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Zeiss Conquest Rifle ScopesAs new and better technology changes the future of hunting at a rate that’s hard to believe, the leading manufactures use all the resources to “one up” the competition, striving for better equipment and lower pricing. As for the consumer, who doesn’t like better and cheaper! When Zeiss Optical produced the new line of Conquest rifle scopes things surely got better!
Like most of you, my introduction to long-range hunting was far from calculated. Hunting the famed Paunsaugunt with my father and Grandpa Glover was a fun testing ground. While my 25-06 was accurate, drop compensation was not the solid science of today’s world. In fact, I would not hear the words, “calculating MOA” for ten more years. The giant buck we found was bedded at nearly 500 yards, and yes, we knew that would need significant holdover. |
The first shot I held top back on the 30-inch-wide buck with a few cheaters. “Just low!” My dad hissed, “Hold higher.” Raising up, I fired again, then watched as the buck trotted over the horizon. It was a sickening feeling finding no blood. Of course, back then the stakes were not as high. Dad just chuckled and said, “Looks like your buying breakfast Taylor!” Ten short years later, scopes are more capable, and systems are much more exact. The holding a little high method has been replaced with ballistic turrets and calculation of minutes of angle. The new Conquest V-6 and V-4 riflescopes from Zeiss are made exactly for this. Which means drastically better performance in the field.
Hunters that understand the names in the industry believe the name, Kyle Brown, had some great influence into Zeiss’s new rifle scope program. Formerly from Nightforce Optics, Kyle Brown Joined the Zeiss team in 2017 as the Director of Product Management. There is no doubt that Kyle’s background in highly adjustable riflescopes and long-range shooting now pared with Zeiss Optical’s lighter chassis and better optical clarity has created better long-range hunting scopes for hunters.
I have had the chance to mess with the new Zeiss Conquest line of scopes over the last month (and have been very impressed). The Conquest line is equipped with a 30mm tube that creates 92% light transmission, second focal plane reticles, exposed elevation turret, zero stop, and a clean bead-blasted finish. It’s safe to say, Zeiss has definitely come to the table of long-range hunting with a great product.
The Conquest V6
The V6 comes in two long-range styles, 3-18x50 and 5-30x50 with a starting price point of $1,799. I looked at the 3-18x50 version, and I would say it’s worth every penny. The V6’s are equipped with Zeiss FL glass, coated in their “LotuTec”, and T*Six-Layer multicoatings. This is ultimately what you are paying more money for; and trust me it matters when you have the buck of a lifetime broadside at 650-yards with light fading fast! If you can’t see the buck, you will certainly wish you would have spent the extra money and got the better glass! Even with the high-end FL glass I was shocked at how bright and clear the picture was in my sights when it was rolled all the way up to the highest power, it is honestly the best scope I have looked through in that respect. The V6 has 3 exposed turrets, wind, elevation, and focus. The turrets function well, the clicks are crisp. It offers 103 MOA total with 20 MOA per rotation complete with two full rotations. On my regular hunting rifle that would be right around 1,500 yards, way more than I would shoot, but the capability of the scope is there. The scope resembles a Nightforce in that the turrets are pretty tall and a little bulky. I am not a huge fan of the bulky turrets which give off somewhat of a tactical feel. Overall, the V6 is a great scope, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the big 5x30 power model! The 3-18 weighs in at 22.2 oz, and the 5x30 is a bit more at 28.
The Conquest V4
The V4 also comes in two long-rage styles, the 4-16x44 and 6-24x50. With a starting price of $999 this scope is very appealing. While the V-4 has good glass, side by side comparisons showed the V6’s clarity was obviously better. Which is to be expected since the V4 runs $800 less. When I compared the scope to its competitors in the market I was impressed, Zeiss has been doing glass well for as long as I can remember, and this scope is no different. Only the elevation and focus are exposed on the V4 with the wind being capped. The wind turret is made of polymer, but it functioned well. Once again you can’t expect the same quality of the V6. The adjustment is the same as the V6 and 103 minutes of adjustment. The 4-16 is 22.6 oz, and the 6x24 tips the scale at 24.4
Reticles
The two scopes I reviewed were fitted with MOA reticles. The first was the ZMOA-2 reticle, on this reticle the vertical 1 MOA markers are useful for measuring needed elevation adjustments that can then be quickly transferred to the turret. The 1 MOA windage markings are fine enough for holding wind values that are smaller than 1 MOA if needed. It is a great choice for most hunters.
The second was equipped with the ZBR-2 Reticle, which looks like a Christmas tree, with ever widening hashmarks that descend from the center crosshair. It is marked off in 2 MOA markings and has larger marks at 10 MOA. This advanced reticle is built for the more extreme long-range hunters and shooters.
