Author: Bloodstriker
Subject: Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25x50 Initial Thoughts
Posted: June/05/2013 at 18:51
I just received and mounted my Zeiss Conquest 5-25x50 Rapid Z Varmint today. I was looking for more information about this scope prior to buying and could find much, so here are my initial thoughts for anybody interested in this scope. I will be comparing it to the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 and the S&B PMII 5-25x56.
Image Quality:
The image is clear, bright, and has good contrast. However, there is a bit of pin-cushioning at the edges. This is very, very minor, but if one really looks for it, it's there.
Compared to the old Conquest, the clarity is about the same. However, the image is noticeably brighter and has better contrast. This may or may not have to do with the larger objective lens.
Obviously, the S&B PMII wins hands down in image quality. It has it beat in every category. And it should, since it's 3x the price. However, the HD5 is no slouch. I look at both scopes at objects from 100M - 10KM. Where the S&B really shines is at longer distances (700m and up). Still, the HD5 was able to pick up on mirage at long distances.
Adjustments:
The new HD5 target turrets have a good feel to them. They're nothing spectacular, but they aren't mushy either. There's a total of 65 MOA of elevation. The problem really comes with the zero stop. I'm only able to get 16.5 MOA of elevation with the zero stop installed. IMHO, this is the weakest point of the scope and may be a deal breaker for some. The zero stop can be completely taken out if the user wishes.
Tracking:
Will report soon.
Reticle:
The Rapid Z Varmint reticle is very good for it's intended purpose. The stadia strike a good balance of being thin enough for target shooting and thick enough for varminting - which is to say, they are thin.
Size and Weight:
The HD5's size is perfect for it's power range and objective size. I could not ask for much more. It is an extremely compact 5-25x50 scope with a 1" tube. It's only slightly longer than the 4.5-14x44 and much, much shorter than the PMII. I had also compared the HD5 side by side with a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50, and the length of the HD5 only reaches the start of the bell of the Viper.
I would expect a scope of this size to be very light. However, that's not the case. The scope has some heft to it. Not as heavy as the PMII, but not nearly as light as the 4.5-14x44.
Pros:
Excellent glass
Good magnification range
Positive feeling turrets without being too stiff
Locking Turrets
Cons:
Zero stop limits total usable elevation
A bit on the heavy side
Closing Thoughts:
I am extremely happy with the Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 thus far. The two best features of this scope are the magnification range and glass quality. I had compared this scope to the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP and although the Vortex had pretty much every feature I could ask for, the Zeiss had it beat in glass and size.
130M @ 5x
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130M @ 25x
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Subject: Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25x50 Initial Thoughts
Posted: June/05/2013 at 18:51
I just received and mounted my Zeiss Conquest 5-25x50 Rapid Z Varmint today. I was looking for more information about this scope prior to buying and could find much, so here are my initial thoughts for anybody interested in this scope. I will be comparing it to the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 and the S&B PMII 5-25x56.
Image Quality:
The image is clear, bright, and has good contrast. However, there is a bit of pin-cushioning at the edges. This is very, very minor, but if one really looks for it, it's there.
Compared to the old Conquest, the clarity is about the same. However, the image is noticeably brighter and has better contrast. This may or may not have to do with the larger objective lens.
Obviously, the S&B PMII wins hands down in image quality. It has it beat in every category. And it should, since it's 3x the price. However, the HD5 is no slouch. I look at both scopes at objects from 100M - 10KM. Where the S&B really shines is at longer distances (700m and up). Still, the HD5 was able to pick up on mirage at long distances.
Adjustments:
The new HD5 target turrets have a good feel to them. They're nothing spectacular, but they aren't mushy either. There's a total of 65 MOA of elevation. The problem really comes with the zero stop. I'm only able to get 16.5 MOA of elevation with the zero stop installed. IMHO, this is the weakest point of the scope and may be a deal breaker for some. The zero stop can be completely taken out if the user wishes.
Tracking:
Will report soon.
Reticle:
The Rapid Z Varmint reticle is very good for it's intended purpose. The stadia strike a good balance of being thin enough for target shooting and thick enough for varminting - which is to say, they are thin.
Size and Weight:
The HD5's size is perfect for it's power range and objective size. I could not ask for much more. It is an extremely compact 5-25x50 scope with a 1" tube. It's only slightly longer than the 4.5-14x44 and much, much shorter than the PMII. I had also compared the HD5 side by side with a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50, and the length of the HD5 only reaches the start of the bell of the Viper.
I would expect a scope of this size to be very light. However, that's not the case. The scope has some heft to it. Not as heavy as the PMII, but not nearly as light as the 4.5-14x44.
Pros:
Excellent glass
Good magnification range
Positive feeling turrets without being too stiff
Locking Turrets
Cons:
Zero stop limits total usable elevation
A bit on the heavy side
Closing Thoughts:
I am extremely happy with the Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 thus far. The two best features of this scope are the magnification range and glass quality. I had compared this scope to the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP and although the Vortex had pretty much every feature I could ask for, the Zeiss had it beat in glass and size.
130M @ 5x
130M @ 25x
