yesteryears quality scopes versus todays model name/number

[dieselchief]

I am familiar with my older scope models, burris signature, and mr t black diamond scope. my newer luepolds are both vx1s, 3 to 9, 2 to 7.
....what luepold or burris scopes are comparable to or better than the signature or black diamond. adjustable objective with duplex recticles suit me.
.....I shoot at fixed ranges, too old to play run and shoot games anymore so the newer range finding recticles with fast acting adjustments do not grab me. not about price either, thanks.

 

[bullzeye8]

From what I understand basically the new scopes are much better than old scopes. Sounds like you are looking for just a basic Leupold 3-9x40 with duplex reticle? They have those in all vx's. Vx1 like you have but also the better and more expensive vx-2 and vx-3i. I would definitely recommend a Leupold and get whatever version you can afford. I have a vx-2 and a vx-3 and both are great scopes.

 

[BrocLuno]

What caliber/recoil are we talking about? Mueller, Vortex, Bushnell Elite and many other make nice scopes. If it's daytime range work and not evening or dawn hunting, you don't need the absolute best. Of course, it's up to you... But I don't think a Zeiss will do much more than some others at 11:00 AM at the range ...

 

[dieselchief]

thanks gents. the burris sig and black diamond were expensive top of the line scopes in their day. I wont be able to slide down from there. the sig is on my in line, and the black diamond is on a ruger American, lol.
.....it appears to me to get the quality I want but with out the newer reticles I might just look at Leopold's custom shop. I then can get a simpler reticle. thanks again.

aha, ps, I think I found the one. luepold 170703. aj obj, 1/4 adjustments, with a regular old duplex!

 

[jmr40]

A $200 scope today is a better scope than a $400 scope from 20 years ago. In my opinion a $200 leupold VX-1 is more than acceptable as is $200 Burris FF-II. Both of those in current manufacture are better scopes than the older Leupold Vari-X III scopes. By current production on VX-1's I'm talking about 2012 or newer. They are easily identified because they now have click adjustments. Older VX-1's were friction adjustable.

The VX-2 at around $300-$350 is as much scope as I need in a Leupold. The more expensive scopes are somewhat better, but if I'm spending $500 on a Leupold I think there are better options.

The now discontinued Zeiss Conquest in 3-9X40 used to be available for about $250-$300. They were actually made by Meopta and sold under several other names including Zeiss. When you could get one at that price they were without a doubt the most scope for the dollar. I ended up buying 2 from Cabelas with a Cabelas sticker on them. Meopta still makes the same scope that sells for around $450-$500. That is still a lot of scope for the money, it was a steal at $250 when it was sold under the Cabelas label. If I were spending $500 this is the one I'd buy.

https://swfa.com/optics/browse/riflescopes/meopta-3-9x40-meopro-rifle-scope-2.html

 

[Sniper66]

Hey dieselchief, You being Ok with midrange magnification, you might consider a Leupold VX 3i 3.5-10X. I have it and the older model VX 3. The newer one in a wee bit better, but not much. Both really fine scopes. I have lots of other scopes and have used many different brands and configurations in the past, including several Leupolds. The VX 3i 3.5-10X in my best scope ever.

 

[Sniper66]

Oh, and forgot to mention the Leupold my described in my first post has a simple but clear duplex reticle

 

[cdb1]

A $200 scope today is a better scope than a $400 scope from 20 years ago. In my opinion a $200 leupold VX-1 is more than acceptable as is $200 Burris FF-II. Both of those in current manufacture are better scopes than the older Leupold Vari-X III scopes. By current production on VX-1's I'm talking about 2012 or newer. They are easily identified because they now have click adjustments. Older VX-1's were friction adjustable.

The VX-2 at around $300-$350 is as much scope as I need in a Leupold. The more expensive scopes are somewhat better, but if I'm spending $500 on a Leupold I think there are better options.

The now discontinued Zeiss Conquest in 3-9X40 used to be available for about $250-$300. They were actually made by Meopta and sold under several other names including Zeiss. When you could get one at that price they were without a doubt the most scope for the dollar. I ended up buying 2 from Cabelas with a Cabelas sticker on them. Meopta still makes the same scope that sells for around $450-$500. That is still a lot of scope for the money, it was a steal at $250 when it was sold under the Cabelas label. If I were spending $500 this is the one I'd buy.

https://swfa.com/optics/browse/riflescopes/meopta-3-9x40-meopro-rifle-scope-2.html

I agree with everything you said except I'd take a Fullfield II over a VX-1 and instead of getting the 3-9 MeoPro from SWFA I'd get a 3.5-10x44 MeoPro from Camera Land for $349.99. Saves a hundred bucks. I have one.

http://m.cameralandny.com/spec_shee...uids][0]=ef8bb740-146c-0134-afb3-00163e9110c0

 

[dieselchief]

thanks sniper. I am a duplex reticle guy too, lol. entry level scopes do not thrill me at all. not a snob just willing to stay home, skip the beer, fancy clothes, designer coffee and other excessive habits. that way I get to have nice toys/tools/fast cars.
....cdb1 I will look at your suggest as well. thanks to all.

