Leupold Scopes are NOT worth the money....IMO

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Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

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Quick, add March scopes to the five star list before anyone gets upset! :D

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Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

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Kind of agree except VX-5HD is same glass as the VX6HD so find it hard to be thrown down a teir. Arguably it's a better scope than the Z5s. I currently own a VX6HD, a Z5, 2 VX3i's, a Sig Whiskey5 (which I would rate up there pretty highly especially for a longer range hunter if your not stressed about weight like I tend to be.)

I did see Guncity's prices on Leupolds today and have really seen the prices ramped up the last 3 or 4 years (I'd guess due to the NZ distributor) I brought my first VX3i for 699 now they are 1099. Also the only new VX5HD I brought was $1599. Now they are $1874. So maybe that does make me think NZ importer has made them a little harder to stomach. Still think they have a fit a niche at a good price just have to shop around a bit more. Sale at shooters supplies this weekend I think ;)

You way underestimate the Tract Toric. They are top tier.
I have Swarvo Z5 (2), Tract Toric (2, 3-15) Leupold 2-12 VX6, Zeiss, Delta.

I would rate the Toric slightly below the Z5 3-18 - mainly because I prefer the Swarvo wind flex reticle. My Tracts have done some real hard work and never failed.

My Leupol VX6 has been good but I have had a shocking run with VX3's in the past. I don't trust Leupolds to track. They have done nothing to improve their erector system as far as I know, and it has always been a failing.

Delta can hold their own in any company and blitz similar scopes for price. The 4-24 I have is a great 'scope.

Sightron SV is middle of the road. Had one and it performed well. No zero stop.

Tract, Delta, most Nightforce and the Bushnel 6500 (RIP) are all out of the same LOW factory in Japan.

The leupold beat most scopes on weight.

Sent from my SM-J530Y using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by erniec

The leupold beat most scopes on weight.

Sent from my SM-J530Y using Tapatalk

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So does a toilet paper roll with clingfilm.

3 or 4 ounces of weight between the rings central to the action dont make a wiff of difference to me. Not to say I'm going to buy a truckload of 34mm rifle scopes.

I like Leupolds and keep buying them. Tough as nails, lightweight, waterproof, sleek design, practical size and magnification ranges for my needs. I admit the lower end models are maybe not the brightest scopes.
Once you buy a Leupold you kinda have it forever, if anything craps out or just wears out , send it back and it's repaired or replaced for only the postage cost.

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Originally Posted by rockland

I like Leupolds and keep buying them. Tough as nails, lightweight, waterproof, sleek design, practical size and magnification ranges for my needs. I admit the lower end models are maybe not the brightest scopes.
Once you buy a Leupold you kinda have it forever, if anything craps out or just wears out , send it back and it's repaired or replaced for only the postage cost.

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This!

I have four Leupold scopes on rifles, the youngest of which would be ten years old and none of them have ever let me down despite my best attempts at banging, clanging and dropping them and using them as a carry handle from time to time.

I personally love the leupys, admittedly the prices have climbed a little over recent years but so too have swaro etc. As stated above, you can purchase a leupy 2nd hand with confidence knowing you have a warranty that will cover you. I've not long sold a swaro z5 to go back to a vx5 due to eye relief and the zl2 system. I also grabbed another 3.5-10vx3 the other day as it came up cheap and they're one of my favorite light weight scopes about. I agree that the gap between vx5 and 6 has diminishing returns but I've never needed to go to a 6. Windplex vx5 covers me fine. I also challenge anyone to find a 2nd hand 2-10 vx5... you wont. To my eyes pricing the vx5hd glass against z5/z3s zeiss v4s etc I know what I'd pick.

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

years ago in a discussion with Richard from Wilhelms arms and optics, this came up. I was looking at a scope for a project and he had a burris 2-10 signature that i ended up with. That is still a great piece of glass to look through but never been on a rifle in anger. Quite a large objective lens too but it is an AO type
His comment back then in the mid/late 90's was that leupold was generally a good scope and their QC very good. They tested every single scope and as such this was why their failure rate was so low on the hill so to speak. This is very likely what kiwis liked so much about them. Reliability
The Burris I was looking at and ultimately purchased was a little different. That particular range (maybe it was all Burris scopes) only had maybe 1 in 5 tested. Instead they put some of that budget into the glass. As such they were a slightly better scope although with slightly more risk of failure.
I know at 4x it is still way nicer to look through than the Loopy M8 4x from the early 90s i have on the 243. its only a couple of years newer
remember back then there wasn't the dearth of all these other scope manufacurers about.
There was the euro stuff like Kahles that you got when you saved up the shekels, along with the odd Swarovski etc and the odd Pecar thrown in.
Come back down the line you had Leupold, Burris, Bushnell, some Weaver, Tasco and Nikko Stirling.
You would probably find that Leupold had a bigger range marketed in NZ too

