Vortex vs. Leopold?

[Airborneguy]

I’m trying to decide whether or not a $200 Leopold VX Freedom 3-9 is worth the extra $70 over the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9. I have had nothing but good experiences with Vortex scopes and red dots, but I pulled no punches with the rifle this one will be mounted on (.308) so I’m considering a “better” brand for the optic.

Thoughts?

 

[Twogunwilly]

USA vs China?

 

[Saltwater60]

If it’s going on a .308 I’d go with the luepold. I have both and I think the luepold is slightly nicer. For $70.00 I’d get the gold ring. My son loves the luepold I bought him.

 

[Upstate43]

Leupold is known for making some of the better high-end scopes out there, though Vortex has started to up its game as of late with its AMG offering.

For the cheap price point you're considering (yes $200 is considered cheap for a scope), I'd go with a Vortex simply because I know they have very good customer service and their scopes are actually relatively well-made, despite the somewhat cheaper price. If you were going to consider a multi-thousand dollar scope, Leupold might be worth your consideration (though so too would some of Vortex's offerings).

 

[Jaywmustang]

Both of the scopes mentioned above should be easy to find locally. Check them out and compare. I generally don’t consider leupold but I hear their quality has gone up in recent years. I believe the crossfire II has the vip warranty which is nice but it does no good if u need to keep sending it back.

 

[Airborneguy]

How about Nikon?

 

[Jaywmustang]

I’m down with Nikon. I don’t use them much any more but they were my go to scope for hunting rifles. I still have a couple. There are some good deals on Nikon scope online last I looked.

 

[96coal449]

Smallgame addict just had a review of the Leupy he just put on a rifle. He's got a thread on it.

 

[JohnD13]

Nikon Is closing out their scope business and I've heard the warranty service will be done too. I do have a couple and they are good scopes but I like Leupold.

 

[1075tech]

The crossfire is one of Vortex's lower end scopes. Comparing that to the VX, I'd take the VX.

I have several of their Diamondback HP's but they are now discontinued. The last couple have been the Viper HS.

I have started looking at Leopold's though for future use.

I've never had to use Vortex's VIP warranty and a few of mine have been refurbished buys.

Do your comparisons locally. If you decide to go Vortex, I recommend AAoptics.com.

They often have refurbs at very reasonable prices.

 

[meketrefe]

For a low budget scope there are better options even if you have to spend a tad more but the question is how are you going to use it. I am asking because there is an opportunity to get better glass and construction innexchange for features one might never use.
Both are good brands but at entry level you habe to be looking at specific models and those you mention will not give the best value.
What 308 rifle do you have and how are you going to use it?

 

[meketrefe]

How about Nikon?

Not good at those price points plus it is unclear how they will service warranties since they got out of the scope business.

 

[togmaster]

Nikon is a big company and not getting out of the lense business anytime soon. I would bet there services and warranties would remain.

 

[JamieZ]

Honest

How about Nikon?

I recently within the last 3 or 4 months purchased the MK1-MOA Nikon 3x9 P-Tactical its SFP. I bought this particular one because of the Turrets and it was MOA. I went this route because I run Strelok Pro on my cell phone. Strelok is a ballistic app that allows me to adjust the scope and make hits at any distance I want. The scope clarity was actually pretty damn impressive for how cheap it was. I use this scope on my deer gun now. Its a great scope for the money and it would of been great even if it cost more.

Strelok Pro is $12 by the way and has excellent customer service off of facebook. To use Strelok you need a rangefinder and chronograph (for bullet velocity input)...............The app is not the best thing to use for hunting,,,,,,,,because you have to range then put that number into your phone, then adjust your turrets, then shoot. It works great for chuck hunting though.

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I had it on my 204 for like a week and between the scope, my range finder and the strelok pro,,,,I whacked a woodchuck at 356yds,,,,which made me happy. Took it off the 204 and put it on the 6.8,,,,,the 204 now has a 4x16 FFP Vortex Diamondback on it instead,,,more power for distance and small targets and I can range with it once I teach myself how being that its FFP.

Sorry for the book I just wrote,,,,maybe all the talking is because its early and I have nothing better to do then drink coffee and chat being that I'm waiting for the damn post office to tell me my scope rings have been delivered for my night vision setup. Even know I wont be able to sight it in because its windy as hell here and kind of misty.


Anyway,,,,the Nikon I suggested,,,I'm sure you would be happy with it.

