Which do you think is better; The cheaper models by Zeiss, Swarovski, Steiner, or Kahles?

You should rephrase that question. It should read; Out of the three which do you recommend of The cheaper models by Zeiss, Swarovski, or Kahles?

Steiner is not even in the same class with these guys, everyone I have seen has been of pretty poor optical quality.

Any of the three make excellent scopes of comparable quality, I would give the upper hand to swarovski.

Swarovski has a cheap model?

When did Steiner start making scopes again?

I do like the conquest,but the swarovski av series are smaller and lighter.I have the swarovski 3x10x42 on all of my hunting rifles and am very pleased.

You forgot to mention one of the two best European scopes available: Schmidt&Bender
These people, like Swarowski, have never given in to the temptation of producing a cheaper model for the sake of a greater turn over (like Zeiss did)
They only offer one quality; the very best!

If meopta scopes are avaliable in your country, check them out, these scopes have excellent optics particularly the meostar line, in my oppinion equal to swarovski and khales but at a better price.

http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=17&lang=en#

http://www.olin.com.au/PDFs/meoptacatalogue.pdf

I can't see bullet holes at 200 with zeiss or leopold.

You also left out IOR Valdada. Excellent glass, and well made. I have a fixed 4x IOR Valdada that is just startling crisp, sharp, and has excellent resolution. They have rugged variables, and higher power fixed scopes too (6x, 8x, 10x, 16x).

I will likely get another due to the quality and performance I see with this scope. I have it on my CZ 550 in 9.3x62 (my "all-European rifle").

Check them out.

http://www.valdada.com/vn/ior/02?token=5rjtAAQ1WYzn4EzK9FT2Ug