Rifle Scopes Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

[aspen69]

I'm looking for a little optic advise . I'm looking for a new scope for a 20" barreled 5.56mm AR . It will be used mostly off a bench or prone from 100-600 yards . Sadly this is all I have access to and will be used mostly to 300 . The longer ranges are a hell of a drive . I'm looking in the 4-16 range of magnification at the moment . The Vortex Viper PST and the Zeiss Conquest are what I'm looking at with around a 1K budget . Is there a clear preference between the two or is there another option I should be looking at ? Thanks in advance for any guidance !

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Glass quality is better on the Conquest. However, with the Conquest, you'll get stuck with mil-dot reticle and 1/4 IPHY knobs. If you can live with that and the limited adjustment range, go with Conquest.

If you want illumination, match reticle/knobs, FFP, and that jazz, PST is the wiser decision.

 

[z71rat]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Vortex... without a doubt. Mine is built like a tank, and features are very impressive for the money. Absolutely the very best warranty in the business.

Give Mike @ CSTactical a call. He will hook you up!!

DK

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

The Conquest has decent glass but is hampered by the lack of elevation - mine had 46 MOA total whereas the PST has 75MOA with a 4-16. I now have a PST and sold the Conquest. Hands down - PST not to mention the MOA/MOA or MIL/MIL ability.

 

[aspen69]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Thanks guys your reasoning makes perfect sense . I'll start pricing the Vortex .

 

[UNRL Ghandi]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

I just picked up a PST 4-16x and am happy with it. Glass is good and the turrets are nice. I don't like the shim system for the zero stop as I couldn't get the shims to fit exactly to where it stopped at zero. I think the diopter adjustments are limited and the reticle MOA lines are small.

After using the PST, if I had a $1k budget right now for a scope, I'd wait until I saved $300-$500 and get a nice used Nightforce 3.5-15x.

Of course I got my PST for $570 shipped (it's the SFP model, not FFP), so I can't complain. It's a good mid market scope. The money you saved can go to ammo.

 

[dhbwa]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Vortex! Warranty and CS are outstanding!
Conquest 4.5-14 had marginal eye relief. The 3-9 Conquest is one of the best in that power for less than $700 but the higher power models impressed little...

 

[dhbwa]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

And I'll plug Doug or Neil at Cameraland. Super guys for not really being shooter/hunters....

 

[slowkota]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DHBWA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Conquest 4.5-14 had marginal eye relief.</div></div>

I agree with ya 100% on that one! I just got a 4.5-14 conquest, and I already feel handicapped... If I could do it over, I should have gone with the Vortex 6-24

 

[58blackflag]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

I had a Zeiss Conquest 3-12x56 with the 30mm tube and with a 0 MOA base I was able to shoot out to 675 yards with a .308 using a 20 inch barrel. That is as far as I tried to dial up for so I don't know where it bottomed out. I ended up trading the scope in for a Premier because it didn't have target turrets or a holdover type reticle. The return to zero on the Zeiss was PERFECT.
So...a conquest may have enough adjustment depending on your mount, etc.
In my opinion better glass is more important than magnification if your distance isn't too great and you're shooting at steel. If you're paper punching for groups it's different. 10x is plenty for me shooting at a 10 inch steel plate out to 600 yards.
I'm always a little confused when people want/recommend high magnification for practical shooting, especially for 500 yard and closer.
Also, marginal eye relief isn't too much of an issue on a .223.
Just some opposing thoughts for ya! I have no experience with Vortex scopes but people sure tend to like them!

 

[dhbwa]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

For me the eye relief isn't to prevent a scar but so I get a full view as I don't suck down on the stock. I shoot more upright and need ER or more tube for mounting leeway....

 

[Kubitza123]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Zeiss Conquest glass will be better but as everyone else has mentioned it lacks in features especially in the tactical area.

 

[Suresperance]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Another vote for vortex here .... but have to ask if you're spending 1k on glass why not save another 200 and get the swfa ss 5-20

Edit: just realized you're looking for 4-16 specifically sorry sometimes I forget the first post by the time I get to the bottom lol ... but in reality the ss will give you features and glass quality .... might be worth a look.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Weaver 3-15x EDMR

 

[wilsey]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Vortex PST.
And look for used and save yourself some money
Love mine

 

[Chupacabra]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Ziess Duralyt instead of the conquest, only it does not have hold overs or tactical knobs

 

[kingjr]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

FWIW, I am doing similiar shooting as you and chose a Leupold VX-3L 6.5-20x56. Just ordered it today! TPS rings, aluma-flip covers and shipped for under $1k! Merry Christmas to me!

 

[TXpopo]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Good luck getting a Viper pst 6-24-50 FFP. I just tried to order one from opticsplanet only to find out its been discontinued.

 

[grayghost]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Vortex all the way.I have the 6-24x50 in SFP and love it. Even though your max range right now is 600yds I would go with the higher magnification you can always turn it down but if you don't have it you can't turn it up.

 

[aspen69]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Update : First off I want to sincerely thank everyone for taking the time to post and share their picks . After a lengthy conversation with Mike at CST , he recommended that i go with the conquest 6.5-20 x 50mm target scope with the varmint reticle . I have taken it out a couple times and couldn't be happier with it .

On a related note , I have just started considering a scope for a 20" 6.5 Grendel build . Perhaps I will be a Vortex owner after all .

 

[z71rat]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

Mike is excellent to deal with. He will be getting all of my business from now on. Super guy with outstanding customer service!!

DK

 

[rcmigpilot]

Re: Vortex Viper PST or Zeiss Conquest ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: aspen69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Update : First off I want to sincerely thank everyone for taking the time to post and share their picks . After a lengthy conversation with Mike at CST , he recommended that i go with the conquest 6.5-20 x 50mm target scope with the varmint reticle . I have taken it out a couple times and couldn't be happier with it .

On a related note , I have just started considering a scope for a 20" 6.5 Grendel build . Perhaps I will be a Vortex owner after all . </div></div>

I have the same scope on a Mossberg MVP .223 and couldn't be happier. Glass is excellent, return to zero is perfect. Haven't really tried to stretch it past 200 so I can't comment on elevation, but if you do run out there are enough inclined mounts out there you shouldn't have any trouble.