Leopold or Nikon?

[fieldking#1]

I need to buy a new scope for my gun, and was wondering which one I should get.  I've heard from some people that Leopold is better than Nikon.  And from others that Nikon is better than Leopold.   Which one is really better?

[hunterrcc]

I need to buy a new scope for my gun, and was wondering which one I should get.  I've heard from some people that Leopold is better than Nikon.  And from others that Nikon is better than Leopold.   Which one is really better?

Leupold is awesome I have had great luck with all their gear and their customer service is excellent. 

[6x6in6]

I prefer Leupold simply because they are the only scopes I have ever owned in 35+ years.  Never a single problem so I see no reason for me to consider a change.

[huntnphool]

I've owned several of both, the Nikon scopes have held up the best for me.

[Jellymon]

Will never own another Nikon product. Nikon doesn't support Hunters. There has been quite a few instances of Nikon sponsoring a hunting/shooting event, only to pull their sponsorship because the antis whined about it. Not a company I want to support. Oh well, no big loss, there are better options for the same price with better warranties.

[huntnphool]

Will never own another Nikon product. Nikon doesn't support Hunters.

Yeah, their Buckmaster model of scopes are a marketing gimmick right?

[Jellymon]

Read the rest. Never said they dont make hunting products. Just when push comes to shove they won't stand up for hunters.

[huntnphool]

Just when push comes to shove they won't stand up for hunters.

lets see your examples.

[Jellymon]

It was on this site last year or year before. Nikon was sponsoring a coyote tourney on the eastside. A bunch of antis found out, complained to Nikon and they pulled their sponsorship. Search for it you might be able to dig it up.

[huntnphool]

It was on this site last year or year before. Nikon was sponsoring a coyote tourney on the eastside. A bunch of antis found out, complained to Nikon and they pulled their sponsorship. Search for it you might be able to dig it up.

[CoyoteChuck52]

[Jellymon]

Here's another example.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,40332.msg484825.html#msg484825

[huntnphool]

Here's another example.

Actually thats the only time, and IMO hardly worth boycotting them, but knock yourself out.

[Jellymon]

That's not the main reason I don't use Nikon. We have had 3 pairs of monarchs, every one of them have had an eyecup break off and one had the strap attachment break. Very cheaply made. And we are not hard on equipment. Their scopes look better built, but I'm not going to chance it.

[grundy53]

Leupold

sent from my typewriter

[TommyGun496]

I have a handful of both.  I prefer the Leupold, but my wife's Monarch bino's and Buckmaster scope work good!  I would not hesitate to buy another Buckmaster scope (when the time comes).

[DRobnsn]

Plinker rifle, possibly Nikon unless something else catches my eye.

Hunting rifle= Leupold all the way.

One reason I say this is Warranty, I've had a couple good friends have to send optics to them shortly before hunting season and they get them back within days not weeks or months. No questions asked. 

[thinkingman]

Plinker rifle, possibly Nikon unless something else catches my eye.

Hunting rifle= Leupold all the way.

One reason I say this is Warranty, I've had a couple good friends have to send optics to them shortly before hunting season and they get them back within days not weeks or months. No questions asked.

Exactly why I own Nikon, not Leupold.
Never had a friend have to send one back right before the season for a replacement.
I do have a friend running a Sightron SII because his Leupold fogged inside during a hunt and cost him a nice whitetail.

[CoryTDF]

Having just sent back a Luepold Kenai spotter and upgrading to the Nikon Feildscope ED I would say Nikon. Their customer service is great and a warranty you cant beat.

[Mongo Hunter]

+1 Leupold

Been using them for years on multiple rifles. even their "lower end" Rifleman line is really good, people make fun of it cause its what they sell at walmart not knowing the riflemen line are just Leupold's older scopes.

[Bean Counter]

Both have great customer service. It really boils down to which is better glass. I think Nikon edges out Leupold hence they make up the bulk of value of my hunting optics.

[DRobnsn]

Plinker rifle, possibly Nikon unless something else catches my eye.

Hunting rifle= Leupold all the way.

One reason I say this is Warranty, I've had a couple good friends have to send optics to them shortly before hunting season and they get them back within days not weeks or months. No questions asked.

Exactly why I own Nikon, not Leupold.
Never had a friend have to send one back right before the season for a replacement.
I do have a friend running a Sightron SII because his Leupold fogged inside during a hunt and cost him a nice whitetail.

Well, I guess I should have written that different. I don't recall saying replacement but at any rate none of the instances were manufacture defect. All self inflicted and still no questions asked.

 Lets say you want mark 4 target turrets on your leupold scope that didn't come with them shortly before hunting season from what I've seen less than a week, how about Nikon? Also can you talk directly to the guy working on the optic like you can with leupold? 

[huntnphool]

Plinker rifle, possibly Nikon unless something else catches my eye.

Hunting rifle= Leupold all the way.

One reason I say this is Warranty, I've had a couple good friends have to send optics to them shortly before hunting season and they get them back within days not weeks or months. No questions asked.

