is leupold worth it?

[LoonWulf]

well guys i was looking over the specs of the Nikon 2-7 and the leupold vx2 2-7 and they seem very comparable with leupold having a little more eye relief and a better FOV.

Nikon--fov=9.5@7x, 33@2x. Eye relief=3.8, 44mm eye piece, exit pupil=4.6-16

Leupold-FOV=44@2x, 17@7x. Eye relief=4.20, 40mm eye piece

Burris fullfield 2-FOV=45@2x, 13@7x eye relief-4.1, 39mm eye piece, exit pupil=5-17

Now here is my other dilemma. I don't baby my stuff at all and i noticed my Nikons are a little more rugged as far as the rubber eye pieces, bells, housing, etc.

How does Leupold compare to Nikon for being banged around? I've had sling studs come out of polymer stocks, slings come undone and drop the rifle, guys knock it over when leaned against the truck, falls, lowering it from the stands and it bangs the tree or goes to the ground a little too quick.

I think the eye relief might help me a little more with this being a lever action but never had an issue with the cva and eye relief but that is shaped different. it seems the leupold is better in terms of fov, eye relief, etc so now im about 80% leaning that way.

i also noticed the burris to have the magnification built into the eye piece. is this good or bad?

Ive seen one Nikon, and one Leupold actually broken. Both do to falls bad enough to dent the tubes. Honestly i cant say if one will definitely stand up to more abuse than the other. I HAVE heard more enterweb complaints about prostaff series scopes letting go than leupolds, but ive never seen one of either fail in normal use.

As for the burris power attached to the eye piece i dont believe it makes it any better or worse. I guess it might be easier to grab and turn the whole eyepiece wearing gloves.

 

[cdb1]

The one drawback to the Burris ocular is if you put lens caps such as Butler Creek on it. To change the magnification you turn the whole eye piece which means the lens cap turns too. Not a big deal to me because I use bikini covers.

 

[eastbank]

i just recieved a burris mrs .223 3x9-40 # 200137 and on the box is FOREVER WARRANTY no questions asked, that is a wecome addition as i remember when that was not so.eastbank.

 

[Axis II]

i just recieved a burris mrs .223 3x9-40 # 200137 and on the box is FOREVER WARRANTY no questions asked, that is a wecome addition as i remember when that was not so.eastbank.

thanks now I'm torn between leupold and burris! LOL.

 

[Axis II]

i think im settled on the vx2. as of today i can get it for $160 but the vx1 or burris would be a lot cheaper. BTW-I love amazon rewards cash!

 

[Nanook]

Leupold's warranty is outstanding. I only own a couple of them, so I'm not exactly a "fan boy". I purchased a scoped rifle from a guy on Gunbroker a while back. When it arrived at my LGS for me to pick up, the scope was broken. I would imagine it happened in transit. I contacted Leupold, they gave me an RMA. In less than 2 weeks I had the scope back in like new condition. The key is the gold rings. They mean lifetime warranty.

 

[MCMXI]

This is an interesting thread with some interesting comments. I've owned a total of ten Leupold scopes over the last 22 years with eight purchased in the last 8 to 9 years and I still have five of those. I sold two VX-II scopes, a VX3 and two Mark 4s but kept three 1.5-5X Mark 4s and two 3.5-10X Mark 4s . The 3.5-10x40mm Mark 4 scopes are still among the best scopes I've ever owned in terms of clarity, size, weight and usefulness. I've had to use Leupold's customer service twice for one scope that had a large fleck of paint on the reticle (Mark 4 3.5-10x40mm) and once to have M1 adjustments on a Mark 4 3.5-10x40mm FFP converted to M5. They did screw me over a bit when I was told that the same service was offered on two other scopes that I shipped at my own expense but it turns out that they were wrong and they didn't offer to cover my cost despite their mistake. Perhaps I could have been more aggressive and made them pay the shipping but I guess it was a good day for me or something like that.

So "is Leupold worth it?" .... that's a tough question to answer, particularly since there are many good scope options out there and there's nothing unique about Leupold's warranty these days. I'll probably sell one more of my Leupold scopes that I don't use but will most likely keep the rest because they work for their given application and I don't want to lose my initial investment and have to pay to replace them. When it's time to look for a new optic for a hunting rifle, AR type rifle, tactical rifle or even a pistol, Leupold is no longer my first stop.

