Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics The Final truth on Zeiss Conquest testing prodecures?

Gary,

Perhaps with your links to the Zeiss company you could contact Dr. Mergen and put this whole testing debate to rest! Please!!

I noticed that this was your first post. Welcome. Hopefully you'll find a log here at the campfire and enjoy yourself. There are a lot of really great guys here with a broad knowledge base, who are willing to share with all. Hope we can add you too!

Ric

Both of the 2.5 x 8 are gloss. Both are at least 10 years old. The 1.5 x 5 is new as of July. It is the one that I thought I was going to use in Canada this season. After 2 days in a scabbard it started rattling when shook. I pulled it off and exchanged it for an old 4x Mountaneer with a 3 min Lee Dot that I have had since 1965. It still works great, just looks beat to crap.

I will send the new one back. Actually I will try and get an exchange on a new 1.75 x 6 if they have to replace it.


Anyway, $325 plus shipping on the 2.5 x 8s

Mickey, I've seen several scope owners, often Leupold owners, who are disappointed in the lack of clarity of their scopes. Less than sharp reitcles being the most odvious. When I show them mine, they would wonder what was the matter with their's, should they send them back, etc.
What I've always done is show them how to focus the scope. The US style focusing system is not like the binos I've used or the euro style focusing system. In each of these systems, a quater turn on the adjustment ring, makes a difference. But on a US style focusing scope 1-3 full turns are sometimes required to make a real diiference. What I usually do is start in one direction, and turn, until the reticle sharpness is odviously less than ideal. Then, counting the turns, go the other way until it is again less than perfect. Then I split the difference. Then, if I want to be really fussy, I fine tune the focus on a target with fine detail at either 100 (for close shooting), or 200-250 yds. for longer work. This last really isn't necessary, but I like every last thing I can get out of my equipment. Yes, I go both ways again, until I get a sharp "average". Have you tried this ? E

Sitka Deer,
I have had no problems with Burris whatsoever. I have had one Burris Scope give up the ghost- a 4x12 compact which was a lousy scope to begin with. I sent it back and 3 weeks later I had it back- good as new. I sold it to a friend who still thinks its the best thing in the world. I have pounded a 2x7 fullfield with literally thousands of 300 WBY and 7mmo8 rounds and hundreds of miles in a scabard horseback.

As for Bushnell, I have nothing but contempt for them and their products. About every 8-10 years they will completely revamp their high end scopes so that they don't even resemble their predecesors. They have idiots working for them in customer disservice that must have a pool going on how many people they can screw over.

I have had 10+ bad experiences with them as have all friends who have owned their products. I have never PERSONALLY met someone who has had a good experience with them. I told them this much at the SHOT one year and they tried to smooth me over by sending me a bunch of stuff to test. Again I wasn't impressed with their stuff. The Elite 4200s are very clear and appear to have nice glass. They are not reliable enough for me to ever consider on a hunting rifle ( a varmint rifle maybe) and the thought of having to deal with the customer disservice department gives me ulcers.

They are and continue to be a JOKE. I can't say that about any other optic company.

Putting Leupold scopes on my rifles has been the best recoil reducers money can buy. I haven't been tapped in the face once with my 340 WBY since I put the Leu on it. I still thank John for showing me the light when it came to Leupold scopes. ( I still don't like their binoculars)...


As for Burris- They are not Leupolds...

Dennis
I had a friend with a Pentax problem that he had a horrible time straightening out... after it ruined a Kodiak brown bear hunt. With a bear at less than 100 yards he missed repeatedly. There were all sorts of loose pieces in his brand new scope...

I have sent a couple scopes to Bushnell and do not remember even being charged???
art

Art,
I feel that Pentax are just Burris with better lens coatings. They obviously are subject to the same QC problems that plagued Burris for a while. I doubt there is any way I could begin to tell you the atrocities that I have undergone because of Bushnell. The only thing that tempered my tongue at the SHOT was that Bill McRae was in the booth with them and I have a lot of respect for him. I am dissappointed that he is such a lovestruck fan of Bushnell stuff. Although I had the one Burris scope go bad, they remedied the problem right away. I have a 8x32 Signature that I have used in 1000YD BR. It works superb- it has very accurate adjustments and returns every time. If I had to buy another scope for 1000 YD Br I would probably buy a Black Diamond from Burris. I really like the variable scope for 1000 yd shooting especially in the hotter months. I really can't afford a Nightforce NXS which is probably the best variable target scope made. It can't be used in regular BR as it is way to heavy to make weight class.

The two guys in our club that used Tasco and Bushnell had to have two- that way they had one to put on each time they sent the other one back because the springs let go! One guy must have sent his back 4-5 times and he is too poor to buy anything better.

I had a 10x50 Banner that I returned to them because they fogged in the first 20 minutes of a February pig hunt. After 4 months of not hearing from Bushnell I started writing letters, asking about the status of my binocular and would I have it back in time for deer season in October. After my forth letter- in which I expressed my concern over not receiving any acknowledgement that they even had my binoculars, they sent them back with MAGGOTS inside them- YEP they made me an emeny for life with that stunt. I tell everyone who is unfortunate enough to ask about this situation. Subsequent problems by some friends with them only added fuel to this fire. Nope- I can't even imagine how they ever get any repeat customers unless they only fire there rifles 3 or 4 shots a year and then put them away in their dehumidified gun vaults...

dennis
I guess I understand your frustration a little better now! Cannot imagine it was any worse than my buddy's this past spring when he stood there watching his bear run away, but I do see your point <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
art

I used to be a Burris fan, until I looked through a Leupold.

Still love my Leupolds, but just got my first 4.5 14 Zeiss Conquest. the clarity and brightness is quite revealing.

Will see how it holds up on the 300 Win, but so far I love it.

May need to get 3-9x next.

FWIW---The gun rag "GUNS" has an article on the zeiss Conquest vs. a 50. cal...The arrticle includes discussion on how well it tracks, how ell it stands up to being frozen in a block of ice(shows a picture)...and holds up on a 50 cal

John. Is it possible that the good Zeiss man may not have understood your question? I.E. Was a clear distinction made between testing each and every scope made as opposed to a random sampling out of each lot? I just want us to be clear about this.

Perhaps you can elaborate on what was said. Seems strange that conflicting reports are surfacing.

Could we be seeing a typical misunderstanding between the upper management team / designers and the grunts down below making and testing the scopes? I.E Directors/VPS know it all and in reality they could be mistaken or out of touch with latest developments on the shop floor?

We all know the Germans are perfect, but in reality only in Germany.

Just some thoughts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

...seems as if some posters here either have hidden agendas, or have trouble looking at things objectively...or maybe they own shares in the companies they tout highly...can't really see what the fuss is all about, given that nearly all of the reputable companies mentioned here have virtual lifetime warranties that should cover most mishaps...

...just some random thoughts...

te

Not to mention, lifetime transferable warranties at that.