Zeiss Conquest v Nikon X1000 V Nikon Monarch 5

[NZVarminter]

I have an older conquest MC 6.5-20*50 which I love...real bright optics, huge apparent FOV, light weight, 1" tube, return to zero, target turrets...whats not to like about it.

But then the replaced them with the inferior HD5's which I do not like at all so I'm looking for something else for my next on. I think there is a big whole in the market out there for medium priced, light weight long range scopes. All the other ones out there like nightforce, Vortex are way too heavy at 30 oz. Leupolds VX6 in the 4-24 looks great but too expensive and they have dropped it for hte VX5 but thats only in 3-15 power.

I've ruled out the Sigtrons SIII. Everyone raves about them, but I looked at one and its not even close to my zeiss MC for brightness.

So all thats left is Nikons Monarch 5 in 4-20 which is perfect power range, or their newer X1000 6-24, or Bushnels new Engage 6-24. All three of these are quite a bit less than the Zeiss was ($500-700).

So what are the optics like in these three compared to my Zeiss MC...The X1000 and Engage models arnt being sold in NZ so I cant look at them to compare to my Zeiss. Will I be dissapointed with thier optices compared to my Zeiss???

 

[jawjaboy]

What about Meopta? From what I understand they made the old Conquests.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have the Nikon Black X1000 6-24x50 and the Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 on two rifles. The Nikon X1000 is a very nice scope for its price point. Pretty much the equal to the Zeiss HD5 for clarity in daylight, but the Nikon has better low light gathering ability. Eyebox is much more forgiving on the X1000 at 24X than the HD5 is at 25X. The X1000 is a very solid optic as well. You can tell the X1000 was built to last a lifetime. Turret adjustments are solid. Not 'NightForce soild', but they are very positive with no mushy feeling. Much like the Nikon Monarch scopes. Pretty good deal for half the price of the Zeiss.

Havent looked through the Monarch 5. Problem I have with other high powered Nikon scope lines, other than the new X1000, is lack of elevation adjustment for long range shooting with turrets and horrible reticles. I can't stand the Nikon BDC reticle and the only other option is the standard Nikoplex. The reticles in the X1000 line are very nice free floating glass etched reticles with illumination and I counted 71 MOA from bottom to top on my elevation turret (turrets are in mils, converted it to MOA for you). WAY better than anything Nikon has ever offered in the past.

If the Zeiss HD5 was $100 cheaper than the Nikon Black X1000, I would still buy the X1000. I do like my Zeiss HD5, but I feel they are definitely overpriced.

Meopta did make the old Zeiss Conquest MC riflescopes. When they quit making them to focus more on their own sporting optics lines, Zeiss came out with the HD5. As stated before, if you like the old Conquest MC glass, look at Meopta scopes. I have Meopta Meostar HD binoculars and a Meostar S2 HD spotting scope. They are hands down the best glass I have seen for the money. Easily match Swarovski HD for clarity, contrast, and brightness.

 

[yukonal]

Good info slinger. You hear so many good things about Meopta, this is another one. I love my Conquests, and have over 1/2 dozen on various guns.

I'm going to take a closer look at Meopta.

 

[NZVarminter]

Yes your right the Meopta are now making the old Zeiss MC under their brand as the Meopro HTR, so I thought I was sorted and I bought one an had it shipped over to me here in New Zealand as the NZ agents are sourcing their stock direct from CZ and the HTR is US made.

It arrive about a month ago and guess what... Meopta have completely ruined what was the best mid priced long range scopes out there! They have changed the turrets and removed the return to zero feature and reduced turret adjustment range from 46 (with the Zeiss) to a measly 30 moa, so this scope is no use for long range shooting!

I have now returned the scope to Scopelist.com (looks like they are part of EuroOptics) who have been great to deal with. I have also been in contact with Meopta over these issues but had to resort to posting on their facebook page before I could get a response!

