Zeiss Conquest V4 review: Zeiss glass and a real zero stop, in MOA and second focal plane only

By the OpticVerdict Editorial Team.
Research-based review · Updated 2026-09-29

How we reviewed it: a research-based review built from the retailer's specification tables for three Conquest V4 listings, every owner review those listings show (16 for the 6-24x50 ZMOA-1, two each for the other two), and Zeiss's own Conquest V4 pages for the manufacturer figures. Where the retailer table and Zeiss disagree, we print Zeiss's figure or leave the number out. Third-party research leads we could not confirm on Zeiss's site, including magazine awards and tracking tests, were left out. We have not bench-tested this scope; the score is our editorial opinion and owner ratings are shown attributed to their source. See how we evaluate.

What the Conquest V4 is

The Conquest V4 is Zeiss's riflescope line built around a 4x zoom ratio; all three rows we price have a 30mm tube. Zeiss's technical data lists five sizes: 1-4x24, 3-12x56, 4-16x44, 4-16x50 and 6-24x50, all with the reticle in the second focal plane and with no MRAD click value on any of them (the 6-24x50 clicks in 1/4 MOA). Zeiss describes the line as designed and engineered in Germany. On its Conquest V4 page it lists 90 percent to-the-eye light transmission, T* six-layer coatings, LotuTec coating to make the lenses water and dirt repellent, a generous eyebox, a 10-position illumination rheostat and waterproofing to 400 mbar.

The row we review is the 6-24x50 with the illuminated ZMOA-1 reticle, which the retailer lists as reticle #93, and an exposed elevation turret. In Zeiss's own video on the 6-24x50, the reticle panel describes the non-illuminated ZMOA-1 and says its hash marks represent 1 MOA spacing. Because the reticle is in the second focal plane, it does not grow with the image: the marks hold their stated value at one magnification setting, and the spacing changes relative to the target at others. Check Zeiss's reticle documentation for that setting before you hold over. Our FFP vs SFP guide explains the trade-off.

The elevation turret has a zero stop. Zeiss describes its Ballistic Stop as an absolute, positive return to zero, made in all-metal construction, and states 80 MOA of elevation travel on the Conquest V4 page. The retailer lists the box contents as the scope, a manual, a turret key and scope covers.

Why reviewers rate it: glass, eye relief and the zero stop

Of the 16 reviews on the retailer's page for this listing, all of which we could read, 14 are five stars, one is two stars and one is one star. Clarity or glass quality is the theme reviewers repeat most: seven of the 16 reviews we could read praise it, and several compare it with scopes they already own, from Vortex to Nightforce. Three reviewers single out low light performance or light gathering, and two praise the eye relief.

“Excellent scope very clear glass like night and day from my vortex”

Scope (FL), via OpticsPlanet

The turret and zero stop get the second kind of praise. One reviewer running a .22-250 at 400 yards says the zero stop is easy to set and returns to zero, and another, running a .260 Remington, shot two 1,000 yard matches with it and titles the review around its excellent turret. One reviewer runs it on a 6.5 Creedmoor Ruger Precision Rifle, and another reports a 2.5 inch group at 300 yards. For dialing basics, see how to adjust a rifle scope.

Read the owner record with one caution: the review pool is not specific to the row we price. At least three of the 16 reviews are about something else: one about a ZBR reticle version that can no longer be ordered on this listing, one about a #65 reticle, and one about the Conquest V6 5-30. One more reviewer rates the scope highly but says it was not the product ordered.

The honest catches: SFP, MOA only and 24x

Second focal plane only. Every Conquest V4 in Zeiss's technical data lists the reticle in the second focal plane. For a hunter who dials the turret and holds dead on, that barely matters. For anyone who holds over at mid magnification or calls misses off the reticle, it adds math under pressure.

MOA only. Zeiss's technical data lists no MRAD click value for any Conquest V4 size; the 6-24x50 and 4-16x44 click in 1/4 MOA. If your spotter, your ballistic app and your habits are in mils, this line does not offer that; our MOA vs MRAD guide covers the choice, and the MOA and MRAD calculator converts between them.

