Steiner vs Zeiss vs Vortex

Guisharley

Guisharley

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Good evening!

I've been searching for a good quality, yet affordable scope, to mount on my Kimber 84M in .308 win. This will be a lightweight outfit that I will primarily use for deer hunting, on long hikes over rugged terrain in any kind of weather, with shots ranging from 0 to 200 yards.

I've narrowed my search down to the 3 following scopes :

Steiner GS3 2-10 x 42
Zeiss Conquest HD5 2-10 x 42
Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10 x 44

Which of these scopes, in your opinion, would be best adapted to my indented usage, and which is the best scope / best value altogether?

Any other suggestions in a good quality scope??

Thanks for your input!

Best regards!

Guillaume
 
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Thanks for the input guys!

I recently bought a Leupold VX6 2-12x42 CDS with illuminated reticle to mount on a Sako Brown Bear. I am very disappointed with this quite expensive scope (approx. 1500$). Although the optics are very bright and clear, the general craftsmanship of the scope is awful and crude. The caps on the turrets are very hard to screw or unscrew. The reticle does not respond properly when adjusted. It needs the recoil of a couple of rounds of 338 to find its place. Oh yes, the crosshair is crooked (not squared)! For all of these reasons, I will never buy a Leupold again.

With all things considered, I'm really leaning towards the Zeiss Conquest HD5. It was not my fisrt choice, mostly because of the 25mm main tube (all other have 30mm). Any impact with the smaller tube? Less light transmission?
 
Guisharley said:
With all things considered, I'm really leaning towards the Zeiss Conquest HD5. It was not my fisrt choice, mostly because of the 25mm main tube (all other have 30mm). Any impact with the smaller tube? Less light transmission?
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Tube size has no bearing on light transmission. At one time, larger tube sizes were required to accommodate more complex mechanical parts to achieve things like greater zoom range. It wasn't all that long ago that 3x was maximum zoom range in a 1" tube but now a couple companies are offering up to 5x zoom range in a 1" tube, like the HD5. Other companies just haven't caught up yet. For those that require a large amount of MOA adjustment, going to bigger tube may be required too but there's no guarantee that you get it in a 30mm tube...in fact with most you don't. For 99% of hunting rifles, there really is no gain in a 30mm tube.
 
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The kimber's are renoun for their weight. (Feather light). The 25mm tube will help in keeping the overall weight down. As for light transmission opinion will be diffirent depending on individual. I think it should not impact the dusk and dawn clarity noticeably...
 
Guisharley said:
With all things considered, I'm really leaning towards the Zeiss Conquest HD5. It was not my fisrt choice, mostly because of the 25mm main tube (all other have 30mm). Any impact with the smaller tube? Less light transmission?
Click to expand...

That Zeiss is a bit of a pig for a 1" scope, if your intention is to keep things light, which it should be with that Kimber. I'd really have a look at a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 or 3-10x42, they're about 2/3 the weight, same price, similar features and are guaranteed as good optically, possibly better.
 
The Swarovski Z3 3-10 x 42 looks very interesting, very compact and with a surprisingly low weight of only 12,7 oz!! (vs 18 oz for the HD5)
On the down side, the field of view at minimum power (3x) is only 33' @ 100 yds, vs 52' for the HD5. I understand that the HD5 goes down to 2x, but that's a major difference!! How can that be??
Where would be the best place to buy this Swarovski?
Cabela's has it, but no Talley mounts for Kimber
Prophet River has the Talley Mounts, but not the scope
 
The swaro z3 36mm is an awesome scope and lightweight but butler creeks are the covers you have to run to keep the elements somewhat out. My second choice would be a VX-2 3-9x33 ultralight as you can run the alumina flip covers to keep the elements out. But ymmv
 
Guisharley said:
The Swarovski Z3 3-10 x 42 looks very interesting, very compact and with a surprisingly low weight of only 12,7 oz!! (vs 18 oz for the HD5)
On the down side, the field of view at minimum power (3x) is only 33' @ 100 yds, vs 52' for the HD5. I understand that the HD5 goes down to 2x, but that's a major difference!! How can that be??
Where would be the best place to buy this Swarovski?
Cabela's has it, but no Talley mounts for Kimber
Prophet River has the Talley Mounts, but not the scope
Click to expand...

Jo Brooks has the Swarovski Z3 on sale with free shipping right now...check it out, I think it was like 799. or there abouts.
 
Guisharley said:
The Swarovski Z3 3-10 x 42 looks very interesting, very compact and with a surprisingly low weight of only 12,7 oz!! (vs 18 oz for the HD5)
On the down side, the field of view at minimum power (3x) is only 33' @ 100 yds, vs 52' for the HD5. I understand that the HD5 goes down to 2x, but that's a major difference!! How can that be??
Where would be the best place to buy this Swarovski?
Cabela's has it, but no Talley mounts for Kimber
Prophet River has the Talley Mounts, but not the scope
Click to expand...

You're comparing FOV at 2x on the Zeiss vs 3x on the Swarovski. Compare them at 10x; the Zeiss has 10'@100 yds, the Swarovski 11'.

Buy the scope wherever you find it cheapest and order the rings from Prophet River. I wouldn't try to skimp on postage only to pay more on the scope.

Here you go, great price. Though it has BRX reticle, not sure if you like that.

https://www.jobrookoutdoors.com/p-804-s59017-swarovski-3-10x42brx.aspx

Also here:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...aro-Zeiss-Leica-Schmidt-Meopta-Minox-Surefire
 
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Interesting that the VX6 has so many problems. Have you sent it back to Leupold? They have an excellent warranty.

I concur with those suggesting the Z3 3-10x42. It would be my top choice.
 
bearkilr said:
That Zeiss is a bit of a pig for a 1" scope, if your intention is to keep things light, which it should be with that Kimber. I'd really have a look at a Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 or 3-10x42, they're about 2/3 the weight, same price, similar features and are guaranteed as good optically, possibly better.
Click to expand...

Not sure I'd say similar features when one offers a 5x zoom range and the other 3x. That accounts for the bulk of the weight difference.
 
sheephunter said:
Not sure I'd say similar features when one offers a 5x zoom range and the other 3x. That accounts for the bulk of the weight difference.
Click to expand...

The Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 is a 5x zoom and weighs 2oz less - even with the larger objective lens. The Leica ER was also 30mm with a 4x zoom range and weighed less than the HD5. The VX6 is a 30mm with 6x zoom and weighs less. The Victory HT 2.5-10x50 has an illuminated reticle, bigger OL and is 30mm and weighs the same.

I don't know why the HD5 is so heavy. Seems as though only S&B know how to make a comparable scope heavier. :)
 
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