Zeiss Duralyt...or something else?

09 April 2013, 16:58

I am considering a Duralyt in 2-8x42 as it basically represents about as much coin as I want to spend on glass. My questions are:
-is it that much better than a conquest?
-is there another brand/model I should be considering in that price range($850 - $1k)

I'm a long time leupold user and love the VX3s...but am interested in making a step up.

thnx

09 April 2013, 17:33

rnovi

What rifle are you going to put it on and for what intended use?

09 April 2013, 19:07

setch

Yep...shoulda mentioned that

It will go on a 260 rem that I will use for mostly for whitetails, and anything else smaller than elk.

So what do you all think?

09 April 2013, 22:26

LJS

I have two Duralyts and find them somewhat bulky. If my gun was not overly large, I would select a Swarovski Z3. Optically close and the finish on the Swarovski scopes is much tougher. I selected the Duralyts because I could get a 30MM scope illuminated reasonably priced. I mounted both on good sized guns.

09 April 2013, 22:44

setch

quote:
Originally posted by LJS:
I have two Duralyts and find them somewhat bulky. If my gun was not overly large, I would select a Swarovski Z3. Optically close and the finish on the Swarovski scopes is much tougher. I selected the Duralyts because I could get a 30MM scope illuminated reasonably priced. I mounted both on good sized guns.

I see the Z3 weighs a bit less, depending on which size objective lens you get (340g for the 36 & 360g for the 42), whereas the duralyt weighs about 475g...and the Z3 is actually a little longer as well. Interesting...

Any other suggestions or thoughts?

17 April 2013, 03:32

setch

Is the Z3 pretty much the same as the AV or did they make any real advancements?

17 April 2013, 06:23

JGRaider

I'd be looking at the Conquest HD5.

17 April 2013, 14:46

scubapro

quote:
Originally posted by setch:
Is the Z3 pretty much the same as the AV or did they make any real advancements?

not much outside, but the Image inside is much clearer and sharper then the old AV Edition before...!!!

01 May 2013, 18:59

joester

I have a Duralyte on my rebarelled .375 Ruger BLR. I like it a lot. I had recoil-related issues initially where the battery was inconsistent, but after seating it more securely, no problemas!

03 May 2013, 08:30

sambarman338

I quite like the Conquest 3-9 and of course the high-end Zeiss models but the Duralyt doesn't do it for me.

The 'tunnel vision' coming from the bulky ocular housing is the last thing I would expect or want from a German scope.

22 September 2013, 03:18

Arminius

call me underwhelmed, also.

It´s cheap.

And the illumination control is clumsy.

There are better scopes out there.

Hermann

14 October 2013, 00:56

Arminius

Correction:

compared a NEW Leupi RX - L 3 - 9 x 40 with the Zeiss Duralyt 2 - 8 x 42.

The field of view of the Zeiss is MUCH better.

The difference can be seen across a room, and it´s substantial.

Hermann

14 October 2013, 06:46

joester

As I said, i do like mine but it is a bit heavy and looks "clunky". Superb optically, though, and isn't that what its all about?

14 October 2013, 11:42

sambarman338

Arminius, how did you find the eye relief and size of the ocular in that scope with the big field of view? The three aspects are all trade offs, I believe, and only getting rid of the field-stopping erector tube takes you any further.

I recently bought an old Nickel Supra 1-4x21. The field of view only goes from about 66 to 27.5 feet but the eye relief is up to five inches at the lower end - and the ocular housing is barely bigger than the 26mm tube!

The bit I really like, though, is that you can hardly see any dividing line between the field of view and the outside world. I'm pretty sure they don't make 'em like that any more.

19 October 2013, 15:13

handwerk

I have the swaro Z3 on most of my rifles and have been very happy with them.

31 October 2013, 23:53

Arminius

quote:
Originally posted by sambarman338:
Arminius, how did you find the eye relief and size of the ocular in that scope with the big field of view? The three aspects are all trade offs, I believe, and only getting rid of the field-stopping erector tube takes you any further.

I recently bought an old Nickel Supra 1-4x21. The field of view only goes from about 66 to 27.5 feet but the eye relief is up to five inches at the lower end - and the ocular housing is barely bigger than the 26mm tube!

The bit I really like, though, is that you can hardly see any dividing line between the field of view and the outside world. I'm pretty sure they don't make 'em like that any more.

IMO the solution is to mount the scope in exactly the correct place:

not too high, and with the proper eye relief.

That way the gun comes uo naturally, and exit pupil don´t matter that much. And with proper eye relief, the scopes rim will be nearly invisible ( on some scopes, on some not so ).

Field of view is easiest compared, by having 2 scopes side by side, e.g. on the kitchen table, "aiming" at the same object, and comparing through wich you see more of the neighborhood

Hermann

01 November 2013, 12:39

sambarman338

To measure eye relief, I have taken to holding the scope up at the perfect distance and getting one of the kids to measure the distance between my eye and the scope. The back of the ocular housing may not be the official measuring point but it's the one that counts if it hits you in the head.

24 July 2015, 02:31

Pieter die 4de

quote:
Originally posted by setch:
I am considering a Duralyt in 2-8x42 as it basically represents about as much coin as I want to spend on glass. My questions are:
-is it that much better than a conquest?
-is there another brand/model I should be considering in that price range($850 - $1k)

I'm a long time leupold user and love the VX3s...but am interested in making a step up.

thnx

The opening post is an old one, but the info is still relevent to prospective buyers.

The Zeiss Duralyt scopes do not have enough elevation adjustment - speak to any gunsmith and he will tell you the same. These scopes have now been renamed to Zeiss Conquest DL - the DL indicates that it is a Duralyt. Just today again when I was in a gunshop I saw them battling bore sight a Duralyt scope with a collimator. They had to do some machining work on the front ring base to gain more MOA adjustment on the scope. If you want a Zeiss, rather buy the Conquest that has a 25 inch tube that offers much more adjustment range, and not the 30mm DL scope.

Pieter