Zeiss conquest or swarovski z3

[jreedtn]

Getting ready to order a tikka forest in 243. Loved the one I bought in 222 and thought I would get a 243 as well for deer and varmint. My question is in picking a good quality clear scope for it. euro optics have both the Zeiss conquest 4.5-14 with their rapid z800 rectice and the swarovski z3 3-12 with the ballistic turrets marked down. The swarovski is still about $250 more than the zeiss. I can buy alot of brass and bullets for the $250 difference. I've always wanted a swarovski, but want to know if it's that much better than a zeiss. Which would you guys recommend for the tikka rifle. I would like something clear and nice quality without being to bulky. I had even considered the leica ER line, but I'm afraid they would be to bulky for that gun. Looking for something with a max power of at least 12 power.
Thanks for any help!

 

[onelastshot]

I've got two of the Ziess and couldn't be happier.

 

[Gary in MD]

Same here, I would go with the Conquest and put the money towards bullets and brass. I have several of the Conquests.
Gary

 

[jreedtn]

How is the zeiss z800 recticle ? Is it too busy for hunting? I would like something with fine enough center cross hair I could do some target shooting with it as well.

 

[JRS]

If you have the opportunity to look through both, you'll find the resolution and contrast to be noticeably better in the Swarovski.

 

[nakneker]

The own two of the HD5s with the z800, I have no complaints. I also owned one of the Z3 and had POI issues. Probably a rare condition with the Swarovski but it soured me on the Z3, the Z5 I own has been awesome.

Europtics also has the Leica ER 5 on sale, I bought one and liked it enough I bought more.

 

[SS427]

You need to look through them to decide. My eyes like Swarovski glass/coatings better over the Conquest and I would pay the extra $250.

 

[Shrek]

Swarovski ! I used to use Zeiss but two erector failures in the Conquest I own and two failed in my friends Zeiss Conquest ( I had recommended the Conquest to them ) and super slow and no communication warranty service ended me ever buying Zeiss again. I switched to Swarovski and have had stellar performance and due to damage I inflicted to a scope I know the customer service is fantastic !