Comments please - Leupold VX111 vs Zeiss Conquest

dmac · #1 08-31-2008, 12:37 PM

Looking to purchase a new scope in 3X9X40. Comparing Leupold and the Zeiss. I currently own Leupold and have been satified with its performance. Does anyone have any experience/comments on the Zeiss Conquest? The two are comparable on price.

Pathfinder76 · #2 08-31-2008, 12:50 PM

What Leupold do you own and what has been the issue?

dmac · #3 08-31-2008, 02:23 PM

Its' a VX1 mounted on on a Browning Lever .308. As I said, no issues with performance however I have no allegiance to the brand.

roger · #4 08-31-2008, 03:50 PM

i have two 3.5x10x50 leupolds each atop there own 257 wbymags.
my next scope will likely be a zeiss or swaro..
buy the ziess..if you dont like it I will give you 50 cents on the dollar for it.

depopulator · #5 08-31-2008, 04:38 PM

I have heard of Zeiss users experiencing warranty issues. Of course, Leupold is the same, but the warranty service is at an entirely different level of service and turn-around than what Zeiss can and does offer. Also, I believe the Leupold offers the lighter scope, if that is a concern. Lastly, if windage adjustment range is an issue, I believe the Leupold wins again. If Leupold has earned your trust, stick with it - you cannot go wrong. Zeiss is a good optic to be sure, though.

honda450 · #6 08-31-2008, 04:49 PM

Warranty in Okotoks, you live in Calgary, might very well sway my pick.

fluxcore · #7 08-31-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depopulator

I have heard of Zeiss users experiencing warranty issues. Of course, Leupold is the same, but the warranty service is at an entirely different level of service and turn-around than what Zeiss can and does offer. Also, I believe the Leupold offers the lighter scope, if that is a concern. Lastly, if windage adjustment range is an issue, I believe the Leupold wins again. If Leupold has earned your trust, stick with it - you cannot go wrong. Zeiss is a good optic to be sure, though.

I was chatting with Dave at Backcountry sports (local shop) and he was voicing his concerns with leupold's quality going down hill. He told me it used to be a vary rare occurance to have to send back a leupy and as of late he has had to send back more and more. From what he told me that has been the case for other shooting/hunting outfitters as well. Could have something to do with supply and demand, lots flying of the production line with less time to perform QC duties. Theirs nothing wrong with Zeiss many people find their glass superior to leupold I personally find no noticable difference but you may be just as well served to give zeiss a try.

Pathfinder76 · #8 08-31-2008, 10:46 PM

I'd go with the VX III.

fluxcore · #9 08-31-2008, 10:59 PM

the best scope I own is a leupy mark 4 long range tactical 3.5- 10x40mm But the last scope I bought was a nikon monarch 4-16x50 SF mildot I picked up for around $1100.00, It has to be a close second. With the quality of scopes their coming out with now Its getting more and more hard to argue leupys the best.

martinbns · #10 09-01-2008, 12:04 AM

I am a bog fan of the Zeiss conquest, the constant eye relief is to me at least radically superior to the varible eye relief of the leupold. TO my eye at least the conquest is superior, one scope I have has been on and off at least 6 magnum rifles with never an issue, back and forth to South Africa without even a click adjustment. The are a bit heavier, but that isn't an issue to me. Lastly I find the leupold duplex reticle a bit too fine and narrow, the zplex is perfect for me for hunting.

Kutenay · #11 09-01-2008, 04:05 AM

I must hhave had 50 Leupies over 40+ years and used them hard in BC plus a bit in AB, often on working rifles that took quite a beating. They have performed very well for me, overall, and I tended to prefer them to anything else, most of which I also have.

Then, about a year and a half ago, I decided to try a Zeiss Conquest in 3x9x40 and I have since bought only ONE Leupy VXIII and three more Zeiss Conquests. I consider this the finest hunting scope that I have ever used or owned, price considered and actually PREFER it to my West German Zeiss.

I had to return my last Leupy, the VXIII, in 1.75x6 MHD, to have a factroy flaw fixed and my subjective impression IS that Leupy quality has declined, quite obviously, in the recent past. I like Leupies on my .338WM rifles, five of them, .375H&H rifles, two and my .458WM, one, as they have generous eye relief, are lighter, thus do not tend to move under recoil as much and they are tough.

