I know this has been asked before but that was a couple of years ago. I have heard about Minox scopes, using Schott glass and being assembled in the US. And the Z3 line costs only 200 bucks. My question is are they really any good? Or should I spend my 200 on a Leupold Rifleman which I know are good.

I had a Minox 2-10 for a short while. The Minoplex reticle didn't work for me at all and the edges were lacking in crispness.

I sold it.

For the money, I'd buy a Conquest or a VXIII Leupold.

On the other hand I do have the Minox 8x33HG bino's and those do work well for me.

I have the 3-15 x 42 Minox Z5 mounted on a 300 Weatherby Vanguard and so far it is working just fine. It hasn't seen much more than the range the truck and a couple of walks around my place looking for Coyotes but has a very nice image even up at the top end and has held it's zero so far on a fairly hard kicking caliber. I like my Conquest better than the Minox but the glass is significantly better than any of the Leupold Rifleman or VX1 & also a little better than the last VX2 scope that I looked through.

I got mine from Doug at Cameralandny.com and if there was a problem I know he would back up the warranty and take care of me quickly so I don't see it as any big risk. This summer I'll spend some time trying to hit gongs with it out to 1,000 yards for fun and might have more information to share.

If you are only comfortable with the Leupold name on your scopes by all means get one. I have Leupold, Zeiss, Pentax, Sightron, and Minox scopes and have had pretty good success with all of the lifetime warranty scopes.

Having a dependable scope that you trust is a big deal. The scope I use for elk trips where I travel and pay over $500 for a tag is a Zeiss Conquest 3-9 x 40 in Leupold dual dovetail mounts. I had a cheap Bushnell fall apart and a Swift lose it's zero where it cost me the biggest buck I've ever had a scope on so make the decision that makes you comfortable.

I bought a Minox 3-15 and sent it back because it does not have AO, something that I did not check on before ordering it.

What bothers me even more about the Minox scopes is that their name is so large and in my face. Just not good art!

On the other hand the scope was cheap with sharp and clear optics.



I read on another forum that some had mechanical problems with them.

I read that too which is why I am asking; on some the ocular focus piece would move up and down.

quote:

I had a Minox 2-10 for a short while.

I also bought a Minox 2-10 and am not impressed. Put it on my 223...but I would also say that the Conquest is a much better scope as far as clarity.
Nothing wrong with it..just feel there are better for the $$$.

I bought a used ZA3 3x9x40 from an AR member. I think it is a great scope with good clear optics. Better than the older Leupold VariX-II, Varix-III and on par with one newer VX-III. I put it side by side with a Conquest 3x9x40 a friend has and I couldnt tell any difference.

The fact that they are only 200 bucks is still appealing.....

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
The fact that they are only 200 bucks is still appealing.....

I went looking for some ZA 3's for $200. I would buy all they had.

I only found the ZV line for that price which must be a new item. Looks like a nice scope though for a good price.

I bought the ZA-5 4-20X50. When I mounted it on one particular gun, the placement of the scope ring closest to the outer 50mm objective, was within about a 1/4 inch of the focus knob and the vertical/horizontal adjustment knobs.

When I had just fingered tighted the scope ring down the focus knob was locked up.

I had to move the scope to another gun that placed the ring as far away as I could get. That solved the problem, but it kind of tells me that the scope tube must be rather thin compared to other scopes I have used.

Seems to be holding up on this gun. Glass is good.

I just bought 2 of the ZA5 4x20x50s from CLNY.
One of them I mounted on a Rem 700 in 308.
Long, generous eye relief and very clear.
Shot a box test with it last Sat at 100 yards and it tracked perfectly.
I also bought a 3x15x42 and I'm very impressed with them for the money.
FTR I've got Leupy's and a Conquest on other rifles I own.

My Minox 4x20x50 is only good up to 14 power, any greater magnification, the eyebox or your eye placement is extremely critical.

I had a pair of Minox Bino`e that I really liked.10 X 42 HGs.So I bought two scopes 3X9s.They felt and looked cheap to me and both had problems with holding zero and were hard to dial in as they would not always correct like they are supposed to.I returned them to Minox and they sent me two new ones that I sold.I like The Ziess Conquest line and while they are heavy,they have never failed me.Just my opinion,OB