Leupold Vari-X still good today?

[Renton83]

I bought a used Leupold Vari-X iii 6.5-20x40 scope that is from 1982. The seller made a mistake on the model of scope and I thought i was buying a VX-iii scope from early 2000's. Is this still considered a quality scope? He told me I could return it if I wanted. I'm in a bit of a quandry, he says the newer ones just have some improved lens coating. I will only be using this scope for target shooting in good lighting.

 

[troy fairweather]

Good scopes

 

[Renton83]

Good scopes

So I'm good to keep it? I know Leupold has outstanding warranty.

 

[Walkalong]

Depends on what you paid.

 

[Renton83]

Depends on what you paid.

Im in canada so everything costs more here. It works out to about 500 usd. I see the same model selling for 6-700 on ebay

 

[troy fairweather]

Feels like a lot to me,

 

[LoonWulf]

More that Id be willing to spend on it, but they were and are good scopes.
For that kinda of money you can get "better" target optics brand new now.

 

[Renton83]

Feels like a lot to me,

Most gun related stuff seems expensive lately. Just sold a hex reciever mosin for about 500usd. I got it for a fraction of that years ago.

More that Id be willing to spend on it, but they were and are good scopes.
For that kinda of money you can get "better" target optics brand new now.

Most of the ones I saw were made in China though and I wanted American made. I also had the problem that many newer ones are 30mm tubes but my scope rings are 1" and I didn't want to get new ones since these are sako ones for my tikka

 

[troy fairweather]

Scopes don't normally go up in value, leupold will a bit mostly because at worst you can have them replace a bad scope with a new one, so at worst you can get vx freedom money for a old scope. Gloss adds some value and the older scopes were maybe better in the eye box and had picture right to the edge better then some newer scopes.
Like it or not most scopes will a minimum have Chinese glass in that price range, leupold has even said this. New rings are cheap compared to the scope price.

 

[jmr40]

Those were good scopes. My only concern is that as scopes age the rubber seals dry rot and it might leak. The good news is that Leupold will repair the scope at no charge. One of the only companies that will. In this case I'd buy it if I could get it closer to $300. If it gives you any issues send it back to Leupold. They will either repair it or replace it. If it were any other manufacturer and that old I'd probably pass.

You can buy a new comparable Leupold for $500

 

[Renton83]

Those were good scopes. My only concern is that as scopes age the rubber seals dry rot and it might leak. The good news is that Leupold will repair the scope at no charge. One of the only companies that will. In this case I'd buy it if I could get it closer to $300. If it gives you any issues send it back to Leupold. They will either repair it or replace it. If it were any other manufacturer and that old I'd probably pass.

You can buy a new comparable Leupold for $500

I found the new model here, it's about $1000 here. We get screwed on goods from the US and I can't easily import a rifle scope to Canada, you need a lot of paperwork and paying duties.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have a few Vari-X scopes. Two 1.5-5x20 and a 2.5-8x36. I like the ones that have a prominent nub and detents at each power level on the zoom ring.

They represent a good value on the pre-owned market. Glad quality is obsolete by todays standards but still adequate for hunting.

 

[redneck2]

IMO, there is significant difference between the VX-III and the VX-3. I would not accept an older one if I paid for a newer one. I’d pay at least twice as much for a newer one as older ones. There is a difference in coatings, eye relief.

I have that exact scope on my Varminter. I’d gladly sell mine for $500

 

[Renton83]

I have a few Vari-X scopes. Two 1.5-5x20 and a 2.5-8x36. I like the ones that have a prominent nub and detents at each power level on the zoom ring.

They represent a good value on the pre-owned market. Glad quality is obsolete by todays standards but still adequate for hunting.

Yeah mine has target turrets with the click, feels very nice. My new Leupold vx freedom has nice glass but feels cheap

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would gladly give $500 for the scope the OP bought if it appeared as new with no ring marks and was clear.

 

[Walkalong]

I would gladly give $500 for the scope the OP bought if it appeared as new with no ring marks and was clear.

