Leupold shortcomings

[FearNoWind]

I know Leupold is not universally loved here, but curious to know what the cause is .....

I suspect that someone has a bad experience, blasts it all over the Internet on a dozen forums and feeds the anxiety of a couple of others who also had a bad experience and a fire storm gets started.
I have two Leupold scopes. A VXIII and a vintage 12x varmint model. Both have provided me with excellent performance.
I've had one bad experience with Leupold involving a reticle change-out. It took a couple of telephone calls and an email or two but it got straightened out and I got what I ordered. Was it their fault? Of course it was. But nobody's perfect; I made mistakes in some of the work I did during my career so I don't expect perfection when I deal with others.
Frankly, my Leupold scopes have better optics than my Zeiss scopes. I don't know why that is. Some shooters like the Zeiss optics over Leupold. So I don't bad mouth Zeiss ... I just move to another scope manufacturer next time.

 

[yorke-1]

I prefer Leupolds to most of the other makes I have now or have had in the past. At the moment I have 5 VX-3s(2 with M-1 turrets) and a Mk 4 (I've had 3) and I love them all. I also have 2 Sightron SIIIs and a Nightforce NXS (I've had 3).

The Leupolds just have a cleaner appearance to me. I'm particularly fond of the VX-3L line. I also like the reduced weight and bulk over the NF scopes. I've never had a reliability issue with the Leupolds but I did send one of the SIII scopes in for repair after about 15 shots on a 338 Edge. It was repaired quickly with no questions asked, but it still took about 2 weeks of shooting away. The NF scopes have all been good, but not worth the extra cost to me. I'm not willing to pay new prices for a NF, but I buy used ones with confidence when they show up for the right price. A buddy of mine bought a new NF that went in for repair after about 75 shots on a 338 Edge. Again, the repairs were quick (about 2 weeks I believe) and no questions asked.

The one greatest asset to Leupold in my opinion is the FFP TMR reticle and M-5 turrets. I absolutely love that combo!

Andrew

 

[Rogmay]

I like what you have to say FearNoWind, I to have had and still have multiple Leupold's, never let me down, all VX-3's from 3.5-10 to 6.5-20, some with CDS dials to custom turrets for my hand loads out to 1000yrds! I do own one vortex, it will probably be the only one I'll ever buy. As far as price point goes, heck you can jump into a VX-6 for $1000-$1500 which is better optically than the Mark 4's. And dollar for dollar, take the scopes out at dusk or dawn and really see what is what! I can look through my gold ring bino's next to swarovski's all day (which I own both) it's not until low light where good glass really takes off! I also tested the Vortex in the same conditions and stayed with the Leupold's! Not to totally bag on Vortex they do make a good product, just not for me.

 

[Ljtimber72]

It just seems a little strange that Leupold has not put forth a scope for the hunter/tactical shooter with a 60-100 Moa elevation turret with a zero stop and a windage based reticle. To me they have totally dropped the ball. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, if there is a scope that fits this bill I am unaware of it.

 

[theo98]

It just seems a little strange that Leupold has not put forth a scope for the hunter/tactical shooter with a 60-100 Moa elevation turret with a zero stop and a windage based reticle. To me they have totally dropped the ball. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, if there is a scope that fits this bill I am unaware of it.

Ljtimber72,

Ask and ye shall receive...http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-6-riflescopes/vx-6-3-18x50mm-side-focus-cds-zl/HERE YOU GO !

 

[azsugarbear]

While the VX-6 is a huge step in the right direction, it still falls short in my estimation. I don't believe the 'fire-dot' reticle offered is a true windage reticle - as the subtensions only appear on the vertical axis for holdover. There are none on the horizontal axis for windage. Furthermore, the subtensions on the vertical axis are neither in MOA nor Mil units.

Finally, the price of their scope is well above a comparable Vortex Viper or Sightron SIII scope - and these have true MOA or Milradion subtensions on the reticles. Plus higher magnificatins are offered as well.

 

[Ljtimber72]

Ljtimber72,

Ask and ye shall receive...http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-6-riflescopes/vx-6-3-18x50mm-side-focus-cds-zl/HERE YOU GO !

Thanks for the link Theo, but at that price I would spend the $$$$ on a Nightforce...
Or maybe 2-3 Vortex?

 

[stomp442]

I can't afford big money big name scopes like NF or S&B. I have got by a lot of years using Nikon monarchs and buckmasters for my long range hunting and shooting. I have tried most of the Vortex line up to the HST point hoping to improve my optics at a little higher cost but not much. While the optics were good none of them lived longer than a year without having to be sent off for repair due to tracking issues or reticle problems. I shoot a lot and I dial all my ranges out to 1000 plus yards and back to my 200 yard zero. I have replaced every craptex I own with either a vxII or vxIII and have had zero issues while spending only slightly more money than the comparable vortex model. The leupolds have a much nicer design, weigh much less and are far more dependable. I also like a simple duplex reticle and don't care for busy hash marks or dots. Leupold fits the bill for me.

 

[theo98]

While the VX-6 is a huge step in the right direction, it still falls short in my estimation. I don't believe the 'fire-dot' reticle offered is a true windage reticle - as the subtensions only appear on the vertical axis for holdover. There are none on the horizontal axis for windage. Furthermore, the subtensions on the vertical axis are neither in MOA nor Mil units.

Thanks for the link Theo, but at that price I would spend the $$$$ on a Nightforce...
Or maybe 2-3 Vortex?

According to the Leupold reticle graphics, the MOA subtensions (10 per side) of the 120599 appear on the horizontal plane (windage-called a FireDot Wind-Plex), not on the vertical. The vertical is a simple plex (no subtensions).

Their listed retail prices are always discounted 20 to 25%, however still higher than some manufactures, but less than others. The VX-6 line comes in light, bright and is solidly built with very good glass, has a rock solid warranty and is my personal hunting rifle optic! So maybe we'll hear from those with other experiences who can offer input on LJT72's original question!?

Ted