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If you’ve ever spent a full day behind the glass, you know your optic can make or break your hunt. Eye fatigue, washed-out images, and poor low-light performance are more than annoyances—they’re missed opportunities. That’s why when I was looking for a premium spotter that could go from western glassing ridgelines for muleys to late-season whitetail scouting here in the Midwest, I went all in on the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85—and snagged it from Brink Excursions at a killer price. Let’s get into what makes this spotter a game-changer—and whether it lives up to the Zeiss name.  First Impressions: Light, Tight, and Built Like a TankOut of the box, the Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 feels like a tool built for professionals but priced for serious recreational hunters. It’s got that signature Zeiss fit and finish—sleek matte body, smooth focus wheel, and one of the most compact 85mm scopes I’ve ever handled. Weighing in at just under 4 lbs (with eyepiece), it’s surprisingly lightweight for an 85mm objective. That was huge for me—because while I love big glass, I hate lugging a 6 lb. spotter up a ridge. Optical Performance: It’s All in the GlassLet’s not beat around the bush--this thing is sharp. Zeiss’s legendary glass delivers crisp, high-contrast images that just pop with detail. Whether I was glassing antelope on a sunny ridge in South Dakota or trying to pick apart a tree line during a gloomy Iowa afternoon, the light transmission and edge-to-edge clarity were flawless. At 60x, the image stays remarkably clean with minimal distortion. That’s rare—even in this price tier. Color fidelity is next-level too. Animals don’t blur into the brush. Heat waves and mirage still exist, sure, but this optic cuts through them better than anything else I’ve used under $3K Focus & Ergonomics: Smooth OperatorThe speed focus ring is butter-smooth and fast. I could easily fine-tune focus with gloved hands, and the ergonomic angle of the eyepiece meant long sessions weren’t a pain. Zeiss really nailed the balance between speed and control—fast enough for scanning, fine enough for dialing into detail on antlers, feathers, or ear flicks. The built-in rotating tripod collar is also a win. It locks up solid and lets you shift viewing angles without realigning your whole setup. And for the digiscopers out there—yes, Zeiss has adapters ready to go. Durability & Field Use: Rugged But RefinedI’ve dragged this scope in and out of pickups, blind bags, and mountain packs. It’s held up perfectly. Zeiss coats their lenses with LotuTec® hydrophobic coating, which means water, dust, and even fingerprints wipe off easily. Rain, snow, cold fingers, it didn’t matter. This thing is built to perform. Who It’s ForIf you're an avid hunter, wildlife photographer, or long-range shooter who needs professional-level performance without the insane $4K price tag of some other Euro glass, the Gavia 85 is your optic. This isn’t a casual birdwatching scope—it’s for people who care about clarity, durability, and real-world usability in the field. Period. Final Thoughts: Is the Gavia 85 Worth It?Yes. Every. Penny. The Zeiss Conquest Gavia 85 punches well above its price class, delivering flagship-level performance with fewer compromises than almost anything else in its range. Bottom line? If you’re in the market for a lifetime-level spotter but don’t want to completely drain your savings, the Gavia 85 deserves a spot in your pack. Pros:
Cons:
How Did We Get Here? We put the Zeiss up against the following.
Happy Glassing! Reach out to Brink Excursions for any questions!
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REVIEW: Athlon Midas Flare 3x Prism Optic – A Solid Mid-Range Prism That Punches Above Its Weight4/12/2025 We recently got our hands on the new Midas Flare 3x Prism Optic from Athlon Optics, and we’ve got to say—we’re impressed. Right out of the box, it feels like Athlon built this optic for shooters who want rock-solid performance without dropping high-end dollars. If you’re in the market for a 3x magnified optic that’s crystal clear, rugged, and fast to acquire your target, this one’s worth a look. Here’s our breakdown after putting it through some early testing. 1. Easy on the Eyes – LiterallyOne of the first things we noticed was how generous and forgiving the eyebox is. Whether you’re shooting from a funky angle or adjusting on the fly, you’re not fighting to get that perfect cheek weld. That makes this optic ideal for fast-paced shooting situations—whether you’re running drills, hunting, or just hitting the range. 2. Crystal-Clear Glass with No Weird TintAthlon really nailed the glass quality. You’ll notice clean, crisp visuals from edge to edge. One big win? There's no noticeable color hue from multicoating, which can be an issue with other prism optics. What you see is natural and vibrant—not a blue or green-tinted mess. 3. Quality Reticle System with a Sharp HaloThe Midas Flare’s reticle is sharp, fine, and extremely usable. The halo ring design is bright, precise, and fast for target acquisition. Whether you're shooting close or stretching it out, the center reticle gives just enough finesse for accurate shots without cluttering your view. The reticle itself is etched, so even without illumination, you’ve got a reliable aiming point. But when you do light it up…  4. Red & Green Illumination – Day and Night ReadyThe Midas Flare offers dual-color illumination—red and green—with a total of 10 brightness settings for daytime, plus 2 night vision settings for low-light or NVG scenarios. No matter what lighting conditions you're shooting in, this optic is ready. 5. Daytime Bright Illumination – No ProblemWe were blown away by how bright the reticle gets in full daylight. This isn't one of those optics where the red washout makes you question your settings. Athlon's digital illumination control gives you a smooth, no-nonsense way to adjust brightness, and it holds up well even in full sun. 6. Digital Simplicity & Smart PowerSpeaking of that digital control system—it’s super intuitive. Adjusting the brightness is straightforward and responsive, with tactile buttons that don’t feel mushy or overly sensitive. Plus, it’s got Smart Power Management: a 3-hour auto shutoff system to save battery life. Forget to power down after a long day? No worries—this optic’s got your six. 7. Mount Up a Red Dot for 1x Close-QuartersHere’s a feature we really appreciate: the top of the optic is ready to mount a RMR pistol red dot, like an Athlon Midas Flash or similar footprint. That gives you instant access to true 1x magnification for fast close-quarter work, while keeping the 3x ready for longer shots. It’s the best of both worlds in one compact setup. 8. Lifetime Warranty – Zero WorriesAs with most of Athlon’s top-tier gear, the Midas Flare 3x is backed by their Lifetime Warranty. That means if anything goes wrong due to craftsmanship or manufacturing, you’re covered—no receipts, no headaches, no fine print. Final ThoughtsAll in all, the Midas Flare 3x checks a lot of boxes: rugged build, clear glass, smart features, and a reticle system that's both quick and precise. Add in the ability to run a red dot on top and dual-color illumination, and you’ve got a rock-solid optic ready for almost any scenario. For the price point, it holds its own against other higher-dollar optics in the 3x prism space. And with Athlon’s lifetime warranty, there’s even more peace of mind. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, high-performance prism optic to top your rifle, the Midas Flare 3x deserves a spot in your kit. Available now through Brink Excursions – grab yours and see the difference for yourself.
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