A small exit pupil at 24x. Zeiss lists the exit pupil as 7.5 to 2.1 mm. At 2.1 mm your eye has to sit squarely behind the ocular, and the image gets dimmer as light fades. Both negative reviews criticise the image: the one-star reviewer lists these cons, and the two-star reviewer calls the glass “pretty poor” next to an older Zeiss.

“Clarity at 24x, Parallex, Elevation Turret Assembly”

Mister C (AL), one-star review, via OpticsPlanet

A 6x bottom end. The 6-24x50 starts at 6x, with a listed 19 ft field of view at 100 yards. That is narrow for close timber shots; the 4-16x44 below starts wider.

Trade-offs, plainly

• Second focal plane on every size: holdover marks are true at one magnification only.
• MOA only: no MRAD click value for any size in Zeiss's technical data.
• 2.1 mm exit pupil at 24x (Zeiss's figure); the one-star review lists clarity at 24x as a con.
• The 6x low end gives a 19 ft field of view at 100 yards, narrow for close cover.
• The 16-review record is shared with reticle versions and even a different model, so it says less about the #93 row than the count suggests.
• Zeiss lists a 56 mm objective tube, so check ring height for bell clearance (see our scope rings guide).

Which configuration: two 6-24x50 listings and the 4-16x44

OpticsPlanet sells the Conquest V4 on separate listings with different part numbers. Zeiss's technical data lists one 6-24x50 with several reticle options, including the #60 Plex and the ZMOAi-1, so the two 6-24x50 listings below are the same size with different reticles on separate retailer pages. Each column is described only from its own listing, plus Zeiss's figures where marked.

6-24x50 with the Plex #60 reticle

The Plex #60 row (522955-9960-080) is for a hunter who wants a simple crosshair and plans to dial rather than hold over. Its listing title names an external elevation turret with ballistic stop. The same listing also sells three other reticle rows, ZMOAi-T20, ZMOAi-20 and ZBi, at their own prices. Its owner record is two reviews, both five stars, shared across all four reticle rows, so treat the 5.0 as early feedback. Both reviewers compare it with a Nightforce and praise the weight; one calls out the windage knob.

“I do however with the windage knob felt a little less cheap for what this scope cost.”

jason (TX), via OpticsPlanet

“Draw back it's 6 power on low side but I can pick up target 10 ft away.”

Cellc (GA), via OpticsPlanet

4-16x44 with the illuminated Plex reticle and capped turret

The 4-16x44 (522935-9960-000) is the pick for woods and mixed hunting. It starts at 4x with a 28.5 ft field of view at 100 yards, has a 50 mm objective tube per Zeiss, and the row we price has a capped elevation turret, which suits a hunter who sets zero and leaves it. Its listing sells seven rows in all, with Plex-style, ZBi and ZMOAi-T30 reticle rows at their own prices. We do not print a weight for it: the retailer table and Zeiss list different figures. Its owner record is two five-star reviews shared across all seven rows; one longtime Leupold user reports finding a reticle very similar to the Leupold Impact reticle.

“The glass is clear and the edge-to-edge clarity, especially at dusk, is remarkable.”

BN (ID), via OpticsPlanet

Key specifications: 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 #93

Figures are from the retailer's specification table for the ZMOA-1 listing unless marked; every figure in this table also matches Zeiss's technical data where Zeiss publishes one. The retailer table lists a 50 yard parallax figure next to a 10 yards to infinity focus range; Zeiss lists 9.1 m to infinity, so we print that. The retailer does not state which of the two travel figures is windage and which is elevation beyond its W/E label. On awards: OpticsPlanet's "Best Rated Product" label is a store rating, not an editorial award, so we claim none.

Should you buy it, and what else to consider

• Buy the 6-24x50 ZMOA-1 if you hunt open country or shoot steel at distance, dial your drop with a zero stop and want MOA hash marks for wind.
• Buy the 6-24x50 Plex if you will always dial and want the simplest crosshair.
• Buy the 4-16x44 if most of your shots are in timber or at moderate range and you want a wider low end and a capped turret.
• Want first focal plane or mils? Our Vortex Viper PST Gen II review and Vortex Razor HD Gen III review cover FFP options.
• Comparing the field? Start at our best long range rifle scope guide, or pick by cartridge with the best scope for 6.5 Creedmoor. Parallax is explained in parallax in a rifle scope.

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