I think. Now this is just opinion. You are ticked at Leupold cause the 3 piece design. And now, you have swore them off. Never to have them again and bashing every one anybody talks too. I did a quick lookup and you have not missed bashing Leupold on every post since the 3 piece thing came out. I try to fair and objective and give credit where it is due. I wished I lived closer, so we could take a fair look at them both together. One comparison out in the field is not enough to warrent swearing that Zeiss is best.

Well here is my real opinion of Leupolds...On my most recent hunt in alabama I used a Nikon Monarch 3-9x 40 on my 300 wsm... I had a Zeiss mounted on my 6mm remington but prior to that being mounted on it there was a 3-9x50 Vari-x III on it. In short I got an extra 30 minutes I mean 30 minutes more time looking at a green field with either the Nikon or Zeiss then with that stupid Leupold. Same effect this Novemeber closer to home. No comparism. Leupold sat on their laurels for years and jacked up their prices and cheapened their quality. Any scope that doesn't have constant eye relief and great optics and yes 3piece tube for the prices they charge is a disservice to the shooting public. So there you go BTW my buddy (landowner in Alabama) who has shot more deer in lowlight conditions then you have hair on your head and was an avowed Leupold worshipper will be sending me his last 3.5-10x50 leupold to sell on Ebay. I really hate that you spoiled that fine Sako I sold you by mounting a Leupold wart on it.


Correction I said 3-9x50 VAri-xIII it should have been a vari-x II

I am comparing the VXIII to the Zeiss, not the Vari XIII. Your right about the Vari X III, its not as crisp or bright. But the other day I was so pleasently surprised about the optics on the VXIII model.

BC I am not getting into another Zeiss vs Leupold contest. There has been entirely too much of that in the past. If your happy with Leupold so be it I think in a lot of areas they beat out their competition especially the fixed and compact scopes. In other areas they simply fell behind. Between 3 of my good friends we have been loyal Leupold buyers for years but now realize there are equally good and sometimes better buys.

Well, sure has been interesting to read these posts. I'm not going to get into any arguments here (I hope), but all I can say is I've used Leupold scopes now for over
25years, and that first one is still in use without any problems (VX-II, 1-4x 20mm).
Not saying there aren't other good scopes out there, I kind of like Weaver also, but
if I want something I can COUNT ON, I'll stick with Leupold.

Guess I'm in oldelkhunter's camp on this one. Even though I used nothing but Leupolds for 20+ years, I consciously resist buying them now unless I have to, like if a mounting issue won't allow me to use anything else. I just prefer the superior optics of Zeiss, Swarovski, etal and don't want to settle for less. I bought a VX III last year on the hopes that Leupold had closed the gap, but after trying it out for about a month I ended up selling it. In my opinion it was not a great advancement over the Vari X III as their advertising claimed and it certainly wasn't as good as the Conquests I compared it to.

There's no doubt Leupold makes a good scope. I guess I've just graduated from what Leupold considers good and prefer something better now.

Which one of you two needs a job. I will try to set you two up with an interview with Lockheed Martin working for the goverment in classical optics. Of course they are funny about having some letters by your name in this area if you lack experience. But they are always looking for people who know superior optics or not. And of course pricing.

Another vote for Leupold, JMO!!

MY VOTE IS FOR NIKON. I HAVE BEEN USING THEM FOR AROUND 15 YEARS. I HAVE ONE THATS BEFORE THEY HAD BUCKMASTER OR PROSTAFF, JUST PLAIN NIKON. MY LATEST TWO NIKONS ARE 2 x 10 POWER GOLD WITH THE 30MM MAIN TUBE. AND THE NEWEST IS THE 30MM TUBE 4 TO 16 TACTICAL I PUT ON A NEW GA PRECISION 300WSM (REMINGTON ACTION) AND BOTH ARE UNBELIVIBLE. I HAD A NIGHTFORCE AND OTHER LEUPOLDS IN MY DAY AS WELL BUT "WHY PAY MORE FOR LESS"? LEUPOLDS ARE GOOD SCOPES BUT WE HAVE DONE ALOT OF LOW LIGHT TESTING AND THE NIKON WITH MANY SETS OF EYES LOOKING WINS HANDS DOWN. I WILL BE SENDING PICTURES TO GA PRECISION AND NEAR MFG. TO POST THE GUN ON THEIR SITES.

No more Luepolds for me either. I never was a big fan of them but when you trash your life long selling points, being all USA made and the one piece tube, then I loose all respect for them. There are many scopes out there that are just as reliable and do the job required for HALF the price or less. They will get no more of my hard earned bucks unless they kick it up a notch or three to get the quality somewhere near their price. You can just live so long on your name alone.