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yes but not all m8 4x are equal...I had 3 and all were different...the oldest/longest ,with largest rear eyebox was by far and away the best......eye relief is primo...field of view is primo....target aquiring is shit hot....it now sitting atop my poohseventy and will probably never leave it again....the 3x9x50mm vx11 in the 223 is good scope and never moves zero....the old nikko stirling gold crown beat it for light gathering but those scopes were freaks of nature....had so much good features but did fog if abused...unfortunately Im guilty of scope abuse so nearly all my rifle wear loopys...the two that arent are wearing an early burris and early kahales both were gifted to me....

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yes but not all m8 4x are equal...I had 3 and all were different...the oldest/longest ,with largest rear eyebox was by far and away the best......eye relief is primo...field of view is primo....target aquiring is shit hot....it now sitting atop my poohseventy and will probably never leave it again....the 3x9x50mm vx11 in the 223 is good scope and never moves zero....the old nikko stirling gold crown beat it for light gathering but those scopes were freaks of nature....had so much good features but did fog if abused...unfortunately Im guilty of scope abuse so nearly all my rifle wear loopys...the two that arent are wearing an early burris and early kahales both were gifted to me....

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@Micky Duck I reckon Leupold should have you on the books and pay you a commission for every Leupold they sell.

You would have to be the number 1 Leupold 'positive promotion man' on this whole forum :thumbsup:

Used to only have Leupolds,now only 1 little 1-4 compact left I have slowly switched to low power Kahles and a swaro,no regrets.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yes but not all m8 4x are equal...I had 3 and all were different...the oldest/longest ,with largest rear eyebox was by far and away the best......eye relief is primo...field of view is primo....target aquiring is shit hot....it now sitting atop my poohseventy and will probably never leave it again....the 3x9x50mm vx11 in the 223 is good scope and never moves zero....the old nikko stirling gold crown beat it for light gathering but those scopes were freaks of nature....had so much good features but did fog if abused...unfortunately Im guilty of scope abuse so nearly all my rifle wear loopys...the two that arent are wearing an early burris and early kahales both were gifted to me....

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Mine is a bit of a short one. Even on the m70 243 lightweight it could come back a little for proper eye relief
Got a 1.5x5 loopy on the 416 and it is a great little scope. Mind you dont have anything comparable to judge it against

I own about 17 leupold. 4 were bough new ,the rest were all second hand. I sent back two of the second hand ones recently, one I dropped and broke the rear lense the other one to add a cds turret. They both came back with brand new front and back lenses, serviced and tested for proper tracking.
I also own a couple of bushnell tactical ( bought new), a couple of weaver which are ok .
Unless you want to spend more on euro glass or overpriced nightforce glass , I am happy with what I get out of leupold.

Another leupold fan,I recon good value for $ and I rate the vx5 as a good allrounder


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Availability is one of the key reason that people buy leupold scopes.
Most gun stores have them, they are 'reasonably' priced and they are marketed.

Think of them as the ford ranger of rifle scopes.

If you are talking over priced Nightforce in nz takes the cake. I own a few but still true. If the same supplier that brought in Nightforce brought in Leupold a vx3 would cost $2500

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Originally Posted by Manchester

Availability is one of the key reason that people buy leupold scopes.
Most gun stores have them, they are 'reasonably' priced and they are marketed.

Think of them as the ford ranger of rifle scopes.

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I'd relate them more to the hilux. Less issues than rangers. Hahaha

Love me a Leupy. Never had an issue with any i've owned.

I personally think you are missing the boat to add the Sightron SV as a 5 star and Delta as a 4.5 Star.

Delta 5-50 (2020 model) has much more features with better glass. Solid zero stop and 10x zoom range vs no zero stop and a 5x zoom range.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you used all of these 'scopes?

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He missed the latest Delta in there too @Tahr
I am sure they be rated if not such outdated list :-)

Anyway - you Leupi fans
I just listed this for a client
$1 reserve
Brand new mounted once

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Lis...?id=2901701918

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Originally Posted by nor-west

So does a toilet paper roll with clingfilm.

3 or 4 ounces of weight between the rings central to the action dont make a wiff of difference to me. Not to say I'm going to buy a truckload of 34mm rifle scopes.

