Rifle Scopes Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

[gr8fuldoug]

Here is the official press release from zeiss on these new scopes.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Carl Zeiss Introduces the New CONQUEST HD5 Riflescope Line with 5x Superzoom™ </span>

Premium Performance and Maximum Versatility at an Exceptional Price Point

NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA., January 2, 2013 – Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, the world's leading manufacturer in high performance sports optics, is pleased to announce the new CONQUEST HD5 riflescope line. Designed for today’s demanding hunters, the CONQUEST HD5 features a superior 5x variable magnification range, new ballistic lockable turrets and redesigned RAPID-Z® ballistic reticles all built into the most compact SuperZoom™ 1-inch riflescope in the industry. In addition, optical enhancements coupled with traditional features such as the Carl Zeiss’ proprietary T* lens coating for unsurpassed light transmission and LotuTec® water-repellant hydrophobic lens coating will make this riflescope line an industry benchmark. Quite simply, the CONQUEST HD5 with its 5x SuperZoom™ sets a new standard for features and performance in its price range.

Designed, engineered and assembled in Germany, these compact 1-inch tube scopes with ¼ MOA adjustments are available in three models -
2-10x42
3-15x42
5-25x50
and offer a variety of reticle options. The advanced design of the new CONQUEST HD5 includes rubberized magnification rings with finer adjustment than previous versions of CONQUEST rifle scopes, updated ergonomic turret design, generous mounting space and a lower profile for easy transport. Selected models also feature an “all new” lockable target turret for added speed and versatility in the field.

“We are thrilled and proud to bring this high-performance CONQUEST HD5 riflescope series of riflescopes to market,” said Mike Jensen, President of Carl Zeiss Sports Optics. “Carl Zeiss is the leader in hunting optics and we are once again redefining the optics world with leading-edge products that will have a major impact on increasing our ever-growing market share. We are listening to what hunters want and delivering the very best to them at incredibly competitive price points. This new series of 1-inch hunting riflescope will be what all others are measured against”.

<span style="font-weight: bold"> Conquest HD5 2-10x42 :</span>

This compact riflescope boasts an extremely wide field-of-view in 2-power making it extremely versatile in most close encounters from dense cover to mid-range hunting conditions in more open terrain. The Conquest HD5 2-10x42 is parallax free to 500 yards and is available with either a Z-Plex (#20) reticle or RAPID-Z® 600 or standard hunting turrets.

Conquest HD5 2-10x42 Plex $799.99

Conquest HD5 2-10x42 RZ600 $874.99


<span style="font-weight: bold"> Conquest HD5 3-15x42 :</span>

The most versatile of the HD5 line, this riflescope has longer range capability, and is built for the mid to long range shooting distant. Extra compact and low profile, the 3-15x42 is the perfect solution for the mobile Western hunter in pursuit of elk, mule deer, antelope or even the hunter climbing mountains in search of sheep. Also, this compact length, low profile scope set at 3x magnification works perfectly for close range and fast acquisition hunting situations. This scope features side parallax adjustment, Z-Plex reticle in either hunting turret or lockable target turret. Also available in RAPID-Z® 600 or RAPID-Z® 800 reticle with hunting turret.

Conquest HD5 3-15x42 Plex $899.99

Conquest HD5 3-15x42 RZ 600 $974.99

Conquest HD5 3-15x42 RZ 800 $974.99

Conquest HD5 3-15x42 Lock Plex $999.99


<span style="font-weight: bold"> Conquest HD5 5-25x50 :</span>

The most compact high-magnification riflescope in the industry and the most powerful in the HD5 line, this riflescope is perfect for mid to extra-long-range hunting. The wide magnification range provides great flexibility for those shooting in vast Western terrains with magnum calibers or for general varmint and predator control. This scope also features a side parallax adjustment and is available with a Z-Plex reticle with lockable target turret, RAPID-Z® 800 with hunting turret, Rapid-Z® 1000 with lockable target turret or with a RAPID-Z® Varmint reticle and hunting turret.

