Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 or Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44

ttheel · November 3, 2012, 01:01 PM

I am going to be in the market for a new rifle scope soon. It will primarily be used for hunting situations up to 400 yards, but most of the time will be much less than that. It is going to be going on a light weight Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker 300 WSM so needless to say eye relief needs to be pretty good. I am a life long hunter and have a couple of older model Leupold Vari-x 2's sitting on my guns right now. I have never had any issues whatsoever with the Leupy's and could not be happier. I would just like some opinions on the models mentioned above.

603Country · November 3, 2012, 05:30 PM

I'm amazed that you don't have at least 50 replies by now. I think what you'll hear from others are that both scopes are excellent quality and that you'll be happy with either. I have mostly Leupolds, but am using my Dad's 3x9 Zeiss Conquest lately. I really can't see any difference at all between my best quality Leupolds and the Zeiss. I think your best approach is to look through both of those great scopes and you decide which one to buy. You won't be sorry with either, though if you get the Leupold you may eventually wonder just how good that Zeiss would have been. Maybe that's why you should buy the Zeiss and then you'll know. Yup, that's my opinion. Buy the Zeiss.

Catfish · November 3, 2012, 05:49 PM

I am a Leupold fan. I have 40 some of them at present. For what you setting up I don`t think you could do any better than the VX lll in 3.5 x 10, no matter how much you spend on a scope.

ttheel · November 3, 2012, 10:18 PM

I am kind of leaning Leupold right now. I guess mostly because I have had such great success with them in the past but the decision is not yet made.

jmr40 · November 4, 2012, 09:54 AM

I'd go Leupold in this case. They are less expensive, although you can get a Zeiss in 3-9X40 right now for about $120 less than the Leupold. If you wanted to go that way it would be a tough decision. A 3.5-10X44 Zeiss will not be discounted.

The 3.5-10X44 Zeiss is about $730
A 3.5-10X40 Leupold is about $479
A 3-9X40 Zeiss is on sale for as little as $359

The Zeiss has better than average eye relief, but the Leupold still beats it by a bunch at low powers. The Zeiss is very slightly clearer.

But if you want lightweight the Leupold is 4 oz lighter and 2" shorter. A better combination an a trim lightweight rifle.

Scorch · November 5, 2012, 12:44 PM

Leupold, of course. Next question?

phil mcwilliam · November 9, 2012, 02:28 AM

I actually carried out a little experiment a few months ago & compared a Leupold VX3 3.5-10X50, Zeiss 4.5-14x50 & Kahles 2.5-10x50, with all scopes set & focused to 10x. I commenced my comparison during daylight hours & continued into the night, noting all scopes clarity under different light conditions.
Not a lot between all 3 scopes during daylight hours & the slight difference only became noticeable when trying to read signs 200 yards away.
The Zeiss conquest, although not the most expensive scope in my comparison was the clearest in trying to read signs 200 yards away. The Kahles & Zeiss were brighter than the Leupold during my night comparison, with Kahles & Zeiss being able to pick objects in the shadows of a moonlight night.
I actually own 4 different Leupold scopes & I'm more than happy with them & definately won't be going to change them, but my little comparison did give Zeiss the edge.
That said, I prefer a 2.5-10x50 scope for hunting because some of the terrain I hunt is close quarters where I prefer the lowest setting I can get, yet I've never felt hampered by 10x as a maximum on a variable.

ttheel · November 11, 2012, 10:24 PM

I actually ran across a really good deal in a VX3 in 3.5-10x50 and bought it. It is mounted and ready to go. It looks good and is very clear. It seems to be a very high quality scope and I am very happy so far.

Catfish · November 13, 2012, 06:59 PM

I have a bunch of the old Vari X 11`s and agree they are good scopes, but the VX 111`s are a hole lot better, your going to fall in love I predict.