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I bent two and a I look after my gear but cant stop the odd slip/fall when bush bashing
So - yes light weight has a payoff

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Originally Posted by Sarvo

He missed the latest Delta in there too @Tahr
I am sure they be rated if not such outdated list :-)

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Ok just for you Mr @Sarvo here is an updated list (although I did have your Delta scopes listed as a 4.5 star before):

Five-Star Scopes

Athlon Optics Cronus BTR
Arken Optics EP4 (reasonable/low price for the specs)
Delta line esp 5-50x (2020 model)
Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
March line (all)
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series (stays in top tier)
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
TRACT Toric
Vixen VIII
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star-Plus Scopes

Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Burris XTR II
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD (stays in 2nd tier)
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT Tekoa
Vixen VII scopes
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Again this is just my opinion collected over the years from my own and feedback from other shooters. Any complaints/disagreements you can post below...but remember complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about. :D

@55six notice I included the Arken EP4 (your soon to arrive Arken SH4 Gen 2 I have no reviews to compare it with....as yet)

All my favourite scopes are leupys
Iv got others and they are great too

I hate it when things break and leupolds I have in my care get hard lives
If it doesn't handle it they will replace or repair it
Cool business model if you ask me

I rate the cheaper 3-9 type Leupolds, they are light weight, have relatively good glass, eye relief and a good warranty.

May have been a bit harsh on Leupolds. Have owned 3 -
M8 4x32 bought 1980 - a dedicated 22lr scope, reticle was very fine, glass good, once zeroed it stayed put, very lite weight. Sold because it had a very narrow eye box which required you to be exactly inline to use, as a bunny gun sometimes you need fast acquisition, and possoming the reticle was slightly too fine. Overall an reliable little scope, had for 30 odd years.

VX3 6-20 x 40 great glass. liteweight. Varmint reticle, was on a fast twist 223 sold it with the rig. Can't rely fault the scope.

VX2 4-12 x 40 glass was good but below VX3, reticle was long distance, slight heaver than my norm like. Sent it back to states as it was the newer model that didn't have a ocular lock up ring, but relied on a fine thread. Don't find this agreeable as, if it moved so did your point of impact. Back from the States they had not improved the situation, so I let it go.

Vortex - I had 3 of and am happy so far PTS 4-16 ffp was replaced with a $ top up to a - Gen 2 3-15 Why was never happy with the quality of glass, for a scope of that cost, the Gen 2 is a vast improvement, and a way better reticle for FFP, it dials really well, on the heavy side for a hunting rifle.

- Diamond back FFP 6 -24 glass is only average, dials well and is on a rig that only get used a the range.


Z5 3-18 x 40 going well so far, love it great glass, magnification, dialing, lite weight.
Bushnell 3-9 22 lr tac scope, cheap and cheerful well worth the money, better eye box than the little M8

So would I have another Lulpy YES but starting VX3 and beyond.

PSI - I have destroyed several good scopes, on My HW80 springer Air rifle, the only ones that can handle it are the cheap and cheerful Leapers

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Originally Posted by flock

PSI - I have destroyed several good scopes, on My HW80 springer Air rifle, the only ones that can handle it are the cheap and cheerful Leapers

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Yeah always surprised me how those UTG Leapers/ Accushot scopes can hold up to air-rifles. One of the best entry level field target scopes at not much cost.

Had 3 leupolds.

2 burris's and 2 Vortexs.

Never a issue with Leupold.

The VX5 has set the standard for me hands down.
Sent my burris SixX back on warranty as it got a small chip on a lense. Burris sorted it out no worries. Love burris optics.

Vortex.
I wont hate on them but after 2 warranty claims for a mid tier optic due to loosing zero (I checked all the mounts etc too) with its zero stop.

Never again for vortex.

Wish I had the money for VX5s on my other 2!
Just my 2 cents

i had 2 leupold vari-×ii scope they were good for me at the time better than the ziess conquest i had at the time but sold them both found nikon monarch series better with my eyes and glasses

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Originally Posted by Rock river arms hunter

Had 3 leupolds.

2 burris's and 2 Vortexs.

Never a issue with Leupold.

The VX5 has set the standard for me hands down.
Sent my burris SixX back on warranty as it got a small chip on a lense. Burris sorted it out no worries. Love burris optics.

Vortex.
I wont hate on them but after 2 warranty claims for a mid tier optic due to loosing zero (I checked all the mounts etc too) with its zero stop.

Never again for vortex.

Wish I had the money for VX5s on my other 2!
Just my 2 cents

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Which model Vortex did you have issues with?
Seems the lower priced models are hit or miss, mid tier and up are usually fine.

