okay I'm off the higher powered scopes for now.

I'm now looking at a Vortex VIper HS in 2.5 x 10 44mm with 30mm Tube for $299 or a Leupold VX3 3.5 x 10 50mm 1" tube for about $500.

Is the VX3 worth $200 more?

looking at a scope at the store is hard to determine how "good" a scope is. I already have the Same Viper mentioned above and am satisfied but only hunted 3 or 4 times with it.

IMO - No. Vortex is pumping out some nice glass. I'm VERY happy with mine.

Looking at all the forums I go on I see ALOT of Vortex for sale. I have thought about buying one but I just can't pull the trigger. I would rather put my money into a leupold. Just my 2 cents.

In my opinion a 3.5x10 vx3 is not worth $500 for what it brings to the table. There are way too many scopes that bring the same amount to the table for less $.

I would buy a Burris before I would a Vortex. Burris has good optics at a very fair price. 4.5-14 for $300-400

In my opinion the gains of a Vx3 over a Vx2 are marginal at best. If you don't want a scope with the ability to dial elevation and don't have to have a swaro etc. There is no reason to spend that much.

What is your goal for the scope? I have hunted my whole life with a Leupold VXII... which according to todays standards is a piece of junk. It compares about even to my vortex viper LR in clarity and dawn dusk shooting to me. Only reason I bought the viper is for a turret.

Also if your looking at a 3.5x10 any 3x9 will look nearly the same and several can be had for less that will give you the same amount of capability and quality in my opinion.

New Jeep....check my ad in the THF Classifieds on that Burris FF II 4.5-14x42 PA for a real surprise...or I REALLY need to raise my price...

FWIW I bought a Minox ZA5 HD 2x10x50 30mm instead of either of these...
Ron

To OP, I have both scopes and the Leupold is hands down better at all aspects. You will notice it during the final and first 30 minutes of shooting time and you will notice it if you drop your gun. Lastly, you will notice the difference in 5 years if you need to sell it!

Even the old Vari-X III glass is pretty darned good, and VX-2 glass is even better.

I think the VX3 has superior glass and I have 3 of them. The Vortex has better options as far as Reticles (Leupold has many too but they are mostly custom order) and the turrets are nice and solid. Both have excellent customer service and a lifetime warranty. I believe Vortex will replace it if you drive over it with your truck but Leupold won't.

The vortex is going to be nicer but if you don't want to spend the money the vortex is an amazing scope. I have a vortex viper hs and a few leupolds (including a VX3) and while yes the leupolds are nicer the vortex is more than adequate. I'd save money and get the vortex.

I have never owned the Viper but have a few VX3s. The latest, a 3.5-10x40 CDS, did not track properly from the factory. I sent it in. The service I received was very quick. Unfortunately, it now tracks worse. Lol I have another one NIB I am scared to mount because of my last experience. Overall, I like the VX3 scopes and this was my first issue ever with a Leupold. I think they are big improvement over the last generation but are still a bit behind the Meopro line. You may also consider the 3.5-10x44 Meopro that Camerylandny sells for $399. It's a steal. I own both and it is noticeably better to my eyes than the VX3.

Word

agree w pittstate

So the Leupold will sell for over $200 more than the Viper?

Just from what I've seen (and heaven knows I'm no expert), I would disagree.

The Leupold will resale for a higher percentage of what you paid for it in 5 years. You should get about 70/80% of what you paid in 5 years if you take care of it. You will be lucky to get 60% and probably 50% of what you paid on the Vortex.

Not saying you're wrong, but that doesn't apply for every line of Viper scopes, across the board. Viper PSTs tend to fetch 80% of retail if they are not beat up.

Doesn't really make sense why the viper resale would suffer more. You can turn it back to them for running it over with your truck and they will fix/replace it. Leupold wont.

I have several Leupolds and love all of them, my main gripe is that what you get for the VX-3 is not worth the money. I would ten times over buy a lesser Leupold line than the vx3, the increase in what you get just isn't comparable to the increase in cost.

I agree that there are always exceptions within both Companies' products. I was talking on average for both sides.

If Vortex can continue on their current growth pattern for another 20 years (Macro/Legal environment with no big differences in time period), they could go broke taking back any scope and fixing for any reason. No one can accurately predict the future, but I would not buy any product for that type of warranty alone. You need to go with the better product. It isn't just Vortex....very few companies can sustain with that type of warranty. Imagine if Apple or Microsoft had the same warranty?

Well I can say this. Many, many Vortex and SS scopes are responsible for lots of solid hits on every target on my range. I've only had one Leupold out.

The right tool for the job would depend on just what the job is. For typical hunting, better glass. For long range steel, the right reticle and turrets built to be jacked with all the time.

Truth in that statement. Except, as in hunting, you need the most clear glass you can get. Give me the choice of great glass and 12X, and decent glass and 16X, and I will pick the great glass everytime.


The disconnect so many people seem to have is train on steel to prepare for the hunt. So why sacrifice any feature for one or the other? Same reason I've hit steel for years and am able to hit the coyote, hog, or prairie dog almost as far as I please, at will. It is the exact same thing as folks shooting clays, with a shotgun, to warm up for bird season.

I'm sure shooting steel does no harm to your shooting ability, JG, but you're talking about another game all together. It just doesn't appeal to me, nor does the equipment. I like my sporter weight rifles with classic stocks, my .25 calibers (and others too!), and the bullets I choose with no consideration whatsoever to BCs. I like the challenge of getting them to shoot and I shoot them as much as I can and as well as I can and rarely if ever adjust zero. I even manage to kill stuff now and then. I like it like that.

That's my game. Different from yours, and . But, just as you say, good glass is a definite *must have* and I will choose a nice clear 12x image over a so-so, fuzzy or dim 16x image any day of the week.

So, for a target scope, would you go Leupold Mark4 ER/T or Vortex Viper PST?

Both are FFP, Mil/Mil. Which would have better glass?

Vortex every day and twice on Sunday. Very clear glass, great price, and unbelievable warranty.