 

[Axis II]

Okay guys I got another one for you.

I went to cabelas to sample the vx1, vx2, redfield and burris 2-7-33 scopes and they did not have a burris but I was able to check out the leupolds. One thing I found odd was the focus for the eye piece was the whole eye piece and not just a little back part of it like Nikons. anyone have any issues with these scopes like that? I also like the weight of the scope but to me Nikon's seem to be built a lot sturdier but they weigh a ton.

 

[cdb1]

Nikons are not any sturdier than Leupold. I feel strongly about that though some will disagree.

"One thing I found odd was the focus for the eye piece was the whole eye piece and not just a little back part of it like Nikons. anyone have any issues with thesescopes like that?"

I don't.

 

[Axis II]

Nikons are not any sturdier than Leupold. I feel strongly about that though some will disagree.

"One thing I found odd was the focus for the eye piece was the whole eye piece and not just a little back part of it like Nikons. anyone have any issues with thesescopes like that?"

I don't.

the Nikon just seems like it has more material and the rubber coatings. I guess that's why they are so heavy.

 

[LoonWulf]

Nikons are not any sturdier than Leupold. I feel strongly about that though some will disagree.

"One thing I found odd was the focus for the eye piece was the whole eye piece and not just a little back part of it like Nikons. anyone have any issues with thesescopes like that?"

I don't.

Nikons tend to be a little bulkier than leupolds, especially the newer ones. They are not necessarily more durable, as its not the outside of the scope that gets busted usually (ive broken one of each by damaging the outside).
The fast focus eye pieces (which my leupolds didnt have, dont know if the newer ones do), add some bulk and usually adjust without moving the ocular bell.

 

[Axis II]

Nikons tend to be a little bulkier than leupolds, especially the newer ones. They are not necessarily more durable, as its not the outside of the scope that gets busted usually (ive broken one of each by damaging the outside).
The fast focus eye pieces (which my leupolds didnt have, dont know if the newer ones do), add some bulk and usually adjust without moving the ocular bell.

I do guess its a set it and forget it so I shouldn't be too worried about it?

the eye relief still has me a little iffy. I was talking to a guy whos big into scopes and said make sure I have a lot of room in the eye box. anyone know what he means?

 

[2bfree]

112 post ? Really, just write down the names of the 4 and put them in a hat and draw one. Really ohi, you are going to get a stress heart attack if you keep this up.

 

[Axis II]

112 post ? Really, just write down the names of the 4 and put them in a hat and draw one. Really ohi, you are going to get a stress heart attack if you keep this up.

its 114 now! LOL. yeah I'm driving myself nuts. my best friend jumped on me earlier when I went to cabelas for arrows I said I have to check these 4 and see which is better. he said to me your getting it from amazon right? I said yep I can get a vx2 for $150. he said and how much is it here? I said $300. he said then what the hells your problem? I guess ive had Nikon for so long and never an issue I'm afraid to switch. he asked me if the leupold looked better then the Nikon and I said yeah it seems clearer. right now the eye relief is whats keeping me from doing it as my Nikons on the heavy hitters have 5'' of eye relief.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'd think about it some more.

 

[LoonWulf]

I do guess its a set it and forget it so I shouldn't be too worried about it?

the eye relief still has me a little iffy. I was talking to a guy whos big into scopes and said make sure I have a lot of room in the eye box. anyone know what he means?

As long as the marlin fits you ok either scope should be fine in terms of eye relief. In fact from looking at the current techspecs, they are nearly identical.

Eye box http://www.breachbangclear.com/language-lessons-eye-box/

 

[Clark]

I put 20 cheap Simmons scopes on 20 cheap guns last week. Old beater 22s that I have never shot and never would shoot if they don't get a scope.

But for hunting October 2017, I have a buck deer tag, a doe deer tag, and cow elk tag.
To fill those tags I will be using a new Lilja barrel, a Brown Precision stock, a Remington 700 action, a PTG bolt, a Limbsaver recoil pad, ...... and new Leupold scope.

 

[eastbank]

i sometimes buy rifles to get the scope and sometimes its the other way around and when it,s the scope just comming with a rifle i want, i slap the scope on a rifle i,m going to sell and have box full of them to get rid of. eastbank.