I had a VX6 and have a VX5HD, there are some things I don't like about them (lack of MRAD, not fuesed on reticle choices) but as far a glass, turrets, FOV, illumination etc go the VX5hd is an exceptionally good scope.
I've not had much experience with the lower end scopes other than Mark 4 that I had which for the most part was fine, but being a 20year old design meant it was left wanting compared to some of the newer scopes.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

Which model Vortex did you have issues with?
Seems the lower priced models are hit or miss, mid tier and up are usually fine.

I had a VX6 and have a VX5HD, there are some things I don't like about them (lack of MRAD, not fuesed on reticle choices) but as far a glass, turrets, FOV, illumination etc go the VX5hd is an exceptionally good scope.
I've not had much experience with the lower end scopes other than Mark 4 that I had which for the most part was fine, but being a 20year old design meant it was left wanting compared to some of the newer scopes.

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HST specifically.

It also depends on what the end game is to too be fair.

For me it's in no particular order: optical clarity. Easy to set zero stop elevation. Light weight. Not fussed on reticle. MOA only. SFP.

As my rifles are hunting rifles only however some will use them for a bit of this and a bit of that.

Had a few leupolds over the years, still have a Vll 2x7 on my 338 Win Mag which I bought in Aussie in 1980. Been a good scope, been on numerous rifles over the years and holds zero well. Only problem is focusing the eye piece , I have run out of adjustment for my eyes, the reason I sold a lot of my other ones. I found the Vortex had better adjustment in that area and have found the 5 Vortexs I currently have are working well so far.
I am in the process of getting a VX 5 for my 300 Mag so hope it performs well.

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Originally Posted by flock

PSI - I have destroyed several good scopes, on My HW80 springer Air rifle, the only ones that can handle it are the cheap and cheerful Leapers

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You should try the Old Bushnell Legend 5-15X40 or the new (ish) Bushnell Legend HDs for the air guns. I had old legends on 2 of my Diana 52 (One with Vmach kit another raw), survived thousand of shots and still going strong.

Any scope which can survive a raw Diana will survive HW80 for sure

-Inder

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Originally Posted by flock

I have destroyed several good scopes, on My HW80 springer Air rifle, the only ones that can handle it are the cheap and cheerful Leapers

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For years I ran my ancient Leupold M8 3x on my HW80. The scope never missed a beat.
But then the M8 3x is very robust scope devoid of a lot of innards that variables have.
It was also a recognised big calibre scope (eg 375 H & H) in its hayday.

6 pages.....seems pretty conclusive.

Haven't had any Leupold scopes give any trouble and I've had at least a dozen or more over the last 46 years. The one feature that I've always liked about Leupold scopes is that they don't have that tyre effect when looking through them that many scopes including some expensive Euro scopes have.

Incidentally, as an aside, Leupold is pronounced Loo-pold not Lee-a-pold or Lee-ur-pold. Received a telling off from a lady at the Leupold factory in Beaverton, Oregon some years back. They used to mention the proper way to pronounce it in their catalogues many years ago but must have given up in the end as English speaking people mostly tend to anglicize most foreign words.

From the get- go this thread reeked of a farcebook type of unhealthy flaming imo.

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Originally Posted by Woody

From the get- go this thread reeked of a farcebook type of unhealthy flaming imo.

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Not sure what this comment means @Woody. I am not on facebook and wouldn't know a 'unhealthy flaming' thread if I read it.

I wrote the thread because I sold my Leupold and brought two very good s/h scopes for the price of that one VX-5. Due to these events I honestly felt that the Leupold scopes are not worth the cost compared to some other scopes available (no 'unhealthy flaming' there).

After reading the other posts on this thread, I can now see that it is probably worth paying a bit extra for the Leupolds due to their great lifetime warranty and customer service. No doubt we all pay the premium for that excellent warranty in the purchase price of a Leupold, therefore the price is higher.

However the lifetime warranty, customer service and piece of mind they give is probably worth the extra dollars.

You could throw my rifle down a cliff and my 13 year old MK4 would still retain it's 0

It's great in low light, is very easy on the eye to sit behind for a long period of time and is fairly light weight compared to other offerings.

It's always tracked perfectly which has been awesome as most of the animals I shoot are around the 500yard range.

The exposed M1 turrets have never adjusted on me whilst bashing through tight scrub, and if I ever have a 'accident' with it i'll just send it back and get it repaired no questions asked.

I guess that's why I have never replaced it after all those years..

Good luck with your Weavers chaps!

Screw in scope caps are the best on the market too.