Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I know there are lots of different scopes out there, but I have only really dealt with Nikon and leupold. Which are better for around the same price as a leupold. 5-600 dollar range

Also does a 30mm tube any better than a 1" tube... thanks

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Ziess conquest and nikon monarchs is about the only thing that will compete. But I do own a few elite 4200's and can say the optics are just as good. I just don't like thier warranty.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Better in what way???

I looked at a lot of scopes and i chose the Zeiss,



It's better in low light conditions than any other scope i looked through, includeing the Leupolds i own, and that's why i bought it.

I never did get to look at a Elite 6500, and that may be another choise to check out, i did look through a 4200 though...

As for reliability, i have nothing but good things to say about Leupold...

DM

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

First and to me one of the best the Ziess Conquest next Bushnell 4200 or 6500 and then theNikon Monarch or Burris Euro.

But to me the all around best is the Ziess Conquest.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I've always been pretty much of a die-hard Leupold guy, with a smattering of some others, including some nice old Redfields. A good friend of mine has a Nikon Monarch that impressed me, and I just bought a 4200 Elite. Havent shot it yet, but the optics are very good, it seems. Just for Heaven's sake stay away from that bottom-line crap that is out there today.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I agree I did the same thing and I liked the Zeiss as well. We have a few Leupold's as well and there is nothing wrong with them just like the Zeiss in low light better.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Is it just me, or does anyone else find its easy to loose your sight picture with the nikon monarchs? I know they do this to minimize parralax, but just annoys me some. My monarchs do have some top notch optics however.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

My zeiss conquest is the clearest scope Ive ever owned, but I also own 2 leupold varix3s. I put them all side by side last summer, and viewed some deer in the thicket, from off my deck. The leupys were defiantly brighter and I could see the deer longer, but it didnt matter since sunset(legal shooting light) was long gone.

Both have very crisp resolution, but the zeiss is the only scope(including leupold) I ever owned however, that gives a perfectly, unwavey, sight picture while scanning side to side and up and down.

The leupolds are lighter and brighter, and seem to be built a little tougher w/ all metallic parts, while the zeiss is heavier and clunkier w/ some plastic parts, but slightly supierior glass. I'd say its a toss up. I love em all though.

Never owned a nikon but I rarley have heard anything bad about them.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

That is mycomplaint with my Monarch as well. Otherwise they are fine scopes. Just curious but why or how does thisminimize parralax?

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I find the Zeiss Conquest brighter in low light and clearer than the VXIII.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I replaced all my scopes with Zeiss Conquest 4.5X14X44mm. Sharpest & Brightest scope I could find without spending $1000+ on Swarv. Most of my friends have converted from Nikon / Leupold to Zeiss after looking through mine after sundown.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I look back to when I started hunting (early 80's) and companies like Zeiss and Swari. seemed to be some of the best scopes on earth, and were, and still are.
These scopes came at a hefty price tag also!
I learned to love Leupold as a very good scope at a fair price, considering the above.

Just remember the age old saying of "you pay for what you get".
Technology has jumped leaps and bounds in the last 10-15 years, and there may be a better valued scope than all 3 from above?
I certainly like the Nikons, Bushnell's etc...
However, I still love my Leupold's and have them on all my scoped guns! I will probably buy more in the future.

I'll give an example from me buying some bino's two years ago, that I would probably employ if I bought a new scope in the future...
I went to Kittery Trading Post, in Maine, selected ALL the bino's from the case that were under $500 and went to the window to play with them.
45 minutes later, I choose the Bushnell's (for around $200) over the Leupolds, leica, nikon, etc, as I couldn't see the difference in quality, from my eyes.

I may be partial to Leupold's but they still have to prove to be the best value and of course longevity also plays in my hand of decision making.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I like Leupolds VX-III.I considered Zeiss recently but I couldn't find even their lowest priced models for the same money I paid for the 2.5-8 Leuy.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

BigCountry,

I have the exact same problem, plus the outer tube perimeter of the Monarch seems really thick and draws my eyes away from center. I really like the clarity of the Monarch, but doubt I would buy another just for this reason.