Custom Ballistic Turrets
All custom turrets for the V-4 and V-6 scopes are available at Kenton Industries out of California kentonindustries.com. Kenton offers three choices: A speed dial, and/or one rotation. The LR Hunter with two rotations, featuring the first rotation below, and the second rotation shown above. The third option is a military version. These turrets cost $120 each.
Conclusion
I am certainly a fan of the Conquest scopes. Zeiss has put out a great, functional, high end product at a price point that appeals to the average hunter. Superior clarity, well defined clicks, and high adjustability all stacked into a lightweight rifle scope are the answer for many hunters looking to make the jump to a scope that will increase shot distance, and ultimatly success in the field.
Hunters that understand the names in the industry believe the name, Kyle Brown, had some great influence into Zeiss’s new rifle scope program. Formerly from Nightforce Optics, Kyle Brown Joined the Zeiss team in 2017 as the Director of Product Management. There is no doubt that Kyle’s background in highly adjustable riflescopes and long-range shooting now pared with Zeiss Optical’s lighter chassis and better optical clarity has created better long-range hunting scopes for hunters.
I have had the chance to mess with the new Zeiss Conquest line of scopes over the last month (and have been very impressed). The Conquest line is equipped with a 30mm tube that creates 92% light transmission, second focal plane reticles, exposed elevation turret, zero stop, and a clean bead-blasted finish. It’s safe to say, Zeiss has definitely come to the table of long-range hunting with a great product.
The Conquest V6
The V6 comes in two long-range styles, 3-18x50 and 5-30x50 with a starting price point of $1,799. I looked at the 3-18x50 version, and I would say it’s worth every penny. The V6’s are equipped with Zeiss FL glass, coated in their “LotuTec”, and T*Six-Layer multicoatings. This is ultimately what you are paying more money for; and trust me it matters when you have the buck of a lifetime broadside at 650-yards with light fading fast! If you can’t see the buck, you will certainly wish you would have spent the extra money and got the better glass! Even with the high-end FL glass I was shocked at how bright and clear the picture was in my sights when it was rolled all the way up to the highest power, it is honestly the best scope I have looked through in that respect. The V6 has 3 exposed turrets, wind, elevation, and focus. The turrets function well, the clicks are crisp. It offers 103 MOA total with 20 MOA per rotation complete with two full rotations. On my regular hunting rifle that would be right around 1,500 yards, way more than I would shoot, but the capability of the scope is there. The scope resembles a Nightforce in that the turrets are pretty tall and a little bulky. I am not a huge fan of the bulky turrets which give off somewhat of a tactical feel. Overall, the V6 is a great scope, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the big 5x30 power model! The 3-18 weighs in at 22.2 oz, and the 5x30 is a bit more at 28.
The Conquest V4
The V4 also comes in two long-rage styles, the 4-16x44 and 6-24x50. With a starting price of $999 this scope is very appealing. While the V-4 has good glass, side by side comparisons showed the V6’s clarity was obviously better. Which is to be expected since the V4 runs $800 less. When I compared the scope to its competitors in the market I was impressed, Zeiss has been doing glass well for as long as I can remember, and this scope is no different. Only the elevation and focus are exposed on the V4 with the wind being capped. The wind turret is made of polymer, but it functioned well. Once again you can’t expect the same quality of the V6. The adjustment is the same as the V6 and 103 minutes of adjustment. The 4-16 is 22.6 oz, and the 6x24 tips the scale at 24.4
Reticles
The two scopes I reviewed were fitted with MOA reticles. The first was the ZMOA-2 reticle, on this reticle the vertical 1 MOA markers are useful for measuring needed elevation adjustments that can then be quickly transferred to the turret. The 1 MOA windage markings are fine enough for holding wind values that are smaller than 1 MOA if needed. It is a great choice for most hunters.
The second was equipped with the ZBR-2 Reticle, which looks like a Christmas tree, with ever widening hashmarks that descend from the center crosshair. It is marked off in 2 MOA markings and has larger marks at 10 MOA. This advanced reticle is built for the more extreme long-range hunters and shooters.
Custom Ballistic Turrets
All custom turrets for the V-4 and V-6 scopes are available at Kenton Industries out of California kentonindustries.com. Kenton offers three choices: A speed dial, and/or one rotation. The LR Hunter with two rotations, featuring the first rotation below, and the second rotation shown above. The third option is a military version. These turrets cost $120 each.
Conclusion
I am certainly a fan of the Conquest scopes. Zeiss has put out a great, functional, high end product at a price point that appeals to the average hunter. Superior clarity, well defined clicks, and high adjustability all stacked into a lightweight rifle scope are the answer for many hunters looking to make the jump to a scope that will increase shot distance, and ultimatly success in the field.
