VX5HD 4-20x52 - Anybody have any experience with this scope?

[Andrew Massi]

Wondering if anybody has one of these and what their thoughts were? I have a couple VX5HD 3-15x56 scopes and absolutely love them. Been debating between a VX6HD 3-18x50 or this 4-20x52. I need new rings anyway, so buying the 34mm isn't that big of a deal to me. I don't really need illumination, but having it never hurts. It will be going on a CA BA tactical in 6.5 prc. Want a leupold because I've decided weight is a factor.

Also, they offer the 4-20x52 with a regular ZL2 low profile turret and a ZL3 target turret. Am looking at the ZL3 target turret model - anybody have any experience with those?

Not alot to love about the 4-20.
Although my shooting buddy has one we've been trying to break for 4 months and its held up amazingly. Hes putting a review together, ill link if he ever posts it.

Same glass across the vx5hd and vx6hd
I'll never dial 58 moa up so the zl3 is wasted
34mm rings...
Heavier and longer than the 3-18x50.
Lacking reticle choices, but then so is the vx6hd
I'd love either in a windplex but dont want to pay leupold $275 for a reticle swap.
I dial elevation and hold wind the tmoa is too fine for me on a hunting scope.

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Illumination turns on with a simple button push
Takes 3-5 secs to turn it off.
On the vx6hd line the self leveling reticle takes 10-12 seconds to turn on, but is only used for leveling the optic during mounting.

This is why first hand knowledge is better than me trying to remember the instructions I read on it a couple months ago. Can the illumination be increased/decreased quickly?

 

[Andrew Massi]

I dont know your budget but the illuminated mark 5 would be my choice. I like being able to hold the wind on any power.
Now I'm rethinking which I will order. I was in the process of putting payment info in when i got distracted and hopped over here and read this thread which pulled me in.
I guess I'm talking through my own problems haha
I really do prefer the turret on the mark 5 over the vx series.
The reason I hold back on the vx5 you want is the only reticle offered is the tmoa which also has very small subtensions and I think will also wash out in dark timber on dark animals.

The more I fondle the mark5hd the more I want one.

 

[Andrew Massi]

This is why first hand knowledge is better than me trying to remember the instructions I read on it a couple months ago. Can the illumination be increased/decreased quickly?

Yes every push of the button will increase illumination
The illumination also picks up on the same setting where you shut it off

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I really like my mark 5. I keep playing with it on 5x in different lighting to see if I can live with the non illuminated 3.6-18. I wish they would have done a bigger objective on this model but I understand why they didnt. Probably saving weight and appealing to the black rifle crowd that want an optic. What kills me is i'll be mounting it on a sako 85 and the mounting options are almost nil. I've found 1 pic base but I'm afraid with the small objective and lack of really low 35mm rings it will be very high above the barrel and lose cheek weld.

 

[fabricator21]

[QUOTET) Takes 3-5 secs to turn it off.
On the vx6hd line the self leveling reticle takes 10-12 seconds to turn on, but is only used for leveling the optic during mounting.[/QUOTE]
The electronic level is not just for mounting. It is there to let you know (the reticle will flash) if your scope is canted. this eliminates the need for an external level and you dont have to take tour eye out of the reticle, but who wants to hold a button for 15 seconds to turn it on

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I dont know your budget but the illuminated mark 5 would be my choice. I like being able to hold the wind on any power.
Now I'm rethinking which I will order. I was in the process of putting payment info in when i got distracted and hopped over here and read this thread which pulled me in.
I guess I'm talking through my own problems haha
I really do prefer the turret on the mark 5 over the vx series.
The reason I hold back on the vx5 you want is the only reticle offered is the tmoa which also has very small subtensions and I think will also wash out in dark timber on dark animals.

Is the TMOA too fine to be able to hunt with? I have never looked through a scope with the TMOA reticle.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Yes every push of the button will increase illumination
The illumination also picks up on the same setting where you shut it off

My 3-15x56 all have the firedot - I really like it, especially for calling coyotes at night. Pushing the button to turn it on is no big deal, especially when you have to set up for a stand anyway. But hunting big game? I think I'll pass. The only scope I had with an internal leveling system was the whiskey5 5-25. I hated it. Its long gone.

 

[fabricator21]

I found the illuminated fire dot to be very thick and prefer the tmoa.
The tmoa also alows you to hold for wind.
shot 2 antelope this year with the tmoa.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I just found this on using the TMOA for hunting:

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/tmoa-reticle.218547/

 

[Idaho Trecker]

I think it is for what you want to do since it sounds like hunt the same type of terrain I do. Open to timber. I aslo like the windplex and have it in a vx5hd. I'm wondering if they will offer any more reticles next year???

 

[Andrew Massi]

[QUOTET) Takes 3-5 secs to turn it off.
On the vx6hd line the self leveling reticle takes 10-12 seconds to turn on, but is only used for leveling the optic during mounting.

The electronic level is not just for mounting. It is there to let you know (the reticle will flash) if your scope is canted. this eliminates the need for an external level and you dont have to take tour eye out of the reticle, but who wants to hold a button for 15 seconds to turn it on[/QUOTE]
If it takes 15 seconds to turn on it isnt for field use and isnt meant to replace a bubble level.

 

[fabricator21]

The electronic level is not just for mounting. It is there to let you know (the reticle will flash) if your scope is canted. this eliminates the need for an external level and you dont have to take tour eye out of the reticle, but who wants to hold a button for 15 seconds to turn it on

If it takes 15 seconds to turn on it isnt for field use and isnt meant to replace a bubble level.[/QUOTE]

You are absolutely wrong. Read this:

The latest Leupold VX-6HD scopes have a feature we'd like to see incorporated in other optics: a tilt-correction warning system. When the rifle is canted more than 1 degree off level, the VX-6HD's new electronic reticle level flashes, telling the shooter to square up his rifle. This kind of innovation helps both hunters and target shooters. Even a small bit of cant variance from shot to shot will change the point of impact at long range.

 

[Memberberries]

Is the TMOA too fine to be able to hunt with? I have never looked through a scope with the TMOA reticle.

Can't speak to the TMOA but the TMR (same-ish thing in MILs) has served me quite well. I do think that illuminated would help in that last few minutes of light and especially at lower power. My next FFP hunting scope will be illuminated for sure.