What is really good about Leupold in two words

Lifetime Warranty.

I bought a 257 Roberts Ruger Ultralight from a friend many years ago. It had a Vari-X II on it. I can't remember but I would guess it was a 3 x 9. I dropped the gun and the scope hit first. The tube was bent.

I personally dropped the scope off at Luepold in Beaverton. They called a week later and asked me to come in. I met a service manager and we actually went into their board room to discuss what services had been performed to the scope. I brought my check book to pay for the work because (1) I was not the original purchaser; and (2) it was my own gross negligence that caused me to drop the gun in the first place.

The manager unrolled my scope from a cloth tube, held it up and announced they had changed the tube, recharged the nitrogen and cleaned the glass inside and out. He handed me the scope and I asked how much. No charge, Lifetime warranty. Not the original purchaser's life, nor mine. The life of the scope. The forever warranty.

Outside of the possiblity of Warn winches and maybe Les Schwab, I have never seen a company stand behind their product like Leupold. That being said, their prices are now pretty dear and I tend toward the higher model Bushnells.
 
I just got home from Sportsmans warehouse and Cabelas. What fun!!
This was a scientific experiment, performed by me for me with no specs. I looked at Bushnell Elite 4200 4X16, Nikon Monarch 3X12 and 4X16, and Leupold VX-III 3.5X10X40 and 4.5X14X40. Looking in store and out front window.
This is my honest opinion but thats all it is, opinion.
My thoughts:
First, Sorry, but the Elite is not in the same class. I found it compared better to leupold Rifleman or Nikon pro staff.

The Nikon were OK, I hate AO even if it is mounted on the side. BDC is a joke, its based on averages. It had a good picture and was sharp.

Leupold: Good Picture and sharp, a little different looking than the Nikon ( I cant really explain it) not better or worse. Somehow the view 'seemed' larger and more clear edge to edge in the Leupold. The difference in price was $100.00 nikon vs Leupold. The Nikons being lower.

Conclusion: I see no reason to go to Nikon, it is a [beeep] good scope, but for $50- 100.00 saved when spending 500-600,(nikon 3X12 is $419.00 Leupold 3.5X10 $479.00) the money dont make it worth it, Leupolds are built here 120 miles away from me. I can get the VX-III, I like 4.5X14X40, Matte, duplex, and no dang AO, for $529.00.

Carl
 
Without getting into too much detail here, as we've hashed over it too many times, I'll just add:

Have always found the 4200 and Monarch series to have good, bright glass. As bright or brighter than Vari-XIII or VXII's. The Leupold however, has better contrast IMO.

Leupold has better eyebox(for those here who actually understand this term) and eye relief.

Beware the 4.5-14x40 NON AO, Carl. It is horrible on anything over 10X. I actually had one and traded it for a Monarch 5.5-16.5x44 A/O and $100 which I still have on a #1 22-250.

If you compare the 4-12x40 Monarch to the 4-12x40 VXII(both of which I still own), the Nikon is as bright, but the Leupy beats it hands down in every other category. Eyebox being the big one.......
 
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