Check Today's Price

Pros - Best-in-class optics - Fantastic light gathering capabilities - Excellent contrast and clarity of target image Cons - Expensive glass - No range compensation markers on reticle - Non-illuminated reticle

Welcome to our review of the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope. Conquest series riflescopes are built with one-piece tube bodies designed to handle even the most abusive recoil and demanding terrains. How well does the this model really stand up to that claim, though? Let’s take a look.

What Are the Scope’s Dimensions?

The Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope is 12.9 inches long, and weighs under a pound at 15.2 ounces. The 40mm objective lens keeps the scope small enough that you should be able to mount it on your rail with standard rings, and still have plenty of clearance between the scope and your barrel or rail.

How Much Magnification Do I Get From the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope?

This scope provides you with variable zoom from 3X to 9X. Zeiss glass is always phenomenal, and this model is no exception. You’ll get sharp and focused resolution across all magnifications, with crisp and clear target images out as far as you can see. The model I reviewed came with a Z-plex reticle, which means there are no range compensation markers on the reticle. The Conquest MC riflescope is available with different reticles, but those tend to add to the purchase price of the scope.

How is the Optics Quality on the Riflescope?

Zeiss MC multicoating, along with the German design that goes into every Zeiss scope, will give you best-in-class brightness and clarity, so you can be assured of excellent performance in low-light conditions. You won’t have to worry about reflection or glare, either, and the tube is nitrogen-filled to keep it fogproof. The lenses are O-ring sealed, so the scope is also waterproof.

The eye relief on the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope is a quite comfortable 4 inches, making the scope terrific for use with any gauge firearm you have. The scope is great for shotguns, muzzleloaders, and centerfire rifles, and is even comfortable to use on .50 caliber rifles.

The 40mm objective lens features an exit pupil diameter of 13.3mm to 4.4mm, and you get parallax-free sighting out to 1,000 yards. The reticle, as previously mentioned, is a simple Z-plex reticle, but Zeiss produces the Conquest MC 3–9×40 with a mildot reticle as well.

What’s the Light Gathering Capability Like on the Scope?

Zeiss optics excel at light gathering, and the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope is an excellent example of that. The scope’s 8.5 to 19 twilight factors don’t tell the whole story; the fully multi-coated optics make the best of the available light, providing you with a view that is clear and crisp and full of detail even in the early morning or late evening hours. Unfortunately, the reticle is non-illuminated, but that never stopped me from having a successful deer or bear hunt even in the minutes before dawn.

How Wide is the Field of View?

At its lowest magnification setting, the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope provides a field of view 33.9 feet wide at 100 yards. This lets you easily acquire your target before zooming in to make the kill shot. The field of view at 9X magnification is still impressive at 11 feet from 100 yards.

How Easy is the Scope to Mount?

Zeiss does not include rings with the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope, so make sure you have a set of standard 1" rings to use for this scope. Fortunately, the 40mm objective lens is small enough that most shooters won’t need a set of high rings to clear the barrel, and the scope is simple to mount.

Any Tricks or Tips About Mounting the Scope?

Nothing special to report here, folks! Just make sure you get a set of 1" rings that fits your rail, and you’ll be good to go.

How Easy is the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope to Sight In?

I always recommend using a laser bore sighting tool to start off the process of sighting in your scope. These nifty gadgets save you time and money, since you don’t need to expend ammunition to get your scope and rifle on paper before fine-tuning.

My only complaint about the Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope are both labeled “U/R” with an arrow, meaning you need to know that the top knob is for elevation up and the knob on the right sight is windage right. This might just have been a cost-saving move, but it’s not one that I can appreciate out of a scope as pricey as Zeiss.

Once sighted in, my Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope held true through two seasons and counting, and I’ve never had to make so much as a single click of adjustment to the windage or elevation.

How Durable is the Riflescope?

The Carl Zeiss Conquest MC 3–9×40 Riflescope is rated for the recoil of up to a .50 caliber rifle, and the scope is fogproof and waterproof. Zeiss covers the scope with a lifetime warranty on all of the optical components, anda one year warranty on the lens covers. I’ve dropped my rifle out of my deer stand more times than I care to admit, and this scope has never suffered any ill effects from the falls. You’re sure to get a lifetime of use out of this scope.