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Leupold VX3 and VX3i differences ?

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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Leupold VX3 and VX3i differences ?
    Posted: November/19/2017 at 15:32
Just wondering if an old set of eyes would notice any difference in the VX3 versus the VX3i or is it basically a marketing scheme to make people think they're getting something extra?  Thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wapitiwacker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2017 at 14:32
If you are still wondering,..... since no one else has stepped up to the plate I'll throw my impressions out there.

I have a few Leupolds kicking around in the safe, a Var-Xlll, a VXlll, and a VXllli. Side by side there is a noticeable difference between the Vari-Xlll and the VXllli. Not to say the Vari-X was poor glass, but the VXllli was noticeably brighter on a dull overcast day looking into fairly deep shadow. This was a fair comparison as both scopes were 2.5-8X36. Resolution on the Vari-Xlll was also quite acceptable but not quite as good as the VXllli.

The VXlll and the VXllli exhibited about the same brightness, but the kicker is it was not an apples to apples comparison. The VXlll is a 3.5-10X40. Set on 8x or 10x the brightness of the VXlll was very similar to that of the VXllli which would be expected with a larger objective. I can't say the 40mm scope was brighter, so that may very well give the edge to the newer glass with the smaller objective. The resolution of the VXllli once again appeared to be very slightly better than the older scope.

Long story short the VXllli does appear to have an edge over the older glass. Having said that, the quality of the older glass has never hampered me in the field in the years that I have owned and used them. Hope this helped. Cheers.
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wapitiwacker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wapitiwacker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2017 at 14:33
P.S. My eyes have passed the half century markWink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2017 at 15:24
Wait till they go past the 3/4 century mark. Only kidding mine are still quite good. I don’t wear my glasses when I hunt, only néed them for field dressing.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2017 at 18:07
Just got my paws on a Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm.

Glass is real...."good". Comparing it to my SS 3-9x yesterday. Pretty close. Edge....SS..but close.  
Better glass than my old VX-R 3-9x, as I recall. (Scope no longer present.) 

Head positioning at higher powers a bit tricky. 
Leupold's "variable eye relief" is puzzling also. I never got that...Whatever  It's weird. 

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2017 at 21:04
Right, wrong, or in different - I just bought a Minox ZA3 3-9x40 with the #4 reticle. Stumbled across it on another forum's classifieds, did some research and either it's the cat's meow or those damn clowns are lying about it. Should be here this week, hope they weren't lying.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lockjaw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/18/2017 at 13:55
I love my ZA5. 

I found 2 ZA3's on Ebay for under 100 new. And you know I bought both of them. 

Then swapped them for a Zeiss. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pricedo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/13/2018 at 07:15
Originally posted by tpcollins tpcollins wrote:

Just wondering if an old set of eyes would notice any difference in the VX3 versus the VX3i or is it basically a marketing scheme to make people think they're getting something extra?  Thanks.


It was a gimmick.
Own the 3i and several other Leupold scopes.
The glass and clarity are actually inferior to my Bushnell Elite 4200 which is a much cheaper scope.
When you separate the hype, wishful thinking and made in America crap from objective facts and observations Leupold isn't the leader of the pack.
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