Leupold

[DGY]

I would like to know the difference between the vx3, VX3i and vx3hd. Pros and cons on each of there is something that some one has to know! Especially the 2.5-8!
Thanks

 

[9.3mauser]

 

[LeftFootOfDoom]

unfortunately, that chart is out of date. With the newer models of Leupolds i'd guess that they have the newer High Density, Extra Low Dispersion lenses. HD/ED.

 

[Bad Bob]

The glass gets progressively and very noticeably better with each newer generation, unfortunately the tracking does not.

 

[DGY]

So nothing wrong with the VX3i that anyone knows about? Good

 

[diemaco]

I prefer the vx-3i and older. The CDS system of the VX-3HD is awful IMO.

 

[HeadDamage]

I've found that I tend to like the older Leupolds but that could be due to the new ones costing too much to bother trying.

 

[boxhitch]

Also wondering what the diff is in internal mechanisms between the VX and the Mark series

 

[Bad Bob]

So nothing wrong with the VX3i that anyone knows about? Good

Other than it will not track consistently. If you use it as a "set & forget" scope the glass is fine but don`t dial it.

 

[DGY]

Other than it will not track consistently. If you use it as a "set & forget" scope the glass is fine but don`t dial it.

Is that your experience with most Leupold?

 

[ShrtRnd]

So nothing wrong with the VX3i that anyone knows about? Good

No issues with my Vx3i, but I’m not a turret-twister by any means.

I’d like Leupold to bring back the FX in 4 and 6x options though.

 

[DGY]

I’m not a turret twister either! There is one on the EE but the guy ain’t getting back to me!
Anyway good info for the next one!!

 

[Bad Bob]

Is that your experience with most Leupold?

Not every one, but a lot of them, that is why I use BDC reticles with Leupolds because I do not trust the tracking. I have found that the glass is okay and if I zero the scope and do not touch it, it will hold zero. Interestingly the older Leupolds in my experience tracked better. Don`t know about their top end models but they are way too expensive so I use Zeiss and Nightforce for pretty much the same $$$.

 

[Rod]

I have all three of the Leupolds in both 2.5-8x36 and 2.5-10x40. All three models are great scopes but I notice an improvement with the VX-3 HD. It cuts the glare of the sun better and extends the twilight visibility beyond the other two. The duplex reticle seems thicker and comes alive in twilight in gold showing the target area. My VX-7 has the ET (extended twilight) reticle that lights up gold in twilight. Leupold seems to continually upgrade their VX-3 line of scopes including features from their previous higher grades when they're upgraded. The only VX-3 HD feature I'm not fond of is the verticle turret with the white button but I do like the throw lever. The Leupold Company are no slouches and continually work to better their products. And of course their warranty is the best.

 

[Bad Bob]

I fully agree with Rod regarding Leupold`s warranty, it is good. On several occasions they sent me a new in the box replacement scope rather than repairing mine and it was always an upgrade, I was impressed. I might add that every Leupold scope I sent in for warranty was due to their tracking & mechanical issues.

 

[LeftFootOfDoom]

I've found that I tend to like the older Leupolds but that could be due to the new ones costing too much to bother trying.

agree.

I had an old vari x iii 6.5-20 on my cz455 22lr. Glass was excellent,. Was easily able to spot hits at the 200 at silverdale. Also had no issues with tracking, since i zero'd at 20m (indoor) and shot 100 and 200, there was lots of dialing.

replaced it with a sightron s3.

 

[conor_90]

I thought leupolds tracked well until I tried S&B and Swaro.

Still use them. But I am in the "set it and forget it" camp

 

[Paul_T]

The CDS system of the VX-3HD is awful IMO.

Curious as to why you think that? Did you get a custom dial made?

 

[diemaco]

Curious as to why you think that? Did you get a custom dial made?

It's a feature I don't want on a hunting optic, for starters. I prefer the look of the capped turrets. If you swap rifles and scopes often it's a pain in the butt, especially if you forget the tiny Allen key at home. Just one more thing to fail, especially with marginal tracking on Leupold scopes, and it seems to have driven the cost up.

My favorite reticle is a duplex, maybe with a few hash marks or dots for extended range shooting. I prefer simple on hunting rifles.

 

[boxhitch]

It's a feature I don't want on a hunting optic, for starters. I prefer the look of the capped turrets. If you swap rifles and scopes often it's a pain in the butt, especially if you forget the tiny Allen key at home. Just one more thing to fail, especially with marginal tracking on Leupold scopes, and it seems to have driven the cost up.

My favorite reticle is a duplex, maybe with a few hash marks or dots for extended range shooting. I prefer simple on hunting rifles.

so no fault of the Leu, it just an 'I dont like it' ?