Conquest HD5 5-25x50 RZ 800 $1,074.99

Conquest HD5 5-25x50 Lock Plex $999.99

Conquest HD5 5-25x50 Lock RZ 1000 $1,074.99

Conquest HD5 5-25x50 Lock RZ Varmint $1,074.99

All of these scopes are in stock ready to ship. I opened them up and checked them out and the optics seem to be an improvement over the existing Conquest line of scopes. Nice fit and finish. I would agree that these are an updated, upgraded Conquest. Please feel free to call me or Neil with any questions.

 

[BobD]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

That's great, I'm glad to see they are moving the conquest line forward. I wish they would offer a standard mil dot or similar model. Will they still be able to swap to those reticles or would they not fit this new line?

How much of an improvement did you notice in the higher mag model? I always thought their low power vari's were really nice. I dont remember Locu Tec being used in the earlier models, i thought that was reserved for their higher end offerings. Excited to hopefully come by one of these soon to see for myself.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

What the hell are they thinking not offering any kind of mil reticle and why the hell are they sticking to 1/4" clicks? I love the size, weight, and optics on Zeiss Conquests, but they just can't seem to make it all come together for a 21st century scope.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

The Conquest line: So close, but so far away. All they had to do was add mil target turrets as an option. Instead they make a bunch of superficial changes and ignore the only problem their scopes ever suffered from...

 

[mosin46]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

this is making my next scope choice of a steiner pedator more difficult for sure.

 

[dino67]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

Doug,

I'm looking at 2 scopes at present for a lightweight hunting rifle. I need a 1" tube.

The Zeiss HD5 in 2-10x42 and the Swarovski Z3 in 3-10x42. I can't look through the Zeiss at present to compare it to the Swaro.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on how the two compare.

Dino

 

[ccoker]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

One nice thing about the Z3 is the BRH reticle which is in Mil

Damned good scope, I tested one and my brother bought it...


These Conquests look cool to, the 3-15 with target turret and Zplex could be a cool hunting scope.

I ran a FL 4-16x50 last season with the locking target turret.

I don't see where the HDs are 1/4" adjustments, perhaps the target version is .1 mil as the FL was...

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ccoker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I don't see where the HDs are 1/4" adjustments, perhaps the target version is .1 mil as the FL was...
</div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carl Zeiss Sport Optics' Webpage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Adjustment per Click at 100yd 0.25 inch </div></div>

http://sportsoptics.zeiss.com/hunting/en_us/riflescopes/conquest/conquest-hd5.html#inpagetabs-3

 

[BobD]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I feel that Zeiss has used the Conquest to cram the rapid Z reticle down everyone's throat. I understand it is geared toward a specific crowd and I'm sure their sales are just fine the way they are.

It just seems they have the ability to offer other reticle/turret designs without an expensive endeavor into R&D. It's already available to them and they have succeeded in them utilizing them in elsewhere. They basically leave he option of paying to change the reticle (with mismatched turrets) or save a couple grand for premium offerings. Forget the illumination, but different reticles and matching turrets would open so many new opportunities.

I feel if they offered a few choices from the beginning (for even a few or even several hundred hundred more) with competing features they would offer some fairly serious competition. I would jump on one of these without hesitation if they would consider this. I wouldn't mind a small premium.

*I checked Zeiss' site, apparently as far as optical changes in addition to LocuTec they are also using their T* coatings on these scopes as well. The same coating used in their Victory line* Obviously no FL at this price but I think it sounds like a noteworthy improvement.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dino67</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doug,

I'm looking at 2 scopes at present for a lightweight hunting rifle. I need a 1" tube.

The Zeiss HD5 in 2-10x42 and the Swarovski Z3 in 3-10x42. I can't look through the Zeiss at present to compare it to the Swaro.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on how the two compare.

