BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

tesoronut · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 164 Location: Southern Virginia

I find it odd, that a scope can run from 40.00 to thousands. I used to really like the older Japanese-made Tasco World-Class scopes. They were not too expensive, but they were great. Now, a Tasco ain't worth a crap, in my opinion. I also like the older Bushnell Banners that were Jap-made. I have a couple of newer Bushnells that seem to hold zero really good(the dusk-to-dawn models),but why pay so much for a scope? Am I missing out on something by being conservative? Just call me cheap.....

d3238 · Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 145 Location: Lenexa, Kansas

Buy American.

JCalhoun · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject:

The reasons to buy a particular style, brand or price scope depends on what the intended use is and if you can afford it. What is expensive to one is affordable to others.

What generally seperates the higher end scopes from the lesser scopes is better optics (naturally) but also the precision to which the internal mechanism is made and how reliable the scope parts are. Fit and finish also is better on the higher end scopes.

There is also some "branding" going on as well. I'm sure that you will get charged more for a Nightforce, Zeiss or Schmidt & Bender because of who they are just like you have to pay more for a Colt or Browning just because of the name.

WesternHunter · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Western USA

While German and Austrian Optics are excellent, you do end up paying much more for them up front than they are worth. I also think that in a way you are paying for a brand name.

I've always liked Leupold. I think that their optics as well as the quality and robustness of their scopes, for the price, are excellent. I always recommend Leupold to anyone asking.

Unertl has now began selling to the public. For years they only would make and sell optic to the USMC or any government agency. Those scopes were well parised and recieved by the Marine snipers for years for the quality and durability.

The more expensive higher-end Bushnell and Nikons are great also. The problem I have with Bushnell is that their lower priced optics are inexcusably horrible. I mean when you look through a scope, no matter how cheap, you should not be seeing as though your vision is 20/100.

Bottom line is that with scopes costing $500 or more, all you are paying for is all the extra bells and whistles that most shooters simply do not need.

I have to agree with you J Calhoun, especially in your reference to Browning branded firearms. Many of the same models marked Fabrique Nationale or Moruku are considerably less expensive for the exact same gun.

greatamericanhuntingstore · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 59

I to like Leupold but Zeiss make a Conquest that is in the 400.00 price range and is a dandy. The old saying you get what you pay for is true. The famous World Class in the store the first day of deer season we had to have a case of scopes to replace from the weather. Not for me I have sent 3 Leupold back for minor reasons and cases of the cheaper scopes.

Leupold has a great way to know the quality of the scope. The facts are the more lens are the better the scope, the more light it gathers and the higher quality of scopes. So a VX I has one lens, a VX II has 2 and so forth up to VX 7 wich is the Caddy of all scopes. It has 7 lenses and gathers all color of light.

Compare a 20.00 pair of binoculars to a 200.00 you will see the difference.

I agree to buy American but Facts is most good optic lens is made in Japan. Check out microspores and cameras most all are made in Japan. The manufactures get away buy buying the lenses and assembly in the USA with the rest of USA parts.

Troy
www.greatamericanhuntingtore.com
www.huntingthebackwoods.com

tesoronut · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 164 Location: Southern Virginia

Thanks for the advice. I forgot to mention a SWIFT variable-power scope that I own. For general deer hunting, however, I don't like the adjustable objective. For me personally, I like a scope that maintains a constant clarity at most ranges, without needing to be constantly adjusted. The Swift is about 10 years old, and appears to be of decent quality, but I don't know much about them. Any of you guys own a Swift?

urbaneruralite · Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 39

Yes, they are worth it if you can afford them. Spending more than you can afford will make them not worth it.

Swift's top of the line is using US made glass in Korean assembled scopes.

tesoronut · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 164 Location: Southern Virginia

Thanks. My Swift was a store return. The first buyer didn't know what to do with it, or didn't like it for some reason. It was still "new", save for an installation scratch or two. I think it retailed for about 140.00, and I got it for 100.00. My opinion is, the base and ring system is about as important as the scope itself. I usually put the Redfield or Leupold type base and rings on all of my rifles, if I really like the rifles and don't think I'm ever going to sell them.

greatamericanhuntingstore · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 59

Also one more note is that a used Leupold will be warranty as much as a new one. You can save big money if you are in the right place at the right time for one. IF you want a fixed scope you want a FV instead of a VX.

Troy
www.greatamericanhuntingtore.com
www.huntingthebackwoods.com

urbaneruralite · Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 39

The re-sale on Leupold is ridiculous. I sold one for more than I paid for it new. I really have to wonder about Leupold zealots.

You can easily get stronger mounts than the windage adustable Redfield type for the same money. Dual dovetail mounts and picatinny rails are the most common alternatives. The new Dednutz mounts are stronger and comparable $, too. Then there's Conetrol and Gentry. All much more solid.

remington · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 267 Location: Misouri

buy cheap, buy twice.

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1635 Location: Nova Scotia

greatamericanhuntingstore wrote:
Leupold has a great way to know the quality of the scope. The facts are the more lens are the better the scope, the more light it gathers and the higher quality of scopes. So a VX I has one lens, a VX II has 2 and so forth up to VX 7 wich is the Caddy of all scopes. It has 7 lenses and gathers all color of light.

I'm not so sure it has as much to do with the number of lens as it does with the type of coating on the lens. As far as I know, they all have the same number of lens just the quality of lens and multicoat treatments are different though I could be wrong. I have never taken my Leupolds apart but I'm pretty sure the VX-I has more than one lens.

greatamericanhuntingstore · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 59

I just had the Leupold rep in. The lens I am referring to the lenses that are used to gather light and color. The VX 7 has all that are available. Yes if you count the eye peace and all you are right but the insides is what makes the scope different. I will tell you the VX 7 is a scope that is like no other. But the price for Leupold is like no other also.
Troy
www.greatamericanhuntingtore.com
www.huntingthebackwoods.com

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1635 Location: Nova Scotia

Curiousity got the better of me and I had to find out.

Quote from Leupold website:

"Q: How many lenses are in a scope?

A: The number of lenses in a Leupold scope varies by model. The VX I or VX II scopes have between 6 and 8 lenses. Most Vari X III scopes have between 7 and 8 lenses. The Long Range Vari X III models have 9 lenses. Most M8 fixed magnification scopes have 5 lenses. The Competition scopes have 7 lenses."

So there is a difference in the number of lens between models. I've learned something new today. :thumbsup1:

WesternHunter · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 685 Location: Western USA

Maybe so, but the quality and durability is the same across the line of Leupold. You are only paying more for the extra lense coatings and extra features. Price for Value - it's hard to beat Leupold. Just my opinion.