However, for a general purpose hunting scope, I have never seen anything that I consider the EQUAL of the current Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 and I highly recommend buying one. Mine are on very sanitary P-64 Mod. 70 Fwts. in .270W. and these have Brown Precision Kevlar and Micky Edge Compact stocks with Talley lever mounts.....I would NOT put any scope on these rifles other than what I consider "best in class" as why spend the loot required to get and build these and then "cheapout"on the scopes?

Wrongside · #12 09-03-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

I'd go with the VX III.

Me too.

Although, my last scope was a VXII, just cause Leupold isn't offering the LRD in the VXIII yet........ That 'yet' is the optimist in me talking.

eric2381 · #13 09-03-2008, 10:27 PM

I have a Vari-X III on one of my rifles. Tonight I was at the range shooting that rifle and got to B.S.ing with the other fellow at the range and he had the Zeiss Conquest on his rifle. I looked through both, and his scope was a tad clearer to look through than mine. Good quality all around on the Zeiss. But, I do like the fact that the warranty centre is right here in Alberta, so if (if) I ever have problems with my Leupolds, I have no doubt that things will be corrected quickly, unlike owning a Bushnell. Good luck on your selection, Eric

albertan · #14 09-04-2008, 12:35 AM

It is my understanding that Leupold is discontinuing the VX 111 and the VXL lines of scopes. The 24 Hour Campfire had a discourse on this subject recently.

550 CAT · #15 09-04-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertan

It is my understanding that Leupold is discontinuing the VX 111 and the VXL lines of scopes. The 24 Hour Campfire had a discourse on this subject recently.

Yup read that there also myself..

RickF · #16 09-05-2008, 08:22 PM

I like the weight and sleek looks of the Leupold, but they don't begin to compare to the optics or constant eye relief of the Conquest. For a sheep rifle, I still go Leupold, but for anything else, it's Conquest.

sbtennex · #17 09-05-2008, 08:25 PM

The Zeiss - hands down.........

sickfast · #18 09-07-2008, 09:18 AM

Zeiss is over priced ....You dint get what you pay for when you own a zeiss..The luppy is a much better choice..I would look hard at a Bushnell 4200 3x9x40.You can get them now for $299..Thats a great buy for a scope that has more lite transmition then the zeiss...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbtennex

The Zeiss - hands down.........

fluxcore · #19 09-07-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickfast

Zeiss is over priced ....You dint get what you pay for when you own a zeiss..The luppy is a much better choice..I would look hard at a Bushnell 4200 3x9x40.You can get them now for $299..Thats a great buy for a scope that has more lite transmition then the zeiss...

bushnell has more light transmition than a zeiss

I have to remember that one. scopes are one of those things you get what you pay for and bushnell can in no way compair to nikon, leaupy, zeiss, sightron, ext ext ext. not knocking bushnell for the money thay hold zero and get the job done but its like compairing a ford escort to a 911 in a race the for will get there but the 911 does it soooooo much beter!!!!!!!!!

MountainTi · #20 09-07-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickfast

Zeiss is over priced ....You dint get what you pay for when you own a zeiss..The luppy is a much better choice..I would look hard at a Bushnell 4200 3x9x40.You can get them now for $299..Thats a great buy for a scope that has more lite transmition then the zeiss...

haha, now I HAVE heard it all. A $300 bushnell (or any bushnell for that matter) with better optics than a zeiss. I could have my sunglasses on, and any zeiss I own would still be brighter.

altaberg · #21 09-07-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickfast

Zeiss is over priced ....You dint get what you pay for when you own a zeiss..The luppy is a much better choice..I would look hard at a Bushnell 4200 3x9x40.You can get them now for $299..Thats a great buy for a scope that has more lite transmition then the zeiss...

wow, Bushnell has more light transmission than Zeiss

That's a good one, I think you might be alone with that opinion.

I have still some Bushnell optics but let's just say you get what you pay for.

All the rifles I own have now Zeiss scopes, my finnlight got a rapid Z600 this season and it's fun.