Dino </div></div>

HD5 vs the Z3 -

As the HD5 is the new kid on the block, here's what it's offering vs the Swaro Z3

5x zoom in a 1" tube vs 3x zoom
T* coating ( previously only in Zeiss Victory )
LotuTec Coating
New Optical design vs old AV (The Z3 is a cosmetic change from the previous AV series but it is no different other than cosmetics)
Higher resolution with Zeiss' optical design
No Fault Warranty on the HD5

Both are excellent scopes, however, the HD5 is more on par to the Swarovski Z5 series and the HD5 is priced lower and features superior coating and a no fault warranty

 

[OKbow87]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I think this is a nice looking line of scopes. 5x magnification and better glass over the already good conquest line. Plus locking target turrets with 20 moa of adjustment per revolution is pretty sweet.

All the guys that are complaining about no mil reticles or adjustment need to realize these are NOT tactical scopes. They are 1" hunting scopes with some features for dialing dope for longer shots. This is becoming more and more popular with hunters. Most hunters are not running mil anything. Zeiss has a tactical line... this aint it.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I wish it wasn't so heavy. I'm looking for another scope similar to my conquest 3-9's and Z3 3-10 but I think I'll have to stick to the Z3 for the 5oz weight savings.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OKbow87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think this is a nice looking line of scopes. 5x magnification and better glass over the already good conquest line. Plus locking target turrets with 20 moa of adjustment per revolution is pretty sweet.

All the guys that are complaining about no mil reticles or adjustment need to realize these are NOT tactical scopes. They are 1" hunting scopes with some features for dialing dope for longer shots. This is becoming more and more popular with hunters. Most hunters are not running mil anything. Zeiss has a tactical line... this aint it. </div></div>

The old conquest had a mil-dot reticle option.

There is nothing "tactical" about having .1 mRad adjustments. Nothing "un-tactical" about a 1" tube.

To get a Zeiss in the "tactical" line, aka Hensoldt, you're looking in the thousands.

I see no reason Zeiss should be unresponsive to the market.

 

[OKbow87]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

There are very few scopes out there that are not driven as "tactical" that has .1 mrad adjustments. Ask most hunters and they probably have absolutely no clue what a mil radian is.

A 1" tube is "un-tactical" because it has dick for elevation adjustment. You will be lucky to even get 2 revolutions out of a 20 moa knob, even with a 20 moa base.

Wouldn't you think they dropped the mil dot reticle because most people who buy the conquest line of scopes are hunters looking for hold over points. So a drop reticle with more fine aiming points that are closer together is much more attractive to them?

Obviously they think the mid price tactical market is already pretty saturated or they would probably be a player. Big companies are not into losing money. They aren't gonna bring out a line of scopes if they don't think they will sell enough to even cover the cost of design and r&d.

My point is complaining about a scope for not having enough mil options when it is not a tactical scope and directed towards hunters in futile. There are plenty of other options out there. Pick one.

 

[ccoker]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

OKbow87 you have some very valid points..
I called my contact at Zeiss and confirmed they are indeed 1/4"

While a lot of us might prefer a more "tactical" scope, for the average hunter these are going to be pretty cool and well received I think.

I could run the 3-15 target turret on a hunting rifle and deal with as is fine and have requested one.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I understand the whole hunter angle, but my hunting rifle sees a lot of range time and long range plinking in the field too. Matching reticles are always preferred. If they are Mil all the better. The way I look at it, the average hunter wouldn't care about matching as they 'set and forget' and most don't even look at the 'numbers.' Shooters on the other hand would care. Seems win/win as Ziess would maintain the hunting market while inviting a whole new market to their scopes.

Also, while the tactical market may seem saturated, I've personally found it difficult to find decent scopes at a good price in the 40-44mm objective range. Almost all tactical scopes are automatically 50mm. I think 40mm and 44mm Ziess Conquests in MIL/MIL would sell very well. I would buy one in a heartbeat before any Bushnell or Leupold.

 

[OKbow87]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

Trust me, I am a moa guy. So every time a new tactical scope comes out and isn't offered in moa, I feel the same way you guys are about these scopes. I just don't complain about it because it doesn't help anything. If premier would make a scope I thought I could trust, I would have several 5-25 heritage moa's. but they don't so I continue to run nightforce.

I have a good contact at Swarovski and he tells me the long range shooting/hunting and tactical market is growing so fast it could end up being bigger than the entire archery industry! Don't see Swarovski throwing out mil scopes like crazy though do ya. This market is just still so small, and most guys that are players in it understand you get what you pay for. So they pay the extra money for the high end stuff.

