The name “Zeiss” is associated with high-quality lenses that are used on everything from cameras to medical equipment. When it comes to the shooting sports market, Zeiss optics come at a price point that is out of reach for most hunters and shooters…until now. With the introduction of its V3 series, Zeiss is offering a budget-friendly, yet high-quality “gateway” to its line of optics.
V3 scopes are built around Zeiss’ Bright Technology fully multi-coated lenses that deliver at least 90 percent light transmission. Lenses have a hydrophobic outer coating and the tube is nitrogen-purged and waterproof to 3.3 feet for one hour for rugged, all-weather performance. Turrets feature 1/4 MOA adjustments with four second-focal-plane reticle options, including illuminated versions.
The V3 is being offered in six configurations with multiple options to cover a wide range of purposes. The V3 2.5-8x35 RF is designed for rimfire rifles. It is compact and lightweight, with a 1-inch main tube, an overall length of 10.74 inches and a weight of 12.6 ounces. It uses the company’s non-illuminated eXtended Range Reticle (XRR) #84 and retails for $300.
The V3 2.5-8x35 is a close- to mid-range compact hunting scope that shares the same basic specs and features as the rimfire version. It is available with either the Plex-Style #6 reticle or the XRR #84, and retails for $400.
The V3 3.5-10x42 is designed as an “all-around” hunting scope with a 30 mm main tube that has an overall length of 12.4 inches, and it weighs under a pound. It is available with either the Plex-Style #6, Smart Hunting Reticle (SHR) #87, or Smart Hunting Reticle illuminated (SHRi) #87 reticles and has an optional external elevation turret with a ballistic stop. MSRP ranges from $450 to $700.
The V3 4.5-14x44 pushes the range, while remaining light and compact. It has an overall length of 12.59 inches, weighs just over a pound and is available with a fixed parallax or an optional side parallax adjustment, along with an optional external elevation turret with a ballistic stop. Reticle options include the XRR # 84, SHR #87, SHRi #87. Its retail price ranges from $500 to $800.
The V3 4.5-14x50 duplicates the 4.5-14x44 with more light-gathering capability from its slightly larger objective lens and a standard side parallax adjustment. Its retail price ranges from $600-$850.
The V3 6-18x50 is a dedicated long-range hunting scope. It has an overall length of 13.07 inches, weighs just under 19 ounces, has a side parallax adjustment and is available with an optional external elevation turret with a ballistic stop. Reticle options include the XRR #84, SHR #87, SHRi #87. Its retail price ranges from $700 to $950.
For more information about the Zeiss V3 series, see the company’s website.
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