zeiss vs. leupold

[badnewskruse]

i have always bought either leupold or vortex optics and im thinking about buying a zeiss scope for my new rifle. i dont really have any experience with zeiss so i was just wondering if anybody on here could give me some info on them if its worth it or not to spend the 1200 bucks on a fancy zeiss scope or just stick to my 600 dollar leupolds

[Bob33]

I believe that as a general rule you will find Zeiss glass to be better than Leupold glass. That said, I would rather put my money into binoculars and spotting scopes before rifle scopes.

[chester]

I believe that as a general rule you will find Zeiss glass to be better than Leupold glass.

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[thinkingman]

I believe that as a general rule you will find Zeiss glass to be better than Leupold glass.

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All day long.

[badnewskruse]

I would rather put my money into binoculars and spotting scopes before rifle scopes.

ya im saving up for a new scope and finally gonna break down and spend the money on some swarovski binos. to many times has it been the last 10 minutes of shooting hours and i cant put a 3rd point on a buck.

[scoutdog346]

Go zeiss Unless its the pretend zeiss

[Bob33]

I would rather put my money into binoculars and spotting scopes before rifle scopes.

ya im saving up for a new scope and finally gonna break down and spend the money on some swarovski binos. to many times has it been the last 10 minutes of shooting hours and i cant put a 3rd point on a buck.

I hunt with Swarovski binoculars, and if I believed there was a better pair I would try to find a way to get them. I also do most of my hunting with a compact Leupold 3-9 scope that might be worth $300. I've never regretted either choice.

[Bean Counter]

I was able to snag a Zeiss HD5 3-15 for an incredible $750ish out the door about this time last year. Very cheapest I've seen it since is $1,000. I don't regret the purchase but definitely agree with the above comments that it should be your very last optical upgrade.  Binos, LRF, and spotter (if applicable to your style) come first. If I make time to hunt this year it will be my 10th year and the leupold VX-I was definitely good enough for the first several years. That said, you've probably read ad nauseum that you get what you pay for with glass and scopes are certainly no exception to that rule. There are myriad features that I didn't even know about when I grabbed my new scope that I've learned of since buying, such as the metal walls of the scope being thicker than midrange scopes such as Vortex. This means the scope rings can be torqued down tighter and therefore hold th zero better.

Let us know how it works out for you.

[badnewskruse]

we will see what happens. kinda want the binos first and i can throw one of my older scopes on it for now

[kentrek]

This means the scope rings can be torqued down tighter and therefore hold th zero better.

Just as a side note, which ever scope you buy make sure you torque the rings to manufacture spec.....nothing worse then topping off that perfect mounting job with a crushed tube

[Sakko300wsm]

I've got a few Zeiss scopes and they're pretty amazing! One is a Rapid Z 800 and it hits perfect. But then again spent 1/2 the money on a Vortex Viper HS on a Tikka I have and it's perfect also.

[badnewskruse]

I've got a few Zeiss scopes and they're pretty amazing! One is a Rapid Z 800 and it hits perfect. But then again spent 1/2 the money on a Vortex Viper HS on a Tikka I have and it's perfect also.

i have a vortex viper hd spotting scope and its nice. just wanna try something different. more or less wanted to hear from all you guys on here and get opinions

[coachcw]

Ask blrman  ....?he has run my ziess  quite a bit lol.

[Wa hunter]

I bought a Zeiss terra 3, 4 to 12x and I couldn't focus the crosshairs and the target at 200 yards.  I took it back to sportsman, I didn't see they were made in Japan until I went to mount it. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Ask blrman  ....?he has run my ziess  quite a bit lol.

yeah so I picked up this Cooper 52 in .280AI that is topped with a Zeiss conquest hd5 3-15.  Guy must have been on drugs or something because he just gave it to me  

Anyways......scope is pimp!  Glass is second to none from anything I have ever shot through.  I've shot Gen 1 and 2 razors, mark 4's, vx6, swaro, etc.  I wish they would offer better reticle options, but not a deal breaker.  Their locking turret is as good as it gets for a fast dialing mid range hunting setup in my opinion.  If you can swing it, jump on one.  Check for demo models on cameraland.

[Sakko300wsm]

Speaking of drugs..... If any of you ever come across a win model 70 300 weatherby mag with a zeiss conquest on it - super cheap. Had it ripped off a couple yrs ago - don't need it back, but would love to get my hand in the crack head that stole it!!
Had a funky painted stock and barrel

[Buzz2401]

Leupolds are made in America which is for sure a plus in my book but its pretty hard to beat Zeiss quality and durability for the money.  Vortex has great glass for the money but after having one fail on me I will never own another rifle scope by Vortex.  Binos or Spotter quit working you can still hunt.  Scope goes out you better have another rifle or open sights.

[JDHasty]

Leupolds are made in America which is for sure a plus in my book but its pretty hard to beat Zeiss quality and durability for the money.  Vortex has great glass for the money but after having one fail on me I will never own another rifle scope by Vortex.  Binos or Spotter quit working you can still hunt.  Scope goes out you better have another rifle or open sights.

Weaver bases - a few bucks
Burris Zee Rings < $25 IIRC

I swap scopes back and forth and they go on and off pretty well right where they were sighted in at.  I've never needed my extra scope, but if I ever did I would not worry about the zero on it.   

[Buzz2401]

Is that Vortex's motto.  "Just bring an extra".  That's one way to sell more scopes lol.

[JDHasty]

Is that Vortex's motto.  "Just bring an extra".  That's one way to sell more scopes lol.

After having one fail on you you condemn an entire outfit?   Seems rather naive to me.  I have had optics from almost every company mentioned in this thread have issues over the last ~ fifty years and have to be sent in for service, it was rare, but it did happen. 

[follow maggie]

I'm a diehard Leupold fan, but you won't go wrong with either.

[carpsniperg2]

Leupold and nosler follow me on pretty much every hunt with a rifle in my hand.

[thinkingman]

Is that Vortex's motto.  "Just bring an extra".  That's one way to sell more scopes lol.

Leupold is the company so well known for replacing the scope that failed on your hunt.