People's experience with Leupold scopes with illuminated firedot.

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delboybc

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Hi

I am looking at scopes to put on a bolt gun I am putting together. I have always liked low mag scopes e.g 1-4 and 2-7 mainly.

I have started using red dots lately and love them and was thinking of trying one of the Leupold low power scopes with the firedots, the VX-R series.

The only concern I have is that I know with the red dots I use I really need to wear my prescription glasses so that the dot is clear.

Would like some input from people who have experience with prescription glasses and have used red dots and the firedots on leupold scopes.

Is the firedot in focus when ever the reticle is in focus or does the light make it behave a bit different? I really do not understand the different focal plains kind of stuff and how red dots work in general.

Thanks

Del
 
I have a VX-R 1-4 Firedot and use prescription glasses and really like the scope. It has nice bright and clear glass and the red dot works great in it. As I understand the red dot operates separately from the reticle. You can use the scope with the red dot turned off and it operates just like a regular scope. When the red dot is activated you can adjust the brightness to any level you like. In strong daylight you can brighten it up to high and at twilight you can back it down to low levels so it doesn't over power things. I think you will like the scope for your needs but you should really try to look through one before you buy to make sure it indeed does. Everyone's eyes are different especially with people like you and me who wear glasses!
 
I have a 4-12×40 VXR. Wish I would have saved the money and just bought a vx-3i. I see no point in the red dot for my applications. However I certainly see the appeal in the lower magnification scopes like you are looking at. Very nice glass though.
 
Thanks for your input and experience.

I did manage to do a bit of research and get to a shop and try a VX-R scope, nice piece of equipment, but no one had a lower magnification in stock. Is really nice that the illuminated dot is focused when the reticle is focused, makes it great for people to use with or without prescription glasses.

The only thing is the price, it seems that the VX-R uses glass similar to the VX-2 and the new VX-freedom line also uses glass similiar to the VX-2, which means the only extra you get for more than double the price is a 30mm tube and a illuminated dot, I may just try the VX-freedom in a 1.5 X4.
 
I bought the last Mark AR 1-4x20 firedot from Italian and it is a fine scope
I need a new rifle for it :)

edit: apparently it is back in stock. Go have a look.
 
delboybc said:
The only thing is the price, it seems that the VX-R uses glass similar to the VX-2 and the new VX-freedom line also uses glass similiar to the VX-2, which means the only extra you get for more than double the price is a 30mm tube and a illuminated dot, I may just try the VX-freedom in a 1.5 X4.
Click to expand...

I have both a VX2 and VXR and the clarity of the VXR is quite a bit more noticeable.

This thread belongs in Optics section.
 
Personally I like illuminated reticles on scopes for very low light applications or for close up shooting of moving game. I've used a Leuplod fire dot on a VX6 1-6x24. The illumination system is excellent, the adjustment range provides settings that work in all conditions from low light to bright sunshine, the dot is crisp and clear, and the on/off/brightness switch is well designed and not bulky or obtrusive. For comparison I also use an aimpoint as well as a Zeiss Victory HT with an illuminated reticle, and have previously used a Swarovski as well. In terms of function the Leupold fired or holds its own well against the top end European scopes. And I actually prefer the Leuplod switch set up as it is much less likely to be accidentally knocked and turned off/up/down while walking through brush.
 
In my opinion the firedot scopes are awesome, I love my VX6 in low light. To the original question, the firedot or illuminated reticle is not super bright at the highest setting, and would have no use what so ever on a bright sunny day. Where they shine is low light situations against a dark background, and in that situation the lower brightness settings keep the dot from overwhelming the sight picture.

The only downside I have seen is that the illumination requires the reticle to be thicker, even on a buddies 4-24 vx6, at high magnification, I thought it would be superior to my 3-18 for pinpoint aiming, but the reticle is just as large. Perfect for hunting, less so for target.
 
Got the VX-R 3-9 over here. Favorite scope I own, also the most expensive for what it's worth. I also wear glasses from the moment I get out of bed to the moment I get back in.

During the daytime the dot is off, no need. What I absolutely love it for is in the wee hours of the morning and the last minutes of legal hunting time, especially if you're hunting in the bush. I remember my first outing with the scope, picked something about 50 yards away through the bush and brought the rifle up and on target as quick as I could, trying to replicate a possible hunting situation. I did this a couple times. This was just legal time, and it was overcast so it was dark. Turned on the Firedot and did the same test. "DAAAAMMMNNN that's quick!"

I also keep the dot brightness quite low, just enough to draw your eye's attention to the center. Once it gets decently bright out the dot gets shut off, as the "wind-plex" reticle in mine is quite thick and easy to see with any kind of contrasting background.

As to any kind of weird behavior regarding the dot and glasses, I can't recall noticing anything out of the ordinary. I'll check later in the day and post back if there is news.
 
I have a VXR on a Blackfeather M305 build and it is very good. I have about 6 scopes that 'fit' in that type of scope, Primary Arms / Falcon / Bushnell / Vortex and Steiner. The Leupold holds up well against the competeition, and the illuminated dot is very useful for multiple target engagement at speed / dark backgounds.

This is the only Leupold scope I currently own, and I definately consider another in teh future. Not my favourite brand, but definately good quality glass.

Candocad.
 
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