A clear winner
Bruce Potts looks at the Zeiss V4 Conquest 3-12x44mm ASV
Zeiss likes to annotate its scopes with the prefix of the magnification range available within each model, be it V4, V6 and V8. This V4 test model in the affordable Conquest range achieves a good 4x power range from 4-6x magnification with a 44mm objective lens size. You could choose other models, such as the 1-4x24mm, 3-12x56mm, 4-16x50mm and the 6-24x50mm, but this V4 to me has all the right characteristics for dual use on airgun, rimfire or centrefire.
The V4 Conquest range has proved popular with the rimfire and FAC airgun market largely due to the superb optics and reliability of adjustment, however, Zeiss has made sure these models focus down to 10ft, which is ideal for shorter range use.
The Conquest scopes are German designed and engineered but made in Japan, with no loss of quality. And at a good price. This model with its ASV external adjustable elevation turret retails at less than £1,000.
The V4 is a good weight and size at only 640g, so adding little to a rifle’s overall weight and measuring 356mm or 14in with plenty of scope mounting space fore and aft of the central saddle and a seamless overall satin black anodised 30mm main body tube, which is scratch resistant. Being a 44mm objective lens it has low mounting, which is
“The airgun and rimfire fraternity love them because they focus down to 10 yards”
why I like this model. You also have a nice set back objective lens for protection from the elements and sunshade fitment possibilities as well as forward mounted night vision (NV) or thermal kit, which is most handy.
The eyepiece has a 43mm diameter and good field of view with fast target acquisition, even on 16x magnification. A clearly visible zoom indicator with good nonrubber ridges for grip and raised indicator spur with white arrow marker shifts through the 4x power ratio of 4-16x smoothly. This is also ideal for smaller calibre rifles, although the 6-24x50mm is also popular.
The central saddle is where the action happens, with a left-mounted combined illumination and parallax rings, of which the inner one is the parallax and is especially good on these Conquest models. This is why the airgun and rimfire fraternity love them, because they focus down to 10 yards. It provides smooth and precise focus and the 1 to 10 illumination points, with stops in between, is most handy, and all powered by a single CR2032 battery.
Zero adjustments come via the ASV or ballistic turret on the elevation only on this