November 3, 2012, 01:01 PM	#1
ttheel Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2008 Posts: 259	Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 or Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44 I am going to be in the market for a new rifle scope soon. It will primarily be used for hunting situations up to 400 yards, but most of the time will be much less than that. It is going to be going on a light weight Browning X Bolt Stainless Stalker 300 WSM so needless to say eye relief needs to be pretty good. I am a life long hunter and have a couple of older model Leupold Vari-x 2's sitting on my guns right now. I have never had any issues whatsoever with the Leupy's and could not be happier. I would just like some opinions on the models mentioned above.

November 5, 2012, 12:44 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Leupold, of course. Next question? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 9, 2012, 02:28 AM	#7
phil mcwilliam Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 573	I actually carried out a little experiment a few months ago & compared a Leupold VX3 3.5-10X50, Zeiss 4.5-14x50 & Kahles 2.5-10x50, with all scopes set & focused to 10x. I commenced my comparison during daylight hours & continued into the night, noting all scopes clarity under different light conditions. Not a lot between all 3 scopes during daylight hours & the slight difference only became noticeable when trying to read signs 200 yards away. The Zeiss conquest, although not the most expensive scope in my comparison was the clearest in trying to read signs 200 yards away. The Kahles & Zeiss were brighter than the Leupold during my night comparison, with Kahles & Zeiss being able to pick objects in the shadows of a moonlight night. I actually own 4 different Leupold scopes & I'm more than happy with them & definately won't be going to change them, but my little comparison did give Zeiss the edge. That said, I prefer a 2.5-10x50 scope for hunting because some of the terrain I hunt is close quarters where I prefer the lowest setting I can get, yet I've never felt hampered by 10x as a maximum on a variable. Last edited by phil mcwilliam; November 9, 2012 at 05:14 AM.

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November 3, 2012, 05:30 PM	#2
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,996	I'm amazed that you don't have at least 50 replies by now. I think what you'll hear from others are that both scopes are excellent quality and that you'll be happy with either. I have mostly Leupolds, but am using my Dad's 3x9 Zeiss Conquest lately. I really can't see any difference at all between my best quality Leupolds and the Zeiss. I think your best approach is to look through both of those great scopes and you decide which one to buy. You won't be sorry with either, though if you get the Leupold you may eventually wonder just how good that Zeiss would have been. Maybe that's why you should buy the Zeiss and then you'll know. Yup, that's my opinion. Buy the Zeiss.

November 3, 2012, 05:49 PM	#3
Catfish Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 171	I am a Leupold fan. I have 40 some of them at present. For what you setting up I don`t think you could do any better than the VX lll in 3.5 x 10, no matter how much you spend on a scope.

November 3, 2012, 10:18 PM	#4
ttheel Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2008 Posts: 259	I am kind of leaning Leupold right now. I guess mostly because I have had such great success with them in the past but the decision is not yet made.

November 4, 2012, 09:54 AM	#5
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,803	I'd go Leupold in this case. They are less expensive, although you can get a Zeiss in 3-9X40 right now for about $120 less than the Leupold. If you wanted to go that way it would be a tough decision. A 3.5-10X44 Zeiss will not be discounted. The 3.5-10X44 Zeiss is about $730 A 3.5-10X40 Leupold is about $479 A 3-9X40 Zeiss is on sale for as little as $359 The Zeiss has better than average eye relief, but the Leupold still beats it by a bunch at low powers. The Zeiss is very slightly clearer. But if you want lightweight the Leupold is 4 oz lighter and 2" shorter. A better combination an a trim lightweight rifle.

November 11, 2012, 10:24 PM	#8
ttheel Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2008 Posts: 259	I actually ran across a really good deal in a VX3 in 3.5-10x50 and bought it. It is mounted and ready to go. It looks good and is very clear. It seems to be a very high quality scope and I am very happy so far.

November 13, 2012, 06:59 PM	#9
Catfish Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 171	I have a bunch of the old Vari X 11`s and agree they are good scopes, but the VX 111`s are a hole lot better, your going to fall in love I predict.