zeiss,leupold

I would trade for the Zeizz simply because of the fast eye focus feature. Also important is the warranty question and whether or not it can be repaired in Canada. And finally, the weight and eye relief would be important to me.

These scopes sell for approximately the same price - plus or minu $50 and their quality very similar.

Duke1
 
We carry both in the Store and although neither is my cup of tea, the Zeiss seem clearer, I have no other experience with either.
 
I've got both and you'll find that they are very similar in terms of clarity and quality of image. The biggest difference, AFAIC, is that the Leupold's duplex is more useful as a field expedient ranging device.

The Zeiss has a friendlier "dial-in" (very repeatable click adjustable elevation and windage), if you're going to be shooting at different ranges and adjusting the elevation to hit for POA. Downside is that the "Z-Plex" reticle is quite large and not of any value for helping with hold-over (unlike the Leupold duplex, which shines in this department).

If you're just looking for a big game hunting scope, I'd rather go with the Leupold. If you're going to be banging plates at 300 and 500 yards, go with the Zeiss.
 
While sometimes I think it would be nice to have a Zeiss scope on a rifle for the 'cool factory', personally, I'd stick with the Leupold.
 
I have a term deposit that matures next oct., so I have until then to answer the same question. I'm also thinking of the 3.5-10x44 Zeiss. This is to go on a Sako 75 stainless synthetic in 338 win mag. It's a graduation present for my son and I think the cool factor of the zeiss plays a big part in his taste in scopes. "Chicks dig it." Hey I was 17 once too. By the way I've heard nothing but good stuff about the Zeiss warranty which is out of Ontario and a lot faster than the service I've had from Leupold. I've always been happy with my leupolds and don't plan to change, but I want this to be something that my son will be happy packing around the woods for a long time.
 
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I would go with the Zeiss over a Vari-X 3. First off the Vari-X 3 is discontinued which makes it worth less, and not as sharp as the VX 3 which took its spot.

Not sure on the specs of the Vari-X 3 but comparing to a VX3 the Zeiss is shorter by a hair, almost the same weight but has more eye relief then the Leupold. Zeiss eye relief is 4.02 inches where Leupold is 3.5 inches.

Most people who are not biased to either scopes say the Zeiss is clearer when comparing side by side to a VX 3, so no doubt better then a Vari-X 3.

Do a search here on CGN for Zeiss conquest and on other hunting forums and it semms that hunters and sportsman prefer the Zeiss to the Leupolds. Zeiss have just as good warranty as Leupold as well.
 
duke1 said:
I would trade for the Zeizz simply because of the fast eye focus feature. Duke1
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why is fast focus an advantage on a hunting scope ? I don't recall ever focussing a scope after the initial installation
 
I own all three....and while I can't speak for the conquest line, I can vouch for the diavari's. I just took an old Diavari-C 3-9X36 that I had mounted on a Browning out of the closet to put on the EE, and I just compared it to both my Vari-X III 2.5-8X36 on my 7/08, and the VX III 2.5-8X36 on my 300 SAUM.

The Zeiss is superior to the VX III for clarity, brightness, and colour accuracy, and is far superior to the Vari-X....except in the colour dept. The Vari has the best colour accuracy of the three, slightly better than the Zeiss, and much better than the VX.......although I don't think it's all that important.

If they are close to the same money, I'd go with the Zeiss.

Ryan
 
rgv said:
why is fast focus an advantage on a hunting scope ? I don't recall ever focussing a scope after the initial installation
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I find that as you get older, your eyesight does not adjust to changing light conditions as well as it used to. Because of this, I find that the scope reticle is not always focussed and the fast focus is very practical for me to compensate for this.

I'm a big game hunter and would not buy a scope without this feature. Most European scope manufacturers and now a number of scopes from Japan and the USA do have the fast focus feature.

By the way, I'm coming up on my 72nd birthday and I can keep up physically as well as any young man out there and I don't wear glasses.

Cheers,

Duke1
 
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duke1 said:
I find that as you get older, your eyesight does not adjust to changing light conditions as well as it used to. Because of this, I find that the scope reticle is not always focussed and the fast focus is very practical for me to compensate for this.

I'm a big game hunter and would not buy a scope without this feature. Most European scope manufacturers and now a number of scopes from Japan and the USA do have the fast focus feature.

By the way, I'm coming up on my 72nd birthday and I can keep up physically as well as any young man out there and I don't wear glasses.

Cheers,

Duke1
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thats interesting, thanks.
 
Personally, I'm not a fan of the fast focus feature. I don't have experience with the Zeiss scopes, so can't comment on them specifically, but on the other scopes I've used with fast focus, it seemed pretty clear to me that there was discernable movement of the reticle position whenever the eyepiece was moved laterally. Now of course, as long as the eyepiece returns to center after an adjustment, there shouldn't be a problem. But on a hunting scope (if that's what you're after), it's just one more thing to go wrong if the scope gets abused at all.

Just my 2 cents, anyway.
 
Neo said:
Personally, I'm not a fan of the fast focus feature. I don't have experience with the Zeiss scopes, so can't comment on them specifically, but on the other scopes I've used with fast focus, it seemed pretty clear to me that there was discernable movement of the reticle position whenever the eyepiece was moved laterally. Now of course, as long as the eyepiece returns to center after an adjustment, there shouldn't be a problem. But on a hunting scope (if that's what you're after), it's just one more thing to go wrong if the scope gets abused at all.

Just my 2 cents, anyway.
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You might have a valid point but seeing that most of the top scope manufacturers including the following:

IOR - Valdada
Nightforce
Schmidt & Bender
Swarosvski
US Optics
Zeiss

Have fast eye focus on most of their scopes so I would not worry that it would somehow reduce their performance.

I believe that Nightforce (US operation) might not have them on their lower scopes but definitely have it on the top of the line benchrest models.

But, if your young and you have good eyesight, you probably don't need fast eye focus??

My humble opinion,

Duke1
 
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I've owned & used Zeiss, Kahles, Schmidt & Bender, Leica, Lyman, Redfield, the old Baush & Lomb "Balvars", Busnells, Weaver & Leupold.

I find the best "bang for the buck" to be VXII-s.
They do everything I reasonably need and expect ... and I have
found Leupold's turn around on warranty & repair to be very reasonable.

If I was sporting a high-buck custom bolt by Dakota, Blaser, Sauer or Mauser,
I might pop for a Scmidt & Bender or Kahles, either claw or rail mounted - but for most of what's really needed for off the rack hunting guns, I've got no regrets with the VXII's.
 
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