KEJ

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Glad to hear its not only me.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I also agree, I think the sight picture on my VX-1 is better then my Monarch. But, my Conquest wins hands down! Zeiss for me from now on!;)

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

As has been said, for the money, Zeiss Conquest is the best optics value, but my eyes like my Swarovskis better. I still have a couple of Leupold VX/VariX III's, but my "low end" scopes of choice are now Conquests.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII ?

Two or three Leupold Vari XIII's
I always seem to come back to Leupold.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I paid 400$ for both VXIIIs I own and 400$ for my Zeiss conquest 3-9x40. Ive actually seen conquests in Natchez for 329$. Leupold does not allow its dealers to sell their scopes for less than their set retail price.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I only paid 339 (on clearance) at Midway.Cabelas also had them on clearance for a little less but they were all gone by time I called them.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Sightron makes a nice scope and lifetime warranty should something arise.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Another vote for the zeiss conquest line.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

A 30 mm scope tube may be stronger than the standard 1" scope tube. On the other hand, you may find 30 mm scope tubes only on specific scopes having other features you don't want or don't need, so think first before you railroad yourself into buying a 30 mm scope when you don't need one and then sign on for other features which may be detrimental. For example, suppose you can only get a 30 mm scope tube in a "tactical scope" with big elevation and windage adjustment turrets that will hang-up on your clothes and/or on brush . . . Suppose you can only get a 30 mm scope tube in a scope with an extra large objective (front) lens that raises your line-of-sight undesirably high above the barrel of your rifle and makes it more unnatural to align your eye based on your cheek meld with the stock of your rifle. Wouldn't a standard 1" scope tube -- which has been used for many years in challenging hunting conditions -- probably suffice?

With respect to brightness. If a scope provides enough brightness to support hunting over from first shooting light to last shooting light (for Oklahoma, where I hunt big game, this is 30 minutes before sun-up to 30 minutes after sun-down), that ought to be enough. Whatbenefit does a brighter scope that supports hunting 90 minutes before sun-up to 90 minutes after sun-up provide, since the first 60 minutes and the last 60 minutes of that range are illegal for shooting? I find that the Leupold VariX III 40 mm 3.5-10X scopes allow me to readily target game 30 minutes before sun-up and 30 minutes after sun-down. I'm sure there are "brighter" scopes, but they can't provide me any additional functionality then that provided by the Leupold VariX III.

A thought about Leupold versus other makers . . . which scope is going to be more readily serviced and promptly serviced, an American manufacturer or a foreign manufacturer?

When it comes right down to it, probably there isn't much practical difference of quality, reliability, serviceability, customer service among any two scopes in the $500 price range.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Some of us do hunt where the legal hours are from one hour before sunrise,until one hour after sunset.A brighter scope is an asset during that first and last half hour of legal hunting.I personally turned down two shots while hunting with a VXIII,that I very well may have taken with a brighter scope.

The Zeiss conquest,as well as some Swarovski scopes are assembled and serviced in America,just like Leupold.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Simply because a given set of regulations establishes shooting times before and after sunrise certainly doesn't guarantee that the "sunrise" will be clear and bright. I think you've got to take into consideration those days when you have a heavy overcast, fog and/or rain or drizzle. Great optics are certainly required regardless of when the sun rises or sets on those days.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

stubblejumper: I would say one other thing. For me, 30 minutes after sunset I can no longer see well enough to discriminate a target with my naked eye. My practice is to first become alerted to a target and then identify the target with my naked eye before training the scope on this target. What I have experienced is that, even at this 30 minute offset I can place crosshairs on object and see where the crosshairs locate. Even if the legal shooting hours extended further, I wouldn't be able to hunt because I couldn't see and identify targets with my naked eye.

How do you identify targets with your naked eye in such dark conditions? This same analysis pertains to the points raised by Pawildman. If the sky is cloudy to such an extent that you can't see the crosshairs on a target through a VariX III, how do you identify your target with your naked eye?

I will grant that hunting some game allows you to hunt outside the time range I mentioned. But I still suppose you will not want to hunt when you can't identify your target with your nake eye. Maybe you are using binoculars with good light gathering characteristics. I'm neither trying to disparage or attack you or to sell Leupold scopes. They work for me and I'm content with them. I'm sure that other scopes provide good service for others.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I can't even imagine having to depend on my naked eye to identify animals! I'd be absolutely lost without a good pair of bino's, cause if your depending on your naked eye, your missing out on a lot of good shootin!

