Zeiss VS Leupold

Epoxy7

Epoxy7

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I need some opinions on this.
I have a number of scopes to eventually buy for:
1) Winchester M70 243WSSM
2) Remington XR-100 .204
3) DPMS AR-10 .308
4) Kimber SVT .22

The Kimber is going to get a Leupold 6.5-20x 40mm EFR scope (AO goes down to 10 metres). This one is pretty much a done deal.

I think the XR-100 will Get the Leupold LR 6.5-20x 50mm with Varmint reticle. It's a varmint scope after all.

Now the two remaining.
Winchester M70 is pretty much one of my favourites. I could go either a Leupold or a Zeiss with this one. Same with the AR.

Leupold VXIII 6.5-20X 50mm VS Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x 50mm. Same price.

I have to admit I'm torn. There is something about the Zeiss that I like a bit better. I don't know if it's the construction, looks etc? The Leupold's colour is a bit warmer but becaue of this may not be as accurate. Both have excellent glass. 30mm for the Leupold, 1 inch for the Zeiss. Etched reticle for the Zeiss, wire for the Leupold. Both have pros and cons compared to the other.

What do you guys think?
 
well you know what I think after shooting with me... buy the leupold, save some money and spend it on ammo or other accesories :)

1) Leupold generally has better eye relif then zeiss...

2) Leupold warrenty is serviced in canada thru a reputable and proven dealer (korth)

3) Warrenty is lifetime of the scope, even if your not the original buyer

I also think that leupold has better coatings for north american applications.... you call the effect warmer, what that effect really does is bring out game animal colours so they seem more vibrant and are easier to pick out in the scope lens.... basically a filter enhancing the wild game colours.

Leupold is every bit as good as those european scope's for the type of hunting we do here, more then ample. save some coin and buy a leupold, because even though they are less expensive then euro glass, they are not inferior.
 
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well you know what I think after shooting with me... buy the leupold, save some money and spend it on ammo or other accesories...

I think they were identified as the same price

1) Leupold generally has better eye relief then Zeiss...

if the objective and ocular diameter and magnification are the same - longer eye relief will mean smaller FOV. Most Zeiss are 3.5 inches and adequate for a 243 WSSM in a normal weight rifle

2) Leupold warranty is serviced in Canada through a reputable and proven dealer (korth)...

I had a Zeiss scope serviced quickly through their outlet in Toronto - fast and no problems ... it went to Germany for repair

3) Warrenty is lifetime of the scope, even if your not the original buyer...

advantage to Leupold definitely - I think my Zeiss have only 30 yr warranty - although it may be a short as a 1/4 century (eg 25 yrs)

I also think that leupold has better coatings for north american applications.... you call the effect warmer, what that effect really does is bring out game animal colours so they seem more vibrant and are easier to pick out in the scope lens.... basically a filter enhancing the wild game colours....

a certain "yellow" tint can offset the predominantly blue UV that is present in overcast days...that does help to increase contrast and make the target image appear sharper... most Zeiss optics also have built in UV filters - worth checking into for sure - most of the hunting days I seem to experience are Fall time and overcast

Leupold is every bit as good as those european scope's for the type of hunting we do here, more then ample. save some coin and buy a leupold, because even though they are less expensive then euro glass, they are not inferior.....

I agree they are not necessarily inferior...but I do not think they are better either. FWIW I believe at one point Leupold produced the Leica scopes "Ultravid" so Leupold certainly are considered by the Euro companies as quite capable.

personally I would stick with the 1inch tube and I like etched reticles....but dust on them will drive you crazy!

I have had some disappointments with Leupold ...eg flaring on a Vari-X111.. I think this has been fixed with their Multi-coat 4 though
 
They're the same price Wes.
If the Zeiss was more expensive, I'd go with the Leupold. The reason for the price is that the Conquest is constructed in the US (European optics though). Which keeps the price down compared to the Eurpean made scopes that are subject to duty, the high value of the Euro etc. Swarovski for example.

I'm leaning towards the Zeiss. It must be the German or something in my background. While I do love Leupold Scopes, I keep coming back to the Zeiss. Also I believe the Conquest line of Zeiss is a lifetime warranty. The European made ones I recall were the 25 years. I could be wrong on that.

I have a while to think about it. Right now I'm leaning towards the one Leupold for the SVT and the rest Zeiss.

I tested both outside the other day. The FOV and eye relief appear to be about the same. The advantage though goes to the Zeiss on this. The eye relief at 3.5 is constant throughout the magnification range. Leupold is close but does change a bit.
 
I shoot both brands and like them both, but if you already have a couple of Leupolds, buy a Zeiss. It's nice to have options in my opinion. I like my Zeiss a bit better after I used them both for a while.
 
