Leupold Mk4 vs Leupold Golden Ring

[Shanerbanner10]

What’s the difference between the Leupold Mk4 vs Leupold Golden Ring?

Currently have a Mk4 with TMR, would like an H32 or similar Horus type reticle. I saw the Golden Ring with the Impact reticle and was wondering if the glass in the Mk4 and Golden Ring as the same?

 

[ugsly308]

I have the Goldring with H32 in it. I love the glass for the price. Havent had a chance to compare it to a MK4 though.

Casey

 

[Alpine 338]

The Golden Ring Spotter has HD glass, the Mk4 does not. I've had the chance to compare both models side by side, using multiples of the same two models.

Where it became noticeable for me, was when looking at a far mountain range, you could definitely see the HD qualities of the Golden Ring model. But if you're shooting normal rifle ranges (out to 2000-yards or so) they are about the same.

I've asked Leupold many times why they don't offer the HD glass in the Mark4's, and they couldn't or wouldn't answer my question. The only thing I can assume or guess??? Since the Mk4's are made for Military contracts, they are set in stone to continue making them the same as from the start of the contract, and without upgrade to HD glass, unless the contract calls for it, or is amended.

 

[TheMammoth]

Would be nice to see a Mk5 spotter then, if the Mk4 is set in stone due to contract specs. An HD version of the Mk4 with a killer ret that fits all the existing accessories for the Mk4 would be a winner for sure...

 

[Shanerbanner10]

Would be nice to see a Mk5 spotter then, if the Mk4 is set in stone due to contract specs. An HD version of the Mk4 with a killer ret that fits all the existing accessories for the Mk4 would be a winner for sure...

100% agree

 

[mjh30]

The MK4 spotter has a mil spec laser filter coating on the glass, have compared the two and the GR has a slight edge on my own MK4.

 

[geoff3]

Hello mjh30 the mil spec laser coating on the MK4 is that for Military/Leo only ? Thank you geoff3

 

[mjh30]

Hello mjh30 the mil spec laser coating on the MK4 is that for Military/Leo only ? Thank you geoff3

I was under the impression it was on all the mk4 spotters, dont think they would make a seperate run without the coating, wouldnt be a productive way to do it

 

[geoff3]

Hello your right about making a separate run on MK4 spotters it would be counter productive and not cost effective process and I learned something new about my Mk4 spotter thanks again for answering my question ,geoff3

 

[Rudy Gonsior]

The MK4 spotter has a mil spec laser filter coating on the glass, have compared the two and the GR has a slight edge on my own MK4.

mjh30 nailed it, the GR glass is superior to the Mk4 because of that laser filter coating. Side by side you’ll see the difference, the GR ability to resolve fine detail is obvious.

 

[bluegrasspicker]

There's talk of a Gold Ring with H-32 up there. ugsly308 mentioned it. For anyone who has seen that particular combo, I'd really like to know where to find that option. Same with an inverted H-32. All I'm seeing is the moa (Impact) reticle available in the GR.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

There's talk of a Gold Ring with H-32 up there. ugsly308 mentioned it. For anyone who has seen that particular combo, I'd really like to know where to find that option. Same with an inverted H-32. All I'm seeing is the moa (Impact) reticle available in the GR.

I asked him about it. Said it was a special order. Probably won't be available anytime soon.

 

[bluegrasspicker]

Thanks.

That's too bad. It seems like a great combo.

 

[Speedbird21]

I have a Mark 4 12-40 w/ Reticle for sale if you're interested?

 

[carbonbased]

One thing I noted was that the (edit: 20-60x) Gold Ring model focuses to 25 ft, while the equivalent Mark 4 is at 75 ft. In the 12-40x models, both GR and Mark 4 close focus at 36ft.

if you’re a long range shooter, it doesn’t matter. If you also shoot at 50 or 25 yds rimfire, then the GR 20-60x one is for you.