Lets say you want mark 4 target turrets on your leupold scope that didn't come with them shortly before hunting season from what I've seen less than a week, how about Nikon? Also can you talk directly to the guy working on the optic like you can with leupold?

Yes

[JoeE]

They are both good. Both have great warranties and customer service. Burris is good too 

[Taco280AI]

Nikon make good scopes, I just don't like the big eye box they have now, prefer the more compact one most others offer, mincluding Leupold

[Don Fischer]

I prefer Leupold simply because they are the only scopes I have ever owned in 35+ years.  Never a single problem so I see no reason for me to consider a change.

that is one of the most honest answer's I ever read. People get a product that works well for them and a lot tend to stick with it. Many will tell you it's the best out there but they don't tell you it's the only brad they ever had. And if they had another brand, either it was flawed (every body put's one out like that now and then) or they had trouble with other scopes but they were all $90 scope's. I have right now two Nikon Buckmaster's, very good scope's. I've got two Denver Redfield's, my favorite ever. A weaver K4, very good scope. And a Bushnell Banner that's probably older than a lot of the people on this site. I've had Tasco's and the old World Class was a good scope for me but, I don't think I'd trust another very far on a rifle that recoils much. Another Tasco, no World Class, had the front len's fall out from recoil. I had a low dollar Weaver that I could not say one good thing about. Got it for free and wish I'd never seen it! Several different newer Bushnell's and a couple other really low dollar scope's I don't recall the manufacturer.

My feeling on scopes is that major manufacturer's are not gonna fool around and market all low grade scope's. And the glass they people rave about is probably so close in quality to lesser scopes it's not worth considering. If your a hunter, accurate adjustment's are important.
But, people that claim this glass or that is best have no way of telling other than looking through them, there's better ways. With these people you'll also find that the more your willing to pay the better the glass get's. I don't buy that. I think the more you pay up to a point, the better the adjustments, better dust and water seals, ect. Is a $2000 scope better than a $250 scope? If your just a hunter, I doubt it. How about the $500 scopes, they not so good as a $2000 scope? I doubt that too. It reach's a point where you end up paying for a name or some do-dad you don't need rather than paying for a good scope. Most I ever paid for a new scope was about $300. That was my Nikon Buckmaster 4 1/2-14x. My 30-06 has a 2 3/4x Denver Redfield thats about 40+ yrs old and my 308 has another 1-4x Redfield as old. Paid well under a $100 for both and they both work very well still today. My Nikon 3-9x I don't recall how much I paid but not much. Old bushnel Banner, don't recall but not much. What they all have in common is that they just keep working year after year. Now the old Redfields were premium scopes in their day, they are still great scopes today. My Bushnell Banner wasn't a premium scope but it just keeps going on on my 25-06.

If you have the money to throw around on a scope, the high dollar scopes will probably do very well. But if you don't, you'll find them from about $150 up that will work very well. It must say something the leupold will put the same guarantee on the Redfield that they do their top of the line scope. And Nikon is guaranteed for life no matter who own's the scope. I will be carefull of buying another Nikon though. My 4 1/2-14x had the BDC reticle in it and I hate it. But figured Nikon could change that for me and it was the last one around here. Forget it, they will not change it. Other than that, very nice scope. Customer service goes a long way and nobody has a better record of that than leupold. BTW, I have only ever had one Leupold in my life; it was a very nice scope!

So between a Leupold and a Nikon, I would buy the scope that come's the way I want it and not hope that a manufacturer will change something for me after the buy even though I would be willing to pay for it.

[Eli346]

 I had a salesman at Sportsmans Warehouse tell me that Nikon made the glass for Leupold scopes and then I heard it again from a different source. I've got Leupold binos and Nikon scopes. Gold Rings and Buckmasters. The rubber ring on the reticle on the scope has saved me a couple of cuts on snap shots up a hill. 300 WSM can still kick fairly well if your caught up in the moment.

[Wacenturion]

Whatever one works the best for you.  Research them by looking through each one in different light conditions...like outside the store.  Try various magnifications etc.  As much as I try to like Leupold, they just seem to be like an offset tunnel view to me.  What I mean is the full field is not there instantly when I throw up, and I have to adjust my eye position slightly to achieve that.  Occasionally I'll find a Leupold model that will work.    However with my Nikon Monarchs, Burris Signatures and Fullfields (older USA ones)  the full view is immediately evident.

I spent a lot of time looking through scopes until I was convinced which one I perferred.  I too have had old Redfield's and also have a vintage Browning 2x7 (this one Burris made) on a Browning Safari.....same instant view.

I have one NIB Leupold FX 4x that I'm putting on a Model 70 JOC (Jack O'connor Tribute) to duplicate what Jack had on his .270, but I'm hesitant to do so, as I really don't like the scope as much as I should.  May eventually just put another Monach on like the other Model 70's.

By the way, the Nikons appear clearer and better in the light department than the Leupolds as far as my sight is concerned.  That's what I meant as far as what works best for you.  Everyone's eyesight is different.  Good luck.

