Rifle Scopes Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x MOA

[wigwamitus]

Based on a suggestion in an earlier thread from another member ... I got one of these ... that thread was more about alternatives to the NXS 2.5-10x42 .. and I have one of those also. For me it is about light scopes with a zero stop ... I shoot a lot at night and a dialing scope needs a zero stop at night. And there are not very many entries in that field. But the Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x MOA is one of them.

So, one issue with the scope is it is much longer than the NF scope, being 14 inches long, compared to 12.

The diopter is very easy to turn, perhaps too easy.

The parallax is very hard to turn.

I messed up with the illumination battery housing cover. Never could get it to fit back on right and it fell off in the field. I have tape over it now. I'll see if Zeiss can get me another one.

The illumination itself is nice annd lights up the entire reticle and has 11 settings, which is plenty.

I finally set the zero stop. I set it down 2 clicks, so in theory I dial down and then click back up 2 clicks to get to my zero. This gives me 2 clicks worth of "play" for atmospherics.

This is the "ZMOA" reticle and is a standard MOA-hash reticle with 40 moa up, and 40 moa left and 40 moa right and 20 moa down. This is my first MOA reticle scope. Its SFP and has 1/4 MOA clicks on the turrets.

It weighs 22.6 oz which is 2.1 oz heavier than the NF.

Since I just finished setting the zero stop, I haven't dialed with it in the field yet, but I have shot some wind practice at 500yds and was holding for wind and elevation and getting hits.

I do want to get the power throw lever.

I'm using Spuhr 30mm/34mm ISMS mount, which is very easy to level with the provided tool and will be attempting to use the patrol as the primary clipon for this rifle. I've used the UTC-x and the SNIPE and gotten kills with both this season.
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So, net/net for a light scope with parallax adjustment and a zero stop for under $1000 this (Japanese) Zeiss scope seems to fit the bill. I need to get a replacement cap and a PTL, so I will be testing Zeiss support to see how they can support these scopes!

 

[bigbadbrad]

I use v4 also, can definitely see longer into dusk and early morning than my vortex.

 

[10ring'r]

Very good review and one hell of a kit. Hope all works out and gives you great service. Mac

 

[.50 Cal Cow]

Have shared experience as yours with the parallax and zoom being extremely stiff. I have the vortex defender scope cap over the diopter so can’t say I’ve noticed the tension one way or another but dont recall anything noteworthy while setting.

I do like how they designed their zero stop, its a pretty hard and definitive stop. Turrets definitely dont make a lot of clicky noise when turning but they are distinct enough in feel and its always returned to zero so far.

Mine has sat on a tikka ctr and used for general range and hunting. all in all it has been a pretty good value scope thats been drama free.

 

[Totoro]

Great feedback Wig.

Do you see the plastic windage cap being an issue?

 

[wigwamitus]

Well, I will probably leave the windage cap in the house when doing anything serious, so no. The manual says the windage turret is waterproof and you don't need the cap. But, to "zero" the turret, you pull the turret out and turn it and the release it. So, if it got "snagged" on something, it might move. Though you could potentially just reset it back, etc, etc. So, it isn't perfect either way. But under $1000 scope will always have more tradeoffs than over $3000 scope

 

[bigbadbrad]

Great feedback Wig.

Do you see the plastic windage cap being an issue?

It isn't an issue, had to check but they feel more durable than the aluminum vortex caps, maybe not as much as much as the leupold caps but damn close.

 

[wigwamitus]

I'm just worried about dropping it and loosing it.

If it can be dropped and lost, I will drop it and loose it. Now I might find it again 1-2 years later ...

 

[yej0001]

Thanks for the review.

What’s your impression on the optical quality of the glass as compared to other mid-range scopes? I know this question may open a can of worms since it’s a subjective matter. I am not looking for scientific answer, just your subjective impression when you look through the scope. I know V6 line has top tier glass, and am curious about the V4 Japanese glass.

 

[wigwamitus]

I have three active bolt guns right now

Top to bottom

.300WM(24) NF 7-35x T3 UTC-x
7.62(22) NF 4-16x T3 SNIPE
7.62(20) Zeiss 4-16x MOA PATROL

So, the Zeiss gets run side by side with those two atacrs day and night ... and I don't notice any issue day or night in terms of the glass. All of them are way better than the Burris xtr2s I ran for several years. I think the NF glass is Japanese also. But I don't think country of orgin matters as much as the specs they are made to. Welll at least if the countries of origin are Japan or Germany (and other nearby - to Germany - countries) ... basically all of those have TONS of experience making glass, so they can probably make it as good as the buyer wants to pay for it to get made.
I also have Zeiss 10x45 LRF binos ... and that glass is the best I've got, it is truly breath taking. But between those three scopes, I couldn't make a choice based on glass.

I think the atacrs are heftier and sturdier ... but the Zeiss is pretty easy to use. I just didn't like the illum battery cap ... lost it in the field ... couldn't get it back on right. If I can get another one I'll try harder. But setting the zero stop was easier than the NF(s).

 

[yej0001]

Thank you for detailed analysis. This has been very helpful. I always found unbiased impression from experienced user more helpful to me than articles from professionals.

The reason I asked was that Zeiss had a terrific second-tier scope lineup (Zeiss conquest MC) made by Meopta in Czech Republic, then changed it to Zeiss HD5 line that had poor user reviews regarding the optical quality of the glass (there was no consensus on the origin of the HD5 glass). The V4 is at the same prize range as conquest MC and HD5. It seems they had stepped up in the glass department.

Z6/Z8 scopes use Schott glass, FL lenses treatment, T* coating, and are replacement of their famed Diavary Victory line. The glass quality of Victory line was held up their with SB PMII. Your bino probably has that lineage.

Again thank you for the review!

 

[wigwamitus]

Just called Zeiss. They will send me out a replacement cap for the battery compartment and I will be more careful with it!

And I think I get the PTL for free as part of a rebate program.

 

[wigwamitus]

Received the Illum/Parallax knob cap from Zeiss USA Support ... they are +1 in my book !!!