Leupold Scopes

[Mike D]

What is the difference between Leupold freedom series and a VXII? Just window shopping now but there is not much of a price difference. Did the freedom series replace the VXI and VXII series?

The freedoms series uses the previous generation VX3 glass.


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[Mike D]

Glass quality at price points,features at given price pounts, only company with higher ratio of reticles I really don't like is Tangent theta (I like 0% of TT'S reticles)... generally pushing 0 envelopes or really listening to shooters.

They used to be the go to IMHO... And now... Ehh, significantly more bang for your buck at every price point from one company or another... Heck used to be know for incredible warranty and customer service and I've heard things that make me doubt things about that now... Several others that I think are doing a better job

You are dead wrong on their customer service.

And when is the last time you’ve actually run a Leupold?


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[Mike D]

Well, I'll throw some others out in that same range that I like better. But as far as scope specific what is it going on? What you using it for? Magnification Preference? Going to dial at all? or is this going on a 22 plinker?



Answer those and probably get a more specific answer, but just going on the freedom line up vs other stuff here would be what I would pick over the Leopold. Assuming you dont want a 1-4... so really looking at 3-9ish range, reticle is going to be pretty limited at that price point but lets see...



At $350 you have SWFA SS 2.5-10 plain jane reticle... but variable power

https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-2-5-10x32-ultralight-rifle-scope.html

You have the fixed SWFA 10x, 12x and 16x... with a GOOD floating dot reticle that has been discontinued in some of their other lines(tempted to buy one right now cause that dange reticle is no longer available). Get matching Turrets and reticle(either mil/mil, or moa/moa) both work just pick one

$300.00 for those https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-12x42-tacti...pe-105770.html



I REALLY like SWFA for the money, REALY solid glass, repeatable adjustment trusted and based out of Texas. No zero stop but you can buy a cheap shim kit and fix that.



Ok honestly these next are the most interesting option to me... Athalon have heard GREAT things about them, that said, I haven't shot them or got to play with them much. Warranty is AWESOME. No questions asked lifetime. Not just manufacturers defects. Everything up to you purposefully hitting it with a hammer repeatedly... COVERED. I think this company is where vortex was about 8 years ago.



Midas 2.5-15, THAT IS A COOL MAG RANGE! reticle is ok... better than most duplex in my opinion but reticle is all about prefference. I like floating dot. Of the Athalon offerings, i think this would be the one at that price(ish) range I would try. If you could I would lean Midas line over Talos

https://swfa.com/athlon-2-5-15x50-midas-btr-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html

I'll post this one cause it does have a Christmas tree reticle... again, not sure what you want this for. But its the only Christmas tree I have seen for this price point https://swfa.com/athlon-4-14x44-talo...iflescope.html



MAX MAGNIFICATION! 8-34x56 and its first focal plane and illuminated... Its a lot of STUFF for the price, IDK never played with one but its intersting. https://swfa.com/athlon-4-14x44-talo...iflescope.html



Next brand would be Vortex... I am a fan, not a fanboy but a fan, I've had 2. Good scopes. Had 2-7 diamondback I woulda sold you if I hadn't given it to a buddy...



3x9 scope AND MOUNT $219 https://swfa.com/vortex-3-9x40-diamo...e-scope-2.html



Vortex's diamondback and crossfire lines fit in this ballpark... I've killed a lot of pigs with that 2-7 diamondback, that said, I upgraded to the 1-8 strike eagle. If I could do it again, I would probably do the 2.5-10 strike eagle... I've never been in a situation where I was like dang, i wish I didn't have the option to zoom in MORE. Solid warranty with Vortex, good glass.





Nikon... I know pple are like WHAT? NIKON... i'm always pleasantly surprised with the clarity of the glass... and they have some solid SOLID options in the price range. heck the 3x9 p223 scope is less than $150 right now... I HATE the reticle but man... it is what it is...



Other things I noticed, Meopta and Minox both have limited basic options in the price range... Don't know about glass source on this end of their stuff but at higher points you hear about those names...



So if I was summarizing brands I'd look at over Leopold...

SWFA SS

Athalon (Prob route I would go)

Vortex

Nikon (depending on what I was using gun for)

Leopold... Like I said, not bad scopes, but behind the times

This has to be a joke. Vortex has NOTHING under the Razor that will compete with Leupold......NOTHING.

I’ve run a lot of various Vortex scopes and they have disappointed every time.


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[bman940]

because I have heard all the first hand stories of being denied warranty.

