Minox Ze 5i vs Meopta meostar R2

Seeking opinions on these two scopes. The Minox is 100% German made and around $1200 for a 3x15x56. The meostar is around $1450 for the same scope. Wondering which is better, if either, for low light and quality?

Which Meostar is 1450? I have sean the 3x12x56 meopta with lighted 4k reticle its 1100 dollars. Its my next scope. I have a Zeiss Victory with lighted reticle it was 1800. The Meopta is just as good and 700 dollars less!

A demo Zeiss or Swaro... If you are gonna spend $1500 you can find one.

It is going to be hard to find someone that has used the Minox scope. I saw all their new scopes at the Shot Show in January. I can't remember this one exactly but on the surface their new scopes looked like were on par with other German made... but inside an exhibit hall, and not sitting there drooling over them for an hour.... it is hard to tell. I am a fan of the German Minox and have some binos that I'd say are on par with my Swaro binos and were about 2/3 the price. Their previous lineup of 1" scopes were about dead even with the Meopro lineup IMO and not quite as good as the Conquest. So I didn't ever buy one and at that price point got several Conquest but spent a little more money. The Minox was probably the best for the price as they could be purchased cheaper than the other 2.

The Meostar R2 is better than the R1 which I have. They upgraded some coatings I assume. It is a pretty solid scope. Don't really see how you could go wrong.

All that being said for a little more coin you could probably get a Zeiss or Swaro.

If you are stuck between the Meopta/Minox probably other factors such as weight, turrets, etc. would come into play for a final decision. I'd say they are about on par optics wise.

If it were me I'd get the Meostar. Meopta has a good reputation and Minox is just a little new to the market for me to go out on a limb just yet at that price point.

that is the scope I was telling you about, the other day. my new SHV, arrived a couple of days ago.

Got you. Thats the 4x16x44 for 1100 dollars mil-dot scope. I was trying to figure out what scope was 1450?

I can give you several great options for $1400 if you tell me your needs as far as magnification , what type hunting or target shooting.

I would "NOT" spend $1400 for a Minox. They don't have the name to back up the money spent and it would go down in value faster than a new computer. I wouldn't even spend $1400 on a Meopta. You are in Zeiss and Swaro range or even a used Nightforce.

Arguably the best scope in the world.

Demo is $1500. Better jump now and fast.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=zeiss522435

The Meopta meostar R2 2.5x15x56 lists for $1450 on several websites. It's the latest greatest from them.

That is a good recommendation however it doesn't have an illuminated recticle. Both of the ones I'm looking at do for less money. My main concerns are quality of build/glass and low light performance.

Thx for the input so far. Here are some more of my thoughts. I'm not spending that kind of money on Swarovski because they only have a 10 year warranty as opposed to lifetime for comparable brands. That makes no sense to me. Also I don't believe NF glass measures up to German glass. That's not just my opinion but many others I've read on other forums on the web. Probably the best built scope and very rugged but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm leaning towards the meostar but if I knew the minox was just as good for less money I would buy it.

I have been meaning to make a thread about this so I guess I will today. I found out that meopta has a damn good trade in program. I'm going to trade my 56mm r1 in on an r2 and they are going to charge me $400. I think that is pretty good considering my scope is a few years old and I bought it used from a guy for a very good deal. I can't stand the tunneling effect on the r1. They resolved that issue in the r2. I didn't think I would be a fan of the illuminated reticle but I was wrong. Also, meoptas customer service and warranty are top notch.

If you don't know what an incredible bargain the scope I just posted is, then someone else deserves it more.

Swaro is lifetime warranty. It may only be 10 years on illumination which is standard for everyone I know of.

That zeiss I posted is so far ahead of the others you are considering optically that it's like the difference between a $30 bushnell and a VX3 Leupold. You shouldn't even need illumination.

By all means though go ahead and spend your money the way you want but what I posted is much better optically than what you are considering. You are looking at a $2500 scope for $1500.

That's some crazy adjustment on that thing. I am regretting my conquest 3-12x56. Terrible adjustment. Had to remove my 20moa rail.

You an buy a 3x12x56 conquest for 699 at europtics. Thats not really equal to a 1400-1500 hundred dollar scope.

What do you mean by "crazy adjustment"?

He is probably talking about cm. The zeiss is 1 click per .36 inchs. Just like milran scopes. 3 clicks equals 1 MOA in stead of 4 click= 1 MOA like own most scopes. I never understood the big deal that people make out of Milran dials. Its simple to learn and ALL ballistic programs have Milran or MOA settings

That's great info! Thx! That will probably make the difference for my decision.

When you were looking through the Minox Ze 5i, the meostar R2 and the Zeiss victory ht what specifically were the differences you saw? Did you know that Minox and Zeiss use the same Schott glass? The scope I saw on the website you posted was a ht for $1499 with a rapid z 800 rec. Thats not a $2500 scope. If that's not the one you meant then I need to look again.

If it's money that's the decision maker that's one thing but the Zeiss has a bullet prof warranty as good or better than anyone and the optics are far superior to the Meopta.

EHH : where did you find out about this trade in program? I called them about it on some binoculars and they acted like they never heard of such a thing. Thanks!

The resale value will be drastically less on the Minox than on a Zeiss, Meopta, S&B, or Nightforce.

If you're thinking about getting the minox, might as well get it cheap.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=66574

I'm thinking cameraland will knock another 10% off that right now too for their big moving sale.
Mr Clark is right about minox not having the same resale as swaro and zeiss, but I've had a couple Minox in the past and they are fine scopes

Meopta would be my choice. I have the 3-10x50 R1 with #4 rec. very bright. The R2 suppose to be comparable to close to the high end Zeiss if I remember correctly

If I'm paying that much I'm going leupold vx6.

If I were you I would compare the leupold and any other of the scopes mentioned, in low light and see if you still feel that way. Leupold has done one heck of a job of marketing and they build a tough scope but their low light performance won't stand up to others in the same price range or less.

Hey bill I've owned all the scopes mentioned. So I'm not just some blinded by the light leupold fan. I've sold Swaro Z6 and Diavari 56 mm to buy burris euro diamonds cause I could see clearer and had the illuminated reticle. I also just bought the vx6 a month ago and it puts leupold back on the playing field. Vortex is also there now too. All I'm saying is for the $$$ and resale a man needs to look the vx6 line now from leupy.

10 4. What company is making Vortex? I know they are just a brand that contracts other companies to build their product. All the reviews I've heard have been positive.

Bill, from what I can tell it depends on the model. I would think the Japanese models better than others.

Bill I put a viper HS 4x16x50 on the 300 saum I bought from a member here. Hunted all this week with it so far and to this point I can see neck to neck with my Swaro 10x50 slc Binos. I consider that pretty good and late. Only thing I wish is that it was offered with illuminated reticle. The PST reticle is just too busy for my brain to comprehend. I would recommend them though. I paid $400 to my door from camera land.

Where is that one made?

Made in the Phillippines there Mr Clark.

R2 over the r1 7 days a week and twice on Sunday. I have an r1 and will be replacing it with r2 after this season.