Peoples obssesion with Leupold Rifle Scopes

[hutchster]

Yes Phil my bad I didnt mean Friction Ajustment. I mean the newer turret system with the plastic adjuster and brass ring on the bottom. Mine kept popping out under recoil and the whole erector system fell out. Sent it to warranty twice. Sold it bought a Khales.

after 6 pages of comments, this is the first one i have seen that actually shows a fault with a leupold scope, do you have anymore details like what rifle and caliber and scope model ?

the turret popping out would be a little bizarre when you are focusing on your follow thru, did it just sort of fall out, or does it spring out under tension or something?

just curious

 

[hutchster]

I don't smoke,I don't gamble,and I drink very little,but I do have a vice,that being an addiction to high quality firearms and optics.I have to laugh when someone comments on how much I spend on firearms or optics, as they smoke away,or talk about how much they spent in the bar drinking and playing the VLTs.I happen to enjoy shooting a nice rifle with great glass more than wasting thousands of dollars ruining my lungs,or feeding money into a VLT.

when you quoted my post without the smilie, it seems so hostile or jealous

i hope no one took offense to my sarcasm about fort mac, it's just that i know a guy up there and like to bug him about making the big bucks

 

[FLHTCUI]

As per the thread title.
It is no different than ones taste in Weatherby, Remington or Sigs.
It dont matter what flavour of Kool Aide you drink as long as you yourself can afford it or something better.
And anyone who tell me they have the best scope or firearm in the world, well then I have some Prime Water Front realestate here in West Richmond, slightly West of the Dyke for sale with clear unobstructed views of the Southern Gulf Islands, Cheap
Rob

 

[Mur]

I have yet to send one of my Leupolds in for service,and by last count,over the past 20 years or so I have owned over 20 of them.The same cannot be said of Bushnells I had when I was younger.Leupold does not neccesarily make the "best" scope,but they work for me and I see no reason to change. At the present time I have 11 Leupold scopes and 1 Burris.The Burris is on a loaner rifle. Mur

 

[jennis]

I needed new turret caps for my 3.5-10 ' tactical ' , Korth mailed them out the same day nooooooo questions asked it did not cost me a penny

 

[zZ_denis]

All of you guys raving about Leupold's warranty... - do you think its free?

ANY scope manufacturer (or manufacturer of any other product for that matter) could double the price of their product and have the same quality of service as Leupold has.
The excellent waranty and service that they offer is basically factored into the price of their scopes, thats why they are all priced SIGNIFICANTLY higher than other manufacturers that sell similar quality scopes.

Do all of you Leupold fans also purchase the longest, most expensive warranty on everything you buy (cars, electronics, appliances, etc)? I would guess the answer is no. Its been statistically proven that buying extended warranty is not worth it for an averege consumer, otherwise the manufacturers wouldnt offer it.
Leupold basically forces their "extended warranty" down their customers throats.
I dont know about you guys, but when i buy a scope i dont want to pay for some other guy's scope who broke the glass on it by banging it on a rock.

I've recently upgraded (yes, UPgraded) a Leupold VXII to a Bushnell 4200 on one of my .308's. The clarity, brightness of the Bushnell is superior BY FAR. It also has a lifetime warranty. Based on my previous experiences with high end Bushnells, i am very confident that i will never need to find out what the warranty turn around time is. If i do, i will gladly accept it considering that i didnt pay 50% more for a scope with a faster warranty turn around time.

 

[dizzy]

All of you guys raving about Leupold's warranty... - do you think its free?

ANY scope manufacturer (or manufacturer of any other product for that matter) could double the price of their product and have the same quality of service as Leupold has.
The excellent waranty and service that they offer is basically factored into the price of their scopes, thats why they are all priced SIGNIFICANTLY higher than other manufacturers that sell similar quality scopes.

Do all of you Leupold fans also purchase the longest, most expensive warranty on everything you buy (cars, electronics, appliances, etc)? I would guess the answer is no. Its been statistically proven that buying extended warranty is not worth it for an averege consumer, otherwise the manufacturers wouldnt offer it.
Leupold basically forces their "extended warranty" down their customers throats.
I dont know about you guys, but when i buy a scope i dont want to pay for some other guy's scope who broke the glass on it by banging it on a rock.

I've recently upgraded (yes, UPgraded) a Leupold VXII to a Bushnell 4200 on one of my .308's. The clarity, brightness of the Bushnell is superior BY FAR. It also has a lifetime warranty. Based on my previous experiences with high end Bushnells, i am very confident that i will never need to find out what the warranty turn around time is. If i do, i will gladly accept it considering that i didnt pay 50% more for a scope with a faster warranty turn around time.