 

[Jackal]

After owning 4 Vortex scopes, I'm not impressed. 2 Strike Eagles and 2 Vipers. Sold them all. Simply inferior clarity compared to even base model Leupolds. I did just order a Vortex PST 1-4x though, so maybe that will change my opinion, because I havnt been impressed by a Vortex product yet.

 

[RainDodger]

jmr40 hit the nail on the head... if you can find one of the older Zeiss Conquest scopes (not the newer ones), grab it and run. It is hands-down brighter than the comparably priced Leupolds. If you can't find one of those, a Leupold in your chosen price range can't be beat I don't think. As I understand it, the newer scopes have far better coatings on them than the older scopes. I have a VX2 4-12X and it is a much brighter scope than my 20 year old Vari-X-III, 4.5-14X. Whenever I pick up my .30-'06 with the Zeiss Conquest on it though, I'm stunned at the clarity and brightness. It was $399 about 3 years ago. I also agree with Jackal - I'm not impressed with the Vortex I bought - the eye relief box is far more sensitive than the Leupolds I have. Much less forgiving when it comes to head position.

 

[cdb1]

jmr40 hit the nail on the head... if you can find one of the older Zeiss Conquest scopes (not the newer ones), grab it and run. It is hands-down brighter than the comparably priced Leupolds. If you can't find one of those, a Leupold in your chosen price range can't be beat I don't think. As I understand it, the newer scopes have far better coatings on them than the older scopes. I have a VX2 4-12X and it is a much brighter scope than my 20 year old Vari-X-III, 4.5-14X. Whenever I pick up my .30-'06 with the Zeiss Conquest on it though, I'm stunned at the clarity and brightness. It was $399 about 3 years ago. I also agree with Jackal - I'm not impressed with the Vortex I bought - the eye relief box is far more sensitive than the Leupolds I have. Much less forgiving when it comes to head position.

Zeiss isn't supporting the Conquest anymore so if someone has issues, Zeiss won't repair it and will probably try to replace it with a Terra. That's what they did on the last three Conquests that I know of. The Cabela's scopes that are marked Meopta are rebranded Conquests. The Meopta MeoPro is a different scope and to my eyes has better glass than a Conquest. Not much but a little. IMO it would be less hassle if anything went wrong with the scope to purchase a Cabela's Euro or a Meopta.

In good light a VX-2 and a VX-3 are comparable to a Conquest/Meopta/Euro. In low light is where the Leupolds aren't as good. But even the Leupolds will easily get someone way past legal shooting hours for deer. I have a VX-2, VX-3, Conquest and MeoPro and have done a fair bit of comparison. YMMV since everyone's eyes are different.

 

[cdb1]

After owning 4 Vortex scopes, I'm not impressed. 2 Strike Eagles and 2 Vipers. Sold them all. Simply inferior clarity compared to even base model Leupolds. I did just order a Vortex PST 1-4x though, so maybe that will change my opinion, because I havnt been impressed by a Vortex product yet.

I'm not impressed either. I believe Vortex loads their optics with features and pairs them with mediocre glass. I've also noticed critical eye box and them not being as good in low light as comparably priced scopes. I've owned two Vipers, sent them down the road and mounted many many of them for customers. These comments don't apply to the Razor line.

 

[Jackal]

I'm not impressed either. I believe Vortex loads their optics with features and pairs them with mediocre glass. I've also noticed critical eye box and them not being as good in low light as comparably priced scopes. I've owned two Vipers, sent them down the road and mounted many many of them for customers. These comments don't apply to the Razor line.

The PST line of scopes are leaps and bounds better, on par with Leupold. I just got the PST 1-4x and I'm impressed by a Vortex optic for the very first time. Its still heavy as hell though.

 

[dieselchief]

I have the lower powered hunting scopes well covered with premium brand scopes. the luepold vx1s,weaver t series. burris fullfield and signatures, bushnell scopechief, burris black diamond scopes I have are far from trash.
...what I am after is the current brand/model names of something along these lines> 4 to 14/16 or 6 to 18 with target knobs, repeatable setting, adjustable objective but with a plain old duplex. I punch paper a modest known ranges to please myself. no need or desire for all the range finding reticles. thanks for all the discussion/responses. bob

 

[cdb1]

I believe you might have a hard time finding a scope with a duplex reticle that has all of the other features you've described above. I have a couple of friends who own the Burris Veracity. It fits all of your requirements except the reticle and is an excellent scope.

 

[dieselchief]

after spending some time reading about the veracity I believe you are correct. the first focal plane makes sense and now I understand the value of the multi aiming point reticles. the burris 200640 is the deal. thanks. dc

 

[cdb1]

Thank LoonWulf, Dog Soldier and Chicharrones. They taught me everything I know.

 

[Newtosavage]

A $200 scope today is a better scope than a $400 scope from 20 years ago. In my opinion a $200 leupold VX-1 is more than acceptable as is $200 Burris FF-II. Both of those in current manufacture are better scopes than the older Leupold Vari-X III scopes. By current production on VX-1's I'm talking about 2012 or newer.

Absolutely spot-on