I think zeiss hit right what they were aiming at here. My coyote rifle will most likely wear the 5-25. Half a pound lighter than the current 3-15 nxs, 20 moa will get me to 1k, and most likely better glass. Truth be told almost all my coyotes are killed on 6x, but I routinely shoot steel to 1k with this rifle and it gets pdog work as well.

 

[JBD56]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I ordered out a 3-15 with target turret today for a 6.5 WSM. This is a hunting rifle that has worn a 3-15 NF for the last year. The new scope will take a lot of weight off the package (including smaller rings) and still give me the option to dial or use the ranging capabilities of the Z-plex reticle. These scopes aren't tactical and aren't meant to be. The glass on this scope will be a big step up in quality over the NF with the coatings Zeiss is putting on them.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OKbow87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are very few scopes out there that are not driven as "tactical" that has .1 mrad adjustments. Ask most hunters and they probably have absolutely no clue what a mil radian is.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Really? What are most of the Zeiss "hunting" scopes sold in Europe?</span>

A 1" tube is "un-tactical" because it has dick for elevation adjustment. You will be lucky to even get 2 revolutions out of a 20 moa knob, even with a 20 moa base.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Most 1" tubes will get a person to the practical range of their cartridge. The 67 IPHY of the 4.5-15x50 Conquest get the lowly .308 to 1k with a 20 MOA base.</span>

Wouldn't you think they dropped the mil dot reticle because most people who buy the conquest line of scopes are hunters looking for hold over points. So a drop reticle with more fine aiming points that are closer together is much more attractive to them?
<span style="color: #FF0000">Not at all. Most companies offer a mil-dot in multiple lines. Nikon, Leupold, Swift, Bushnell....how many articles have we seen over the last three or four years about "tactical scopes for hunting"? The same thing that makes a good "tactical" scope makes a good hunting scope.</span>


Obviously they think the mid price tactical market is already pretty saturated or they would probably be a player. Big companies are not into losing money. They aren't gonna bring out a line of scopes if they don't think they will sell enough to even cover the cost of design and r&d.
<span style="color: #FF0000">It doesn't require a new line. It requires using reticles that they have on other models, actually their old version of this model, and the knobs to match are used on other scopes in their line.</span>

My point is complaining about a scope for not having enough mil options when it is not a tactical scope and directed towards hunters in futile. There are plenty of other options out there. Pick one. <span style="color: #FF0000">Actually, no there aren't a lot of options in the $1000 price point that are usable with good glass. We've got the Vortex PST, Leupold Mark 4 Target model (which also has the same problem). Beyond that a guy has to step up to a Bushnell. Ironic, huh? Bushnell over Zeiss? Ironic, I sold three Conquests because I got sick of IPHY/mil. </span></div></div>

 

[steve123]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OKbow87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are very few scopes out there that are not driven as "tactical" that has .1 mrad adjustments. Ask most hunters and they probably have absolutely no clue what a mil radian is.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Really? What are most of the Zeiss "hunting" scopes sold in Europe?</span>

A 1" tube is "un-tactical" because it has dick for elevation adjustment. You will be lucky to even get 2 revolutions out of a 20 moa knob, even with a 20 moa base.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Most 1" tubes will get a person to the practical range of their cartridge. The 67 IPHY of the 4.5-15x50 Conquest get the lowly .308 to 1k with a 20 MOA base.</span>

Wouldn't you think they dropped the mil dot reticle because most people who buy the conquest line of scopes are hunters looking for hold over points. So a drop reticle with more fine aiming points that are closer together is much more attractive to them?
<span style="color: #FF0000">Not at all. Most companies offer a mil-dot in multiple lines. Nikon, Leupold, Swift, Bushnell....how many articles have we seen over the last three or four years about "tactical scopes for hunting"? The same thing that makes a good "tactical" scope makes a good hunting scope.</span>


