Riflescope decision....help!

[heathlight]

I am in the process in purchacing a new scope for my gun. It's coming down between 3 scopes.....Nikon Monarch, Bushnell 4200, or a Leupold VX-II. All in a 3-9x40-ish magnification area. (hoping to stay in the 300-400 $ range) Heard a lot of good things on all three of these and have done a lot of research as well. I put a lot of weight on optic's and low light capability, as well as eye relief, and how quick and easy you can see the full circle. Was hoping to ask all of you on your opinion's and experience on these on there optic's, quality, durability, and warranty/service. Tx in advance!!!:wave:

[huntinstuff]

I am extremely biased towards Leupold. I have never had grief from one yet.

[st99]

I don't have any experience with nikon, but I have experience with bushnell, zeiss and leupold. Every new scope will be leupold with no hesitation. Reliable, bright and exellent service. Actually only had one need for servicing, a vx-III that had 12 years of hard abuse started to get foggy. Sent it to the company, they changed the seal and refilled with gaz at no cost and 3 years later still like new.

[catnthehat]

IOR, Unertl, and Leupold are what I mostly have.
Cat

[rena0040]

i'm a leupold fan as well but good luck finding a vx-ii in the $300-$400 range. a vx-i would be more likely in that price range

[Homesteader]

I vote leupold with Nikon coming in a close second. I've had all three but definately prefer the eye relief on the leupold and nikons that I've got. Leupold warranty is superb from what I've heard, I've never sent one in. I sent a elite in about a month ago, but haven't heard anything yet, I don't even know if they've looked at it.

[lone wolf]

I have been using Elites for 6-7 years now, and find them to be a very good scope for the money, particularly the 4200 series which has excellent light transmission and optical clarity. Never had an issue with any that I have bought.

[james_m]

i'm a leupold fan as well but good luck finding a vx-ii in the $300-$400 range. a vx-i would be more likely in that price range

X2....but you'd more likely have to go one step lower to a rifleman when you include GST.

[4roddin]

I have a mix of many brands and magnifications but I am a firm believer in the Bushnell stuff I have a couple 3200's one 4200 series and three 6500 4.5-30x50's and am nothing shy of impressed. The quality is way above what their lowball stuff offers and its a shame they have a bad rap for poor turn around on warranty issues. I had a Tasco 6-24 on my gopher getter and it crapped the bed after a very short time so i sent it in (low line Bushnell product) and it had to go to Montreal somewhere I had a brand new one in the box back in 2weeks which at the time mid december of last year I was very impressed. Sure the leupold stuff is excellent stuff but like gun brands truck brands its all in personal experience and preference. I can tell you if you have the same experience I've had with their products you will be impressed. Plus if you look you can get alot of the 4200 series in a 30mm tube which is a huge difference when it comes to getting light thru!
D

[dbell]

pm boohunter i just bought a leupold vxII 3-9x50 from him

[heathlight]

Thanks guys! How much weight do you put on light transmission? Is there any truth to the things said in this?.........
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1091
According to this article, and what others have said, is that at low light conditions on the lower end Leupold's are not as good as the monarch or the 4200. The Leupold VX-I and II have a light transmission rating of 86% and 92% respectively, and the 4200 and the monarch have a claimed l.t of 95%. The turn-around time to get a scope fixed or replaced on the Leupold's is truly a factor.

[cujo1969]

Are leupolds that repair prone? I have a burris,bushnell and leupold like them the same never had to send anyscope in for repair.

[gitrdun]

I highly doubt that you'll be able to differentiate between 92 and 96% light transmission. I too am very biased towards Leupold and I've never had to send one for warranty, but if I did, it's a 20 minute drive. My bias is due to the fact that when I dial a 3/4" adjustment on my VXIII's be it windage or elevation, that is exactly what I get on paper.

[Castincowboy]

I am extremely biased towards Leupold. I have never had grief from one yet.

X2 and warranty work is excellent. Not had to do any myself, but, after many years in the industry have spoken to guys that have great experiences with them.

[omega50]

Purchased a new 3x9 x40mm Vortex in Nov. I am impressed. Lifetime warranty. Worth a look

[harv3589]

Leupold is the only scope I would buy...Bushnell, well I would rather use iron sights than support them.

