I didn't know that the Leupold was getting bad reviews. I have one (not sure of the model number offhand, it's the one without the compass) and I'm generally pleased. Optically it seems fine, and the Steiner-style fixed-focus feature works well for me in cold weather, when focussing can be a pain. The rangefinder seems accurate and repeatable, and I have had no problem reading the numbers in bright sunlight. Negatives? It eats batteries at a good clip, especially with repeated readings taken in a short time. It's bulky, though not heavy. It's made in China. And the telescoping type of width adjustment, for setting it to the width of your eyes, seems difficult to get used to, although it seems to work well. The hard case it came with is an awkward POS.
As a binocular, it doesn't match my Zeiss glasses. As a rangefinder, it seems at least the equal of my older cheapo Bushnell. It's bulkier than either, but certainly more compact than carrying both of the other instruments to achieve the same capability. I find myself carrying it for all of my hunting, and have been doing so for a year and a half.
As an aside, I got it as part of a promotional deal when it came packaged with a Leupold (Wind River) 60mm spotting scope.
Knowing what I now know, I'd probably buy it again. I'm sure that in a couple of years there will be better, lighter, clearer, more accurate, more rugged, and probably less expensive alternatives. But, hey, if you apply that logic, you'd never buy anything.
John
