No that is for sure

As a long time Leupold customer with 10-15 bought and used, I am switching to zeiss. Not because they are any clearer or coatings. They are about the same. But because I can't get a straight answer out of Leupold on their new VX design. I know John barshness mailed me personally and even put one of my questions in Rifle magizine saying a 3 piece design is just as strong as one if made properly. But I ain't buying that. Also Leupold quit making features I want. Like you got to get the 30mm versions on some if you want AO. I don't like that at all.

I actually compared both of these scopes 3 weeks ago at my local range and came away really imressed with the ZEiss. If you look at them in a store they look real close. At my range the sun sets beyond the 300 yard target and it was that time of day and most scopes flare noticeably ..not that ZEiss..The Leupold was not bad either but I am not paying 600+ for a 3 piece scope tube and a lot of outlandish claims by Leupold about 98% light transmission. Pure BS

The standard Vari-X III will be more than enough for low light conditions, you don't need the illuminated reticle. As for comparrison between the Leupold, Zeiss and Swarovski, try to get service on one of the imports and check out their warranty. Leupold has lifetime, UNCONDITIONAL warranty with service next to none. Damage the imports and you pay to repair, IF you have a few months to wait for reparis. Want to compare the German high priced scopes against Leupold, than compare them against the LPS series. You want the best, you got it and and made in America.

Really ..I guess you never owned a Swarovski or Zeiss have you ? You need to get your facts straight.

i have to agree with oldelkhunter i had and older swarovski serviced once and can,t complain at all.as for leupold they once replaced a scope for me and i was also satisfied with their service.i've owned just about every vari-x111 made.and have sold them all.to my eye they just aren't as clear as the swarovski's are even the bushnell 4200's.

Yes oldelkhunter I had a 2.5 x 10 Swarovski that came on a rifle purchased. I wanted the scope not the rifle. I dropped a hundred bucks for the Swarovski rings and mount and topped it on my favorite 308- 700 BDL and was not impressed Set both the Leupold vari-x III and the Swarovski on 8x and looked outside in low light. There is little or no difference in light gathering capabilty. Not worth the big bucks asked for this line of scopes. The paralux is set at 100 yards. Who needs a scope at 100 yards? If the Vary-X three is comparable to the European scopes check out the LPS series. Same 30mm tube, etched reticle and O/A for less money than the European offerings. Oh! and a guanentee second to none. The Swarovski's do look good on tv though, that's a plus.

also, be sure to check out your hunting regulations, some states might not allow an illuminated reticle (ie. montana)

I just checked the 2004 regs for montana and i have to take back what i said previous. The closest i could find is:

Night Vision Equipment
Use of night vision equipment or electronically enhanced
light gathering optics for locating or hunting game is
prohibited.

pg. 16 antelope, deer, and elk regulations
montana 2004

sorry about the misimformation

I am a risk taker but for $129 the mueller 2x7x32 is the best friend I ever had.You can use the dot or not it has 11 settings for red dot and when evnin comes in the piney woods you can't beat it.Lifetime replacement!
all the best,
lizzzard