A subtlety that might help someone: the Mark 4 is obviously FFP (says so on the product page) but the reticle model of the GR has no mention of FFP. I dug around and found the reticle info for that model and it is indeed FFP as well: https://cdnp.leupold.com/content/documents/ffpimpactspottingscope_120703.pdf?mtime=20190422070652

I do not have personal experience of either, but just read the specs

 

[tsu45]

What is the difference between these two Gold Ring models?

120372
120371

 

[carbonbased]

What is the difference between these two Gold Ring models?

120372
120371

I believe the only difference is that 120372 has HD lenses. Leupold doesn’t do a great job on pointing that out besides sticking an HD at the end of the product name.

 

[valsport]

Bumping this old thread...I've never owned a spotter but have been looking for a used GR to spot paper at the range and also take backpacking. With the 40x do you think it's possible to see a .30 cal hole out to 300 yards?

 

[Alpine 338]

Bumping this old thread...I've never owned a spotter but have been looking for a used GR to spot paper at the range and also take backpacking. With the 40x do you think it's possible to see a .30 cal hole out to 300 yards?

At 200-yards, yes as I do it often. At 300-yards I think it depends on hole size, color of paper, angle of sun etc.

 

[rlsmith1]

Will the Gold Ring fit the Mark 4 accessories like the Badger SLICK? Looks like an extremely similar housing

 

[Alpine 338]

Yes, they are physically identical.

 

[rlsmith1]

Just noticing that Gold Ring only has MOA reticle

Anyone ordered one custom with an MRAD reticle?

 

[Alpine 338]

Custom shop has been shut down for almost two years now. They are not accepting any custom orders or work. Their excuse is they are rebuilding the custom shop.

 

[valsport]

Just noticing that Gold Ring only has MOA reticle

Anyone ordered one custom with an MRAD reticle?

I think you can only get an mrad reticle in the mark 4. I emailed Leupold yesterday about having a reticle installed in my GR and they said their "custom shop" is closed and will not be operating for the foreseeable future.

 

[valsport]

Anyone know how the Leupold Digiscoping adapter attaches? This came with a used GR 60 I bought and can't figure out how it attaches.

 

[rlsmith1]

I think you can only get an mrad reticle in the mark 4. I emailed Leupold yesterday about having a reticle installed in my GR and they said their "custom shop" is closed and will not be operating for the foreseeable future.

The unfortunate part about the Mark 4 is you're stuck paying the Horus tax if you want a MIL grid reticle

 

[Alpine 338]

Honestly, the TMR reticle is good enough. That's what I have in my spotter, and really prefer it over any grid in a spotter that's out there. The Hendsoldt L-grid reticle is also a nice simple reticle.

 

[rlsmith1]

Honestly, the TMR reticle is good enough. That's what I have in my spotter, and really prefer it over any grid in a spotter that's out there. The Hendsoldt L-grid reticle is also a nice simple reticle.

I would hope so but I have the TMR in my MK5 3.6-18 and I love it but there are times I wish I had a grid to make corrections. The TMR is really nice behind a CNVD though as it is simple and useable on lower power. If I want a grid in my riflescope at times, I am sure I'd want one in a spotter more often. I could be wrong through

 

[Alpine 338]

The human eye (and brain) can visually determine equal distances accurately between two points very well. Most people don't want to rely on the natural methods, instead try to use a very fine scale to assist them, for example wanting to have .2-mil hash marks in a scope. A trained eye can accurately determine that distance to a point where ballistic, environmental, and human (muscle) error is greater than what the eyes visual measurements offer.

For example, I can take a sheet of 1/4" graph paper, and accurately break it down into 1/2's, 1/3's, and some times 1/4's when I'm drawing prints at 1/4" = 1', and I need to go down to 8", 6", 4", etc.

 

[Im2bent]

The impact reticle has mildots along the left side and top as seen in bottom left pic so thats something.....and its not a necro at 2 months,