I still have the first pair of high end bino's i ever bought, they have been a investment that will easily last the rest of my life... That means they are one heck of a good deal when you consider all the years of pleasure they have gave me and will continue to give me.

DM

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Of course I use binoculars,and they are Zeiss Classics which do a great job of transmitting light.
By the way,you wasted three paragraphs,and to be honest you sounded quite silly by insinuating that I looked at objects through a riflescope before first positively identifying them as game animals.It would have been much wiser to simply ask if I used binoculars than to go on and on about not being able to properly identify objects with the naked eye.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I'm actually looking at a 30mm tubed Burris for my .350 rem mag. Does anybody have any concrete information on the advantages or disadvantages of a 30mm tube? The model I'm thinking of has a 42mm objective so there are no issues about having it mounted high. I realize the bigger tube has a greater adjustment range but does it really transfer more light?

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

https://www.snipercentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=24077&sid=9ecee5137d8add5a198c d6aa86a76a15

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Goodness gracious get on the hip waders, its getting deep. As my friend in Red Deer and Edmonton says abougt folks in Fort McMurray, if you got a nice pistol, guys up there have one with ivory handles on.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

It always does when you start spewing.Come to think of it,it would be entertaining to see you trying to walk in waders.It would be just like watching a walrus on land.:D

Have you ever been to Fort Mcmurray?Do you have any idea where Fort Mcmurray is without looking at a map?Do you know why the city exists?Do you know what the Athabasca Tar sands are?Do you have any idea how many people from Edmonton and Red Deer make their living in Fort Mcmurray?Do you know why those people travel that far to work?Do you have any idea of what the average wage is in Fort Mcmurray?Yes there are many nice guns,vehicles,homes etc in Fort Mcmurray,and if you knew the answers to the questions,you would know why.

And you should come here to visit.Just stay away from the muskeg or you will sink until you disappear,just like the dinosaurs did,before they decayed to become the Athabasca Tar sands.:D

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Sure do. Gas and oil. Been up that way many times.Not to Fort McMurray, but up above Edmonton.Contract for telus. Reason Your able to tell your tales, is your data is running over a network we sold. All the guys that used to work for me live in Edmonton, and Deer lake, and the ones I don't care for live in calgary. I am not saying they don't have money in Fort McMurray, I am saying I am starting to understand why my friends in Alberta says they are full of it, and exagerate most what they say. I didn't believe em at first, but you have made them boys into honest guys.:D Hey stubble, don't get mad at me, just repeating what they said about your folks.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Actually, I might be in the conklin area in a few months.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Actually it's mostly tar sand.We don't have that much accessible gas this far North,and we don't have oil in the usual form that it can be pumped out of the ground.We refine bitumen into synthetic crude oil.

So did you visit Deer Lake,Alberta?Of course you do realize that Deer Lake is in Newfoundland?But hey,that is only a couple of thousand miles away give or take.As for the people in Edmonton,many are very jealous of people from Fort Mcmurray that go to Edmonton and buy what most people from Edmonton can't afford.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Ask and you shall recieve. But I am not the walrus. Walrus was john lennon:D I am seem to be standing pretty good here. What about you?:D

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

Oops, been to both. I moose hunt out of deer lake.

On a serious side, I can see what you are talking about. I noticed some jealousy. But these guys make well over 120K US, and get all thier living expenses paid, so I am not sure why they would be. Guys from Calgary as worse. But one of my best friends lives in Edmonton.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I can't say,since you aren't walking in the waders.

I am in Alberta,a couple of thousand miles west of Deer Lake,you know,that place where your Alberta friends supposedly live.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

I think I hit a nerve with you. Like I said, don't cry, I didn't say it, just people who live in your providence. I am sure they know you better than I. You sound like your an indian up that way.:D I bet you are.

RE: Whats better than a Leupold Vari XIII
 

So you prefer those little Eastern moose as opposed to our Western Canadian and Yukon moose?


And with the present economy ,many of those high paying contract jobs are disappearing.Many of the Edmonton suppliers are also laying off workers.The average trades person working at the plants make around that much,but we are still hiring,not laying off.