Obviously they think the mid price tactical market is already pretty saturated or they would probably be a player. Big companies are not into losing money. They aren't gonna bring out a line of scopes if they don't think they will sell enough to even cover the cost of design and r&d.
<span style="color: #FF0000">It doesn't require a new line. It requires using reticles that they have on other models, actually their old version of this model, and the knobs to match are used on other scopes in their line.</span>

My point is complaining about a scope for not having enough mil options when it is not a tactical scope and directed towards hunters in futile. There are plenty of other options out there. Pick one. <span style="color: #FF0000">Actually, no there aren't a lot of options in the $1000 price point that are usable with good glass. We've got the Vortex PST, Leupold Mark 4 Target model (which also has the same problem). Beyond that a guy has to step up to a Bushnell. Ironic, huh? Bushnell over Zeiss? Ironic, I sold three Conquests because I got sick of IPHY/mil. </span></div></div> </div></div>

I'm with Tyler on this and will add that a nice 1" tubed FFP mil/mil lightweight and compact riflescope with good glass would be a perfect solution on my lighter hunting rifles which I am unable to resist using for long range.

 

[ccoker]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

I have been pushing on Kahles to come out with a lightweight "tactical/hunting" scope....

They have the glass and the mechanics down.

Take the old CL series and change the multizero to just a simple marked turret in .1 mil

 

[OKbow87]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OKbow87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are very few scopes out there that are not driven as "tactical" that has .1 mrad adjustments. Ask most hunters and they probably have absolutely no clue what a mil radian is.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Really? What are most of the Zeiss "hunting" scopes sold in Europe?</span>
Obviously because they use the metric system. We are talking about here. How many of those scopes do they import to their us market?


A 1" tube is "un-tactical" because it has dick for elevation adjustment. You will be lucky to even get 2 revolutions out of a 20 moa knob, even with a 20 moa base.
<span style="color: #FF0000">Most 1" tubes will get a person to the practical range of their cartridge. The 67 IPHY of the 4.5-15x50 Conquest get the lowly .308 to 1k with a 20 MOA base.</span>
Thats great if you like working at the very end of your erector system. Not me. I am out on that. All you are doing is asking for tracking issues, and limited windage adjustments because of the shape of a tube...

Wouldn't you think they dropped the mil dot reticle because most people who buy the conquest line of scopes are hunters looking for hold over points. So a drop reticle with more fine aiming points that are closer together is much more attractive to them?
<span style="color: #FF0000">Not at all. Most companies offer a mil-dot in multiple lines. Nikon, Leupold, Swift, Bushnell....how many articles have we seen over the last three or four years about "tactical scopes for hunting"? The same thing that makes a good "tactical" scope makes a good hunting scope.</span>
That is all fine and dandy, but doesn't change the fact that they dropped it for a reason. I worked in a shop where we sold zeiss scopes, and when the rapid z reticles came out they sold 10-1 over mil dot options.


Obviously they think the mid price tactical market is already pretty saturated or they would probably be a player. Big companies are not into losing money. They aren't gonna bring out a line of scopes if they don't think they will sell enough to even cover the cost of design and r&d.
<span style="color: #FF0000">It doesn't require a new line. It requires using reticles that they have on other models, actually their old version of this model, and the knobs to match are used on other scopes in their line.</span>
So they put a mil dot reticle in this scope and mil adjustments and nothing else. You buy this scope, take it out and have issues with it not tracking right because you shoot longer ranges than the average person and are working on the end of the erector system. Same happens with other people from this sight, and then it gets plastered all over the internet that it is a no tracking piece. I don't think so. Zeiss isn't just gonna slap something together. They don't make money by making guesses.

My point is complaining about a scope for not having enough mil options when it is not a tactical scope and directed towards hunters in futile. There are plenty of other options out there. Pick one. <span style="color: #FF0000">Actually, no there aren't a lot of options in the $1000 price point that are usable with good glass. We've got the Vortex PST, Leupold Mark 4 Target model (which also has the same problem). Beyond that a guy has to step up to a Bushnell. Ironic, huh? Bushnell over Zeiss? Ironic, I sold three Conquests because I got sick of IPHY/mil. </span></div></div> </div></div>
And Burris, IOR, Nikon, Sightron, SS, Weaver... There are tons of mil mil option mid priced tactical scopes out there. By the time Zeiss put together what you want and dubbed it tactical... mo money!


