Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 Review

Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 is one of the most powerful high magnification scopes in the compact riflescope category. In fact, this particular scope is also the most powerful one in the Conquest HD5 series too. More and more shooters in the mid-to-long range shooting prefer this scope because of three particular reasons. The first aspect is surely the scope quality and clarity of image, followed by the compactness and ease of shooting with this scope attached. Side parallax adjustment and lockable target turret makes the scope that more easy to use.

The reason of Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 scope’s popularity is the available choice of reticles for different kinds of shooting. While Rapid-Z 1000 as well as Z-Plex reticle can be used with lockable target turret, RAPID-Z reticle is found to be the perfect solution for hunting, especially varmint hunting. Shooters also get RAPID-Z 800 reticle as one of the options and this reticle type is found to be perfect for hunting. This kind of versatility as well as amazing quality makes this Zeiss scope one of the most sought after scopes in the industry. As shooters get wide magnification range in Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 riflescope, users find this scope perfect for varmint hunting with magnum calibers in vast Western terrains. Predator (mainly coyotes) and varmint hunting are the two most popular uses of this Zeiss scope.

This 50mm riflescope is the newest model in the series, which has been particularly designed for the demanding hunters. The manufacturer has ensured that this premium 50mm model comes with variable 5x magnification, redesigned RAPID-Z ballistic reticles, and ballistic lockable turrets. You will find all these features in the 1 inch scope, having SuperZoom facility. Zeiss has incorporated proprietary T lens coating, which enhances light transmission capability of the lens significantly. Another important aspect that the manufacturer has incorporated for enhancing the lens quality is the water-repellant hydrophobic lens coating, known as LotuTec. All these features make Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 riflescope one of the most sought after compact riflescopes currently available in the market.

A Quick Hands-on Review

Scopelist’s team of optical, scoping, and hunting experts carried on the test with Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 Rapid Z Varmint scope. For getting the best out of this riflescope, we decided to test it beside the Schmidt Bender PMII 5-25×56, one of the highly revered long range scopes in the market currently. This means that we put a $1,000 Zeiss scope against a $4,000 scope of Schmidt Bender. Though it sounds outrageous but our faith in the Zeiss product made us put it to the strongest challenge it could ever get. Now, let’s put our findings in different categories of the review. Let’s start with the most important part of a scope and that is image quality.

i.                    Quality of Image

When we checked the image quality of the Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 Rapid Z Varmint scope, we found out that the target image is not only clear but also bright. More importantly, the contrast is significantly good, which helps in targeting the animals camouflaging themselves in the shadowy bushes or long grasses. When we compared its clarity with the old Zeiss Conquest model, we found out that the lens contrast is more or less same. Though we found minor pin-cushioning aspect at the lens edges, it is not a big deal, especially when you are getting such a high quality scope at such an affordable price. However, when we compared the image clarity with that of Schmidt and Bender’s PMII riflescope, this scope definitely emerged as the winner, at least in this aspect. In fact, that’s the reason why the price is also four times higher than the Zeiss Conquest HD5 scope we are reviewing here. In fact, the S&B PMII scope comes with a larger objective lens than this new Zeiss Conquest scope (56mm objective lens diameter of S&B riflescope against 50mm objective lens diameter).

However, it must be mentioned that the brightness of image in Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 in comparison to the old Zeiss Conquest is significantly better. In fact, contrast in the former is better than the latter. Therefore, you can locate the target more precisely here than in case of older Conquest scope. When we looked through both the S&B PMII and new Zeiss Conquest HD5 riflescopes, we found out that inspite of the former scope’s better image output in the longer distance (say, over 700m), the HD5’s image production is significantly good and comparable enough. Therefore, by buying Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 Rapid Z Varmint scope, you will not only be able to save money by four times, you can also get significantly good image quality (which is comparable to that obtained through the Schmidt Bender PM II riflescope).

