Leupold VX-5 vs. VX-3 vs. other?

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Locho

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I'm looking for a new hunting scope to replace the cheap vortex I currently have. Leupold is pretty common with the guys I hunt with, but I'd also consider other options too.

Anyone have experience with both the vx 5 and the 3?

Seems like a pretty decent jump in price and I'm wondering if it's worth it. For me the thing I'm most curious about it lower light performance and the differences. The additional zoom range seems more like a nice to have them totally necessary for my type of hunting.

I hunt both forested tighter areas as well as more western style.
 
O experiences with the VX5 but lots with vx3 and vxIII and VX3i and I can’t see a difference between those! I also have/had a few Bushnell 3200,4200 and to my eyes they are also the same!
I think any scopes in those mentioned above are excellent hunting scopes!
 
Awesome, well that's good to hear. I'm thinking I'll be pretty happy either way, seems like they are quality scopes.
 
I have owned and used Vari X III, VX-III and VX-3 scopes for years (1.5-5, 1.75-6, 2.5-8, 3.5-10 and 4.5-14), with very good results. They are clear, bright, rugged and reliable.
I now have 2 VX-5's, one of which is going on a new build once completed. The other has been used and hunted with and is very clear, bright, and I am liking the Firedot reticle. And I have just bought a LNIB VX-3HD and am waiting for it to get here.
Leupold has a very good warranty, (repair center on Okotoks, AB)which I am glad to say I have only used once, and it was due to a bad fall in the mountains with the scope landing first on the rocks. Mailed out, fixed and mailed back; back on rifle in 11 days!

If you were looking for other options, there are the Swarovski Z-3 and Z-5 lines to consider too. Also very light and bright. I have owned and used both. Still have 2 Z-3s. I do prefer the Leupold B&C reticle over the BRH, but that is just my preference. The glass is better under low light conditions, though giving about an additional 10 minutes of use at dawn or dusk. Repair and warranty center is in Rhode Island and does take longer. Good service though)

Kahles would be another good choice, but you would need to find one used (Helia), as their current models are high end for tactical and PRS shooting. You will get another 5 minutes of light at dawn and dusk with the Kahles. The TDS reticle is very good.

Definitely a jump in price to the 5X scopes, but if you are looking for more capacity in a variable zoom range, then yes, it is worth it.
If you can get by with 3X, then bang for your buck, stick to this level of scope.
 
That's great to hear, thanks.

Do you think you would buy another firedot? I like the sounds of it but have never hunted with an illuminated reticle.
 
I owned a vx5 briefly, nice eye box, but they are huge boat anchors if you come from a vx3 1" tube world, went back down to the vx3 type line up quick, leupold has a 30mm tube 40mm objective frame that's pretty decent and lands around 15.5 oz as the only 30mm tube option I ran that I liked, they do 3.5-10 and 4.5-14 on it in variations. Never tried the fire dot but if I was sticking with leupold it would be very high on my list as I've hunted with illuminated dot now I don't think I would go back if I could help it.

So as a for sure sub 1 lb scope guy...I've migrated to a level above leupold vx3 type options with the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40. You'll get er done with the leupolds no prob, but the current sub 1 lb king hunting scope is the Trijicon...no batteries required with the Trijicon. I put things away for long periods of time...I hate batteries. The glass, adjustments and the overall scope is in a different league than the leupold vx3 but so is the price, a little over $1k for the Trijicons.
 
I also have a Leupold VX-R 2-7x33 Firedot.

I have been considering another scope with the Firedot, and would love to find one of the few illuminated B&C reticles that were available for a short time when the VX-5HD first came out.

Update: Have found a VX-6HD 2-12x42 w/ Illuminated B&C; just waiting for it to get here so I can mount it on a rifle and go check it out! Thinking that this will be going to New Zealand next year for sika, rusa and sambar!

I would also like to find a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 with the green dot duplex. Happy with the 1-4 with green triangle post on my 416 Taylor.
 
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I had a vx3i, didn't like the reticle or the eyebox personally, sent it down the line. Love my vx5hd. Glass is a touch better to my eyes on the vx5hd.
 
I found the vx5 to be heavier than advertised and bulky but I came from vx3 stuff. Great eye box and image in the 5. Go handle them at a shop. Only 30mm tube scope I can live with is from Leupold and it has 40mm objective and they weight just under 1 lb. otherwise all 1” and that’s vx3 and fx2 or Trijicon accupoint 3-9 is what I now run.
 
savagelh said:
I've heard that vx3 and vx5 use the same glass with slightly different internals.
Click to expand...

Different coatings and different power multipliers, 3 series is 3X, 5 series is 5x etc. The 5HD and 6HD us the same glass and coatings, but different multipliers. I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV.

I've got some Freedoms, VX3's and 5HD's. A noticeable but minor improvement of clarity between each series, and a big jump in brightness to the 5's. You pay a lot for each minor step up. I've not noticed any weight issue with 5HD's, generally find Leupolds light-ish, but neither have I packed one 20 miles. VX-3HD's and Freedoms are similar weight at around 15.7oz, and the VX-5HD are 4oz heavier at 19.7.
 
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I’ve got a pile of “3” series of all ages, both 1” and 30mm side focus. Also have a few VX5 with CDS that Korth fitted with Z Lock windage dials before they were shipped.

I can’t fault any of them; its more about suitability for purpose. The VX5 does have better optics, but it is a long ways from light. Sometimes thst matters.
 
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