While it's a good scope, here in the US you can simply get better for the money today. I don't know about our Canadian friend asking the question, simply because I don't know what stuff costs there..

 

[Bill M.]

I do not know about that scope. But I think the newer vx scopes I looked at in 3-9 had much better optics than the older Vari-x that I have on my rifle, In the 3-9 it seemed like the older Vx were about 1 number grade back in optics, "Just have some improved lens coatings.." Lens coatings are really important in optics and good coatings are really expensive., That could be a huge difference,

I made a v-x to vari-x mistake a long time ago on a scope and kept the older variable-x. It still rankles me to this day and I have never really been happy with the scope or happy that I made the deal. The mistake was my fault and I had no real out at the time,. The scope does not have good contrast in bright light at the range. A product of the coatings.

 

[entropy]

A bit more than it is worth, but unless you really need the difference in cash, they are good scopes.

 

[rbernie]

here in the US you can simply get better for the money today. I don't know about our Canadian friend asking the question, simply because I don't know what stuff costs there..

This, to me, is the bottom line. Around these parts, you could get a far better scope for the same money, or get an equivalent scope for less money. But that doesn't help if that's not equally true in your neck of the woods.

 

[Moparnut]

I found the new model here, it's about $1000 here. We get screwed on goods from the US and I can't easily import a rifle scope to Canada, you need a lot of paperwork and paying duties.

First off.. Wow. I always assumed things flowed better between the borders and less expensively. It never ceases to amaze me how chinese goods tend to pay alot less and get to market and we can even get goods from a neighbor without a stupid high markup with paperwork. But I digress.

Honestly, if it looks good, doesn't fog and works, I would say keep it. Leupold took in a scope for me from the 80s and more or less refurbished it. All for the price of shipping.

Leupold stands behind their products and will replace it if the damage is beyond repair. Provided it has not been abused. I have heard where they have replaced them even if they have been abused.

 

[Varminterror]

Im in canada so everything costs more here. It works out to about 500 usd. I see the same model selling for 6-700 on ebay

Way, way too much. A newer scope will be brighter with better color truth, more fog resistant, and less near the end of its seal/purge gas life than that optic.

It’s not a bad scope, but it’s an old scope with outdated tech, waning coatings, and ancient seals which might already be compromised…

 

[gotboostvr]

I picked up a Vari-X IIc recently on a used rifle of roughly similar vintage.

Compared to my VX-Freedom, everything about the VX-Freedom is better by a noticeable amount.

It may have been a quality scope in its day, but glass technology has come a looooong way.

The Vari-X III's are improved over the II's, but they're still lacking behind modern glass. Not to mention ~40 years of wear and tear on the seals and adjustments.

 

[troy fairweather]

Bad picture, here's my 1974 ruger 77 tang safety in 7x57, wish I knew what scope was originally used in this rifle. I came with this leupold vari-x IIc 3-9x40 on it, I really like the scope, still clear and has a very nice eye box with great eye relief. I don't mind the friction turrets, some seem to really hate them but on a deer rifle the fine.

 

[gotboostvr]

Bad picture, here's my 1974 ruger 77 tang safety in 7x57, wish I knew what scope was originally used in this rifle. I came with this leupold vari-x IIc 3-9x40 on it, I really like the scope, still clear and has a very nice eye box with great eye relief. I don't mind the friction turrets, some seem to really hate them but on a deer rifle the fine.

View attachment 1064156

That's the same scope on my 280Rem A-Bolt.

I think it's fine, but a VX-Freedom would be a step up.

I'm not in any hurry to get rid of it, it'll probably get moved to a 22lr whenever it gets replaced.

 

[troy fairweather]

That's the same scope on my 280Rem A-Bolt.

I think it's fine, but a VX-Freedom would be a step up.

I'm not in any hurry to get rid of it, it'll probably get moved to a 22lr whenever it gets replaced.

Mine is clearer then the freedoms I've had other then the 2-7 I've got now. I like how the picture is the leupolds just feel right to me, kinda like the feel of older snap-on combination wrenches they just feel right.