I've been giving this some thought, and I want to do a comparison of 3 scopes, the main goal is to compare them at a given price, I have decided on 2 at this point, give me some input on a 3rd if you will. The scope needs to be as close to $400 as possible, and it would be better if it was somewhat of a known quantity. The first 2 scopes are going to be 1. Weaver Super Slam 2-10x42 ebx, and 2. Meopta Meopro 3-9x42. The third scope needs to be about the same price($400 absolute limit) and a somewhat popular model. I would like to get the best glass for dollar possible, for comparison's sake. My current thoughts are Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36 or FX-3 6x42...any ideas that might make a better comparison? I would prefer to stay with US, Euro, or Japan assembled scopes, however I am open to suggestions.

You might try a Nikon Monarch 3-12x42SF. Bought cause I read good reviews. Paid $416 I think at OpticsPlanet. The deal, the service and the scope all top notch.

NRA Life Member

3-9x40 Conquest or the Minox ZA-5 2-10x40.

I'll second the Conquest 3-9. I have it and the Leupold VX-3 2.5-8. To me the Conquest is clearer with a sharper image but, i really like the Leupold on my Cooper 54. The Zeiss is perfect on my 30-06. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, just depends on what works best for your situation.

I'll 3rd the Conquest 3-9x40....although it'll be 400$...plus tax. My store sells them at 399.99. You can find some deals if you shop around though. But, the Nikon Monarch series is also a good bet in that same range.

Check Natchez Shooters Supply for a Nitrex TR1, last time I checked Natchez had a few left in the power range you mentioned. Nitrex is a discontinued line of scopes, but they are really Weaver Grand Slams, made in same plant in Japan, same optics and internals. Company that owns both Nitrex and Weaver decided to cease the Nitrex line of scopes, leaving only Weaver. Don't worry about life time warranty on the Nitrex, it is handled by Weaver. Price will be less than 1/2 price of a Weaver Grand Slam. Have a couple of the Nitrex TR2 scopes/Weaver Super Slams, outstanding scope.

Also at Natchez, might want to consider a Weaver 40/44 aspherical lens scope such as the 3.8-12x44. Made in Philippines. Own one and optics in it are pretty good. Natchez has price reduced a sizeable amount on the aspherical lens models.

thinking the TR2 was the same as the Super Slam so anything less would be.....somthing less. What about a Sightron Big Sky?

If you are going to stop at $400, a used but not abused VXIII or a VX3 Leupold 2.5-8 (own 2 VXIIIs) or a new Conquest 3-9 (own one) are tough to beat. You might also consider the VX-2 3-9 with CDS if you are taking longer shots.

The Weaver Super Slams are darn good.

The Minox 3-9x40 scored a 7+ on John's rating scale. Low light is important to me so I'm going to look into a Minox for my next scope or maybe wait to see how the Zeiss Terra's score. powdr

Also meopro 3-9x42 is a great scoped for the money. Compares to my ziess 3-9x40. Also like the #4 reticle.

Dave

Like I said in my opening post, I'll be getting 3, I've already decided on the Weaver and the Meopta, so far I'm liking a lot of the options suggested here, my only concern is with the Conquest, seems like the price has gone up considerably on that one lately, closer to $500 than $400...also, does anybody know what(if anything) Burris makes in the $400 area? and would the FX-3 be an unfair comparison being a fixed power scope?

I have the prior Meopta, an Artemis 2000 6x42 and an M8 Leupold 6x42 and plan to compare it to the new 3-9x40 VX3 I just bought. I left what I needed at home this week and am kicking my self otherwise I would have already had a preliminary comparison for you.

sat with a buddy with less expensive scopes and was disbelieving I could still see well enough to make a clean shot so late. He looked through the Meopta and was floored at its brightness and now gets why I will spend a little extra. Just hoping the most modern semi-upper-tier variable can compete with fixed powers from a few, not that many, years ago.

kenjs, there isn't a 3-9x40 VX3. VX2 maybe?

Yup, would love to see a good write up with those in the mix.

JG - you are right- my bad, I have a 3.5-10 vx3 with a Boone and Crockett. Just have not yet mounted it in the S & K's I just picked up.

Sightron or Burris for under $500 bucks is hard to beat IMO.

I've also had the thought of keeping it to 3-9x40(well 40ish), in that case might do the Meopro and the Sightron Big Sky as they are almost identical in price. My budget may not allow me to do all three rifles this spring. However, I'll look into Minox and Ziess...keeping in mind a $400 regular price limit.

what about a bushnell elite.the glass is outstanding.

Got a friend with an elite, it's a possibility....

Have you read this? It might help with your choice. http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php...4-400-born-in-europe-assembled-in-the-us

I've read it, great breakdown of the Euros. What I haven't seen is Euro vs USA vs Japan at a given price...a comparison worth making. $400 seems to be the point where they all intersect, so I figure why not pick one of each at the same price? I'll go with Meopta for the Euro(wanted to try one for a while anyway) and Sightron or Weaver for the Japanese scope. Not sure on the USA scope yet. The obvious choice would be the VX-3 3.5x10x40, however, it's $80 over the price point. That leaves the VX-3 2.5-8x36, the FX-3 6x42 or....am I missing something?

The few that come to my mind:

1. 2.5-10x42 Nikon Monarch
2. Bushnell elite 2.5-10x40
3. Burris FFII 3-9x40 W/ballistic plex reticle
4. Zeiss conquest 3-9x40

And since you asked "what does Burris make in the $400.00 range", you could try the FFII 4.5-14x42 (both the old style and E1 models)...

You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you don't include a 3-9x40 Conquest in your group IMHO.

It's not just that they are bright and clear (they are); it's just the optical experience in general. From 3X to 9X that scope really leaps to the eye.

I bought 3 of these. Superior to my Vari-X III 3.5-10 x 40. Brighter and more crisp.


P

This is going to have to go on hold for a while. Furnace in the house just puked out, took my budget for new optics right out the door with it.

In the middle of a WI winter this is not a good thing to have happen!

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 is certainly competitive at that price. I have one on the 7mm-08 I built for my wife. It's a dream to shoot.

You're telling me...been an epic bad day. Got up and the furnace was roached, went to the farm to help out dad and found 3 sick calves, got back home and realized the speaker was shot on my cell phone, then I over tightened a set of scope rings that I was lapping and as soon as I finished the clamps on both of them broke. Oh yeah, daughters throwing up right now.