Typically hunting rifles are used under less than ideal conditions and often the most vulnerable object on the rifle (typically the optic) gets damaged, during shipping, bouncing around in the truck, falling into the creek, falling on a rock, freezing or whatever. Leupolds don't asks don't tell warranty policy is what elevates them above all other manufacturers in keeping their customers happy and hunting, while others are waiting.

 

[sillymike]

I don't know about other individuals... But the reason I buy Leupold over other brand, is peace of mind...

Having something failed on you when you are in the middle of a match or in the middle of nowhere on a hunt... makes for a pretty expensive experience.

I'm sure there are better and cheaper scope out there, but I'm not sure I have the time and money to find it which one they are...

 

[Grizzlypeg]

zz Denis, you make a good point, but I also put in faith in the experience of others who tell me how durable they are. I'd even trade off some optical quality for durability, as it means more to me on a hunt.

 

[Attention]

All of you guys raving about Leupold's warranty... - do you think its free?

ANY scope manufacturer (or manufacturer of any other product for that matter) could double the price of their product and have the same quality of service as Leupold has.
The excellent waranty and service that they offer is basically factored into the price of their scopes, thats why they are all priced SIGNIFICANTLY higher than other manufacturers that sell similar quality scopes.

Do all of you Leupold fans also purchase the longest, most expensive warranty on everything you buy (cars, electronics, appliances, etc)? I would guess the answer is no. Its been statistically proven that buying extended warranty is not worth it for an averege consumer, otherwise the manufacturers wouldnt offer it.
Leupold basically forces their "extended warranty" down their customers throats.
I dont know about you guys, but when i buy a scope i dont want to pay for some other guy's scope who broke the glass on it by banging it on a rock.

I've recently upgraded (yes, UPgraded) a Leupold VXII to a Bushnell 4200 on one of my .308's. The clarity, brightness of the Bushnell is superior BY FAR. It also has a lifetime warranty. Based on my previous experiences with high end Bushnells, i am very confident that i will never need to find out what the warranty turn around time is. If i do, i will gladly accept it considering that i didnt pay 50% more for a scope with a faster warranty turn around time.

Exactly my thoughts

 

[zZ_denis]

zz Denis, you make a good point, but I also put in faith in the experience of others who tell me how durable they are. I'd even trade off some optical quality for durability, as it means more to me on a hunt.

What makes you think you're trading something off? I have NEVER heard of a single Bushnell 4200 scope having any durability issues. I can not say the same about Leupold.

Considering that all scopes basically operate on the same principle, the fact that Bushnell scopes are usually heavier than Leupold suggests that the tube and internals are beefier, making it more durable (assuming that assembly and QC are the same). Generally Japanese and American assembly and QC are not the same, however....

If you had a car that you had to repair daily, but the shop would do it for free and be very nice about it, would you claim that your car was superior to others? Rather extreme analogy, i know, but i just wanted to make a point. If Leupold sold a superior product, nobody would know how good their serivice is.

The funny thing is that if you search "Leupold vs Bushnell Elite" and look at forum threads in USA, MOST people will recommend a Bushnell scope for a given price. In Canada nearly everyone praises American-made Leupolds and bashes Bushnells. Not surprising, considering that Canada always lags behind the USA when it comes to gun stuff.

The only time i ever dealt with Bushnell warranty was when i walked in (their warranty depot is 10min away from me) with a 30 year old Banner that i had on my rimfire. One of the rubber seals on the elevation cap dried out and cracked. I wanted to buy a new seal, but the nice lady said they didnt carry parts for such an old scope anymore. She offered me a new Banner scope with same characteristics at cost price ($50, compared to $120 in stores). When i told her "But my scope was made in Japan and the new one is made in Taiwan" , she said "You can keep the old one"...

 

[Dogleg]

When I used bushnels and a rifle went sour, I checked the screws then pulled the scope off. With Leupolds I check the screws then pull the barrel off.
Either way, I can't remember being wrong.

 

[Dogleg]

I have NEVER heard of a single Bushnell 4200 scope having any durability issues

Let me help you out with that. I had 2 6-24 x 40s go south, 1 2.5-10 pack it in (took awhile) and 1 6-24 x 50 Tactical that spun its own side focus knob after every shot. I fired that one before it quit. Then there's the 3200s, but the least said about them the better.
The average shooter doesn't use his scope enough to know is its good or bad.

 

[Mur]

What makes you think you're trading something off? I have NEVER heard of a single Bushnell 4200 scope having any durability issues. I can not say the same about Leupold.