Ok, If you know if anyone right now that has a Nikon optic and needs warranty work or you can send all the folks you know who were denied warranty work my way I will make sure they are taken care of correctly. I just find it odd that I have not come across one person who was denied warranty work in almost 10 years, not saying it couldn't happen, but I will certainly do my best to help anyone out who needs it. Thank you for making me aware of this problem.

[texaspacker]

The freedoms series uses the previous generation VX3 glass.


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I changed my mind

[Mike D]

I changed my mind

I saw what you quoted.

And there is no way that is possible.

The VX series glass that replaced that Vari-X Glass about 15 years ago is light years ahead of the older glass and coatings. The 3i is even better.

So there is no way 50 year old glass and lens coating technology is superior to modern glass and coatings.

That’s why you can get really clear optics at a reasonable price now. The shaping, polishing and coating quality is tremendously better today.


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[trophy8]

Ok, If you know if anyone right now that has a Nikon optic and needs warranty work or you can send all the folks you know who were denied warranty work my way I will make sure they are taken care of correctly. I just find it odd that I have not come across one person who was denied warranty work in almost 10 years, not saying it couldn't happen, but I will certainly do my best to help anyone out who needs it. Thank you for making me aware of this problem.

I had one of their scopes break. I forget what it was. Was several years ago. Called and they told me I’d have to pay for repairs. Junk optics anyway and it went in the trash. I get you trying to help folks. But Nikon CS has sucked for a long time. Maybe they have changed that but too little too late for me and several others I know of.

[88 Bound]

I’m in complete disbelief that some of you truly think Leupold is now sub-par to Nikon or even Vortex. It’s not even close.

[kkp005]

I think at the Freedom lines price point it’s tbe best optics you can get.
I’ve always been a Leupold fan and will continue to be

[trophy8]

I’m in complete disbelief that some of you truly think Leupold is now sub-par to Nikon or even Vortex. It’s not even close.

Don’t forget athlon

[Stick1]

This thread is a great example of why it is hard to judge or make a scope recommendation based solely on "brand". The brand itself doesn't tell the whole story as it relates to quality anymore. Of course there are still some exceptions to that rule, but for the most part you have the "brands" sourcing complete optics or parts from all over the planet to meet different price points and quality requirements.........but mostly price point Most of them use the very same factories as their competition, even using the same parts quite often.

A great example that most here will be familiar with is the older Zeiss Conquest line. I've had several customers say they wish they still made the discontinued models as that's what they want to run on their new build. When I tell them they still make them and then I go grab a Meopta out of the case I usually get some strange looks. Fact is, Zeiss never made those scopes, simply branded them. Meopta made them for Zeiss back then and still make those exact scopes today. Most decline as they are not familiar with Meopta, never mind they have been shooting re-badged Meoptas for years. If I offered 10 folks a free Zeiss Conquest or a free Meopta Meopro, 9 of them would probably take the Zeiss, even though they would ALL be getting Meoptas. Such is the power of branding.

Something I see over and over in these scope threads is folks saying brand x is better than brand y, and that's the gospel based on their experience. Then you drill down and find they they were running a mid to high end model of brand x, but went through several of brand y's cheapest models without satisfaction. Not even close to being a fair comparison to the products, let alone the brand. I don't expect a bologna sammich to taste like a ribeye, but a lot of scope buyers apparently do. Almost every brand has a couple stand out models in its lineup, and they ALL have duds - with the exception of a few brands that are rarely mentioned in these conversations anyway.

I think if a guy will look past the "brand" which means very little if the company didn't even make the scope to begin with, and focus on the individual model and it's features he'll find some winners and some good values in the current market. If it has to be "brand x" or nothing, you may be missing out.

Robert

[Tony Pic]

Ok, If you know if anyone right now that has a Nikon optic and needs warranty work or you can send all the folks you know who were denied warranty work my way I will make sure they are taken care of correctly. I just find it odd that I have not come across one person who was denied warranty work in almost 10 years, not saying it couldn't happen, but I will certainly do my best to help anyone out who needs it. Thank you for making me aware of this problem.

I had a older pair of Nikon Reatree 10x42 binocs. I bought used online. No receipt. IT needed repair. Nikon sent back a newer pair, but nowhere near the quality and weight and clearness of the set I sent back. Felt like a toy. I was hoping they would rebuild/fix mine. Sent be back a cheaper model.

[texaspacker]

This?

I had a older pair of Nikon Reatree 10x42 binocs. I bought used online. No receipt. IT needed repair. Nikon sent back a newer pair, but nowhere near the quality and weight and clearness of the set I sent back. Felt like a toy. I was hoping they would rebuild/fix mine. Sent be back a cheaper model.

