Leupold Vx5 Leaked in the rain - 1 year old

Bit frustrated as went out of my way to buy what i thought was a brand new high quality scope Leupold Vx5 from a well known Gun retailer in the City. Its just over a year old and i have used it 5-6 times mostly at the range with no issues, up to this point i would say it was fantastic. But last time i had it up at the range it was working perfectly but it was raining - Cleaned it put it away in the safe and 2 weeks later its got water droplets all through its internal lens.

I think i take good care of it always in a neoprene cover and in a soft rifle bag. Even the leave the neoprene cover on when i'm hunting whenever possible. Obviously its been bumped a few times in the bush but nothing that has concerned me or left any external marks on it. Talleys rings tighten to the correct torque.

So to find the below is frustrating and concerning as last time i had it out at the range in light rain shouldn't have lead to this.

Any one know if Leupold will repair or replace? And what there lead time presently is?
Retailer has suggested about a month turn around to have it assessed.

Not sure i want it back or even a Brand New one as not sure what i can do differently

Attachment 235813
Attachment 235814
Attachment 235816

So ive only ever had to return one scope it was an hd5 zeiss through h and f. And i demanded a replacement scope while it was being accessed or they could give my money back. I paid good money and the scope was under warranty and going without hunting isnt acceptable. Thats what id suggest. And yes from what ive heard leupold are very good at coming to the party. Imo if a company is good enough to stock a product and sell it at ridiculous mark ups they need to stand behind it.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

They have a lifetime warranty, send it back, get a new one, there are loads around and you may have just lucked out as they are fantastic Scopes....

Hamish

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

the warranty and backup on leupold is second to none

One more question - Can i still use it? As i just started a month long NZDA HUNTs course and don't want to drop out due to this.

Will defiantly ask the distributor for a loan scope.

Yeah likely to be fine mate, go do ya HUNTS thing and send after

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Make sure you aren't using any liquid cleaners on the lens as it will ruin the coatings/ seals which will lead to this, not saying that's why it failed but worth mentioning none the less.

I sent a scope back to Leupold (directly to USA) recently for repair (tracking problem). Took about 3 weeks from posting to return. So, turn around is rather quick.

If you take it back to the shop and THEY send it straight back to NZ asia and they can see the fog they will replace it and you might have a replacement by end of next week.
I will be surprised if you give you a loan scope.
I would have all ready had it in the mail on the way back if it was that urgent.
Nz asia are top guys. Ring them on Monday with out getting hot headed and explain your situation and how you are booked in on a hunts course and you have taken you scope in to xy shop and they are sending them back to them today.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigbear

If you take it back to the shop and THEY send it straight back to NZ asia and they can see the fog they will replace it and you might have a replacement by end of next week.
I will be surprised if you give you a loan scope.
I would have all ready had it in the mail on the way back if it was that urgent.
Nz asia are top guys. Ring them on Monday with out getting hot headed and explain your situation and how you are booked in on a hunts course and you have taken you scope in to xy shop and they are sending them back to them today.

---

I would echo those words. Local NZ Leupold guys are very good with their brand support.

Yeah i will say i had to fight to get a loan scope they werent happy but also dodnt want to give my money back soooo...

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigbear

If you take it back to the shop and THEY send it straight back to NZ asia and they can see the fog they will replace it and you might have a replacement by end of next week.
I will be surprised if you give you a loan scope.
I would have all ready had it in the mail on the way back if it was that urgent.
Nz asia are top guys. Ring them on Monday with out getting hot headed and explain your situation and how you are booked in on a hunts course and you have taken you scope in to xy shop and they are sending them back to them today.

---

Would be wise to check what ever shop you return it to will send it straight away as I know of at least 1 large chain of stores that only send them once they have a few, to save on shipping. Also not that it's a big deal but most retailers will pass the cost of shipping on to you. Small cookies in the scheme of things.

last pair of bino's i sent away cost me $35 in freight could been even more but i did get back a brand new pair

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bigbear

last pair of bino's i sent away cost me $35 in freight could been even more but i did get back a brand new pair

---

Yup whilst frustrating, Leupolds no questions asked warranty is world renowned for good reason. They stand behind their products.

I had to send one away under warranty the worst thing is the 4 month wait.
They won't replacement it until they have looked at it which takes time
I have just had to send a Swarovski z5 away due to my fault and was supplied a loner scope by the agent to keep me going well mine was repaired at No Charge.
That's the kind of warranty you want.

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

Bore sight it.put cheap scope on with same bore scope setting.send loopy away and usecheapy on 22 when loopyco es back. Heck a 4x32 tasco etc are sub hundy bucks and will do a turn while it's away. Hunts course you not likely to be shooting long range.if you were closer I would loan you something.