ii.                   Adjustments

Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 riflescope comes with target turrets that are not at all mushy in the feel. In fact, the feel is crisp and the total elevation obtained is 65 MOA. However, a problem we found while testing is the elevation with the zero stop feature in place. With the installed zero stop, we were able to get elevation of 16.5 MOA. This is only one aspect that we felt can be improved by Zeiss. However, zero stop can be uninstalled, if the user wants to.

iii.                  Size

Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 scope comes with a compact size, which is definitely one of the major beneficial aspects of the scope. Even with the 1 inch scope size for better light accumulation, Zeiss has been successful in bringing out a riflescope that is extremely compact in size. When compared with that of the Schmidt Bender’s PMII riflescope, this HD5 scope’s size is significantly shorter. In fact, when we kept this 5-25×50 Zeiss scope beside the 4.5-14×44 scope, the size of the former is just marginally short. We even measured the size with a similarly priced riflescope – Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 – here too we found that the Conquest HD5 5-25×50 is much shorter. In fact, the latter only reached up to the place where the Viper’s bell starts.

Specifications at a Glance

Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 comes with wide magnification range (from 5x to 25x), 21 feet to 4.2 feet per 100 yards field of view, 42mm to 50mm effective lens diameter, 14.5 to 35.4 twilight factor, 8.5mm to 2mm exit pupil diameter, 4 degree to 0.8 degree objective viewing lens, +-3 | 2 dpt diopter adjustment range, and significantly good (90mm) eye relief for being able to deal with heavy recoil of magnum calibers. Parallax free adjustment is available from 50 yards to infinity.

Other important available features include 0.25 inch adjustment per click at 100 yards, 25.4mm center tube diameter, 44mm eye piece tube diameter, 60mm objective tube diameter, and 400 mbar water resistance. This riflescope can be used in all kinds of weather conditions, be it chilling cold or sweltering desert, because of its functional temperature that varies from -4 °F to +145 °F. Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 riflescope is 14 inch long and comes with a weight of 26.6 oz. If you want to buy this scope that comes with standard hunting turret, please look for the 522641 order number. However, if you prefer lockable target turret, choose the Conquest HD5 5-25×50 that comes with 522647 order number.

While testing this scope we have found out that it is perfect for target shooting as well as long range shooting. Varmint and predator hunters also prefer this optical device for use in the plains, stand day as well as dusk. It works quite well in case of mountain shooting. Many shooters also use Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 scope for stalking as well as dangerous games.

What are the Highlights of this Scope?

As already mentioned before, hunters (especially the ones who want to make their ranch varmint and predator free) like 5x Superzoom feature, incorporated in the low profile super compact optical device. This has been coupled with the renowned German engineering in design aspect, used quality material, and craftsmanship. There are 5 Year No-Fault Policy and US Lifetime Warranty protection available with this riflescope, which makes this optical device that more usable. Another important feature that we liked in this compact long range hunting scope is the precision mechanics. You will get 100 per cent repeatable adjustments of ¼ MOA. As the adjustment comes with repeatable precision mechanics, users can make adjustment shot-to-shot and click-by-click.

Perhaps the best part about this riflescope is the price point. The $1,000 price is perhaps the most important reason why more and more hunters prefer this Zeiss scope. The hunters are getting this highest quality compact long range scope at a moderate price. The same equivalent from Steiner or any other high quality riflescope manufacturer could have cost a varmint hunter anything from $1500 to $3,000 or even higher (as in case of Schmidt and Bender). While testing the scope and researching on the probable reasons of popularity of the scope, we found out these highlights of Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50.

What’s the Final Thought?

If we need to summarize, it can be said that Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 comes with an excellent optical lens, a good 5x magnification range (5x to 25x), inclusion of locking turrets, and crisp turrets (neither too tight to shift from one click to another nor too mushy). Though the scope is compact, it is not that light in weight as it looks. It could have been lighter, provided the objective lens diameter is 50mm rather than 56mm (as in S&B PMII). Even when we compared with a similarly priced riflescope (Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 FFP), we preferred the Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 because of the better glass quality, better image production, and more compact size. It will be a misnomer to say that we are only happy with this HD5 scope. We are indeed very happy with this around $1,000 Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25×50 riflescope and strongly recommend our customers to buy this scope.