Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

Today, we’ll look at a Zeiss Conquest V4 series that was announced in 2018 at the IWA fair in Germany. Zeiss Optics is a well-known company that has maintained a long history in the field of shooting optics. Zeiss’ Victory RF was not the only big hit for Zeiss in 2018. The curious bypassers at the fair were interested in the Conquest V4 rifle scopes as well.

The Zeiss Conquest V4 is a new line of rifle scopes that replaces the previously released Zeiss Conquest DL. With V4, the scope selection is less broad than it was with the Conquest DL, where customers could select from many different magnifications.

Interested in Zeiss Conquest V4?

About the Zeiss Conquest V4 series

The Conquest DL rifle scopes were designed for European users. While the new Conquest V4 series consists of two American-oriented rifle scopes with a magnification range of 4-16×44 and 6-24×50.

The Conquest V4 1-4×24 and the twilight specialist Conquest V4 3-12×56 will be popular in Europe due to their magnification range. European hunters, on average, do not use magnifications as high as those used by American hunters. American hunters like higher magnifications than Europeans.

Watch our Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Riflescope Review Below

What we’re lacking in this series is a Europe-hunting rifle scope with a 50-millimeter objective lens. Because this collection has a 4x zoom ratio, adding a rifle scope like the 2.5-10x50mm would be fantastic and would be highly popular on the market in Europe.

The Zeiss rifle scopes line has now been completed with the release of the Conquest V4 series models. For around 3000 Euros, we have Victory V8 at the top. Then there’s Conquest V6 for about 1700 euros. And finally, the 1000€ price range will get the Conquest V4 series. As a result, Zeiss has ensured that every price class from 1000 to 3000 Euros includes a successful rifle scope model.

What I’ll talk about in this review is the excellent price-performance ratio and the optics that are better than acceptable for the money.

Where are Zeiss Conquest V4 scopes made?

It’s worth noting that Zeiss Conquest V4 isn’t made in Europe any longer. The riflescopes introduced recently are produced in Japan. This does not appear to have an impact on the optical quality. The differences between this series and the Conquest DL are minor. The fact that they’re made in Japan and not Germany may not seem like such a big deal, but it’s still worth noting.

However, some hunters may be concerned by the fact that this riflescope is produced in Japan rather than Germany. Many individuals would anticipate purchasing a German-made Rifle scope for 1000 euros. Zeiss’ decision to produce the series in Japan is a bold one. We’ll see if this is a good decision or not over time.

Scope configurations in Conquest V4 series

Before we get started with the 3-12×56 mm model’s characteristics, let’s go through all four Conquest V4 configurations I previously mentioned:

1. The first is a 1-4×24 riflescope, which is a driven hunt specialist with a 4x zoom factor.
2. Then there are the two American-oriented rifle scopes. 4-16×44 for stalking and 6-24×50 scope made for long-range hunting. Because European hunters desire somewhat lower magnifications, these two riflescopes are unlikely to sell as well in Europe. This is why the higher levels of these two magnification ranges are more suited for American hunting.
3. The last one is the 3-12×56 mm scope. This is a popular, widely used magnification range in Europe when it comes to twilight and dust hunting. And this is why we believe it will be popular over time.

The whole series features a 4x zoom factor.

Physical properties of Conquest V4 3-12×56

The maximal field of view with the 3-12×56 4-times magnification scope is 12.7 meters on 100 meters at the lowest setting magnification, which isn’t bad. It’s 37 centimeters long and weighs 610 grams, roughly. The objective lens diameter is 56 mm. 

Turrets

The models with the American-oriented magnification come with a BDC turret by default. The 3-12×56 scope can only be ordered with classic, capped hunting turrets. This is, without a doubt, a disadvantage. It would be fantastic if Zeiss offered this rifle scope with an elevation BDC turrets as well.

Now that we are talking about the turrets, let’s quickly check them out. These are, of course, as I said, classic hunting turrets. They are capped to protect them from blows and impacts. One-click equals a 1/4 MOA, which means that one click moves the point of impact for approximately 0.7 centimeters on 100 meters. Turrets produce nice and crisp clicks. You can hear and feel them quite nicely.

The top of the turret is rough, giving a firm grasp. This makes turret rotation simpler.

Setting the turrets back to the zero position is straightforward. Simply pull the turrets out and align the arrow on the turret with the dot below. The windage turret may be reset in the same manner. The turret can be lifted and moved, so that you may align the marker with the dot.

The turrets are of counterclockwise type, meaning that rotating the elevation turret to the left will move the point of impact up, and rotating the windage turret to the left will move the point of impact to the right. 

Illumination System

Let’s move on to the illumination. The reticle illumination on Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 scope is in the type of the illuminated central dot, which is daytime bright. The dot definition is excellent. It’s comparable to the one on the Conquest V6 series.

The dot is nicely adjustable. The fact that the user can choose from 10 illumination settings is a nice addition. It can be set to fit the ambient light. The user can comfortably look through the scope and see the dot in all kinds of lighting conditions.

