Best warranty for a $200-300 scope?

Suther

Suther

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Buying a scope soon. There seems to be a nice variety of decent scopes in the ~$300 range. I can only afford so much for a scope, and I feel like this price point is where affordability and quality intersect. (that is to say, they are cheap enough but still worth spending the money on.)

Other people have asked about what the best scope for the price, but I was wondering about who has the best warranties? I know Leupold is known for theirs, but someone in another thread was complaining about the guys who do the warranty work now or something? What about the Bushnell Elites, Vortex Diamondbacks, Redfield Revolutions, Nikon Prostaffs?

Anyone know if Mueller scopes have any support in Canada these days?
 
Last edited:
FLHTCUI said:
Buy a used Leupold.....
Just my .02 worth...
Rob
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That is one of the ones at the top of my list for sure. But I saw someone complaining about their support these days...

Preferably I want something that has a no-questions-asked warranty that is very easy to get replaced or fixed in a reasonable amount of time. Because knowing my luck I will drop it right on a rock the first time out with it...
 
Suther said:
I have heard less-than-stellar reviews of the warranty in Canada. I think its only good for 10 years and only for the original purchaser? Good reviews on the scopes for sure though...
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I called Sightron and asked about their warranty and they said that its life time in Canada. I'm not sure what all that limited lifetime warranty talk was about. Unless the Sightron guy was wrong.

I would like to try out some of Sightron's hunting line of optics. I love my SIII's.

Vortex seems to have a really good warranty. If you send it in they will fix or replace it. I've even heard of guys requesting a replacement so they could sell it when they got it back and Vortex being ok with it.
 
I got the impression that for a short time Canada / International sales were limited to ten years then Sightron changed it to lifetime just as in the U.S.
 
Oh on the note of Leupold... Someone mentioned that whoever imports/supports these will only warranty ones bought through them?? So if I had an old used one its warranty is no longer any good?
 
The older Leupolds is still good for warranty.
Serial number on the scopes will let them know whether
it's warrantable or not.
I sent in an old VAR X and they sent me a new VX.
Pretty happy with that out come.
If you are unsure, call in the serial number.
If you bring one up from down south, you still have warranty,
it just needs to be sent back down there.
 
kamlooky said:
The older Leupolds is still good for warranty.
Serial number on the scopes will let them know whether
it's warrantable or not.
I sent in an old VAR X and they sent me a new VX.
Pretty happy with that out come.
If you are unsure, call in the serial number.
If you bring one up from down south, you still have warranty,
it just needs to be sent back down there.
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How easy is it to bring one up from down south? I figured it was ITAR controlled and a major pain in the butt?

So it seems the OLD leupolds are good and the brand new ones are good (warranty-wise) but there is are some that were sold somewhat recently that are not covered??
 
I have tried scope less than $300 and none worked. Tried Vortex and ended up selling it for Sightron Siii. I also just recently tried Sightmark and that was returned the following day I received it. If you can get a brand name for that price that meet your needs then you win.
 
Redfield are good glass for the money, same warranty as leupold I believe but maybe less likely to need warranty, vortex is good to and they sell a ton of scopes for the warranty reason.
 
Suther said:
How easy is it to bring one up from down south? I figured it was ITAR controlled and a major pain in the butt?

So it seems the OLD leupolds are good and the brand new ones are good (warranty-wise) but there is are some that were sold somewhat recently that are not covered??
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I'd say the vast majority of used Leupold in Canada are good warranty-wise.
The change in policy by Korth only happened a few years ago so only scopes that were not imported by official avenues into Canada in the last few years would not be covered.... the advice to call in the serial number and check is valid if it's a scope that was made in the last few years and you are concerned.

If you are buying a scope made previous to say 2010 you have nothing to worry about.

Used Leuopold, Vortex or a Bushnelll Elite all have transferable no paperwork needed warranties.
 
I have heard nothing but good about leupold warranty.
I had a friend comment on how clear my 20 year old leupold was over his brand new and expensive Nikon.
 
Much like Silverfox said, i believe Sightron tried to change the Canadian warranty to 10 years. They got a big backlash, so very quickly changed back to a lifetime warranty.

I have heard that Vortex has a no questions....replacement. That they do not fix scopes, simply hand over a equivalent or better product. Even if you wrap it around a tree.

I was the one who posted the issue with Korth and Portland for Leupold warranty. Rather than go into it again....just pm me if you are curious.
 
cody c said:
Redfield are good glass for the money, same warranty as leupold I believe but maybe less likely to need warranty, vortex is good to and they sell a ton of scopes for the warranty reason.
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Ditto Redfield. I am very happy with mine. They are owned by Leopold now I believe. The only issue with Redfield, IIRC, is the warranty may only be for original owner, but don't quote me on that. Bushnell has an excellent warranty and some good glass at that proce point too.
 
I was most likely planning on buying a new scope, leaning towards the Bushnell elite, Leupold VX-1, or a Vortex Diamondback. They all seem to have good reviews and it seems I can't really go wrong with any of them. Nikon Prostaff also interests me but it seems to be a few bucks more and I am already pushing well past my budget with these. Realistically I'd rather something in the $150-200 range but I feel like one of those would leave me wanting to upgrade it later while a $250-300 scope I can probably be content with for a long time (likely forever).

What is the turn around time for repairs or replacement for these three manufacturers?
 
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