Thread: New Zeiss HD5 line of Conquest scope

Hi all,

I just purchased my second Conquest scope and am happy with it. (bought online, OpticsPlanet about US$1100). No idea what they cost locally... likely 2k$ or more :-(

My latest was the HD5 5-25x with rapidZ varmint reticule. It's really nice (for me, anyway. I do not own / have experience with other expensive scopes). It is certainly nicer than the older 6.5-20x conquest I own. The power ring and focus ring are now 'rubberized'. The turrets are different too.

The turrets I have are the hunting ones - pull up to turn, and drop down again. They can be zeroed with a screw driver. I think different turret options are available with different powers and reticules.
Only a 1in tube, but is very clear to me. No sun-shade supplied. Side parallax adjustment - again Zeiss refuse to put numbers on this dial. Only '50yds' to 'infinity' with lines in between, no way to estimate range with these markings.

I have it mounted on a .204 and looking at it, I maybe should have gone with a regular mildot reticule. The varmint reticule has a 'zero' at 200yds, with elevation holdover graduations up to 600yds, something I may never use / practice with enough.

The calculator software used to get the correct holdover seems difficult, I do not know how accurate one can really be with a simple holdover at distances 200-600yds. A rabbit is a very small target. Once you enter your calibre, velocity, bullet coefficient etc, you can adjust the power ring to say 23x power to have your .204 bullet drop matched to the 200 - 600yds lines on the reticule. Maybe established dropchart and clicks on a mildot is better?

Any input / feedback appreciated. Hope this helps some people make a choice, either way.

Cheers,

Len.