Zeiss Conquest vs Leupold VX-II?

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linderhof

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I'm debating between a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 and a Leupold VX-II 3x9x50 for my Sako Finnlite 7mm mag. I have always used Leupold but never a Zeiss yet. Do you think the Zeiss would be as bright given the difference in objectives ( 50 vs 40 ) ? I can get the Leup 3x9x50 for $375 and the Conquest for $499. Fair difference but I don't mind spending it if it's a better scope. Opinions?
 
I wouldnt go 50mm OBJ. ....but thats me. I love my Leupold scopes, but would go Zeiss if same brightness in the 40mm. IMO, not really comparing apples to apples in scope size. all my scopes on my Sako and Tikka rifles are Leupold VX3's with a couple VX2's and 2 older VAri-X III's.

Sweet rifle you have. I love my Sakos.
 
The Conquest is most certainly the brighter, clearer scope of the two.

I wouldn't go with a 50mm objective, either. That's like weighing down a light-weight marathon runner with 50lbs of drinking water ;) On a rifle like the Finnlight, the name of the game is light weight. The Conquest is a few ounces heavier than most Leupold offerings, so in this case I'd probably go with a VXII, FX3, or VX3 in 2.5-8x36, 3-9x40, 6x, or 3.5-10x40, whichever suits you and your budget best.
 
Mighty Peace said:
I wouldnt go 50mm OBJ. ....but thats me. I love my Leupold scopes, but would go Zeiss if same brightness in the 40mm. IMO, not really comparing apples to apples in scope size. all my scopes on my Sako and Tikka rifles are Leupold VX3's with a couple VX2's and 2 older VAri-X III's.

Sweet rifle you have. I love my Sakos.
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See thats the thing. I wonder if a 50mm VXII is actually brighter than a 40mm Conquest? The other thing that bugs me is that a VXII is not a 1 pc tube anymore but a Conquest is.
 
I'd choose a Conquest. I have owned both, used both and the Conquest get the vote if it were me. I wouldnt want a 50mm objective on a hunting rig, 40mm with Med rings and I don't need to raise my head to look into the scope.
Some will also argue the constant eye relief of the Conquest (its a bonus) but I never had any issues with Leupolds eye relief on any of my VX-II's.

Cheers!!
 
If you are looking at a low light scope then give some serious consideration to the reticle. The Leupold is available with a Heavy Duplex, but I don't think the 3-9x40 Conquest is available with a heavier reticle.
 
50mm is fine, what is a few ounces, if you want 50 go 50, there is a difference.

Zeiss glass is very clear and crisp so multiply that by the objective size and lookout!!!!

I noticed a difference even from 44mm Zeiss to a 50mm, even during daylight images seemed more defined and detailed.
 
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The Zeiss has a heavier reticle(Z-Plex) than the standard Leupold duplex, it's better for low light. For clarity, the Zeiss is on par or better than the VX3 Leupold. It is clearer than the VXII, at least to my eyes. Easy decision for $100 difference.
 
bearkilr said:
The Zeiss has a heavier reticle(Z-Plex) than the standard Leupold duplex, it's better for low light. For clarity, the Zeiss is on par or better than the VX3 Leupold. It is clearer than the VXII, at least to my eyes. Easy decision for $100 difference.
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How does the Z-Plex compare to the Heavy Duplex?
 
gunrunner8 said:
X2! Hands down the better choice than any conquest. You won't find clearer scope even for double the price! Take into consideration the superior Leupold warranty as well.
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How is it hands down the better choice over any Conquest? If you want small and light, well yes, it is smaller and lighter than any Conquest. However in clarity there is no comparison. The Conquest is brighter, clearer, has more contrast and better colour correction. For the same price point, optically the Conquest wins vs. any VX-3 or 2 hands down.

The slight edge in warranty goes to Leupold. Both have a no-nonsense lifetime warranty, however turnaround time at Korth is faster than Gentec.

As for ruggedness/reliability I doubt either has an advantage. Two seasons ago I dropped my rifle when I slipped on a talus slope while sheep hunting. The rifle fell and landed scope first on the talus and then proceeded to bounce down the rather steep slope. The conquest got a little dent in the bell and really got knocked around. Went to the range the next day to recheck zero and it was still perfect. Obviously one example is too small of sample size to judge an entire product line, but I don't think either scope will let you down reliability wise.

I'm not knocking Leupolds. In fact I bought one last Friday (a 2-7x28mm rimfire) for my new CZ 452. However for a standard big game scope in that price range the Zeiss has the edge despite both being good choices. To dismiss the Conquest completely is foolhardy.
 
Do some peoples make a review of a product without taking out of the box, no Leopold VX-2 can touch a Zeiss in clarity maybe on par with VX-3, when you put them side by side , it is so obvious... Cheers. JP.
 
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