BC, I am totally with you on the confused part as my buddy owns a shop and he was told by his Loopy Rep the VX III is 1-piece while the VX II is 3.

My email to Leupold was basically;

"I was under the impression the VX III was enhanced with some features(listed them) but the tube design was similar to the replaced Vari X III that being 1 piece. It has recently come to my attention that VX III may in fact be a 3 piece design similar to the VX II, can you please confirm if VX III is 1 Piece or not? I have searched your website and publication for specs related to the tube and can not find any clarification.

As a side note I think this information should be included on your public website and brochures as many sportsman consider tube design when choosing quality optics.

Thank you for your quick response on this matter "

I would hope Dan Loza was being truthful, but it does raise questions to why 2 seperate answers from the same department[].

In any regard I will not be buying a VX III until it has been around for a while to provide long term durability and improvements. I will either stick to the Vari X III or be looking at other manufacturer's. The Conquest had some bumps to begin with but now they have a product most will quickly recommend both in price and function. Leupold unless a lot has changed will pull through with another solid product, they have to as too many have come to rely on the likes of the rock solid Vari x III. It may not be the brightest scope but I can say without reservation it is the one of the best hunting scopes I have ever owned and it never cost me a low light shooting opp. so I don't see it as unqualified on any Biggame setup. I know better are available for higher price but for my usage it was never a short coming.