Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Buying Conquest 3x9

Gentlemen,

Opinion needed if it does not violate board rules. Please feel free to edit if necessary.

I am buying a pair of the Conquest 3x9's with plex reticle. I want them before the price change at the end of the year, and to use this season.

I have found an on line dealer that will sell for $342 plus shipping and handling for a total of $364. Cals Sporting Armory is the dealer. Does anybody have any experience with them as far as customer service and or reputation. The savings adds up for the purchase of the pair.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you

Curly

Curly, they are a nice bright scope. I would first call Doug at cameralandny.com and see what he can do for you, as he has taken care of many of us on the fire.

I would second that motion. Doug and Cameraland are great with no surprises later.

So the price is going up at the end of the year on the Conquest?

I may be reading your post wrong but are you saying that you're getting the PAIR for $364.00 shipped to your door OR are you buying two and the total price shipped to your door comes to $364.00 per scope for a total of $728.00? Regardless of which is the case, that pricing should raise some eyebrows.

Here are some questions I'd ask before buying:
1) Is this store/vendor an authorized Zeiss dealer?;
2) Are these scopes BRAND NEW or refurbished and/or demo scopes?;
3) Are the scopes used?;

I'll grant that any dealer can privately sell anything at any price BUT Zeiss has a MAP (minimum advertised price) policy & you're getting those scopes well below MAP. Based on the 2010 Zeiss Dealer Price List you'd be getting those scopes at roughly 10% above the dealer's cost and this doesn't take shipping into account. Only high volume & deep pocketed retailers can run that kind of profit margins & stay in business for any length of time. Maybe the guy is running this scope as some sort of "loss leader" but that doesn't make much sense from a business perspective. The website looks legit but advertising that price will get him in trouble with Zeiss.

Not trying to rain on what may be a great deal but I'd proceed cautiously. Most deals that are too good to be true usually are... I'd make darn sure that scope isn't a demo or refurbish before buying.

Thank you all for the responses. Concern about what may be to good to be true is the reason for the post.

$364 to my door each. According to the web site, they are NIB, and are not refurbs.

Cals web site indicates they were a large retailer in the midwest that watched their internet business grow.

They became an internet only retailer, and have shut down their retail location.

The MAP is understandable, and they post may other brands that are considerably less than MAP.

Not sure how they can accomplish that but, everthing looks to be on the up and up.

I was hoping somebody on the fire has bought from then.

Curly

I would check with Doug at Camerland first. Excellent customer service.

Some folks didn't like them:
http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3115

I didn't both look, but if they're not an authorized retailer for Zeiss the warranty may be an issue.

AllI can say..Its a good scope for the money. I have a hard time buying pricy optics (To me) other than at Cameraland.

Thanks for that link. One dealer to avoid.

It's a great hunting scope, and Cameraland rocks.

Thanks to all for the insight and opinions.

I have spoken to Doug via email and if the main tube length is long enough, I will be ordering the scope today.

I need a main tube length at least 5.25 inches. This is for a long action with Talley low rings.

Curly

be aware curly, that the 3-9 models have A LOT of eye relief.

with talley lw's on my remington 30-06, i couldn't get the scope far enough away from my face.

it was a nice scope, but it went down the road in a trade.

i like leupolds better.

Call Doug, first and take a look at the German #4 reticle...

Thanks,

I am running standard Talleys. I had a FXIII 6x42 on it, as well as a VX3 3.5X10x40. All had good eye releif for me.

I am a stock hugger by nature due to years on a shotgun when i was younger.

As for the #4, it is considerably more expensive. I am okay with the Plex.

Does anybody know the length of the main tube? I was not able to find it on the Zeiss web site.

If it is over 5.25, I am pulling the trigger today.

Curly

I just measured one of mine and got almost exactly 6 inches between the beginning of the tapers on the eyepiece and objective.

Great scope, and Doug and Cameraland are super!!

Thanks fw707,

The Conquest is on its way.

thanks to all with the help.

Curly

You're welcome.
I think you'll like it.

I am hoping, it has already arrived via FEDEX and was signed for by my neighbor before lunch.

Excellend customer service.