In a previous post I gave my belief that Leupold had purchased the Redfield name for a future production of optics at a lower level than their current models. This in fact is happening soon as I just had production samples in my hands last night. The Rifle scopes will be 2-7x33 ( $174-$185), 3-9x40 $200-$217), 3-9x50 ($263-$265 and 4-12x40 ($265 -$279). Surprisingly these scopes will be made in Oregon but obviously at a lower level to justify the retail price. The external finish (matte black) will not be the same as Leupold and the only the external lenses will be fully multi coated. There will be a spotting scope 20-60x60 kit at $269, binoculars from $138-$188 and range finders at $245-$260. These last items will be built off shore. All items have lifetime warranty and presumably will be done by Korth Group. They are certainly going after the medium quality end of the scope market with Bushnell squarely in their cross hairs. Quality of the samples were impressive considering the price. Availability to be determined. Phil.
New Redfield Optics by Leupold
- Thread starter P of PDent
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You'd think that with the large amount of players in that market, there wouldn't be much left for anybody.
Perhaps the name-recognition will give them an advantage.
Or perhaps there's way more profit margin down there than in the higher lines...
Perhaps the name-recognition will give them an advantage.
Or perhaps there's way more profit margin down there than in the higher lines...
To keep the competition at bay you always have to be moving ahead, sideways and sometimes back. Many manufacturers have been chipping away at the bottom end of the Leupold market and I suppose this was their way a going after those competitors to take that business away from them. I am still suprised that Leupold chose to do the rifle scopes in house and not take it off shore like their lower end binos and spotters. I think it goes to show that some manufactures can produce less expensive products in the USA and still be competitive with off shore manufacturing. We will see if the Redfield brand name and Leupold manufacturing will return the sales they are after. Phil.
I think they are a step below the Rifleman series in both quality and performance. It would not make sense to make a similar performing product at a lesser price as you would only be competing with yourself and taking away a sale from a more expensive product. There certainly is a very fine line here and we will see how well Leupold/ Redfield will accomplish this. Phil.
If they are like most manufacturers I am familiar with, they will run a few batches through the plant until they have troubleshot, 5s'd, Kaizen'd, 6 sigma'd and leaned. Then the whole production line/methodology is recreated offshore somewhere.
Anything is possible but they have a thing for the rifle scope line and may want to keep it in house. Leupold has had problems with Chinese suppliers knocking off their technology after they were allowed access to it for Leupold production. Time will tell. Phil.