Considering that all scopes basically operate on the same principle, the fact that Bushnell scopes are usually heavier than Leupold suggests that the tube and internals are beefier, making it more durable (assuming that assembly and QC are the same). Generally Japanese and American assembly and QC are not the same, however....

If you had a car that you had to repair daily, but the shop would do it for free and be very nice about it, would you claim that your car was superior to others? Rather extreme analogy, i know, but i just wanted to make a point. If Leupold sold a superior product, nobody would know how good their serivice is.

The funny thing is that if you search "Leupold vs Bushnell Elite" and look at forum threads in USA, MOST people will recommend a Bushnell scope for a given price. In Canada nearly everyone praises American-made Leupolds and bashes Bushnells. Not surprising, considering that Canada always lags behind the USA when it comes to gun stuff.

The only time i ever dealt with Bushnell warranty was when i walked in (their warranty depot is 10min away from me) with a 30 year old Banner that i had on my rimfire. One of the rubber seals on the elevation cap dried out and cracked. I wanted to buy a new seal, but the nice lady said they didnt carry parts for such an old scope anymore. She offered me a new Banner scope with same characteristics at cost price ($50, compared to $120 in stores). When i told her "But my scope was made in Japan and the new one is made in Taiwan" , she said "You can keep the old one"...

A car that you repair daily?Like I said over 20 years and over 20 Leupolds with NO repair issues,ever.I hunt all 4 seasons in variable weather here in BC,in rough country and rougher conditions,with no scope problems.I'm glad you are happy with your Bushnells,I gave mine away.I spent 25 years in the hunting business here in BC,there are no doubts in my mind who makes a better product,but to each his own.I wouldn't trade 1 of my VXIIIs for 2 4200s, Mur

 

[cdnredneck_t3]

I have NEVER heard of a single Bushnell 4200 scope having any durability issues. I can not say the same about Leupold.

Really. I have sent some elite products back (LRF) and they sent me a quote for repairs. My buddy sent his 4200 TAC back because the turret stopped adjusting. Took over 8 months to get it back and he sold it as soon as it came back and put a 8.5-25 Leupold on the gun. I might have to send a 4200 back because it keeps loosing zero. Then when I re-zero it the cliks are not 1/4" so I just guess till I get close (CZ 452). I think it will get a Leupold when the 4200 finally gives up.

 

[TheTooner]

... The average shooter doesn't use his scope enough to know is its good or bad.

Then most scopes are good enough for "the average shooter."

 

[Shooter ----/]

Opinions are just that. No matter how much someone tries to justify their purchase, someone else will find something they like better.

Now that said, I prefer my Leupold over any Bushnell. I have a Bushnell but it was purchased to fill a set of rings on a rifle for one summer.

I can say with absolute certainty that I will never change my mind on this subject.

IMO I cannot understand the point in threads like this. Does anyone, after reading this whole thread actually say, "Geez, I'm going to change out all my scopes after reading all that"?
I am not loaded with cash and I am not the greatest marksman but I have a small group of people who's opinion I trust and no matter what, I will always check something out to the best of my ability before purchase. I will ask questions until I drive someone nuts and I will stare through scopes until my eyes hurt.
In the end I don't need anyones reassurance in my choice.

 

[Dogleg]

Then most scopes are good enough for "the average shooter."

Sure, since if you don't/can't/won't shoot it doesn't really matter what it is.

 

[scott_r]

Leupolds are priced higher then the Bushnells but you also have to look where they are made. Leupolds are made in the USA where there are no sweat shops, Bushnell on ther hand makes them in China, Philipiness and other countries that have people working for pennies.
I have used the Leupold warranty on an old Vari-x II that I bought for $75 bucks a few years back cause the fellow said it was not working. In 2 weeks I had it fully inspected with a paper showing the inspections done. Turns out the scope was fine and it was likely buddies gun. Cost me $11, I was very happy. Ive also had issues with Bushnell but they got me so mad I won't even bother going there.
Ive looked through high end scopes like Zeiss D's and Swaro's, very nice, but I believe you really have diminishing returns on dollars spent for a hunting rifle scope. If you have problems making out animals with a VX II or III, Fullfield II or a Zeiss Conquest..think u need to see an eye doctor. Spotting scopes and binos are a different subject.
Right now I think the Burris Fullfield II's are the best bang for your buck. Great glass, nice reticle options and great warranty all for about $250. I purchased one of these to pair up with my Sako 85 Finnlight for this falls Muley hunt and whitetail camp.

Cheers!!

 

[Brutus]

If one ever shoots F-Class, take a poll of the rifle scopes on the firing line.