Rifle Scopes Steiner T5xi vs Zeiss Conquest V6

[Theblakester03]

Looking for input on these scopes. Steiner T5xi 3-15x50 w/34mm main tube FFP. And the Zeiss Conquest 3-18x50 w/30 mm main tube SFP. Also open to other options in that price range.
Scope will live on a Remington 700 AAC-SD 20” .308 used to get into long range shooting. Local range goes out to 600 yards. Will eventually be looking to get out past that on a couple friends/family properties. Not interested in competition shooting. I could end up hunting with it, but the main purpose is to learn to make correct windage and bullet drop adjustments with a given load and learn to shrink group sizes over time with said load. I don’t reload, but I might eventually. I know this will help group sizes a lot and I may also wind up doing other things to the rifle to help with group sizes too. But for now I would like some unbiased help on glass for the rig. Thanks in advance!

Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Rifle Scope 34mm Tube First Focal Plane

Shop Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Rifle Scope 34mm Tube First Focal Plane | 4.8 Star Rating on 16 Reviews for Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm Rifle Scope 34mm Tube First Focal Plane + Free...

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Zeiss CONQUEST V6 3-18x50 Rifle Scope, Color: Black, Tube Diameter: 30 mm, Up to 10% Off — Free 2 Day Shipping w/ code 2DAYAIR — 4 models

Shop Zeiss CONQUEST V6 3-18x50 Rifle Scope | Up to 10% Off 5 Star Rating on 5 Reviews for Zeiss CONQUEST V6 3-18x50 Rifle Scope Free 2 Day Shipping + Free Shipping over...

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[308pirate]

The Zeiss Conquest is a hunting scope with bullet drop compensator reticles. Despite the appealing name, a bullet drop compensator reticle is NOT what you want for precision shooting.

Out of the two you mention, the Steiner is the only choice.

 

[Theblakester03]

I was told that Zeiss just recently came out with some new reticles for their v4, V6, and v8 line of scopes.

 

[308pirate]

I was told that Zeiss just recently came out with some new reticles for their v4, V6, and v8 line of scopes.

Such as?

 

[Theblakester03]

Such as?

I’m not sure if they’re being advertised yet, but I heard they’ve made some thinner reticle options geared more for the shooter as opposed to the big game hunter.
That said, if the reticles were equal, does your opinion change at all? Which one has the edge in glass clarity? Is that extra 3x zoom on the Zeiss a big plus? Is the 34mm tube on the Steiner a big plus? What else?

 

[308pirate]

I’m not sure if they’re being advertised yet, but I heard they’ve made some thinner reticle options geared more for the shooter as opposed to the big game hunter.
That said, if the reticles were equal, does your opinion change at all? Which one has the edge in glass clarity? Is that extra 3x zoom on the Zeiss a big plus? Is the 34mm tube on the Steiner a big plus? What else?

Nothing you've said above changes my initial recommendation. Once you learn more about why we do what we do, you'll understand.

 

[Rob01]

Out of the two you mention, the Steiner is the only choice.

Told him that at AR15 also. Between those two that's a real easy choice.

 

[308pirate]

Told him that at AR15 also. Between those two that's a real easy choice.

I had a feeling this dude was fishing for a specific answer.

 

[Theblakester03]

I’m not fishing for anything. I’m not trying to lean in any direction. I posted a similar question on here a few months back hoping to get a lot of support for the vortex bc at the time, that was my favorite option. I got all kinds of different answers. And only one person leaned towards the vortex. I’ve read other similar threads on multiple sites that got a wide range of answers. Some the majority were vortex fanboys, others suggested staying away from vortex. Seems these forums tend to get clicky sometimes. And I’m not talking trash. Just an honest observation. I’m looking for unbiased input from people who have looked through these optics and used them and who have more experience than me with long range shooting. Rob suggested the Vortex. I don’t know if that’s because he’s sponsored by them, or if the glass is as good or better than the Zeiss or the Steiner. I’m just playing devils advocate to try to sift through biased people and internet commandos who don’t know what they’re talking about and hopefully get some good information from people who do know what they’re talking about that can help me make a well informed decision.

If anything, I was leaning towards the vortex. now I’m kinda leaning towards the Steiner. I like the 34mm main tube, the ffp, and the fact that it has a good proven reticle. Only reason I was liking the Zeiss, is bc ive been led to believe that they have superior glass to the others and just came out with thinner reticles more designed for shooters. I was told that a top engineer from Nightforce, left there and went to work for Zeiss. And that he is the reason Zeiss is adding shooter friendly reticles to their scopes.

 

[Rob01]

I mentioned the Razor II because I didn't know if you knew about them and in that price range they are an excellent proven option and might have saved you some money to get the same features you like in the Steiner T series.

As I said at AR15, it's your money but I don't think you should discount Japanese glass for being able to make long range hits. Seems like you think it can only be done with German glass. Look at optics and choose a reticle and features you like in that price range.

 

[308pirate]

All discussions of glass "clarity" are subjective anyway.

I agree with Rob, Vortex Razors are a hell of a scope. And while I don't own one, I have shot with one more than a few times.

 

[goosed]

@Theblakester03 neither of the guys posting would ever try to steer you wrong. There are lots of good options in this price range which is why you're likely struggling to pick one, but I'm sorry to say the Zeiss isn't one of the good ones. Sure it has good glass, but that's not as important as most will lead you to believe. What you really really really... I can't stress this next part enough... want FFP reticles and mil turrets for long rang shooting (with the lone caveat that if you shoot fclass/highpower competitions then you want MOA). You will fully understand why as you grow into the sport, but for now just trust us on that one.

If you're looking at spending optics planets prices (full retail) on any of the T5x products please stop. Not only is opticsplanet not a forum supporter, those scopres aren't now and never were worth full retail, imo. If you really like the Steiner T5x take a look at the blem/refurbs on Libertyoptics.com. That's a far more reasonable market value.

Full disclosure, yes @Rob01 is(was?) sponsored by Vortex. Yet, the fact is value for features offered on the Razor Gen2's has remained very high since the day they were announced and still holds true today. I am not personally a fan of the way they zero, but I still own and use a RZR 4.7-27 & AMG regularly as the price/value proposition is so good. Eurooptic had a few Vortex demo's and last years model marked down last time I looked that are worth checking out.

As a side note. My recommendation is for new shooters to NOT spend over $1k on an optic in today's market until they are sure this sport is for them and even then only if they know exactly what they want as well, but since I know it's a rule on every forum regardless of topic that the new guys ignore recommendations A, B and C and buys option D anyways... I won't bother elaborating.

 

[bigbadbrad]

Nothing wrong with Zeiss at all, some of the best glass, but they are made for hunting. High end hunting glass usually has great low light, clear glass, great durability, and a great field of view. They can reach out, but a longer shot increases the chance for whiffing your shot and causing a painful demise for the animal. That being said you described something more in line with a tactical scope, because if you're having to adjust your knobs a lot while hunting you probably shouldn't take the shot. Also look at https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupol...-front-focal.html?_iv_code=LU-RS-X44M5-173299

 

[Heffo]

I love my Steiner T5Xi and I also own a Razor 3-18x50. Can’t go wrong with either. Like mentioned above comes down to the reticle you like.