[Big Thumper]

X2....but you'd more likely have to go one step lower to a rifleman when you include GST.
Not true; our local shop here in Lloyd has the VX-I for $274 and the VX-II for $434 last time I looked.

[jaylow?]

Purchased a new 3x9 x40mm Vortex in Nov. I am impressed. Lifetime warranty. Worth a look


ive looked at their binos, but i havent had a look at their spotters. and for the price they've been rated amongst some much more expensive company. i think im going to pick one up soon.

[elkhunter11]

You won't likely find a new VXII for $400.If you do buy a VXII,turn the magnification ring before taking it home,or you might end up sending it in for warranty to loosen up the magnification ring.I have had two VXIIs whose magnification rings were extremely difficult to turn.

[deanmc]

Thanks guys! How much weight do you put on light transmission? Is there any truth to the things said in this?.........
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1091
According to this article, and what others have said, is that at low light conditions on the lower end Leupold's are not as good as the monarch or the 4200. The Leupold VX-I and II have a light transmission rating of 86% and 92% respectively, and the 4200 and the monarch have a claimed l.t of 95%. The turn-around time to get a scope fixed or replaced on the Leupold's is truly a factor.

I have an older vari-x II 3-9X40 and light has never been a problem unless you intend to shoot well after legal light. I find that if you are trying to shoot just off of the sun at rise or set the Leupold is better than the 3200 but I have never used the 4200.

[ww2269]

I was taught that leopold was the best of the best swo when i bought my first magnum rifle (stainless/sinthetic) i had to top it off with a ss scope which had to be a vxiii in 50mm. It works good but for the same price, in hind sight, i would and have bought a Ziese. Hands down better light, clarity, with a smaller objective for the samr price. European optics are alot more afordable now and i feel superior for the average Joe.

[sinawalli]

[QUOTE=gitrdun;465834]. I too am very biased towards Leupold and I've never had to send one for warranty, but if I did, it's a 20 minute drive.

That is worth it's weight in gold!! I love my Mark 4 in 3.5X10!

[harv3589]

I was taught that leopold was the best of the best swo when i bought my first magnum rifle (stainless/sinthetic) i had to top it off with a ss scope which had to be a vxiii in 50mm. It works good but for the same price, in hind sight, i would and have bought a Ziese. Hands down better light, clarity, with a smaller objective for the samr price. European optics are alot more afordable now and i feel superior for the average Joe.

You are right but Leupolds service and warranty has alot to do with why I stick to them. Service is second to none and fast. It is also transferable, no matter who owns the scope its still under their life time warranty, unlike a few of the Euro scope manufactures.

[bobjoe]

I have to agree with many other in here. My choice from now on will be Leupold. This is my first year with one and it works great. I must say that I do not have alot of experience with many scopes but for what I have had I do like leupold the best. I got a vx-III 3-9x40.

[Hugin&munin]

I am in the process in purchacing a new scope for my gun. It's coming down between 3 scopes.....Nikon Monarch, Bushnell 4200, or a Leupold VX-II. All in a 3-9x40-ish magnification area. (hoping to stay in the 300-400 $ range) Heard a lot of good things on all three of these and have done a lot of research as well. I put a lot of weight on optic's and low light capability, as well as eye relief, and how quick and easy you can see the full circle. Was hoping to ask all of you on your opinion's and experience on these on there optic's, quality, durability, and warranty/service. Tx in advance!!!:wave:

I have a Leupold Rifleman although it is the bottom end of there product line I have had no problems with it at all(best scope I've ever owned). Just read in this months shooting times that Redfield is now built by Leupold at one of there factory's in the states same qaulity, warrenty(lifetime) but only half the price, the rifleman that I got was $300 or so after tax they list the redfield version at $149(us) maby worth checking out!

[shabooe]

For Christmas I received a 3X9X42 mm. S11 Bigsky scope made by SIGHTRON. Anyone know anything about this scope. All comments appreciated.

[mikelikefish]

ck out gunnuts this is a lot of people with lots of knowledge about any gun or scope

[4570]

ive looked at their binos, but i havent had a look at their spotters. and for the price they've been rated amongst some much more expensive company. i think im going to pick one up soon.


The link below shows a US and Canadian rebate till dec 31...
http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/rebate-form_bin_fury_09-1.pdf

Where did you buy the vortex?