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

Originally Posted by bunji

"In the U.S. some of the larger retail chains must get a pretty good discount on massive inventory orders, way, way more than little ole NZ could ever compare to. 330 million population compared to just under 5 million in NZ."

Until you go & see how huge the large Gun Stores are in America it is hard to imagine ,both the NZ & Oz markets are tiny in comparison to even single States in the US ,from memory at the start of the year in one DAY alone the FBI did over 200K back ground checks for gun purchases & were at over 3.5 Million for the month.

Economy of scale is certainly not in our favor but when you can import a scope at full retail price from a US based store, pay 100NZD for shipping and GST and it's still cheaper than a NZ store, you know some is messed up.

It's even worse with other brands, you should see the prices you an get Vortex scopes from with some vendors.

Price is not everything. Ive had a lot of Leupolds over the years . Ive also owned Khales , Nightforce and Burris also. Leupold have never let me down in the bush .

They even gave a 40 year old M4 fixed power a make over in 2005 when the windage turret stopped tracking. Thats still going too.

A question guys,

Is it legal to bring a scope in your baggage when travelling to New Zealand?

-Inder

So, im looking to get a vx5, if leupold are overpriced what should a person buy, really curious to hear what people think is the best 500m, $1900- $2000 hunting scope. Hope this is within thread.

Delta.

I've picked up three VX5-hd this year, 2 x 2-10x and 1x 3-15 x. One with the firedot. All second hand in excellent condition. Most i have paid is $1450 for the fire dot job about $500 under current new price. There is limited choice in market for similar quality and featured scopes with value as good as a second hand Leupy's. The warranty works in your favour and you have good resale. A Z3 will now cost you $1300 or more here a Z5 is close to $2K.

Originally Posted by Gedw

So, im looking to get a vx5, if leupold are overpriced what should a person buy, really curious to hear what people think is the best 500m, $1900- $2000 hunting scope. Hope this is within thread.

TRACT Toric. They are made in the LOW factory using HD German Schott glass. As well, they are direct sellers from the States so are cheaper than many of their competitors - and in many instances way ahead. Just order straight off their web site as they only direct sell. Say you are from NZ and what you want & they will email you.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

TRACT Toric. They are made in the LOW factory using HD German Schott glass. As well, they are direct sellers from the States so are cheaper than many of their competitors - and in many instances way ahead. Just order straight off their web site as they only direct sell. Say you are from NZ and what you want & they will email you.

Have you got one?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you used all of these 'scopes?

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Wow, have you owned all those scopes?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Have you got one?

Jezz what is it with you guys and your 'must own it or can't recommend it' fixation?

My long-term shooting mate who goes out to the range with me every 2 weeks has a TORIC UHD 3-15X50 rifle scope. I've used it on many occasions at the range but not out hunting. He recommends it highly.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Jezz what is it with you guys and your 'must own it or can't recommend it' fixation?

My long-term shooting mate who goes out to the range with me every 2 weeks has a TORIC UHD 3-15X50 rifle scope. I've used it on many occasions at the range but not out hunting. He recommends it highly.

Well, to be honest, I only like to make recommendations of things that I have actually tried and given a good shake down. Recommendations ought to be qualified. Any fool can scan the internet, collect information from other people and sources and then make recommendations.

There are not many Torics in NZ. I know this because I have 3 Toric scopes, 2 x Tract Toric binos and have a reasonable client relationship with the owners. Naturally I was interested in your experience with them.

Previously you have rated and categorised brands of scopes that you have (later) said that you had no hands on experience with.

Originally Posted by Gedw

So, im looking to get a vx5, if leupold are overpriced what should a person buy, really curious to hear what people think is the best 500m, $1900- $2000 hunting scope. Hope this is within thread.

@Gedw.
The fact is, that the Leupold service and effectiveness for both range and hunting in NZ has been superb especially consideting the backup warrenty. The vx5hd you are considering is good value within our NZ retail fiscal structure. When compared to some high end brands with supposefly great glass and other bells and whistles but mainly with only a 10 year warrenty and also considering comparative weight of the units then Leupold is a very safe bet. I have and still have several and while a couple have been back for setvice (cost free under warranty, one over 40 years old !) I can honestly say every one I have is fully functional still and quite capable of allowing a shot to be taken at 500 yards +. It is nice to have a NF or Toric or high end Swaro or Leica or S&B but the reality is that unless your eyeballs are getting affected by age etc a Leupold VX anything will do the business for you. My early ( half a century ago) scopes were 2 1/2 power bushnel banners and I had to keep drying the fog out of them and resealing with clear glue due to falling down banks and beating the crap out of them, and yet I shot very large numbers of deer and other game animals with them. Eventually went to Leupolds too but i guess what I am trying to say to you is "judt don't get too hung up on hype from some. There are plenty on thid thread more than happy overall with their Leupold experience.
So , go ahead and have your vx5. It may cost a bit more ot a bit less than others, but is a pretty darned good start point. There are other good brands coming into NZ at good price points too, like Delta, but all have pluses and minuses. You will always find some dick somewhere who has an axe to grind; ignore them and go with what you consider on balance to be a safe bet and that the majority of users seem happy with.
Incidentally, I have a vx5 which had to be serviced by Leupold recently. I am pleased to have it back and mounted on my 6.5*55 hunting rifle. I tested it at 600 yards last weekend on NRA target and shot 49.5 / 50 with it. Can't complain at that.

@Woody , after abusing a vx2 for 25+ yrs it would be hard not to by a leupold, wife says I have trust issues��

If I could get one at a sensible price I would be right onto the Vx-3i CDS ZL's that came out earlier this year.

However, I'm not forking out £7-800+ odd when it's $7-800 USA RRP (always lower in US gunshops)... that's too much.

To be realistic apply $NZ exchange rate ( divide $US by .7 = $NZ 1000+) and then add on freight and gst ; to get actual comparison.