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VXR vs VX3 pseudo-test results

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urbaneruralite View Drop Down
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    Posted: July/21/2015 at 08:36
I have new VXR and VX3 scopes here to sort-of test out today. I have the 2-7x #4 illuminated and a 1.75-6x heavy duplex. I don't do much in the way of a test, but I thought I'd share and maybe get some insight.

Out of the box, the VXR is a nicer looking and way cooler piece. Other than feeling heavier, I liked it much more at first blush.

This morning I went out to set the oculars to my eye and check to see how the scopes handle having more light come in the back than the front. Leupolds have improved in this regard over the years, but I still got the gold reticle and a dimmed image. The FireDot worked better in that instance.

The other thing I looked at FOV at close range. The 1.9x VX3 has sufficient FOV. The 2.5x VXR, not so much but I could probably get by with it. 

I went out and hung a picture of a moose in the woods. I will see if I can "kill it" and  view obstructing twigs, etc. at thirty minutes after sunset this evening.

Now for a question. How is it that I stored and used both scopes in the same conditions, side by side, and the VXR fogged externally while the VX3 was clear as a bell?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 09:44
The person who answered the phone at Leupold this morning thinks the difference in external fogging  was happenstance. He said there is little difference between the VXR and VX3 other than scratch resistance and "maybe a little" difference in light transmission. He supposed none of the difference affects external fogging.

I have no intention of devising a test or even making a claim about differences in fogging resistance of two coatings that are supposedly not designed to resist fogging. Just passing the info. along!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 10:25
Thanks for the review. I've witnessed the fog/no fog on scopes sitting side by side before too.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 21:23
Astigmatism decided it. They almost made it to 1/2 hour after sunset in the woods. The VXR became un-aim-able first due flaring out. This is probably in part due to my astigmatism. The dot became misshapen to my eye and the area around the dot became less clear than the outer field of view. Considering the better clarity, brightness of the outer image and thickness of the outer reticle, the VX-R is likely more capable than I found it, so to speak. I had my wife look at it later and she did not have the problem. She was looking around our unlit front yard maybe 45 minutes to an hour after sunset. I have severe astigmatism. She does not. I did not expect this problem because I have no trouble using good quality red dot sights.

The VX-3 was useable up until maybe a minute shy of thirty after. I could aim on the picture of the moose and make out small twigs and discern the features of pine bark. This all in the woods. I'm out in the country with no neighbors visible from my house, etc.  After thirty minutes I stepped out of the woods into a power line and had no trouble looking a couple hundred yards down. I did not bother waiting until an hour after, because we can't shoot that late here.

I weighed them.
VX-3 1.75-6x 10.95oz
VX-R 2-7x 13.05oz

So, being lighter and more useful to me, I'm keeping the VX-3. I'd like it more if it were a true 1.5-6x or even a true 2-7x, but this is Leupold I'm dealing with here. FOV is almost a four letter word with them.

Also, I compared a Weaver Super Slam with 40mm objective just to see. The Leupolds with smaller objectives were at least as good; maybe better. It was hard to tell because the standard duplex in the Weaver washed out before the others.

That's all I got. Not really a test, but it does show how important it is to personally check out scopes to see which is best for you. I started eying the Swaro, but it was eliminated just looking around the store. I expected the VX-R to win out, but it did not work with my eyes. Go figure.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 01:58
Interesting review. Much appreciated and I hope you will keep us updated. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 05:36
Thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 07:21
Since everybody's eyes are different, hands on comparison is truly the best way to select optics.
The problem is most everybody doesn't have the ability to side by side compare several competitive scopes in the proper environment!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 08:08
Thanks for your posting your observations, Urban.

I really like the little 1.75-6X32 VX-3. It's a great little compact, lightweight scope that's a great match for lightweight, trim hunting rifles in environments where you don't expect to need to shoot across zip codes. I like variable scopes in this general power range, but it seems I'm among the "old school" minority in my scope preferences these days.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 10:17

you ol fossil you... Smile

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 10:42
I prefer "vintage," Bud.

Then again, I can always draw comfort in the knowledge that no matter how old I get, I will still always be younger than Ed and you!Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 10:42
Laugh
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 10:47
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

...I can always draw comfort in the knowledge that no matter how old I get, I will still always be younger than Ed and you!Big Grin


...and Skip.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 10:49
Hey!!!!  I resemble that!!!!
 
Now show some respect! Ouch and pass the geritol.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 11:09
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

...I can always draw comfort in the knowledge that no matter how old I get, I will still always be younger than Ed and you!Big Grin


...and Skip.


 I thought I was under the radar that time. Guess not.

Cool
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Ping.............Ping...........Ping.......Pong........Ping....Pong ......Ping.Pong
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote budperm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 20:17
almost bedtime!
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/22/2015 at 20:33
Nite nite, I'm gonna try to watch the Eldora race.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2015 at 05:19
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

I prefer "vintage," Bud.

Then again, I can always draw comfort in the knowledge that no matter how old I get, I will still always be younger than Ed and you!Big Grin










Visit the Ed Show
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2015 at 06:59
Originally posted by urbaneruralite urbaneruralite wrote:

Astigmatism decided it. They almost made it to 1/2 hour after sunset in the woods. The VXR became un-aim-able first due flaring out. This is probably in part due to my astigmatism. The dot became misshapen to my eye and the area around the dot became less clear than the outer field of view. Considering the better clarity, brightness of the outer image and thickness of the outer reticle, the VX-R is likely more capable than I found it, so to speak. I had my wife look at it later and she did not have the problem. She was looking around our unlit front yard maybe 45 minutes to an hour after sunset. I have severe astigmatism. She does not. I did not expect this problem because I have no trouble using good quality red dot sights.



I wonder if the VX-R might have won out, if not for your astigmatism. I'm sure you turned the brightness down to almost off during your testing? 

If memory serves me, (I'm a few years more "vintage" than Rifledude), the VX-R has VX-2ish glass, which theoretically makes it inferior to the VX-3?? 

The wild card for the VX-R is the Firedot reticle, which by most accounts is VERY usable. I love it. It's a great illumination device. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/24/2015 at 15:04
Yeah, I turned it all the way down. I have the kind of eyes that cause the doctor to call everyone in for a look, because they're not likely to ever see any others quite that bad. I feel sure astigmatism was a factor. I know it is with a cheaper red dot sight. I have to go for the good ones and ones that turn down for night vision.

I was surprised by what the Leupold rep. said about VX-R not being much different from VX-3. Beats me. I didn't notice a big difference, but I had no VX-2 to compare. Only regret I have is I didn't get a Leica ER 5 to check out, too.
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