I've just picked up a used Leupold Vari-X III 8.5-25x40 scope (that I mentioned in another thread) and am curious about the quality of the lens coatings in these earlier Leupold scopes (1990s to about 2004, I think). I could send it to Korth for a lens change to newer lenses, I think, but would this be worth the effort. I've seen a chart of Leupold scopes indicating that the Vari-X III scopes had Leupold Multicoat 4 lens coatings. Are the newer coatings much better?
Quality of Lens Coatings in the Leupold Vari-X III Scopes
- Thread starter South Pender
- Start date
Agree with above...the improvements were mostly on paper, or for those whose eyes could resolve the variance under first/last light conditions when hunting and allowed for just a few minutes of extra resolution. Depending on the person, some can resolve this, while most may not.
Any further gains were to be found on higher end scopes such as Swarovski or Kahles. In the end, their advantages provided just a few minutes longer resolution at first/last light than the Leupolds. And in both instances, those advantages in gains in light gathering can be counted in single digits.
Yes, I own and use all 3...but I have never been disappointed in the performance of the older Leupolds (of which I own quite a few). In 38 years of hunting, I do not recall a single instance where I lost an opportunity on a an animal at first/last light because I was using one of the older Leupold scopes (Vari-X III/VX-III/VX-3).
To be fair, these were in magnification ranges of 1.5-5 up to 4.5-14, and only with a couple of X=VX-3L's in 50mmm, all have been 40mm or smaller objective lenses.
I cannot say when discussing the 6.5-20 or 8.5-25 scopes as I have not owned/used either; but these would typically be used during the major portion of the day for target or varmint hunting, and not as often at first/last light for big game hunting.
I will say that my newer VX-5's and VX-6 HD scopes are very bright...but at a substantial increase in cost. And there is a slight advantage here with the 42 and 44mm objective lenses for exit pupil.
Any further gains were to be found on higher end scopes such as Swarovski or Kahles. In the end, their advantages provided just a few minutes longer resolution at first/last light than the Leupolds. And in both instances, those advantages in gains in light gathering can be counted in single digits.
Yes, I own and use all 3...but I have never been disappointed in the performance of the older Leupolds (of which I own quite a few). In 38 years of hunting, I do not recall a single instance where I lost an opportunity on a an animal at first/last light because I was using one of the older Leupold scopes (Vari-X III/VX-III/VX-3).
To be fair, these were in magnification ranges of 1.5-5 up to 4.5-14, and only with a couple of X=VX-3L's in 50mmm, all have been 40mm or smaller objective lenses.
I cannot say when discussing the 6.5-20 or 8.5-25 scopes as I have not owned/used either; but these would typically be used during the major portion of the day for target or varmint hunting, and not as often at first/last light for big game hunting.
I will say that my newer VX-5's and VX-6 HD scopes are very bright...but at a substantial increase in cost. And there is a slight advantage here with the 42 and 44mm objective lenses for exit pupil.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I don't think that you would notice anything at all.