 

[Clark]

If I get a shot at some prize big game animal, a shot worth more to me than my car, I want the Leupold.
If I am shooting tin cans in the gravel pit with a 22, any scope working at the moment will do.
It seems that scope seeing little recoil, turret adjusting, hiking, weather, or bumping..... seem to keep working. I had a $37 simmons 22mag scope on a beat up $35 10/22 in the 1990s that just kept working for years.

It seems that everytime my overweight brother and his overweight friend get on an ATV together, the scope gets knocked out of alignment immediately.

 

[Axis II]

112 post ? Really, just write down the names of the 4 and put them in a hat and draw one. Really ohi, you are going to get a stress heart attack if you keep this up.

so i was still trying to make a decision as of last night when i attempted to mount the Nikon 2-7 prostaff onto the marlin and looked through it in the basement as its been in the safe since November and ill tell ya what. i almost had a heart attack when it dawned on me that leupold is worth it over the prostaff. i could see black all around when looking through it but that vx2 the other day at the store didn't show anything like that.

i have to say im going to keep what i got but anything else that is purchased with be a vx2 at minimum.

 

[redneck2]

nto the marlin and looked through it in the basement as its been in the safe since November and ill tell ya what. i almost had a heart attack when it dawned on me that leupold is worth it over the prostaff. i could see black all around when looking through it but that vx2 the other day at the store didn't show anything like that.

Uhhhhh....so what you're saying is that, when you buy cheap stuff you get cheap stuff?. Wow! Who'd a thunk it?

The only guys that think cheap scopes are just as good as higher end ones have never used good scopes. I can understand that not everyone can buy a $1,500 scope. But, you can now get a really good one for well under $500. And that what VX-III's were going for a few years back.

And don't tell me your $50 Swift or Barska is just as good as a VX-3. Since this is The High Road, I wouldn't call anyone an idiot. But I would consider you intellectually challenged.

Since it looks like you're getting a good scope, I'd also get some Butler Creek flip caps. Forget the crap bikini covers that come with the scope. The Butler Creeks are instant open. I have them on every scope I own. If you keep the flip cap closed it keeps rain and snow off, and you should never have to clean the lenses (which scratches the hell out of the coatings) because they never get dusty or dirty.

 

[Axis II]

112 post ? Really, just write down the names of the 4 and put them in a hat and draw one. Really ohi, you are going to get a stress heart attack if you keep this up.

well i had to do some more thinking about it and finally drove myself nuts and said screw it. $179 for a leupold vx2, 2-7-33 and burris zee rings. they should be here middle of next week.

I had to mount and bore sight my Nikon 2-7 shortly after looking through several vx2 and then it clicked. that Nikon looks like crap compared to the leupold when looking through it!

 

[LoonWulf]

well i had to do some more thinking about it and finally drove myself nuts and said screw it. $179 for a leupold vx2, 2-7-33 and burris zee rings. they should be here middle of next week.

I had to mount and bore sight my Nikon 2-7 shortly after looking through several vx2 and then it clicked. that Nikon looks like crap compared to the leupold when looking through it!

Right on, Ive been cruising ebay looking for a used vx2 or 3 lately. Got a new rifle that needs glass, and since ive got a new type of contact I wanna try Leupolds again. Lowest price im finding vx2s for used is about 180 so you made a very good buy.

 

[Axis II]

Right on, Ive been cruising ebay looking for a used vx2 or 3 lately. Got a new rifle that needs glass, and since ive got a new type of contact I wanna try Leupolds again. Lowest price im finding vx2s for used is about 180 so you made a very good buy.

That's not bad imo seeing how they have a good warranty like everyone says. New mine was $230

 

[SARuger]

I like Leupold, I also like Redfield and Burris. I own a few Nikon's, like them so far. I just recently picked up a Bushnell Elite 4200, which I do not like. Functions fine but is hard for me to get my eye relief just right for, seems to have a narrow band of distance which does not work for me.

One of the best scopes I have owned is a Hawke Panorama 4-12x50 IR. I started a thread to see if others have had luck with Hawk, not many replies yet. Every rifle I stick that scope on just flat out shoots. I can't figure it out. I use this scope for load development on a new rifle until I decide on a optic for it.

I will never buy another Vortex, three bad ones in a row, done, got my money back. Wouldn't hold a zero on a 17hmr.

my $.02 on scopes