After all this we still end up at... These are hunting scopes, aimed at American hunters. They are gonna put in the reticles and features that are going to sell to the masses.

The only way they could do what you are asking and not lose money would to do an individual dealer exclusive. Say a cameraland special unit that has mil adjustments and a mil dot. And only make a 100 at a time and he is the only place you can get one. They aren't going to make thousands and spread them out over hundreds of dealers and hope they get picked up one by one here and there. This is actually a viable option.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

So you're saying they were losing money on the mil-dot models from last year? I'll be damned. Its a wonder they are still in business after selling that model for a decade or so.

All they would have to do is make it mil-dot and use their existing turrets in .1 mRad (which they use on their European hunting scopes) rather than 1/4 IPHY that nobody uses anyway.

If they are going to lose on anything its probably that gimmick of a Z1000/Z600 reticle.

They don't have to "dub" it tactical. Just offer practical options for the hunter.

How is it Zeiss would lose money on mil-dots when Sightron, Bushnell, etc do not?

 

[OKbow87]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

Never said they lost money on them. Just said the rapid z sell more, or at least did at the time when I was selling them.

I understand your complaint though. It is an attractive scope with some good features and you want it available in mil. I have the same problem all the time in our little specialized sector. Almost every good tactical scope that comes out now a days is only in mils, especially on the high end. I was so happy when nightforce came out with the np-r1 and np-r2 reticles because I would never have to buy a moa/mil scope again. Ranging and everything became so much more simple for me. That is still what I run today for that reason.

I was just trying to shed some light as to why they aren't offering those kind of options. Obviously we are not going to agree on it, so we can just leave it at that.

 

[spitz]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

What I'm wondering is if the locking turrets are the same as on the diavari (asv turret)?

Is it just the elevation turret or is the windage a locking turret as well?

Also, am I missing something? It looked as though there are 70 inches of elevation adjustment at 100 yards, wouldn't that mean approx 70 Moa? Rather than just the 20 being discussed?

I think it'll be a great lightweight hunting scope!

 

[ccoker]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

It's a lower profile turret than the ASV.
I liked the ASV locking feature a lot for a hunting rifle.
I ran it on my 280AI and usually had it set for 250 yards.
But if hunting a thick area I might have ran it at 100 yards.

Kind of best of both worlds really. Ability to dial in or lock in.

 

[warbird2006]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

Great HUNTING scopes

 

[The_FNG]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

So do these reticles have any use other than .308? Are they in MOA or only calibrated for .308?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_fng</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So do these reticles have any use other than .308? Are they in MOA or only calibrated for .308? </div></div>

RAPID-Z 1000 is the only reticle that is specifically designed for .308
168-175gr. None of the RAPID-Z reticles are MOA - all are inches.

RAPID-Z 600, 800 and Varmint are designed by caliber class.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

Doug,
What is the weight of the 3-15?
Thanks!

 

[The_FNG]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gr8fuldoug</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: the_fng</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So do these reticles have any use other than .308? Are they in MOA or only calibrated for .308? </div></div>

RAPID-Z 1000 is the only reticle that is specifically designed for .308
168-175gr. None of the RAPID-Z reticles are MOA - all are inches.

RAPID-Z 600, 800 and Varmint are designed by caliber class.
</div></div>

Cheers mate, you wouldn't think it would be hard for them to at least put an moa reticle in there, they'd probably sell a metric shit tonne of them then.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Re: Zeiss Conquest HD5 Riflescope Press Release

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kimber7wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doug,
What is the weight of the 3-15?
Thanks! </div></div>


Length 13.8 inch



Weight 18.4 oz

 

[Muskett]

