4 inches and at 9 power it's 4 inches.

The eye relief on a leupold variable scope starts out longer and gets shorter as you turn up the magnification. If I remember correctly the VX11 3x9x40 ranges from 4.5 to 3.7 or something like that. I have one on my son's 30-06 with a wide duplex. This can mean you have to move your head on the stock to get the same site picture when you change the magnification.

Regarding the 29 different reticles, I don't want or need to pay extra or have different markings for various distances. The wide duplex is OK, but not available on all scopes. The Zeiss Zplex is perfect for me I see no need to pay more to make what I consider an inferior product look the same.

FWIW, the only "real scope" I've ever had crap out was a fairly new VX11 3x9x40, I haven't gotten around to sending it to get fixed yet, but I had to replace it in June just before my son and I left for Africa.
 
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Love the leupolds I have a friend that sells lots of leupolds to German hunters who take them home because they prefer them over Zeiss and Just had a bud take his conquest back to wholesale and get a Leupold I did not influence that decision. I don't think you can beat the high end Zeiss but the conquest does apparently have some issues all that said what do I know I just bought my first Sheperd lets see if its the last or the first of many.:D
 
Comparing Zeiss and Leupold is like comparing Cadillac to Mercedes.
What would you like to drive?
Myself,
I can't stand Leupold. They are not as good as people think.
In official tests they loose to Nikon, and Elite4200 and some Burris series in many aspects.
I wish, I have that test done in Germany, where Nikon came almost first.
Zeiss gives you quality and good optics, nice and bright and sharp view.
I like the cross/reticle job in Zeiss scopes and constant eye relief.
Also, when Zeiss states magnification 3-9 or 1.8-5.5, mean it, not like Leupold 2.5-8, which actually is 2.7-7.7
In my book Zeiss and Swarovski maybe bit expensive but they come with quality not known to Leupold.
 
donnybear,
drank German hunters you mean LOL
I deal with German and European hunters and you have to hear how hard they laugh when I try to convince them that the gap is narrowing and make like Nikon is getting better and is cheaper to buy.
They only talk S&B, Zeiss, Swarovski and Kahles. Even IOR or Docter as well as Meopta don't qualify as quality scope in Germany.
 
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I've got quite a few Leupolds, and one Ziess spotting scope.

Leupolds pretty much do what I need, so I save a few bucks on a scope. I'll probably try a Ziess on my next rifle, but that could be some time.:)
 
PeterPan said:
]
I can't stand Leupold. They are not as good as people think.
In official tests they loose to Nikon, and Elite4200 and some Burris series in many aspects.
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Totally with you there. Leupold makes a fine scope, no doubt, but they're strictly middle-of-the road in terms of quality. Optics AREN'T subjective things, you can actually measure the quality of the glass. You can easily get a better scope for less money, although it does seem to keep coming back to Leupold's customer service. I suppose if you value an airtight repair service enough to justify the additional costs, then nothing can touch a leupold. Personally, I have or have had several dozen scopes, and only one that ever failed (a cheap tasco, at that). Therefore, I'd rather get a scope similar in quality for less, or better in quality for a bit more, but without the same level of service offered.
 
I mostly hunt with European scopes now but actually never owned a Conquest, I had a friend buy one in 3-9x40 to mount on his new M70 in 300 WSM, I must say I was very impressed with what Zeiss is offering at that price range and in no way would I compare a Leupold 3-9 VX II to it even the VXIII doesn't compare to the Conquest as far as I'm concerned, it just doesn't make sense to choose an inferior product because the warranty is good. The only European product I have serviced was a pair of Swarovski binocs and the turnaround was excellent.
IMHO
bigbull
 
I have never had to send one in myself
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Exactly as I suspected.


Just go on to any site and ask who has the best service you will find leupold will get the majority of the votes,
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And why do you suppose that is?Could it be that many more people have experience with having leupolds repaired?How many people on this forum have even sent a zeiss out for repair?
 
leupold

I have never had to send one in myself but I sent one in for a friend;
That means in 30 years I never had to send one in.

And why do you suppose that is?Could it be that many more people have experience with having leupolds repaired?


When they out sell the zeiss by a large margin the odds are a few more problems

_How many people on this forum have even sent a zeiss out for repair?

You have?_________________
 
One thing to keep in mind is that optical quality is secondary to durability in an aiming device to be used for hunting.

This is not to say one is better than the other, I am sure someone has done tests, but not me.:)
 
Gatehouse said:
One thing to keep in mind is that optical quality is secondary to durability in an aiming device to be used for hunting.

This is not to say one is better than the other, I am sure someone has done tests, but not me.:)
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That's true, but the scope must naturally draw your eye and rifle to the right place and that's where the reticle choice comes in. I've had one of my conquests on about 5 different rifles, never been all that kind to it and it performs perfectly.

I've just had poor experiences with Leupold scopes, missed a shot at a buck because the scope flaired in the sun and the reticle disappeared (Vari-X 111) and had the power rings stop functioning (VX11 3x9x40). I just find the leupold cult a little much and find them overrated.
 
_How many people on this forum have even sent a zeiss out for repair?

You have?
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Exactly why I feel qualified to comment on the Zeiss repair service.Unlike you,I speak from personal experience not speculation.As I posted,the rifle was involved in a horse wreck which could have destroyed most scopes.However the Zeiss did hold zero and did not fog up.I sent it in because a piece of foreign material was stuck on an interior lens after the incident.
 
Well if you mob are going to get this upset about a piece of glass that someone may or may not be using, there is no way in hell that I am going to ask for comment on politics or religion or "GASP"...........women.
 
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