Was reading thru the comments waiting for this one. I recently switched my Bushnell elites to Zeiss v4s (3 of them) due a failure of several of my elites. I was looking for a scope with a hydropobic lens. I also wanted the brightest scope I could afford. After tons of research the zeiss's checked all the boxes at a decent price.My Zeiss V4 does extremely well in low light
I have one of these. Was out till dark yesterday. It was cloudy so light was an issue. I didn't have anything to compare it to ,but I could have taken a small 6 point late.Leupold VX5HD 3-15x56
Best to check out the Rokslide Scope Evaluations -- especially their drop tests! I have quite a few Leupolds and have been a Leupold supporter for quite a few years now! However, after reading a number of the drop tests on that site, I'm transitioning over to Trijicon scopes and getting rid of my Leupolds! My latest is a Trijicon 3x9x40 Credo illuminated on my deer rifle. I've got a Trijicon 2.5x15x42 Credo illuminated coming for a Christmas present to replace a Leupold on a varmint rifle I have. If I could afford them I'd have Night Force scopes but I'm not rich! https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/
While my model wasn't an HD, it still failed on me. I can't justify spending the money and have another failure. @LouisianaHunter what part of the state? I'm NE in west Carroll parish.I have one of these. Was out till dark yesterday. It was cloudy so light was an issue. I didn't have anything to compare it to ,but I could have taken a small 6 point late.
I know some people don't like Leupold ,but this one has been good so far.
AmenI am suspect of those tests. The drop tests that I have seen were done with the scope on the rifle. How does the tester know that it was the scope that failed vs the mounts? I have multiple Athlon, Zeiss, Meopta, and Swarovski scopes that have not had a single failure. I have had a couple Leupolds with internal failure of the erector systems.
Running a zeiss V4 right now on a 300WM, seems to work fine so I guess why fix what isn't broken. Just seeing if there was anything better around a 2k price range.I am suspect of those tests. The drop tests that I have seen were done with the scope on the rifle. How does the tester know that it was the scope that failed vs the mounts? I have multiple Athlon, Zeiss, Meopta, and Swarovski scopes that have not had a single failure. I have had a couple Leupolds with internal failure of the erector systems.
To the OP, any Zeiss other than the Terra models will give you great low light performance even with a 44mm objective. My Meopta MeoPros are the same way with 40-42mm objectives. Of course Swarovski's work too. Just last week, I had a small buck come out in my food plot that was just a blob at first light. In my Swarovski Z3, it was clearly a one-horned spike that was a regular. Remember to divide your objective lens diameter by 7 to get the highest magnification setting but still maintain full light transmission to your eyeball.
I won't vouch for Leupold outside the HD lines. The HD scopes 7-8 I've had or still have been fantastic.While my model wasn't an HD, it still failed on me. I can't justify spending the money and have another failure. @LouisianaHunter what part of the state? I'm NE in west Carroll parish.
You kinda have to watch Rokslide. I know each forum has its own brand followers but if you don't shoot a tikka or maven you'll get stoned!!Amen