Zeiss HD5, Leupold VX3-L or?

Dscott14

Dscott14

Member
Rating - 100%
38   0   0
Location
Ontario
Looking to put some new glass on my yote gun and would like a few opinions on the HD5 3-15x42 and Leupold VX3-L 4-14x50. Would love to know how they compare in all around glass clarity and low light situations. Also anti-fog/weather proofing is important to me as well. The rifle is a T3 Superlight and it currently wears a VX11 4-12x50. Other suggestions are welcome as well, Cheers.
 
I notice the Zeiss was a little on the heavy side which is why i would stick to the 42mm selection but would be willing to go up to 50mm with the leupold.
 
Since it's a yote gun I'm guessing weight isn't that big of a deal so the heavier Conquest doesn't matter. With that said, the Zeiss in my opinion is a clearer scope and performs better in low light than the Leupold VX3L and is more comparable to the VX6 as mentioned before. However I personally have been able to find the HD5 at a better price than the VX6 and is currently sitting on 2 of my guns, one a 2-10 and the other the 3-15X42 that you're looking at. Got mine with the Target turrets and is a fantastic scope that currently is sitting on my CZ yote rifle.

Let it be noted that I have compared both side by side at dusk and would have taken my Zeiss over my friends VX3 any day of the week
 
I have six of the HD-5 3-15x42 scopes, and they are by far my favorite scope to mount on my varmint rifles. The VX-3 is a significant step down in clarity and light transmission.
 
I had a look at a few different scopes at cabelas yesterday. Although it can not be considered a thorough comparison as im not able to test them in different light conditions it seemed as though the VX-6 shined in my eyes. Even with a 30mm tube an a 50mm objective it still manages to come in at a few ounces lighter than the Zeiss and i thought the clarity was a touch better as well. Dont get me wrong the Zeiss optics were extremely clear but on higher power it seemed as though the glass clarity on the VX-6 looked best to me, but like I said i was also not comparing in low light conditions etc.
 
Dscott14 said:
I had a look at a few different scopes at cabelas yesterday. Although it can not be considered a thorough comparison as im not able to test them in different light conditions it seemed as though the VX-6 shined in my eyes. Even with a 30mm tube an a 50mm objective it still manages to come in at a few ounces lighter than the Zeiss and i thought the clarity was a touch better as well. Dont get me wrong the Zeiss optics were extremely clear but on higher power it seemed as though the glass clarity on the VX-6 looked best to me, but like I said i was also not comparing in low light conditions etc.
Click to expand...
What reticle did the VX-6 have?
 
Dscott14 said:
I had a look at a few different scopes at cabelas yesterday. Although it can not be considered a thorough comparison as im not able to test them in different light conditions it seemed as though the VX-6 shined in my eyes. Even with a 30mm tube an a 50mm objective it still manages to come in at a few ounces lighter than the Zeiss and i thought the clarity was a touch better as well. Dont get me wrong the Zeiss optics were extremely clear but on higher power it seemed as though the glass clarity on the VX-6 looked best to me, but like I said i was also not comparing in low light conditions etc.
Click to expand...

I have no idea where you are getting your numbers, but the HD-5 3-15x42 that the OP is asking about is 18.4 ounces , compared to 20.4 ounces for the VX-6 3-18x50. The VX-6 3-18x44 is 19 ounces, which is still heavier than the Zeiss.
Were you comparing the scopes inside, or outside the building?
 
Last edited:
stubblejumper said:
I have no idea where you are getting your numbers, but the HD-5 3-15x42 that the OP is asking about is 18.4 ounces , compared to 20.4 ounces for the VX-6 3-18x50. The VX-6 3-18x44 is 19 ounces, which is still heavier than the Zeiss.
Were you comparing the scopes inside, or outside the building?
Click to expand...

My mistake i was looking at the numbers for the 50mm zeiss. They were compared inside.
 
I personally have leupold Vx3 's amd I love them. Never let me down but I will say is playing with the zeiss' at work I wouldn't mind playing with one. I would be more then happy with either scope but that's just my two cents.
 
Having personally used a number of Leupold (VX-1 -> VX-3), and Zeiss (Conquests and HD5), I feel the Zeiss are the more robust and exhibit better clarity and low light performance. Leupold is no slouch, but the clarity/low light performance of the HD5's is unsurpassed in the model ranges we are discussing here. I have read a number of reviews (not personal experience) that some feel the HD5 is in the same leagues as Swarovski Z3 and Z5's. I have not heard of anyone saying the same about the VX-3 line.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom