Author Topic: European VS American (Read 1100 times)

ercjr2001 · « **on:** April 19, 2004, 01:54:03 PM »

I have been shopping for a 30mm Scope for some time now.
Can some one enlighten my ignorance.
Leupold ( LPS, VX III ) Nikon ( Gold ) Burris ( Blackdiamond & Eurodiamond ) VS Swarovski ( PH ) Kahles, Ziess (Z/ZM, V/VM) Doctor Optic, Scmidt n Bender.
Are these American and Japanese optics built with 30mm internal lenses?
At Dawn or Dusk, which is brightest?
Are the Euro optics coated with scratch resistent technology.
$$$ for $$$ which one of these is your best buy and why?
I have gone back and fourth on which scope I will purchase.
I have compared a couple and could not find a considerable difference.
In one inch riflescopes I have seen a difference between the Ziess and the new VX III. The VX III was more clear and brighter than the Ziess Conquest.
My wifes Nikon is brighter than my Leupold X III.

Thankyou for any info or opinions you can give me.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2004, 03:03:31 PM »

Nikon claims to have 30mm internal glass and parts. Leupold doesn't. I'm not sure about the Euro glass companies but I figure they do. I've never had a chance to look through any of the 30mm scopes but I have my son's Nikon Monarch 3x9 and the Nikon Gold scopes are supposed to be better. Like you he has found his Nikon brighter than his Vari X 3. For the money the Nikon Gold seems the best buy. Jon at The Optic Zone rates them high.

Daniel · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2004, 04:54:59 AM »

Interesting comment about the new VX III being brighter and clearer than the Zeiss Conquest. I just sold a VX III 3.5-10x40 last week because I was dissatisfied with it compared to my two Conquests. To my eyes the Conquests were noticably better, especially in terms of resolution. And the Z-Plex reticle which is etched in glass appears crisper and is a little thicker making it easier to see in low light versus the standard Leupold Duplex wire reticle.

I've only owned one 30mm European scope, a Swarovski 3-12x50 PH. It had nice optics for sure, but I have found the less expensive Conquests to be all I need from an optical standpoint. I ended up selling the Swarovski because it was too large in size and weight and that first plane reticle was something I never did get used to. For me, the value of this scope just wasn't worth the $1,200 or so I paid for it.

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2004, 10:25:29 AM »

I certainly like the Nikon Gold lineup of scopes..they are definitely one of the best bargains on the market if your looking for a lowlight scope. They are however long and bulky and would really fit certain rifles better then others. You can probably pick up a 2.5x10x50 scope for 499 from DNRSPORTS or OpticZone and be done with it. They also tend to be a little heavier then a corresponding Zeiss or SWaro in the same power range/objective size but nevertheless they are truly great scopes. I just picked up a new Sako 75 in 7STW and am seriously considering this scope for use in lowlight long distance whitetail sniping. As Far as 1" tubes go I have no use for Nikon 1" Monarch scopes, I like the view thru a corresponding Leupold VX-III much better..there is too much black in the view of a Nikon monarch for my tastes. Leupold is also more compact in its dimensions.

big6x6 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2004, 04:15:35 AM »

30mm scopes I have:
Docter 1.5-6X42 aspherical
Kahles 1.5-6X42
Zeiss ZMZ 3-12X56
Swarovski 3-12X50
Swarovski 2.5-10X56
Schmidt and Bender 2.5-10X56

The Docter aspherical is the surprise of the group. Better optics than the Kahles and seemingly on par with the Swarovski. My next 30mm scope will be a Docter. Overall, all these scopes are great scopes with a optical advantage at dawn and dusk.

One thing to consider, especially if considering a Schmidt and Bender. The amount of w/e adjustment is really NOT adequate. Some of the Swarovski models are lacking in this area as well. This is kind of surprising since 30mm scopes SHOULD have MORE w/e adjustment.

Bushnell Boy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2004, 12:16:15 PM »

what about the Bushnell 4200 2.5-10x50 with illuminated dot.
https://secure.theopticzone.com/webstore/shopping.htm

ercjr2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2004, 03:06:13 PM »

Research I have found. Leupold LPS ( Diamond Coat, 30mm internal Lenses, Recticle 2nd Image Plane-Side AO / Wire, 99.65% Per Lense ). Nikon Gold ( 30mm internal Lenses, Reticle 2nd Image Plane-Side AO adjustment/ Wire, 99.5% Light Transmission through entire scope.)
Burris Black Diamond ( Same as above except 99.5% Transmission per lensewith posi lock option.)
Kahles ( 99.7% per Lense Surface and 94% total light Transmission, Etched Reticle in First focal plane ) Swarosvki ( 94% Total Light Transmission, Steel Waffer Reticle and square adjustment range in the First Focal Plane, Four spring adjustment housing. )
Ziess V/VM ( No INfo on Light Transmission, Etched Glass Reticle In the first focal Plane with square adjustment range. Widest field of view next to the Kahles.) The Ziess Z/ZM OR KNOW CALLED COnquest 30mm ( One piece steel tube, Smallest field of view, Etched Glass reticle in the first focal plane. Markedly above 90% light transmission.)
Doctor optic ( Wire reticle in first focal plane, Markedly above 90% Light transmission)
COMPARISONS OUTSIDE GUNSHOP AT LATE EVENING - Total OPINIONS.
ZIESS V/VM ( Brighter than the PH Swarovski but hardly noticable, per myself and the clerk and one other customer, all this after the clerk was pushing for the swarovski ph. He changed his view to (just a bit brighter) Field of view was also comparable) Once you looked for more than a few seconds you really could not see a difference. When you first raised the scope each time is were we saw a subtle difference in brightness.)
Nikon Gold also proved to be a hair brighter tham the PH.
Ziess V/VM and Nikon Gold neck and neck.
The PH and the Burris Black Diamond seemed to come close but we all agreed the PH was a hair better optically than the Burris.( not $500 better ) So that is our Great summation. I still do not Know which scope to Buy.