I recently ordered a new Sako 85 Finnlight in 7mm RM and am looking at scopes. I think I've got it narrowed down to the Leupold VX-2 or VX-3 (in 3-9 x 40mm) or the Zeiss Terra 3X 3-9 x 42mm.

I have a VX-II on my other hunting gun and have had great success with it. I've never owned a Zeiss. I'd like to keep the cost to $400 or less, can't really afford to go higher than that.

Any thoughts/opinions on any of these? Thanks in advance.

I know even VX-1 Leupolds are good and imagine anything with the Zeiss name (except the Duralyt ) would be OK.

That is an expensive rifle you're getting and I think to put a cheap scope on would be a bit like putting a standard Fiat engine in a Ferrari.

I notice even in Australia there are still some un-illuminated Zeiss Victory Diavaris going cheap. I would save up or sell something to get one of those.

I would scout around for a Zeiss Conquest 3x9. Although discontinued, they are still around. Euro Optics had some for $329 recently.
If you can stretch your budget to $419, take a look at the Zeiss Demo list at Camera Land. Last I looked they offered a 3.5x10 Conquest for that. The old Conquest line of scopes are really nice in my opinion.
I recently looked at the Terra and found the eye relief really changed as you changed magnification. I was turned off by that.

I like Zeiss glass better than Leupold but it is hard to beat the new vx2 for value. I thought they were over priced for a while and now I think they are a bargain.

You can never go wrong with a Leupold. European scopes are over engineered and over priced. I suspect the pricing has to do with import duty they have to pay but never the less it comes out of your pocket...For a hunting scope, some of the justifications for the costly European scopes and some American scopes is just a damn rip off...99.9% of the scopes made in the USA serve the purpose they are intended for. The rest is yellow journalism and salesmanship to the suckers.

I would recommend a Leupold Vari X R 3 - 9 x 40, with illuminated reticle.

You con´t go wrong with that one.

Hermann

I just purchased a Zeiss Terra for one of my AR's. It is a 2x7 and super sharp. I can't fault the scope for anything and purchased it from Cameraland as an open boxed demo for $275. Would purchase another if in the market for a quality 3x9 or 2x7.
The one thing I love about Zeiss scopes is the fast focusing eye piece.

But, I love the VX2's as well.

What is Zeiss warranty service like? Leupold's is simply outstanding.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
What is Zeiss warranty service like? Leupold's is simply outstanding.

Bill,
Good question. So far I never had to send anything back to Zeiss and have owned their products for about 15 years. If the price was the same on comparable scopes I would pick the Zeiss just because of the fast focusing eye piece. However, Zeiss does not seem to have anywhere near the number of models Leupold does around the same price range. VX 2's are about as good as the average shooter will ever need or want.

Leupold hasn't really advertised this well but they are offering a $50 rebate on VX2's purchased during the month of August. I found the rebate form on Midways web site. Just purchased two of the VX2's 4x12 with AO. One for my 270 Sako and the other for a .204 CZ.

One thing about Leupold, they are the easiest scope to sell used over any other brand. Most likely because of their stellar warranty service.

Hey Thanks snowwolfe for that rebate page as I picked up vx-2 3 x9 x40 for my younger brothers new 30-06 yesterday here in anchorage , now I may have to go get me one too. aaron

The Terra line is Zeiss bottom of the line... If you can't spring for a Conquest, then stick with Leupold.

I have both, and in daylight the Optics are equal, but I definitely giv ehte edge to the Zeiss in the last 5-10 minutes of legal light.(shooting hours).

And as LJS said, check CameralandNY as they often have some really good deals.

I would guess, if you figure out how to break one, or it has a defect, it will you less time to get it back to Leupold, less time for them to fix or replace it and ship it back than it will the boat to get it back to Deutschland.

just sayin...

Rich

My buddy's Zeiss spotter had the focus knobs break a couple of years ago. Turnaround time was 5-6 months IIRC.

I'd take a Meopta Meopro over the Conquest personally, but I love the VX3's as well. Eye relief at 9x on the 3-9 Terra is abysmal.

Just a heads up for everyone. I know the OP and he decided to buy a Leupold VX3 3.5x10 scope.

smart man...

My O/U Gundermann 16ga over 8x72mmR Sauer has, sadly, claw mounts. I am most likely to stick a VX-II 2-7X on it in three or four months when I have accumulated the necessary $700 to buy a set of claw mounts and have it mounted.

Why do I keep falling for fully engraved German rifles?

Rich

It's marvellous what good old German scopes with rails and claw mounts you can find on the Internet, for about $200, Idaho Sharpshooter. If you found claws wide enough to fit or stone down, you could move the claws along the rail to work with your bases.

quote:

less time for them to fix or replace it and ship it back than it will the boat to get it back to Deutschland.

Rich-I've pointed out to you before that there is no reason to send a Zeiss overseas as they have a repair/warranty center here in the states -- and have for a long while now.