[bowhunterty]

Like Vortex over them both. Great warranty.

[splitshot]

leupold cuz it is harder to spell.  they are both good.  I had a leupold fog up and they sent me a new scope.  I did not tell them I fell down and scratched my gun and scope real bad.  mike w

[PNW_Hunter]

I really like the monarch 3's combined with the spot on ballistics program they use. Both have excellent customer service from what I've seen so far. Leupolds are a tad bit nicer IMO but I think nikon may be better bang for the buck 

[pope]

Sportco has a coupon deal ($175) on the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9 x 40mm.

[Eli346]

 If it's any help on your decision Nikon makes the glass for Leupold from what I've been told.

[Maligator]

If it's any help on your decision Nikon makes the glass for Leupold from what I've been told.

So, following that piece of information the glass argument is really a moot point since the glass would be the same 

IMO these types of threads rarely provide much assistance to the OP because it ends up being an opinion which is not usually based on TDP (technical data package ) analysis. What I mean to say is that if you aren't reading the specs of each scope specifically and their tolerances then it's just one man's data point or experience.

I say: look through the ones that catch your eye in different lighting scenarios, outside if possible and then make your choice based on what fits your budget and which one looks best to you.

I have not owned a Nikon but suspect it is quality made based on others opinions. I do own Leupold's and like them. I also own some Bushnell scopes and have no problem with them but they are not on my primary hunting rigs...just my personal opinion. Good luck in your pursuit.

[coachcw]

I'd say that the vx2 and the Nikon monarchs are on the same level and the vx3 is a step up . vx3's are a very nice scope that in the 500-600 range are hard to beat .

[BsB]

I've got a leuy MK4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 on a .308 and a Nikon Prostaff BDC 3-9x40 on my 5.56 AR. I have more viewing time through the leuy and have been happy with it. I haven't zeroed in my Nikon yet, I've been too busy.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

[buckfvr]

I've got a leuy MK4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 on a .308 and a Nikon Prostaff BDC 3-9x40 on my 5.56 AR. I have more viewing time through the leuy and have been happy with it. I haven't zeroed in my Nikon yet, I've been too busy.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Not a fair comparison...........that said, they both have Nikon glass, I put a new Nikon Pro Staff on a buddies rifle last week and noticed the made in Phillipines label............

[BsB]

Not a fair comparison...........that said, they both have Nikon glass, I put a new Nikon Pro Staff on a buddies rifle last week and noticed the made in Phillipines label............

yeah it is like apples and potatoes...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

[thinkingman]

If it's any help on your decision Nikon makes the glass for Leupold from what I've been told.

So, following that piece of information the glass argument is really a moot point since the glass would be the same 

IMO these types of threads rarely provide much assistance to the OP because it ends up being an opinion which is not usually based on TDP (technical data package ) analysis. What I mean to say is that if you aren't reading the specs of each scope specifically and their tolerances then it's just one man's data point or experience.

I say: look through the ones that catch your eye in different lighting scenarios, outside if possible and then make your choice based on what fits your budget and which one looks best to you.

I have not owned a Nikon but suspect it is quality made based on others opinions. I do own Leupold's and like them. I also own some Bushnell scopes and have no problem with them but they are not on my primary hunting rigs...just my personal opinion. Good luck in your pursuit.

Each manufacturer specs the glass coatings and construction.
LOW (Light Optics Works)grinds lenses for many manufacturers.  Then the coatings are applied, and many are proprietary.

Here is an (outdated) scope rating scale put together by people that have a fair amount of optics experience.....(Caution: Leupold fans will not be happy) http://www.opticstalk.com/topic16515.html

[lover_of_all_racks]

Grandpa has had Leupold's since i can remember. Only sent one back (was an ANCIENT scope that fogged) Still accurate. They didnt make that one anymore obviosuly. it was ANCIENT.Instead of fixing, they sent him a vxiii for his warranty..

My older cousin vxiii and me vxii both have leupolds. Cant say enough good things about leupold. I have their binocs and rangefinder as well. simply flawless. BUT the reason i like them is because of my grandpas experience with them and my 10 years experience with them. Havent owned anything different for my hunting rifles so my say isnt all that fair.

My younger cousin has a redfield. (made by leupold) wowzas!! i shoulda got that 1/3 of the price and its awesome, but he only has one season on it so only time will tell for redfield.

second cousins and some uncles have nikon. and they dont seem to argue when leupold comes up and it seems like they are always getting new nikons cuz the other one wasnt good enough or they didnt like it.... which puts up a red flag. Ive had mine on my gun for 10 years.. my grandpa had the one for 20 something years and now 5 or so years on the new one..

Personal experience has shown me that you put a leupold on your gun and it will stay there for decades..
what i have seen from my family is they put a nikon on and they arent satisfied or something happens and they are constantly changing their nikons scopes. Not to mention my friends that switch over to leupold stick with leupold.

I might be bias with leopold and ignorant with Nikon but hey.. its my $0.25 and i hope it helps whoever is in the debate.