Just bought two HD5's the 3-15 and 5-15; though not arrived yet. Both are for hunting rifles: a .17hmr and a .223. Its the locking target turrets that won me over compared to the competition, as I hate non locking target turrets especially when some turn with so little effort (Bushnel). Both scopes with plex reticules. Why you may ask?
Firstly, I have a laser rangefinder so never need to use a reticule for ranging. All I want is a good point of aim which a plex will give.
Secondly, when hunting I shoot 80% at point blank range give or take an inch (120m for the HMR and 180m(?) for the .223). Occasionally, when I have the time and want to shoot something tiny at range, then I'll dial both windage and elevation. I agree 1/4 inch is only just fine enough. These HD5's will give me both options.
I like 2FP especially as a lot of my shooting can be done at lower magnification and I like to see my reticle at the lower magnification.

My other rifles have Zeiss Victory scopes, 2FP, 60 ill rets and 0.5cm clicks. Heavy but perfect on my culling rifles. If I was allowed a tactical rifle (I'm from the UK) then 1stFP and a ladder would be great; but not for my deliberate hunting. I do a lot of dusk shooting (and some lamping and NV).

European hunters generally use little magnification as most game is taken at 120m or less.... some running flat out. Its the growth of varmint shooting that have forced the European makers to add things like Elevation turrets (Swaro where is the windage???), and the American market. Funnily, the Europeans were always 1FP advocates unlike the US, because a more robust scope can be made in 1FP. Things have changed and scopes are now so much more complicated as we ask more and more. American scopes now in 1FP and European in 2FP...well things have changed.

I think these HD5's are hitting the market just right. Want more then it will cost double. Best glass with little weight for hunting then its big bucks Swaro. Even NF has upped its glass with its Beast. Lastly, I predict Karles is the manufacturer to look out for next.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have Zeiss scopes on all but my compact Rugers. I have 5, 4 with RapidZ reticles. I find them superb hunting scopes as is my Z-plex on my .375 H&H. I have a Leupy 3.5-10x40 with duplex on an M1A because I wanted to be able to rotate wind age knob out of the way if it hit the knob with ejected brass. I find Leupy VX3 & Zeiss Conquest high on value for price for my shooting, but I am a relative nOOb for Ld precision shooting with glass. I have a fair amount of experience with mil high power with irons, including 600 yards.

I'm currently debating my target rifle scope but admit to the Zeiss with RapidZ1000 being on the list.

FH

 

[ColdBlood]

This is a lightweight predator (mostly coyote) rig that I recently built. 8.75 lbs unloaded, including glass and bipod. I went with the HD5 in 3-15x42 with the Rapid-Z 600 reticle. Because of the light weight and 3-15x magnification, this has to be the most versatile setup I've ever owned. I can comfortably shoot it off-hand at 3x, but it's capable of shooting 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 yards (Black Hills 77's and PRVI 75's both did that well).

They have an "app" of sorts on their website that allows me to plug in my ballistics and it will tell me the yardage each holdover mark coincides with. I zero at 100 yds, so this reticle will get me out to roughly 400+ yds with 77 grain SMKs out of a 16" barrel. That works for me...past that, I'd grab a 308, as windy as it gets out here. I didn't really start off looking for a 15x top end, but 3x is as low as I need, and the extra power is a huge plus for ID'ing critters in low light (gathers light very very well for a 42mm objective). The glass is excellent, as you'd expect.

It's probably not for the tactical crowd, but for hunting, it's exactly what a LOT of guys want. This scope has/does everything I need it to...clear glass, good light gathering, resettable turrets, drop reticle with ranging capability, and side parallax adjustment. All the "tactical features" just add weight and cost that I don't need for this particular application. This quality of glass and power range in a 30 mm tactical scope would make for a considerably heavier, more expensive scope (Nightforce 3.5-15x is 12 oz. heavier). I like my tactical setups as much as the next guy, but not for a predator hunting setup (gotta be light/handy/quick).

 

[Cross C]

Excellent scope that will undoubtably be the demise of many coyotes all over the country. I'm really excited about this thing as it will be sexy on an AR or a lightweight hunting rig. Big kudos to Zeiss for filling the lightweight, extended range, quality glass, affordable & durable niche.

Can't wait to slap one (or two) on my rigs!