Low Light Scope Comparison Meopta RD and Zeiss Con

I currently use a Zeiss Conquest 3.5X-10X-50MM for hunting whitetails in fields during low light conditions. I need to squeeze out additonal minutes of viewing/shooting  time over what the Conquest is giving me without breaking the bank.  I'm considering the  Meopta Meostar RI 3X-12X-56MM RD (illumiinated center dot) as a possible option. Has anyone compared these two scopes in low light situations and is there a noticable gain in seeing/shooting time with the Meopta? As it relates to other possible options, I need to stay in the $1K or less range which may eliminate those such as Swaro, S & B, Kahles, or Zeiss FL.

Are you losing the reticle (hence the interest in illumination) ?
Or wanting better resolution and clarity?

It appears to be both. At that late hour, the image in the Zeiss becomes very grainy and the cross-hair begins to fade. Bottom line, I need to be able to see the target later than I'm currently seeing it and see it well enough to make the shot. Will the described Meopta provide the extra minutes I need beyond what the Zeiss delivers?

Howdy Outrider,

Ilya Koshkin did a comparison of the Conquest and a similar Meopta here:

http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:400-born-in-europe-assembled-in-the-us&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4

That Meopta's 56mm objective might provide just the edge you need, with it's larger exit pupil. Maybe it would be enough for your purposes, or maybe nothing would... sometimes too dark is just that.


 


Edited by Alan Robertson - February/11/2011 at 16:58

You might want to take a look at the Trijicon Acc-Point 2.2-10x56 with a illuminated triangle.SWFA sells them for $870.95,although I don't own one I've been told the glass is on par with my Zeiss!

yeah, the Accupoint 2.5-10x56 with a green dot / mildot is probably your best bet

Buy one from someone you can return it to if unmounted and go test against your scope at low light

I've spent many hours reading reviews and user comments from various forums since posting this thread. Given the very low-light shooting situations I originally described and a target price of around $1k, two scopes keep floating up time after time in the discussions: the 2.5X-10X-56MM Trijicon Accupoint TR22-1G(standard crosshair green dot) and the Meopta Meostar R1 3X-12X-56MM RD (red dot) with the 4C reticle. Has anyone compared these two under similar low light conditions? The drawbacks of high mounts, high cheek welds, balance and the weight of a few extra ounces sometimes pointed out in the comments are not real issues for me as most of my hunting is done from shooting houses overlooking fields or power lines. Seeing the target well enough in poor light to make a lethal shot is my aim (no pun intended).  I need to be able to see and shoot later than my current Zeiss Conquest 3.5X-10X-50MM scope allows. For those who own or have used one or both of the above 56MM scopes and are likewise knowledgeable of the 50MM Z-Conquest, please share any insight.

Alan Robertson wrote: Howdy Outrider, Ilya Koshkin did a comparison of the Conquest and a similar Meopta here: http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:400-born-in-europe-assembled-in-the-us&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4 That Meopta's 56mm objective might provide just the edge you need, with it's larger exit pupil. Maybe it would be enough for your purposes, or maybe nothing would... sometimes too dark is just that.

What power are you having an issue with and how far away are the targets?  I got both my son's Conquest 3-9X40s on their deer rifles and they take us way past legal light - which is 30mins AFTER sunset.  I wonder if something might be wrong with your Conquest!

One note..
I had at the same time a Ziess Conquest 4-14x44, a Swarovski AH 3-9-42 and a Kahles CL 3-10x50

The Kahles was the best to my eyes at resolving deer in very, very low light
It also had the largest objective and a #4 reticle
For me, it was clearly the best optically and the #4 was done right
Had another Conquest with a #4 and I thought it was too thick

just adding fuel to the fire!

and the trickiest part is that illuminted reticles on a LOT of scopes are too damned bright and obtrusive

You are in a tough position !