OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Leupold VX3 vx VX III
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Leupold VX3 vx VX III

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
muleymaddness View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: May/04/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 119
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muleymaddness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Leupold VX3 vx VX III
    Posted: August/06/2009 at 23:05

Anyone compared these two scopes.  Supposedly the VX3 is new and redesigned from the VX III.  I have the VX III and was just wondering about the VX3 and if it's worth the upgrade.

Thanks!

Back to Top
Horsemany View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: February/28/2008
Location: Nebraska
Status: Offline
Points: 643
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsemany Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2009 at 06:13
Not worth changing IMO.  My initial in-store comparison left me having to keep looking at the outside of each to distinguish the two.  I'm sure they made the improvements but I will not be swapping any VXIII's for VX3's.  Kind of a minor gripe but I don't like the BRIGHT gold band now used on the VX3's.
Back to Top
308WIN View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: February/28/2009
Status: Offline
Points: 120
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 308WIN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2009 at 06:39
Having owned both in the 3.5-10x40 model, I compared them side by side in various conditions. I couldn't see a big difference. I think the differences are cosmetic & internal (dual erector springs, blackened lens edges, etc). While these may make a better overall scope, I do not think they make it light years ahead optically. I was hoping they would have etched reticles but nope
Back to Top
tjtjwdad View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman


Joined: December/11/2007
Status: Offline
Points: 365
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tjtjwdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/07/2009 at 23:04
Actually, I was under the impression from the folks from Leupold at the Portland Sportsman Show earlier this year that the reticles are etched (one reason why they cost so much).   As previously mentioned, I hope the gold band doesn't get any wider.  On a large scope it's OK, haven't seen it on a smaller one.
 
Jim
Back to Top
Oldtrader3 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: May/16/2009
Location: WA (state)
Status: Offline
Points: 445
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldtrader3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2009 at 00:32
Leupold is supposedly "refraction index matching" (their terminology) all of their lenses in any scope model designated VX or above.  This along with the "Diamond Coating" process is supposed to yield better refraction and light control properties in the VX-3 than in the earlier (pre 2009) VX scopes.  The biggest difference that most users seem to notice has been the difference in light transmission between the VX-III and new VX-3.  The wider band has always been used to designate Leupold's premium branded products.
CDR3
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13181
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2009 at 04:14
Originally posted by Oldtrader3 Oldtrader3 wrote:

Leupold is supposedly "refraction index matching" (their terminology) all of their lenses in any scope model designated VX or above.  This along with the "Diamond Coating" process is supposed to yield better refraction and light control properties in the VX-3 than in the earlier (pre 2009) VX scopes.  The biggest difference that most users seem to notice has been the difference in light transmission between the VX-III and new VX-3.  The wider band has always been used to designate Leupold's premium branded products.

The whole "index matching" is just marketing BS.  Coatings are matched to refractive indices of the glass they are deposited on by definition.  Same for different glass sued in a scope.

The only thing new about the whole "index matching" hoopla is that someone in Leupold's marketing department thought it was a good way to make snappy advertisement.

"Better refraction" is another thing that Leupold marketing guys seem to spout with reasonable frquency.  It is completely nonsensical.  Refraction is a property of the material.  There is no such thing as better or worse refraction.

My distaste for Leupold's marketing practices aside, VX-3 is a good scope.  I doubt there is much difference in light transmission between VX-III and VX-3, and if there was any, you woud never know the difference since it is not very important.  What VX-3 does offer is better contrast than VX-III which makes for a snappier image and better low light performance.

ILya
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13181
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2009 at 04:16
Originally posted by 308WIN 308WIN wrote:

Having owned both in the 3.5-10x40 model, I compared them side by side in various conditions. I couldn't see a big difference. I think the differences are cosmetic & internal (dual erector springs, blackened lens edges, etc). While these may make a better overall scope, I do not think they make it light years ahead optically. I was hoping they would have etched reticles but nope

VX-3 is definitely not light years ahead of VX-III, but it is better to the point where I think it has caught up with most of its competition.

ILya
Back to Top
Sparky View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire


Joined: July/15/2007
Location: SD
Status: Offline
Points: 4569
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2009 at 10:09
Thanks to this forum I know to check optics with outside light.  So Koshkin what is it about indoor light that seems to equalize most scopes?

I think I should have started a new post, so I will.


Edited by Sparky - August/08/2009 at 10:13
Back to Top
Oldtrader3 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: May/16/2009
Location: WA (state)
Status: Offline
Points: 445
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldtrader3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/08/2009 at 12:55
Ilya, thanks for the clarification.  It is hard sometimes to separate the real bull from the chaff with hyperbole from those mirthful, white shoed, marketing types.  This is why I said "supposed" improvement.  I can, athough not being an optics engineer, one can sometimes smell the "bull" when I read/hear it!
 
Better contrast as you said is a worthwhile improvement.  I guess that the "Diamond" coat must contribute to that attribute improvement.  Too bad that Leupold can't just say that and cut the bull about refraction!
 
The next point of confusion by the boys in white shoes will probably be "wavefront analysis".  That term should confuse just about everyone!


Edited by Oldtrader3 - August/08/2009 at 22:24
CDR3
Back to Top
Outrider View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: February/03/2011
Location: MS
Status: Offline
Points: 93
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Outrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/03/2011 at 23:22
I have conducted several low light tests comparing the same variable VX-3 and  VX-III.  While there may be some minor technical differences my untrained eyes do not detect, I cannot determine any difference in the two in terms of seeing deer at last light. The reticle fades on both at the same time.
Outrider
Back to Top
seawolf View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: February/11/2008
Location: Norway
Status: Offline
Points: 109
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote seawolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 03:50
Gentlemen, can I pop in with a quick question?
I have an old Vari X III, 2,5-8x36 with "4 reticle that just plain refuse to die!
It has seen use on my bigger rifles with among other tings two trips to South Africa, and live today as a back up scope in my gun cabinet.
 
I understand that this is the oldest model, and wonder just what difference there is compared to the newer VX line?
Seawolf
Back to Top
8shots View Drop Down
Optics Jedi Knight
Optics Jedi Knight
Avatar
Lord Of The Flies

Joined: March/14/2007
Location: South Africa
Status: Offline
Points: 6253
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/04/2011 at 05:45
Originally posted by seawolf seawolf wrote:

Gentlemen, can I pop in with a quick question?
I have an old Vari X III, 2,5-8x36 with "4 reticle that just plain refuse to die!
It has seen use on my bigger rifles with among other tings two trips to South Africa, and live today as a back up scope in my gun cabinet.
 
I understand that this is the oldest model, and wonder just what difference there is compared to the newer VX line?
 
The biggest difference is your VX 111 has done some real hunting in South Africa. Must be a keeper !!!Excellent
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.313 seconds.