I shoot both brands and like them both, but if you already have a couple of Leupolds, buy a Zeiss. It's nice to have options in my opinion. I like my Zeiss a bit better after I used them both for a while.
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X 2 Own and use quite a few Leupolds but picked up my first conquest a few years ago from a board member, and have been really been happy with it. Infact, if l was starting over with what l have seen, most of my scopes would wear the Zeiss name tag.
 
I have to admit, after thinking about it for a while. I'll be going with the Zeiss. However the SVT .22 will have the Leupold EFR scope simply due to the adjustable objective going down to 10 metres which is necesarry for most indoor target shooting during the winter.

Thanks for the help guys/gals. What I suspected has pretty much been confirmed.
 
416 said:
X 2 Own and use quite a few Leupolds but picked up my first conquest a few years ago from a board member, and have been really been happy with it. Infact, if l was starting over with what l have seen, most of my scopes would wear the Zeiss name tag.
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All though I don't own a Zeiss scope at the moment, I have used thier scopes many times. I really like thier products. But in the end, I always end up back with Leupold. Mostly because of how they have treated me over the years. Hard to leave top notch quality and service.

But I don't think I would hesitate buying a Zeiss if I was buying a new scope tomorrow.

I have a few negative things to say about Swarovski optics, but that should be another thread :D
 
I handled a Zeiss recently... I was SHOCKED by the Quality and image through the scope. Then I looked at the price tag. When I came to, Kevin.303 had gone through my wallet, and I am carrying his baby.



It was worth it.
 
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I think Zeiss are overrated. I was on a Precision Rifle Crse a few years back and there were all kinds of high end rifles and glass there. One of the guys had a brand new German made Zeiss that I would have had to sell my first born for and it was on a very expensive custom gun. His Zeiss went tits up the first day and the initially proud as a peacock but later somewhat embarrassed guy used a loaner Leupold scope that worked like a charm. With all of the Gucci type guns and glass there, the top shooter used a stock Remington PSS and a Leupold 3.5-10X40 LR/T M3, go figure. Also we have Zeiss spotting Scope at work that also busted. It had to be sent to Germany and was out of commission for 3 months. The Leupold Mark 4 spotter took up the slack while the high end very expensive scope had to be fixed. Forgive me if I don't care for Zeiss.
 
Nine said:
I handled a Zeiss recently... I was SHOCKED by the Quality and image through the scope. Then I looked at the price tag. When I came to, Kevin.303 had gone through my wallet, and I am carrying his baby.



It was worth it.
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:popCorn: Damn that was funny. :D

EC. I try not to base a decision on the one instance. I know a few people who have been replacing their Leupold's over time with Zeiss. There have been no problems. I've also heard of problems with Leupold's. I consider both to be excellent scopes. Fortunately it's a good thing I won't be getting one of those made in Germany scopes. I'll be going proudly made in the USA. Ya ok, I can't afford the German ones and Conquest fits the bill perfectly. Plus with the price of the German one's I'd be worried of suffering the same fate as Nine.
 
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EC said:
I think Zeiss are overrated. I was on a Precision Rifle Crse a few years back and there were all kinds of high end rifles and glass there. One of the guys had a brand new German made Zeiss that I would have had to sell my first born for and it was on a very expensive custom gun. His Zeiss went t**s up the first day and the initially proud as a peacock but later somewhat embarrassed guy used a loaner Leupold scope that worked like a charm. With all of the Gucci type guns and glass there, the top shooter used a stock Remington PSS and a Leupold 3.5-10X40 LR/T M3, go figure. Also we have Zeiss spotting Scope at work that also busted. It had to be sent to Germany and was out of commission for 3 months. The Leupold Mark 4 spotter took up the slack while the high end very expensive scope had to be fixed. Forgive me if I don't care for Zeiss.
Click to expand...

I question the quality control on Zeiss. An acquaintance I was shooting with fired only 3 shots through his 300 WSM with new $1000 plus Zeiss scope and the reticle turned from + to X. Unfortunately for Zeiss's reputation, that's been my only contact with one.
 
I've heard mostly good things about the Zeiss.
In fact the people I've asked who own Zeiss and Leupold scopes have all said the same thing. Get the Zeiss. The most common argument, check those scopes early in the morning or late in the evening. The difference is very apparent then. Plus my local store is very solid. If there are any problems like the above I know it will be taken care of. The warranty is right up there with Leupold's.

The choice has become a lot easier after checking around. Thanks for the input guys/gals. My gut said the Zeiss, even though I've always really liked the Leupold. I'll still be getting a Leupold EFR VXIII for my .22. The rest will be the Zeiss Conquest.
 
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