I also appreciate that there is an off switch between each intensity level. This implies that if you want to turn off the illumination, you don’t have to turn the turret all the way down. You may simply shift it with a single click, and the illumination will be switched off. This also means that you can quickly return to the previous illumination setting.

The illumination is supplied by a CR 2032 battery, which you install by unscrewing the cap on the left turret and inserting the battery.

Conquest V4 3-12×56 reticle

There are two reticle options for the user to choose from: 

1. reticle 20
2. reticle 60

Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 riflescope comes with non-illuminated reticle 20 by default. The reticle is situated in the second focal plane (second focal plane scope).

If the buyer prefers illuminated reticle 60, a popular reticle design made by Zeiss, they will have to pay 100 euros extra. Reticle 20 is similar to the duplex reticle and reticle 60 is similar to the 4A reticle.

Interested in Reticle 20?

Interested in Reticle 60?

How to mount a Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56?

What’s interesting is that the Conquest V4 3-12×56 scope isn’t available with a ZM/VM rail underneath, for now. This also applies to the rest of the Conquest V4 series. At the moment, the V4 scopes can only be mounted with rings. We hope that in the future Zeiss is going to change this and also offer the option with a rail underneath.

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Scope of Delivery and Warranty

Moving on to the scope of delivery, in the box with Zeiss Conquest you will find a quick guide, a lens cleaning cloth, and the lens covers for both the ocular and the objective lens. There is also a CR 2032 battery included in the box.

Furthermore, this Conquest V4 3-12×56 scope comes with a ten-year warranty, which is excellent given that it costs 1000 Euros. Zeiss decided to provide a 10-year warranty to entice customers. This is typical behavior from Zeiss.

You may also purchase the following accessories for this riflescope

1. Zeiss Flip Cover
2. Zeiss Conquest V4 3” Thread-On Sunshade
3. Zeiss Throw Lever for Conquest V4 Riflescopes
4. Zeiss Neoprene Scope Cover

Pros

We’ve come to the end of this review, and it’s time to make a list of good and not-so-good qualities. As is our custom, we’ll start with the good ones. 

The first is the guarantee period. Zeiss has a 10-year warranty on this scope, which is just as good as other more expensive riflescopes produced by them.

Then there’s the price-performance ratio. The riflescope costs 1000€. And for that price, you receive excellent optical performance. We can’t disagree with this.

The third feature is the magnification range, which is 3-12×56. We believe that this model will be extremely popular among European hunters and will eventually sell very well.

PROS summary:

1. 10 years warranty
2. excellent price-performance ratio

Cons

Now, the disadvantages of this scope are similar to those of other scopes in the series.

The first negative point is that Conquest V4 scopes are no longer manufactured in Germany. This may be a deal-breaker for those who buy a scope for 1000 euros hoping it will be made in Germany. We’ll see how this turns out. It might not be such a big deal breaker as I imagine, but only time will tell whether or not it is.

The second factor is that for the time being, this riflescope may only be mounted using rings. We hope that in the future Zeiss will start producing Conquest V4 riflescopes with ZM/VM rail.

The third and final disadvantage is that the Conquest V4 rifle scope does not include a BDC turret. Now, if Zeiss could release a 3-12×56 scope model with a BDC elevation turret instead of the traditional one, it would be fantastic. So the user may choose to spend more and get a BDC turret. Perhaps they’ll add it in the future.

CONS summary:

1. scope is not made in Germany, but in Japan
2. can only be mounted using rings
3. BDC turret is not included

Final thoughts on Zeiss – Conquest V4

Overall, the Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 rifle Scope is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality scope in the 1000€ price range. It features great magnification, superb optics, and a 10-year warranty. The only downside is that it may only be mounted using rings at the moment and that it doesn’t include a BDC turret. Still, these are minor complaints compared to the many great features offered by this scope. Although it’s not manufactured in Germany it offers great value for money.

The only real competitor we’re aware of is Steiner Ranger 4. When compared to the Zeiss Conquest V4 and Steiner Ranger 4, all other scopes in this price range seem to be missing something for an average European hunter.

Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Relevant Comparisons

Do you want to know how this product compares to others in its class? Check out the following relevant comparisons:

1. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 vs Steiner Ranger 3-12×56
2. Kahles Helia 2.4-12x56i VS Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56
3. Steiner Ranger 4-16×56 vs Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56
4. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 VS Noblex NZ6 Inception 3-18×56
5. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Vs Vixen VII 2.5-10×56 IR SF
6. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Vs Delta Optical Titanium 2.5-15×56 HD SF
7. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Vs Schmidt & Bender Klassik 2.5-10×56
8. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Vs Kaps Classic 2.5-10×56 OC
9. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12×56 Vs Meopta R1 3-12×56 RD

Similar Reviews

If you found this review helpful, you may be interested in reading reviews of the following similar products:

1. Steiner Ranger 4 3-12×56 Riflescope review
2. Steiner Ranger 4-16×56 Riflescope Review