$350 Scope Recommendations

[BayouBuck985]

I have a trijicon huron 3-12x40 and like it so far. I recall reading some folks comments here or on RS that the eye relief is better than specified, and I'd agree. I can't tell any difference between it and my Leupold VX3s.

Good to hear. I used to have a VX-iii and was very pleased with it.

 

[mtmuley]

Look for an older VX2. mtmuley

 

[Redmt]

Look for an older VX2. mtmuley

Check on Gun Broker. I think I saw one there yesterday.

 

[BayouBuck985]

I have a trijicon huron 3-12x40 and like it so far. I recall reading some folks comments here or on RS that the eye relief is better than specified, and I'd agree. I can't tell any difference between it and my Leupold VX3s.

I just checked one out at my local gun store. They don’t sell many Trijicon’s, so the last two they have (2.5-10x40 w/ 30mm tube and 3-9x40 1” tube w/ BDC reticle) are just over $400. The eye relief is definitely better than Trijicon advertises; however, the VX Freedom looked to be noticeably brighter and clearer in the well-lit store, and the salesman said the glass in the Leupold is better than the Japanese glass in the Trijicon. Seems hard to believe.

 

[BayouBuck985]

Does anyone have any experience with the older Zeiss Conquest MC line of scopes? I can probably pick one up used locally for $425. I would like to know how this would compare to the Burris Fullfield, VX Freedom, and Trijicon Huron. I think these are the final four for consideration.

 

[Bux_N_Beards]

Does anyone have any experience with the older Zeiss Conquest MC line of scopes? I can probably pick one up used locally for $425. I would like to know how this would compare to the Burris Fullfield, VX Freedom, and Trijicon Huron. I think these are the final four for consideration

I’ve owned two of them and still have one in service. They punch well above their price point. If the lenses are good it would be a solid option that I’d definitely take over the first two options you listed.

 

[BayouBuck985]

I’ve owned two of them and still have one in service. They punch well above their price point. If the lenses are good it would be a solid option that I’d definitely take over the first two options you listed.

Yeah, seriously tempted to get one of those. I can get a 3.5-10X44 Conquest for $385, like-new condition. I was also tempted by a 3-9X36 Diavari T* one made in Germany (eBay listing), but I don’t know if there’s that much of a difference in glass quality, and it may be about $50 more after taxes and shipping. Any experience on how that German T* would compare to the MC assembled in the USA? @Bux_N_Beards

 

[Bux_N_Beards]

Yeah, seriously tempted to get one of those. I can get a 3.5-10X44 Conquest for $385, like-new condition. I was also tempted by a 3-9X36 Diavari T* one made in Germany (eBay listing), but I don’t know if there’s that much of a difference in glass quality, and it may be about $50 more after taxes and shipping. Any experience on how that German T* would compare to the MC assembled in the USA? @Bux_N_Beards

No direct experience with the Diavari but I had a 3.5-10x44 like you reference. I sent it back to Zeiss to have an elevation turret added. Why I sold that scope I don’t know, but I regret it.

Only other direct Zeiss experience I have is with a 3-9x40 Conquest MC that’s been on several rifles over the years and a newer V4 which I like everything about except the reticle.

If the glass is in good shape I don’t think you’d go wrong snagging that one for $385.

 

[Bonasababy]

I haven't...and sure won't now...bought a new scope in years. There are so many better nearly new used ones out there.

 

[BayouBuck985]

No direct experience with the Diavari but I had a 3.5-10x44 like you reference. I sent it back to Zeiss to have an elevation turret added. Why I sold that scope I don’t know, but I regret it.

Only other direct Zeiss experience I have is with a 3-9x40 Conquest MC that’s been on several rifles over the years and a newer V4 which I like everything about except the reticle.

If the glass is in good shape I don’t think you’d go wrong snagging that one for $385.

@Bux_N_Beards Well after looking through the Zeiss Conquest MC that was being sold locally in the classifieds compared to my Leupold VX Freedom, I had to decline buying it, as my Leupold looked much brighter, and what I really liked more was the greater eye relief of my Leupold (seemed about an inch more). It also seemed to quickly produce a nice wide sight picture, whereas the Zeiss was sensitive and easily prone to shadowing along the edges. I briefly had a Zeiss Conquest V4 which I sold, which was dumb in hindsight. I was really expecting to snag that Conquest MC which would be replacing my 3-9X40 Leupold. Possibly this scope was just not in great optical condition. Back to square one for me in the optics hunt.

 

[BayouBuck985]

I have a trijicon huron 3-12x40 and like it so far. I recall reading some folks comments here or on RS that the eye relief is better than specified, and I'd agree. I can't tell any difference between it and my Leupold VX3s.

@Bux_N_Beards Well after looking through the Zeiss Conquest MC that was being sold locally in the classifieds compared to my Leupold VX Freedom, I had to decline buying it, as my Leupold looked much brighter, and what I really liked more was the greater eye relief of my Leupold (seemed about an inch more). It also seemed to quickly produce a nice wide sight picture, whereas the Zeiss was sensitive and easily prone to shadowing along the edges. I briefly had a Zeiss Conquest V4 which I sold, which was dumb in hindsight. I was really expecting to snag that Conquest MC which would be replacing my 3-9X40 Leupold. Possibly this scope was just not in great optical condition. Back to square one for me in the optics hunt.

For those keeping score, I ended up picking up a used Meopta MeoPro 3-9X42 that’s 99% in my home state for only $300 shipped. From what I hear, those are pretty solid and largely under-rated. We shall see. Not a big investment if it doesn’t live up to the hype.

 

[Wyoming270]

The viper 2.5-10 scope midway has marked down to $250. You wont find better glass for under $800. 44 ft field of view at 100 yards is a wild thing when your hunting close in with brush. I have it on one rifle and am considering 3 more.

 

[BayouBuck985]

The viper 2.5-10 scope midway has marked down to $250. You wont find better glass for under $800. 44 ft field of view at 100 yards is a wild thing when your hunting close in with brush. I have it on one rifle and am considering 3 more.

Yes, and I did take advantage of that deal a few months ago only to sell it along with the rifle it was on. The Viper HD is a step above that HS model, but the HS is still a good value at $250. The HD’s are almost double that cost, and I thought about that but when I came across the Meopta, I decided it was a solid deal. It’s in mint condition, and I hear these are similar to the Zeiss Conquest and quite bright in low light but with greater eye relief. Unless all the other forum site reviews are lies, haha.

 

[Wyoming270]

Yes, and I did take advantage of that deal a few months ago only to sell it along with the rifle it was on. The Viper HD is a step above that HS model, but the HS is still a good value at $250. The HD’s are almost double that cost, and I thought about that but when I came across the Meopta, I decided it was a solid deal. It’s in mint condition, and I hear these are similar to the Zeiss Conquest and quite bright in low light but with greater eye relief. Unless all the other forum site reviews are lies, haha.

I dont get too caught up in the individual letters vortex gives glass. i bought a pair of diamondbacks in high school, not long after they hit the market. a few years ago they were warrantied and replaced with a new hd version. I liked the old glass better than hd. Where vortex gets real goofy is one line vs another line will have different features, sometimes worse features, aside from of the glass is improved or not. a lot of the first gen viper designs i prefer over current production. the first gen viper bino 15x50 was one of them. tiniest 15x bino ever made and it was crisp. Scopes same thing, the diamondback hd scopes are firet gen vipers they rebranded. I prefer many of those to current viper lines with all the letters after the name.