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Leupold VX-III vs VX-3

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sholling View Drop Down
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    Posted: February/21/2009 at 02:50
Has anybody here compared last years' VX-III with this years' VX-3? Specifically I'm looking at the 1.5-5x20. I'm debating illuminated duplex vs non-illuminated. Does anyone have any experience with the reliability of Leupold's illumination? This is for my upcoming Lothar barreled 6.8 SPC AR15.  Thought? Opinions?

Leupold is making the following claims for the new scopes:
  • The Xtended Twilight Lens System™ optimizes the transmission of low-light wavelengths, so you see the details of low-light scenes in greater, brighter detail than with any other riflescope available.
  • DiamondCoat 2™ lens coatings on exterior lens surfaces provide the highest level of scratch resistance Leupold has ever offered.
  • The twin bias spring exerts up to 30 percent more holding force on the erector, virtually eliminating erector system backlash and stress on the vital internal workings of the scope, for longer life.
  • Blackened lens edges reduce light diffusion, so more usable light reaches the shooter’s eye, for a brighter image with increased contrast.
  • Illuminated models feature second generation LED technology, nearly twice as bright as previous models, with multiple intensity settings for precise shot placement in low-light situations.
  • A durable Leupold Scope Cover is included to protect your valuable VX-3 riflescope during transport or when not in use.
  • Incredibly rugged, with absolute waterproof integrity using Leupold's proprietary Argon/Krypton gas blend.



Edited by sholling - February/21/2009 at 02:52
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Horsemany View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Horsemany Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 06:54
Optically I couldn't tell the difference in daylight.  Twin erector springs is the only new feature I appreciate.  The fast focus eyepiece works just like it always did but with course thread so it's quicker.  Shinier gold trim if you're into bling.  I didn't see much difference.  I didn't test them at dusk where theoretically the VX3 should be superior.  However a Zeiss Conquest you can see is optically superior to a VXIII in daylight.
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 10:00

I did a night-time test against a 2-year-old VX-III and the VX-3 was a little brighter. Both were 3.5-10x40's. It also tested the same as a Swarovski Z6 2-12x, and tested considerably brighter than an early 2.5-8x VX-III. 

I did the test on an optical chart of my own design, with alternating black and white bars that get smaller toward the bottom of the chart. The chart is lit from 25 yards away by a 100-watt bulb. The number of bars you can see through the scope indicates both dim-light brightness and resolution. Of course, I also set all the scopes on 6x so exit pupil size wasn't a factor.

The adjustments of the VX-3 are very crisp and repeatable. I mounted the scope on a .300 WSM and at the range each adjustment made the bullet holes go exactly where they were supposed to.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BobinNH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 16:28
Are you saying it is as bright as the z6?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hunter12345 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 17:05
The VX3 has the same glass as the VX7.Leupold has always been more expensive but with competition from other scopes, the VXIII was expensive and performed as good as a Sightron S2 which is almost half the price.Leupold still has a good following but lost many customers to the other brands which are better performers. 
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 17:56
Bob,
 
I could see the same number of bars on my optics chart with the VX-3 as I could with the Z6.
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sholling View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 18:01
So would the 1.5-5x20 VX-3 would be a good choice for the a  SHTF/hunting scope? I have a bazillion hunting rifles so the emphasis is on SHTF. How does it compare with the Bushnell 4200 1.25-4x24?

VX-3 Non-illuminated:
Weight (oz): 9.3


Duplex

Length (in):9.5
Eye Relief (in):4.4 - 3.7
Field of View @ 100 yards (ft):68 - 23.8
MOA:1/4

VX-3 Illuminated:
Weight (oz): 13.3


Illuminated Duplex

Length (in):9.6
Eye Relief (in):4.5 - 3.7
Field of View @ 100 yards (ft):66.5 - 29
MOA:1/4
Finish:Matte

Bushnell
Weight (oz): 15


4A w/ Illuminated Dot

Length (in):10.4
Eye Relief (in): 3.3
Field of View @ 100yds (ft): 81.4 - 26.2
Exit Pupil (mm): 15.2 - 6
MOA: 1/4



Edited by sholling - February/21/2009 at 18:25
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 18:35
Sorry, but I am not familiar with the Bushnell 4200 1.25-4x24. I must confess I am also not familiar with what SHTF means.
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sholling View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sholling Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 18:48
Originally posted by John Barsness John Barsness wrote:

Sorry, but I am not familiar with the Bushnell 4200 1.25-4x24. I must confess I am also not familiar with what SHTF means.


SHTF = "Stuff" Hits The Fan.... Emergencies, riots, zombie outbreaks, generally having a bad day and forced to protect home and family.

Actually I'm very intrigued by that Bushnell. I can pick one with an illuminated dot in crosshair reticle for the price of the non-illuminated Leupold. I don't own any leupys but have one Bushnell 4200 and I'm very impressed with it. I may just go this route.
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 18:55
The 4200's are very good scopes. I have just never had the opportunity to try that model.
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timber View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote timber Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/21/2009 at 21:07
[QUOTE=sholling] Has anybody here compared last years' VX-III with this years' VX-3? Specifically I'm looking at the 1.5-5x20. I'm debating illuminated duplex vs non-illuminated. Does anyone have any experience with the reliability of Leupold's illumination? This is for my upcoming Lothar barreled 6.8 SPC AR15.  Thought? Opinions?

sholling.  This afternoon I compared a new VX-3 to a 6 month old VX-III.  Both are 4.5-14x50 illuminated reticle scopes.  Both are pretty good illuminated reticle scopes for the money but I could not see that much difference.  I tested them (informally, unscientifically) from about Sunset to dark.  The VX-3 had a very slightly better resolution.  I can not say one was brighter than the other.  Dimensionally they appear to be identical.  Cosmetically they are virtually the same except for a small difference in the medallion and ring.  The VX-3 has slightly dished out turret caps and came supplied with a rubber eye guard.  The diopter adjustment on the VX-3 is identical to the VX-III and is not a fast adjustment. 

Full disclosure: I'm 53, a life-long near sighted eyeglass wearer (bifocals starting about 10 years ago).  I've know my optometrist for about 25 years and consider him a friend.  Although my vision is corrected to 20/20 I do not think my distant vision is as razor sharp as it was say 20 years ago.  He says this is a typical comment from sportsmen who use binoculars, etc.  So it's entirely possible that a younger user would find greater differences with the VX-3.  Here is a picture with the VX-3 on the bottom.


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