It's annoying isn't it. I've unfortunately had to send back 2 Leupolds due to internal fogging issues. Generally back in 2 months from my experience.

Nz Asia will just replace it mates vx6 had some unidentified something inside it took it into hamils Taupo and they rang him a few days later with a brand new one to be collected would have being 6 years old

I've had the opposite from a dealer and Leupold, took an age to get fixed, within a month the problem re occurred, sent away again, same thing within 2 months same issue again. The problem I had was that the recital would move, shoot mint for while then next shot couldn't hit a barn door.
Dealer was frustrating to deal with and scope now in a box sitting in the safe. To be honest after the second time it failed, I thought Leupold would have replaced it but no such luck.
I still have 2 Leopold's on rifles but will never buy another one.

My VX5 is currently getting its fuzzy cross hairs sorted out. Dropped it at HnF Taupo. No questions asked but it is a tad frustrating with how long it’s taking. Currently been 3months and no news as to when it’s coming back. Anyone else know average turn around time?

I stated on another post that as a dealer I will not deal with leupold , out of 5 scopes in 3 months I had 4 returns , 3 with canted reticle, 1 with a windage issues
I only buy / sell nightforce
Hate em / love em , bit show me 1 that doesn't work
Clients and has dropped em , even from vehicle at 90 + kph scratched to sheit, still true on zero
Leupold states made in america, but they outsource to Mexico, Sanchez, and Pedro can't give a fk if the crosshair is canted its Friday: of f to the cantena

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sharki

I stated on another post that as a dealer I will not deal with leupold , out of 5 scopes in 3 months I had 4 returns , 3 with canted reticle, 1 with a windage issues
I only buy / sell nightforce
Hate em / love em , bit show me 1 that doesn't work
Clients and has dropped em , even from vehicle at 90 + kph scratched to sheit, still true on zero
Leupold states made in america, but they outsource to Mexico, Sanchez, and Pedro can't give a fk if the crosshair is canted its Friday: of f to the cantena

---

Yep, buy once cry once.


Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sharki

I stated on another post that as a dealer I will not deal with leupold , out of 5 scopes in 3 months I had 4 returns , 3 with canted reticle, 1 with a windage issues
I only buy / sell nightforce
Hate em / love em , bit show me 1 that doesn't work
Clients and has dropped em , even from vehicle at 90 + kph scratched to sheit, still true on zero
Leupold states made in america, but they outsource to Mexico, Sanchez, and Pedro can't give a fk if the crosshair is canted its Friday: of f to the cantena

---

@Jaucqe NX8 is in its 6th week of being away the clutch seized from sitting for a few months theirs lemons with anything

Take Micky ducks advice put another scope (I assume you have one unhomed in the cupboard) and do the course. In reality a scope is a scope tascos, Bushnell and Nikko Stirling's etc may not have the"wank factor" of loopie, zeiss, swaro, nf etc but in 99.9% of average use I bet it's hard to pick the difference.
Your doing the course for reasons other than showing off a pretty scope.
I suspect that wank factor may spark a bit of healthy debate(-:

Get ahold on nz asia and send direct they are in nelson then pay for them to sent it to aussy asap my last one was about 3 weeks turn around and that included getting the turrets upgraded as it was the older non hd.
well worth skipping the cue and not waiting for the next batch to be sent back.

Also shops dont have to give you a loan scope ortho if you have a good relationship with them and they have a second had one sitting around they might be gc about it all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sharki

I stated on another post that as a dealer I will not deal with leupold , out of 5 scopes in 3 months I had 4 returns , 3 with canted reticle, 1 with a windage issues
I only buy / sell nightforce
Hate em / love em , bit show me 1 that doesn't work
Clients and has dropped em , even from vehicle at 90 + kph scratched to sheit, still true on zero
Leupold states made in america, but they outsource to Mexico, Sanchez, and Pedro can't give a fk if the crosshair is canted its Friday: of f to the cantena

---

Iv only just read this in full jezzzzzus hope no one other than a white Australian shops at your store even if they tried Intrust you wouldn’t take their money

would be interesting to know whether leupold is the holdup, or nz retailers being nz retailers?

Personally I would get it to the dealer for send-back straight away so theres no question it got worse due to your handling.

It will be super frustrating, going clear one day the foggy the next due to temperature. You will waste a lot of ammo and time.

For HUNTS course it will be fine to use any other scope eg off a 22 or something as its not critical nor very demanding conditions. They assume youre not using top shelf equipment like a VX5.