 

[Airborneguy]

For a low budget scope there are better options even if you have to spend a tad more but the question is how are you going to use it. I am asking because there is an opportunity to get better glass and construction innexchange for features one might never use.
Both are good brands but at entry level you habe to be looking at specific models and those you mention will not give the best value.
What 308 rifle do you have and how are you going to use it?

It’s for that AR-10 I was talking about a lot. Deer hunting, 16” barrel, so 200-300 max (the limit of my hunting anyway).

 

[JamieZ]

For a low budget scope there are better options even if you have to spend a tad more but the question is how are you going to use it. I am asking because there is an opportunity to get better glass and construction innexchange for features one might never use.
Both are good brands but at entry level you habe to be looking at specific models and those you mention will not give the best value.
What 308 rifle do you have and how are you going to use it?

Im pretty sure he is putting it on the AR10 he is building for deer hunting

 

[JamieZ]

My mistake,,,,the Strelok App is actually better than I said when it comes to hunting. You can print a chart off the app for the exact bullets you are using.

So basically you either range through a FFP scope or your rangefinder. Look at your chart and it will tell you how many clicks to adjust your turret for the range you are shooting.

So its faster than I previously stated. You wouldnt have to input anything into the phone.

 

[Robin]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those three brands. Personally, I would go with the Nikon Jamie listed, I have a variant of that and it is awesome. From what I read, Nikon will honor their warranties. Not that I have ever had to use it anyway.
Robin

 

[oc shooter]

leupold not chinese great warranty been around a long long time

 

[Airborneguy]

I’m leaning towards the leopold. Will make a decision probably tuesday as thats when the rifle will be fully assembled. It looks amazing so far and i have kept it light. From the research i have been doing, Leopold has the lightest 3-9 scope out there.

 

[GOPerfect]

Vortex! BTW, @Airborneguy , I get vortex at 40-50% off.

 

[Airborneguy]

Hmm. Can you check the price on the Diamondback 4-12x40? DBK-04-BDC.

 

[Twogunwilly]

Redfields are built on the Leupold assembly line one day a week.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

For me? Leupold hands down.
Designed, machined, assembled in the USA
Excellent quality and value
FULL lifetime warranty to anyone who owns one 1st owner or 10th

Your cash, your choice.

 

[Jaywmustang]

I like bushnell too

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[meketrefe]

It’s for that AR-10 I was talking about a lot. Deer hunting, 16” barrel, so 200-300 max (the limit of my hunting anyway).

For that you do not need much in terms of features so you can have a better glass snd perhaps a compact yet more rugged scope for the field.
Dont worry too much about custom BDC reticles or caliber specific turrets or reticles. You do not need them for your use and in real life do not work.
The best quality glass is going to be in the standard hunting assortment in the 3-9 or 2-7 departments. How do you feel about a 2-7 with quality japanese camera grade lenses and construction?
I think will be good for fast target adquisition at the average target ranges, glassing through fields or from a blind and still have a magnification option.
Vortex entry is chinese made.
The leupold in that bracket might also use chinese glass.
You will make it work with whatevet but there are very specific practical reasons to consider other options.
That is why I ask before I can suggest any specific scope.
I have few that I use all the time and many others catching dust.
Forget about brands for a second.

 

[Airborneguy]

@meketrefe I am definitely interested in 2-7, especially if it saves some weight. Who has this Japanese glass you speak of?

 

[96coal449]

NF and I believe US opics are Javanese glass and expensive. I don't know about the quality of US optics since they changed hands.

Primary Arms Platinum sereis is also Japanese glass but they are so low priced I hear they get a little blurry at full magnification,

 

[Chicken Shoot]

How about Nikon?

Nikon has announced that they are no longer going to make scopes as doing so is politically incorrect!! What does Nikon make their money on?? The cameras for the media. Sorry .... guns are bad for their business. I would say throw the nikon in the garbage as that's where it'll wind up anyway if it needs repair. No more warranty. Now ... to stay on topic here, I like the Votex and the Leupold The no fault warranty of the Vortex is a plus BUT ... I'm going to throw in the Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 into the mix. They are generally in the $139.99 range and the German glass on them is clear as could be.

 

[Robin]

I didn't realize there was a political rider to Nikons' quitting the scope business. That changes things for me, fuck Nikon.
I'm going with the 350 Legend and putting this on it.

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Robin