Thread: Leupold Scopes are NOT worth the money....IMO

Originally Posted by jakewire

Jesus Christ, I offered an opinion on 30 yr old scopes , the passion is..... interesting

It definitely is about the passion. Their customers have enjoyed a consistent level of performance and great warranty, literally for generations, and as a result, Leupold enjoys an almost cult-like following. Not many brands have had such a consistent reputation for excellence. However, the scope market has changed and there are a few excellent alternatives. Looking at the performance of Leupold. Their performance is better than average, but certainly lower than the price point they enjoy would suggest.

I think that in NZ due to the importer some dealers new prices are maybe a bit high especially when you have been shopping in the states. But they are still bloody good scopes.

I've had a few mid to high end scopes now from sig, zeiss, swarovski, leupold, vortex, Kowa, sightron etc. I now have mostly Leupolds in fact I own more Leupolds than rifles.

I would argue the likes of any rifle above a Howa isn't worth if realistically but we would all prefer nicer options.

What leupold does extremely well is produced good quality optics that are lightweight for the feature set and have a great warranty. They are also made in America vs x y or z (riflescopes atleast) so expect to pay more for better working conditions etc.

As for warranty few match it. Vortex is shiet not only will you likely need it (I've needed 3 of 10 vortex items sent for warranty) but if its an actual fault it can be a long time as the NZ agent is pretty useless. I have a set of Binos that shit out that have been with them since February. Ask your local store what they are like to deal with I'm sure you won't hear great things. They are good value for money when they work and if its all you can afford but nothing more depressing than walking the tops carrying a set of binos that no longer work at the start of a 10 day trip. Nothing against them as a whole as I think the diamondback hd binos they make are some of the best entry level binos out but they are cheap as the QA is lower.

I can't comment too much on the modern lower grade leupolds as only have some of the older vx1s etc that live on a few farm rifles as well as some red fields made by leupold. But these rifles have been thrashed by myself, my brother, and my father on the a farm ratlling around on back seats of the ute and the the other things rough farmers do and still work a treat.

One of my favs the CDS VX3i in the 3.5-10x40 size is arguably one of the best lightweight scopes for mountain rifle type builds. Light functional, good glass, good eye box, and reliable. Not much really comes close. For general hunting on an 08 based case I actually replaced a Z5 3.5-18x44 with one recently due to preferring the eye relief and larger eye box.

I guess imo there is value and it come in reliability (on a whole any brand can have issues) and where its made. That has different values to everyone.

Nice summary Stocky. I pretty much feel the same way. Leopold have stuck by hunters by offering pretty good scopes with the right performance/spec esp weight and price ratio. Most manufacturers of things firearm related are much to focused on following fashion (currently tacicool/PRS) and have forgotten about "hunters". I've got several Leupies, Weavers and Sightrons. Each is good in it's own way but none are perfect.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Nice summary Stocky. I pretty much feel the same way. Leopold have stuck by hunters by offering pretty good scopes with the right performance/spec esp weight and price ratio. Most manufacturers of things firearm related are much to focused on following fashion (currently tacicool/PRS) and have forgotten about "hunters". I've got several Leupies, Weavers and Sightrons. Each is good in it's own way but none are perfect.

Exactly mate they add "features" that often aren't necessarily beneficial to hunters and sometimes are a negative in terms of weight added and adding complication to things that don't need it. I'd prefer that weight was in extra barrel or a suppressor. Different situations for everyone. I carry A rifle way more than I shoot it. So I want a reliable setup that will dial to a few hundred if I need and just work without weighing me down.

I agree re leupold you don’t really get what you pay for

I only have the the "Big L" scopes on my guns. Spans the range from a freeedom 2-7 thru Vx3i on my hunting rifle thru a VX6HD all the way to a Mk5 7-35. Would not change any off them.