Tony just answered why I deleted my last post.
Back in the 70s & 80s when Leupold made the Vari-XIIc the quality of the glass was way better and probably not made in Japan.
As far as coatings. You can polish a **** but it's still a ****.
The quality of the glass on my 40 year old Vari-X IIc is far superior to that of BOTH of the brand new VX-IIIi Leupold sent me.
Heck I even "upgraded" one of my replacement 3.5-10x40 VX-IIIi scopes to a 4.5-14x40 for a $100. My 40 year old "technology" Vari-XIIc that Leupold cleaned up and sent back is better than that one also.
As far as coatings. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.
Yes I'm very happy Leupold honored their warrantee. Yes Sir I am! Heck they even sent me a free hat.

[88 Bound]

This thread is a great example of why it is hard to judge or make a scope recommendation based solely on "brand". The brand itself doesn't tell the whole story as it relates to quality anymore. Of course there are still some exceptions to that rule, but for the most part you have the "brands" sourcing complete optics or parts from all over the planet to meet different price points and quality requirements.........but mostly price point Most of them use the very same factories as their competition, even using the same parts quite often.

A great example that most here will be familiar with is the older Zeiss Conquest line. I've had several customers say they wish they still made the discontinued models as that's what they want to run on their new build. When I tell them they still make them and then I go grab a Meopta out of the case I usually get some strange looks. Fact is, Zeiss never made those scopes, simply branded them. Meopta made them for Zeiss back then and still make those exact scopes today. Most decline as they are not familiar with Meopta, never mind they have been shooting re-badged Meoptas for years. If I offered 10 folks a free Zeiss Conquest or a free Meopta Meopro, 9 of them would probably take the Zeiss, even though they would ALL be getting Meoptas. Such is the power of branding.

Something I see over and over in these scope threads is folks saying brand x is better than brand y, and that's the gospel based on their experience. Then you drill down and find they they were running a mid to high end model of brand x, but went through several of brand y's cheapest models without satisfaction. Not even close to being a fair comparison to the products, let alone the brand. I don't expect a bologna sammich to taste like a ribeye, but a lot of scope buyers apparently do. Almost every brand has a couple stand out models in its lineup, and they ALL have duds - with the exception of a few brands that are rarely mentioned in these conversations anyway.

I think if a guy will look past the "brand" which means very little if the company didn't even make the scope to begin with, and focus on the individual model and it's features he'll find some winners and some good values in the current market. If it has to be "brand x" or nothing, you may be missing out.

Robert

Very, very well said.

[texaspacker]

This thread is a great example of why it is hard to judge or make a scope recommendation based solely on "brand". The brand itself doesn't tell the whole story as it relates to quality anymore. Of course there are still some exceptions to that rule, but for the most part you have the "brands" sourcing complete optics or parts from all over the planet to meet different price points and quality requirements.........but mostly price point Most of them use the very same factories as their competition, even using the same parts quite often.

A great example that most here will be familiar with is the older Zeiss Conquest line. I've had several customers say they wish they still made the discontinued models as that's what they want to run on their new build. When I tell them they still make them and then I go grab a Meopta out of the case I usually get some strange looks. Fact is, Zeiss never made those scopes, simply branded them. Meopta made them for Zeiss back then and still make those exact scopes today. Most decline as they are not familiar with Meopta, never mind they have been shooting re-badged Meoptas for years. If I offered 10 folks a free Zeiss Conquest or a free Meopta Meopro, 9 of them would probably take the Zeiss, even though they would ALL be getting Meoptas. Such is the power of branding.

Something I see over and over in these scope threads is folks saying brand x is better than brand y, and that's the gospel based on their experience. Then you drill down and find they they were running a mid to high end model of brand x, but went through several of brand y's cheapest models without satisfaction. Not even close to being a fair comparison to the products, let alone the brand. I don't expect a bologna sammich to taste like a ribeye, but a lot of scope buyers apparently do. Almost every brand has a couple stand out models in its lineup, and they ALL have duds - with the exception of a few brands that are rarely mentioned in these conversations anyway.

I think if a guy will look past the "brand" which means very little if the company didn't even make the scope to begin with, and focus on the individual model and it's features he'll find some winners and some good values in the current market. If it has to be "brand x" or nothing, you may be missing out.

Robert

Agreed.
Best hunting scope for most hunting situations in Texas.
Best 3-9x40/50 hunting scope under $300?
Best 3-9x40/50 hunting scope under $500?
Best 3-9x40/50 hunting scope under $1000?
Best 3-9x40/50 hunting scope under $1500?
Why a 3-9x40/50 hunting scope? I'm assuming most scope manufactures make them?
Let's stop at $1500. I'm also assuming that most people are going "BIG" as far as powers & objectives if their spending over $1500 on a hunting scope?