Scope Review: Zeiss Conquest HD5
If you are shopping for a long-range hunting scope or want a performing scope for target shooting, Zeiss is a manufacturer you should consider. Let’s take a closer look at the Zeiss Conquest HD5 scope to help you determine if this could be the rifle scope you have been looking for.
What Is The Zeiss Conquest HD5?
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Zeiss is a well-known optics manufacturer located in Germany. The company is also known for making medical and industrial measurement devices.
The Conquest scopes have been developed with hunting in mind. You will find two variants with different magnification options. We looked at both variants to help you determine which version of the Conquest HD5 is suited to your needs and preferences.
The Zeiss Conquest HD5 scopes have a compact and lightweight design, which is perfect for hunting and sports shooting. We like the black matte finish and think this is a high-quality product.
You will notice that the parts move very smoothly as you adjust the optics of the scope. The magnifying ring is worth mentioning because it rotates very smoothly and allows you to easily adjust the magnification of the scope without moving around and losing your target.
This is a durable rifle scope that will last for years. It is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions as well as humidity.
Both variants of the scope have a tube with a diameter of one inch. You will need a standard one-inch ring to mount it on your rifle.
You should know that both variants of the scope are second focal plane scopes. This means the size of the reticle will remain the same as you adjust the magnification of the scope.
The second focal plane design allows for more precision when you use high magnification power. The reticle can be thinner, which gives you better visibility even with a long range.
The downside of the second focal plane design is that using a Minute of Angle or milliradian scale is going to be more difficult. You will also have to do a little bit of math to figure out what the yardage lines on the reticle correspond to as you adjust the magnification of the scope.
If you rely on yardage lines a lot or want to use a scale, you might want to opt for a first focal plane scope instead of the Conquest HD5. However, the increased precision and visibility at long range make the Conquest HD5 an excellent choice.
If you are new to using rifle scopes, head to a local range and try both types of scopes. You need to see for yourself how a first focal plane and second focal plane scopes are going to impact your experience with a rifle. You can then decide which design is best for you.
What Makes The Zeiss Conquest HD5 Unique?
Being able to choose from two variants is interesting. We also think the Conquest HD5 stands out because of the high-quality design and precise optics. You will have a hard time finding better quality optics and glass in this price range.
The first variant of the HD5 is a 3-15×42 model with a RapidZ-800 reticle. The second variant is a 5-25×50 model with a RapidZ-Varmint reticle.
There are a few different features that stood out to use while reviewing the Zeiss Conquest HD5:
- The locking turrets are easy to use and convenient for long-range shooting.
- The scope is easy to mount and adjust.
- The manual is very comprehensive and will help you get started if you are new to using a scope.
- The quality of the optics stands out.
- You will have a hard time finding the same magnification power as the 5-25×50 model in the same price range.
- The lens is coated to improve light transmission, which is perfect for low-light settings.
- Zeiss offers a comprehensive five-year warranty on its products.
The RapidZ-800 and RapidZ-Varmint reticles are also worth mentioning. These reticles are perfect for long-range shooting. Placing the reticles in the second focal plane means you won’t have to worry about them hiding the target. You will get very precise results with these scopes.
Getting used to figuring out what each yardage line corresponds to might take some time, but these rifle scopes will improve your hunting and target shooting experience once you become familiar with the yardage lines.
Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50
This is the more powerful variant of the Conquest HD5. This scope has a magnification range of 5 to 25x. The scope objective diameter measures 50mm, and the length is 14.17.” The field of view is somewhere between 14.6’ and 35.4’ at 100 yards.
Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15×50
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This variant has a lower magnification power. It ranges from 3 to 15x. The scope objective diameter is the same, but the length is 13.78.” The field of view is 34.1’ to 6.8’ at a 100 yards.
Which Variant Is Right For Me?
The 3-15×50 model would be best for short or mid-range shooting. The 5-25×50 model is your best option if you want a performing scope for long-range shooting.
The features are very similar, and you will get the same quality optics with both variants. Both scopes are easy to install, and you will get the same quality experience with turrets and magnification ring. Even though the reticles used are different, they both meet high-quality standards.
Pricing
We were able to find the two Zeiss Conquest HD5 variants for $730. Most websites list these scopes with a price of $1,000 or more and mark it down in the $800 price range.
You should be able to easily find sellers who offer these scopes for $700 to $800 now that Zeiss has released a new line of scopes.