Like all things in life you get generally about the same thing when you spend about the same money

Just waiting on my first Euro Made scope now and I'm quite interested in how it will compare to the Mk5 especially

I have tried other brands but always go back to the "Big L" brand as they are consistent and have good support via the dealer and importer. If I pay a premium for that service I don't have a problem with it. Better that than the supplier, importer just fob you off and run away when you have issues

I think Stocky hit the nail on the head. Having sold plenty of optics in my time I was usually impressed by the customer service from Leupold, they often did err on the side of the customer, even if damage to the item shouldn't technically have fallen under warranty according to their fine print, they still honoured it in many cases. For the number of Vortex scopes we sold I sure did see a lot come back needing to make use of that nice warranty. It has gotten to the point where I am now confident I will never own a Vortex scope. Their binos on the other hand, especially the diamondbacks, still seem to offer great value for money. Leupold outsource most if not all of their binos to China for the cheaper ones and Japan for the good ones, but that's a different story.
I think leupold still have a lot of competitive options for scopes under $2000 new, and if I had to buy a new scope for under $500 it'd almost definitely be a leupold. I feel the more you spend the less value you get in leupolds however. I've heard from several long range Shooters that the mark 4 is to be avoided on favour of euro or jap scopes.

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Have you used all of these 'scopes?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you used all of these 'scopes?

No way...I'm a BOP English teacher not an Auckland property developer.

This is just my opinion based on use of a few, and the other ratings based on shooters opinions and reading.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you used all of these 'scopes?

He missed the latest Delta in there too @Tahr
I am sure they be rated if not such outdated list :-)

Anyway - you Leupi fans
I just listed this for a client
$1 reserve
Brand new mounted once

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Lis...?id=2901701918

Originally Posted by Sarvo

He missed the latest Delta in there too @Tahr
I am sure they be rated if not such outdated list :-)

Ok just for you Mr @Sarvo here is an updated list (although I did have your Delta scopes listed as a 4.5 star before):

Five-Star Scopes

Athlon Optics Cronus BTR
Arken Optics EP4 (reasonable/low price for the specs)
Delta line esp 5-50x (2020 model)
Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
March line (all)
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series (stays in top tier)
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
TRACT Toric
Vixen VIII
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star-Plus Scopes

Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Burris XTR II
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD (stays in 2nd tier)
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT Tekoa
Vixen VII scopes
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Again this is just my opinion collected over the years from my own and feedback from other shooters. Any complaints/disagreements you can post below...but remember complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Just going off topic for a bit, why does Bushnell seem to discontinue scopes so quickly? It really puts me off buying them.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Quick, add March scopes to the five star list before anyone gets upset!

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Leupold scopes are definitely quality...no doubt.
My point is that the price vs value is just not there anymore if one takes in consideration other top line scope brands.

I suppose that argument could be used for the European scope brands as well BUT the likes of Swarovski, Leica, Kahles do offer alpha glass and low light ability that is recognized as a 'step above' the USA and Japanese made scopes.

The below is my opinion of most of the top of the line scopes, and you will notice Leupold is in there (5 star and 4 star rating):

Five-Star Scopes

Kahles line (all)
Leica line (all)
Leupold VX-6 series, Mark 6, Mark 8
Meopta MeoStar series
Nightforce line
Schmidt & Bender line (all)
Sightron SV series
Steiner Nighthunter series
Swarovski Z series, X series
Vortex Razor HD series
Zeiss Victory series


Four-Star Scopes

Athlon
Bushnell Elite Tactical Series & discontinued 6500
Leupold VX-3i series, FX-3 (fixed), VX-R, VX-5HD
Meopta MeoPro series
Sightron Series III (SIII)
Steiner GS3 series
TRACT (Toric + Tekoa)
Vixen VIII series
Weaver Super Slam (discontinued)

Kind of agree except VX-5HD is same glass as the VX6HD so find it hard to be thrown down a teir. Arguably it's a better scope than the Z5s. I currently own a VX6HD, a Z5, 2 VX3i's, a Sig Whiskey5 (which I would rate up there pretty highly especially for a longer range hunter if your not stressed about weight like I tend to be.)

I did see Guncity's prices on Leupolds today and have really seen the prices ramped up the last 3 or 4 years (I'd guess due to the NZ distributor) I brought my first VX3i for 699 now they are 1099. Also the only new VX5HD I brought was $1599. Now they are $1874. So maybe that does make me think NZ importer has made them a little harder to stomach. Still think they have a fit a niche at a good price just have to shop around a bit more. Sale at shooters supplies this weekend I think