It does annoy me that Meopta specifically advertise the HTR as "the optical tool of the trade for versatile shooters that thrive at extended distances" when its is clearly not fit for that purpose, so I doubt I will buy any more Meopta products.

I put the HTR alongside my Zeiss MC and HD5 and on dusk at 20x, the HD5 has a very slight edge on the MC, and then the HTR but not enough in it to make a real difference. However, with my eyes, I can resolve more detail at 20x with my MC than I can at 25x with the HD, so I dont believe the Zeiss HD glass is really "better" than the old MC and the HD scope has significanly heavier, and has noticeably more tunnel FOV so I wont be buying any more HD5's either.

Lead Slinger... thats really great that your more than happy with the Nikon X1000 compared to the Zeiss HD5.

Looks like the X1000 might get the tick.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yes your right the Meopta are now making the old Zeiss MC under their brand as the Meopro HTR, so I thought I was sorted and I bought one an had it shipped over to me here in New Zealand as the NZ agents are sourcing their stock direct from CZ and the HTR is US made.

It arrive about a month ago and guess what... Meopta have completely ruined what was the best mid priced long range scopes out there! They have changed the turrets and removed the return to zero feature and reduced turret adjustment range from 46 (with the Zeiss) to a measly 30 moa, so this scope is no use for long range shooting!

I have now returned the scope to Scopelist.com (looks like they are part of EuroOptics) who have been great to deal with. I have also been in contact with Meopta over these issues but had to resort to posting on their facebook page before I could get a response!

It does annoy me that Meopta specifically advertise the HTR as "the optical tool of the trade for versatile shooters that thrive at extended distances" when its is clearly not fit for that purpose, so I doubt I will buy any more Meopta products.

I put the HTR alongside my Zeiss MC and HD5 and on dusk at 20x, the HD5 has a very slight edge on the MC, and then the HTR but not enough in it to make a real difference. However, with my eyes, I can resolve more detail at 20x with my MC than I can at 25x with the HD, so I dont believe the Zeiss HD glass is really "better" than the old MC and the HD scope has significanly heavier, and has noticeably more tunnel FOV so I wont be buying any more HD5's either.

Lead Slinger... thats really great that your more than happy with the Nikon X1000 compared to the Zeiss HD5.

Looks like the X1000 might get the tick.

I see you found out why I do not own a Meopta riflescope They have started to incorporate long range features in their most expensive scopes, but they carry a hefty price tag. Meopta has not developed it's mid priced riflescope line, such as the Meopro, to meet modern day long range shooting requirements yet. When they finally do, I will look at them again.

You also have to remember that the old MC glass had no HD coatings or lenses. So the fact that it will still rival a lot of modern day HD optics goes to show the quality Meopta can produce. Their high end Meostar HD glass is as good as it gets.

The X1000 is a great scope for the money. Its good to see you are inquiring before purchasing. Fully researching a scope and all of its features before purchasing ensures it has everything you want so you don't end up disappointed like you were with the Meopta. I always look at every spec and read tons of reviews before purchasing a scope I have not had the chance to touch and review myself.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I just wanted to point out the Nikon Monarch 5 seems to be the least expensive riflescope from a major vendor that has true ED glass. One should keep that in mind when comparing scopes.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I just wanted to point out the Nikon Monarch 5 seems to be the least expensive riflescope from a major vendor that has true ED glass. One should keep that in mind when comparing scopes.

The Monarchs do have great glass for the money. I just wish they would add in extra elevation adjustment for turret dialing at long range and better reticle options than that God awful BDC with the circles...

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Yeah, they would need to go to 30mm tubes to do that. The Monarch 5s all have 1 inch tube, Also, their reticles are either BDC or crosshairs with dots.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah, they would need to go to 30mm tubes to do that. The Monarch 5s all have 1 inch tube, Also, their reticles are either BDC or crosshairs with dots.

They could also allow more elevation by reducing the amount of windage adjustment. Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 scopes achieve 70 MOA of elevation in a 1" tube by reducing the windage adjustment to 50 MOA.