Reviews Of The Zeiss Conquest HD5
These scopes have received extremely positive reviews from shoppers. We looked at different individual reviews and shopping sites to determine what people think of these rifle scopes.
The quality of the glass and optics is mentioned frequently in the reviews. People are impressed by the clarity, even when using high magnification.
Some people say the Conquest HD5 scopes are ideal for hunting at dusk because of the glass clarity. A lot of reviews talk about how easy it is to install the scope and to get started with it. The scope works with a wide range of standard rings. No one ran into issues with mounting the scope.
People generally love how the turrets and magnification ring feel. These parts move smoothly and indicate a high-quality product.
Reviews also talk about getting precise and consistent results when using the HD5 scope. A hunter even said using the scope was somewhat boring because of how predictable the result is. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you are looking for long-range precision.
People are impressed with the reticle and how perfect the alignment is. They say the reticle helps them get on target fast and makes shooting easier for beginners.
Everyone agrees that this is a great scope for hunting and target shooting.
There are a few negative points mentioned in some reviews. The main drawback of the scope is the second focal plane design.
Some people don’t like having to do a bit of math to figure out what yardage lines correspond to as they adjust the magnification of the scope. If this is something you want to avoid, a first focal plane scope would be a better option for you. Keep in mind that this is something you will probably get used to quickly.
We didn’t find any other reviews mentioning negative points other than the second focal plane design.
How Does The Zeiss Conquest HD5 Compare To Other Rifle Scopes?
We compared the Zeiss Conquest HD5 to three other scopes from Zeiss and to a scope from Nikon in the same price range as the HD5.
Zeiss Conquest V4
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This is a more recent rifle scope from Zeiss. The tube is thinner with a diameter of 30mm, and the magnification range is somewhere between the two variants of the HD5.
You can get the Zeiss Conquest V4 with different reticles. The reticles performance is similar to the ones used with the two variants of the HD5.
The magnification ranges from 4 to 16x. The objective lens is 44mm wide, and the glass is what stands out about this rifle scope. There is a special coating that improves visibility in low-light settings.
This is a second focal plane scope, and the price range is similar to the Conquest HD5. The Conquest V4 is a great option if you want a slimmer design or if you want a magnification range between the two variants of the HD5.
Zeiss Conquest V6
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This is a much more expensive rifle scope with a price tag of almost $2,000.
The Zeiss Conquest V6 meets the high-quality standards the manufacturer is known for. The Conquest V6 is worth considering if you are looking for something more performing than the HD5 since this scope has a higher magnification range.
The glass has also been improved. You will get a visibility rating of 92 percent in low-light settings, which is slightly higher than the HD5. The performance of the HD5 will be suitable for a wide range of scenarios, but the Conquest V6 is an interesting alternative if you want better visibility for long-range shooting.
Zeiss Victory HT
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The Zeiss Victory HT is probably the most performing scope offered by Zeiss.
In fact, this is one of the best rifle scopes for low-light settings with its light transmission of 95 percent. This scope has a magnification of 4x, which is in-between the two variants of the HD5.
It is interesting to note that you can adjust the objective diameter between 16.3 and 24mm.
The Zeiss Victory HT is significantly more expensive than the Conquest HD5. However, this scope is a great investment if you want the best Zeiss has to offer for shooting in low-light settings.
Nikon Black FX1000
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We think this rifle scope is a viable alternative to the Zeiss Conquest HD5 because of the similar price range.
This is a first focal plane scope with specs that are somewhere between the two variants of the Conquest HD5. You will get high-quality optics with this scope.
The 4x magnification is suitable for a wide range of scenarios, and the 30mm tube diameter makes this scope slimmer than the HD5.
If you are hesitating about the Conquest HD5 because of the second focal plane design, the Nikon Black FX1000 is an excellent alternative.
What We Think
The Zeiss Conquest HD5 stands out because of the unmatched accuracy and quality of the optic glass. We also like the smooth turrets and magnifying ring. Being able to choose between two variants is ideal since you might need different specs depending on how you will use the rifle scope.
The second focal plane design might be a drawback at first, but we think you will quickly get used to the yardage lines. You might already be familiar with using a second focal plane scope, in which case the Conquest HD5 would be perfect for you.
The Zeiss Conquest HD5 features unmatched optics in this price range. This is a great rifle scope for long-range hunting or target shooting. If you can find this scope in the $700 price range, don’t miss out on it!
