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Improvement in optics?

Posted By: Dave Davidson

Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 12:20 PM

I once saw a post here about newer optics being better than older ones of the same make. I'm thinking about a couple of 15 to 20 year old Leupold VX III's that I have. Has there been any real improvement in the same model in that time?
Posted By: WhoDat

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 12:29 PM

Some glass is timeless. Like lenses with photography, some old scopes provide very good light transmission and clarity.

However, technology is changing. Glass coatings have improved, purging is probably a bit better, and reticles are changing fast. Personally, I really have come to like illuminated reticles, and hesitate to purchase a scope without that capability. First Focal Plane is another technology I'm getting to like. There are other minor improvements as well (turrets, mount systems, etc.).

However, a 15-20yr old VX III is still no slouch. Amazing glass that I'd love to own. As far as the sheer quality of glass, probably hard to trump today. And with the Leopold Lifetime warranty, one can still buy without hesitation.
Posted By: 603Country

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 02:50 PM

I have a new and an old Leupold 4.5-14x40. The old one is a VariX-III and the new one is a VX3. Both now have the Varmint Hunter reticle. I used them both yesterday and couldn't tell any difference, though I'll admit that I wasn't looking for a difference. I will say that the scope that surprised me was a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP, which did not compare that well. I used it last and it was a step down from the Leupolds and Burris in clarity, which came as an unexpected shock. I'll drag them all out again to see if my impression yesterday was correct. Maybe I was wrong. I hope so. We shall see.
Posted By: Skylar Mac

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 03:09 PM

Dave, was this the thread you were looking for?

Leupold Timeline
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 03:11 PM

My dad brother and I all have a 3-9x40 leupold vxII. Dads is from the 80's. Brothers is from the mid 90's mine is from late '90's or early 2000's. I have shot all 3 of them frequently and cant notice a difference in anything.
Posted By: DStroud

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 03:32 PM

Just try your older Leupold next full moon to see hogs at night well enough to shoot without aid of a light.

That was an eye-opener for me back a couple of years ago.I quit buying Leupold for a while.

The new Leupold's are definitely a step up and quite good. I have compared many brands the past few years and it's not necessarily the brand but the model within the brand as well. Example.. above the Vortex Viper PST was mentioned and I have experienced the same disappointment with the glass in that model in not just one scope but 3 different ones. Then I got the newer 2.5-10X32 in the same model and WOW much better. Also try of of Vortex Razor HD models and you will be spoiled forever!
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 03:36 PM

Originally Posted By: DStroud
Just try your older Leupold next full moon to see hogs at night well enough to shoot without aid of a light.


Done it many times before, don't even need a full moon. 1/4 moon and clearish skies work well at our place.
Posted By: DStroud

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 04:18 PM

Originally Posted By: redchevy
Originally Posted By: DStroud
Just try your older Leupold next full moon to see hogs at night well enough to shoot without aid of a light.


Done it many times before, don't even need a full moon. 1/4 moon and clearish skies work well at our place.


I will rephrase... compare say a Zeiss/Bushell Elite/Vortex Razor to your old Leupold and let me know if there is a difference.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 07:09 PM

All I have to compare too is a few Zeiss Conquests that I have shot and personally I didn't see any of the hype. Shot them side by side and in low light hunting conditions. I do like the duplex reticle on the zeiss better, but other than that seemed like apples and apples to me.
Posted By: Kenneth1977

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 07:14 PM

Originally Posted By: redchevy
All I have to compare too is a few Zeiss Conquests that I have shot and personally I didn't see any of the hype. Shot them side by side and in low light hunting conditions. I do like the duplex reticle on the zeiss better, but other than that seemed like apples and apples to me.

My dad has a zeiss and i dont see any difference in it and my vortex and think it is not as good seeing late but my eyes suck anyway .I have never been a fan of the Z's.
Posted By: Dave Davidson

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/13/14 10:51 PM

Skylar, I wasn't looking for that but thanks.

I was just wondering if what used to be damn good glass had been improved by the manufacturers.

I did haul out my 25 year old 7x50 Steiner binoculars and they are still dang good glass. I also have a set of 10x 50 Steiners that I'm pretty proud of.

About 30 years ago I was going elk hunting and my Wife bought me a set of Zeiss 8x20B's. I found that they really don't gather enough light to be of much use to me. Yeah, they are convenient to carry but that's about it. I still have them and if I ever decide to take up bird watching they might be OK. We compared them one time to a Tasco of the same size and couldn't see any appreciable difference; especially for the price difference.
Posted By: Phlash

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/15/14 10:20 PM

I recently spoke to Leupold about the difference in their last two generations of Vari III 2.5 X 8 EER scopes. I found both new at a local shop, but with $200 difference in price. The customer service tech said they made a change in coatings in 2012 which changed their model #s and that there was an improvement in clarity, but not a large amount. I personally couldn't see any in the daylight between the scopes, so I bought the cheaper one.
Posted By: DStroud

Re: Improvement in optics? - 11/16/14 03:57 AM

All I can say is different folks see differently.

I used to be a ONLY Leupold scope was going on my rifles. Then I was fortunate enough to get to try 5 different brands on someone else's dime so I diversified my portfolio and MUCH to my surprise my old tried and trusted Leupold's while certainly "Good Enough" were being out classed in the optical quality department by equally or sometimes even cheaper scopes.
I quickly dumped all those older Leupolds and upgraded to better and sometimes cheaper scopes. I am once again back on the leupold bandwagon as they have had to step up their game and newer models are quite good.
I have tried other brands or models within brands that were disappointing besides Leupold in the glass dept such as the Trijicon Accupoint and the Vortex Viper HS LR and the PST's except the newer 2.5-10X32mm which is quite good. Both have glass to my eye that disappoints for the money spent.
In fact I shot my 4-16X44 Viper HS/LR today and I get a little PO'd every time I use it as it's hazy compared to my 2.5-10 which is a pleasure to look thru. I have thought about sending it back but for what I use it for it works fine but once you look thru the good stuff you get a little spoiled.
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