Check your spell checking for the difference between definitely and defiantly. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Firm and courteous is successful with organisations.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vandros

Bit frustrated as went out of my way to buy what i thought was a brand new high quality scope Leupold Vx5 from a well known Gun retailer in the City. Its just over a year old and i have used it 5-6 times mostly at the range with no issues, up to this point i would say it was fantastic. But last time i had it up at the range it was working perfectly but it was raining - Cleaned it put it away in the safe and 2 weeks later its got water droplets all through its internal lens.

I think i take good care of it always in a neoprene cover and in a soft rifle bag. Even the leave the neoprene cover on when i'm hunting whenever possible. Obviously its been bumped a few times in the bush but nothing that has concerned me or left any external marks on it. Talleys rings tighten to the correct torque.

So to find the below is frustrating and concerning as last time i had it out at the range in light rain shouldn't have lead to this.

Any one know if Leupold will repair or replace? And what there lead time presently is?
Retailer has suggested about a month turn around to have it assessed.

Not sure i want it back or even a Brand New one as not sure what i can do differently

Attachment 235813
Attachment 235814
Attachment 235816

---

If you happen to be going to the Sika show the guys from NZ Asia will be there in the H&F site. talk and talk to them personally..

I had a brand new vx6 leak after 1 trip last year, was told by the local chain store it would be a few months to get the replacement. Turns out they lost my phone number and didn't contact me, but they had a reply from NZ Asia within 2-3 weeks saying that it was toast and sent me a new unit. Good excuse to buy a Leica scope while the leupy was awaiting the warranty claim, thinking I would be scopeless for months, then when it was back I had an orphaned scope that needed a new rifle.... Silver linings I guess

I killed 3-4 cheap scopes on my old 270. At least 3 Nikko Stirling's a tasco and a Redfield come to mind. Haven't had an issue with bottom tier Leupold yet so not sure how you guys are killing top tier models lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by taking_the_gun_for_a_walk

I had a brand new vx6 leak after 1 trip last year, was told by the local chain store it would be a few months to get the replacement. Turns out they lost my phone number and didn't contact me, but they had a reply from NZ Asia within 2-3 weeks saying that it was toast and sent me a new unit. Good excuse to buy a Leica scope while the leupy was awaiting the warranty claim, thinking I would be scopeless for months, then when it was back I had an orphaned scope that needed a new rifle.... Silver linings I guess

---

I cannot imagine what life would be like without an unequal number of optics and rifles that accept such modern accoutrements.
Micky, dropping them is a good way I believe

Could just be a bad one, i wouldn't be put off by it & suspect you'll get a replacement.
Mine has been awesome!

Seems Leupold and canted reticles from new is a thing then...

It would also seem that there is quite a few Leupold scopes having issues with seals at the moment, and needing to be sent back - not sure if this is a percentage game as this brand is probably one of the biggest sellers in NZ and likely there is a certain percentage of failures with every brand.

I'm assuming it was a manufacturing defect like a dodgy seal, I'm not at all rough on my gear if I can help it. Didn't drop it, and it spent most of the time on it's only trip hidden away in a cactus scabbard.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vandros

Bit frustrated as went out of my way to buy what i thought was a brand new high quality scope Leupold Vx5 from a well known Gun retailer in the City. Its just over a year old and i have used it 5-6 times mostly at the range with no issues, up to this point i would say it was fantastic. But last time i had it up at the range it was working perfectly but it was raining - Cleaned it put it away in the safe and 2 weeks later its got water droplets all through its internal lens.

I think i take good care of it always in a neoprene cover and in a soft rifle bag. Even the leave the neoprene cover on when i'm hunting whenever possible. Obviously its been bumped a few times in the bush but nothing that has concerned me or left any external marks on it. Talleys rings tighten to the correct torque.

So to find the below is frustrating and concerning as last time i had it out at the range in light rain shouldn't have lead to this.

Any one know if Leupold will repair or replace? And what there lead time presently is?
Retailer has suggested about a month turn around to have it assessed.

Not sure i want it back or even a Brand New one as not sure what i can do differently

Attachment 235813
Attachment 235814
Attachment 235816

---

@Vandros ,

Suspect the droplets that you see are actually coming from inside the scope (my theory).

They are meant to be gas purged (usually argon or nitrogen) in a clean room, but if this is mucked up, you'll get condensation even if the seals are perfect (temp difference).

OR they are droplets of oil/lubricant from the internal turret mechanism.

Not a good thing to have happen. Yes the warranty on Leupold, Vortex etc are good, but you hope to never need to use it.

I've either owned or used all the top scope brands bar the 'Alpha' tier (in price, March, Tangent Theta and Zero Compromise Optics), and all of them (even the mighty Lightforce aka Nightforce) can fail

Best to have a picatinny rail on the rifle so you can easily have another scope ready to bolt on just in case.

If I was going to the middle of nowehere and/or an expensive hunt, my backup would always be a red dot or LPVO.