Re: Why all the Leupold bashing? What am I missing?
Most here have covered it, leupold is no longer worthy of the reputation they once earned many years ago, and probably haven't been since the 80's. There are better options both optically, and durability wise in the same price range.
I have a 20+ year old 2.5-8 VIII scope that's a great scope, been on my only deer rifle since then, never failed, but it doesn't get turned or adjusted much. It's been beaten on every year since hunting at least once a year, never failed.
I was outfitting a new rifle the other day for a buddy, wanted something light but adjustable so we picked up a 4.5-14x40 Leupold with the CDS knob. Elevation adjustable quickly and only 13 ounces with good power range, seemed like a great setup. Glass is about on par with my 2.5-8x which frankly is not that impressive, over 25 years you'd think they could improve coatings/optics etc. for a similar price, most other companies have.
The killer was after I mounted it as I do with all new scopes I ran several cycles through the knobs from max/min. On about the 4th trip for the CDS elevation knob you could feel it got very gritty and felt like it had a half click in between normal clicks and/or some grinding in there. Not sure if turning chewed something up or there was metal shards etc. in there to begin with. Just not acceptable for a $650 scope. I've seen and heard too many similar problems with leupold lately. It was replaced with a 3-9x42 multizero kahles for less money, same weight, that not only spanks it optically but actually survived having the turrets turned! My VIII 3.5-10 tactical has been in twice. Both times with parallax problems, leupold took care of it no charge, no questions, but it doesn't inspire confidence.
Does leupold turn them around fast....yep couple weeks, do they have great service, sure they do. Problem is you have to use it way too often.
Kahles, Meopta, Zeiss, Nikon, Super Sniper, etc., are all making products now that are at least as good optically and durability wise, most of them better, and at the same price and in most cases cheaper. If it was not for leupold's hard earned but no longer accurate reputation they'd be in big trouble. They already are in the tactical world, most shops around here won't even carry Mark 4 scopes anymore they have all gone to nightforce.
