Thread: Leupold Vx5 Leaked in the rain - 1 year old

Originally Posted by Vandros

Bit frustrated as went out of my way to buy what i thought was a brand new high quality scope Leupold Vx5 from a well known Gun retailer in the City. Its just over a year old and i have used it 5-6 times mostly at the range with no issues, up to this point i would say it was fantastic. But last time i had it up at the range it was working perfectly but it was raining - Cleaned it put it away in the safe and 2 weeks later its got water droplets all through its internal lens.

I think i take good care of it always in a neoprene cover and in a soft rifle bag. Even the leave the neoprene cover on when i'm hunting whenever possible. Obviously its been bumped a few times in the bush but nothing that has concerned me or left any external marks on it. Talleys rings tighten to the correct torque.

So to find the below is frustrating and concerning as last time i had it out at the range in light rain shouldn't have lead to this.

Any one know if Leupold will repair or replace? And what there lead time presently is?
Retailer has suggested about a month turn around to have it assessed.

Not sure i want it back or even a Brand New one as not sure what i can do differently

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@Vandros ,

Suspect the droplets that you see are actually coming from inside the scope (my theory).

They are meant to be gas purged (usually argon or nitrogen) in a clean room, but if this is mucked up, you'll get condensation even if the seals are perfect (temp difference).

OR they are droplets of oil/lubricant from the internal turret mechanism.

Not a good thing to have happen. Yes the warranty on Leupold, Vortex etc are good, but you hope to never need to use it.

I've either owned or used all the top scope brands bar the 'Alpha' tier (in price, March, Tangent Theta and Zero Compromise Optics), and all of them (even the mighty Lightforce aka Nightforce) can fail

Best to have a picatinny rail on the rifle so you can easily have another scope ready to bolt on just in case.

If I was going to the middle of nowehere and/or an expensive hunt, my backup would always be a red dot or LPVO.