Free: Contests & Raffles.
I would spend a little extra and get the VX-II. They're a good scope at $299. Pretty much the same as the old VariX-III that used to sell for around $450.
I would go to overstock.com and compare prices on the scopes you are interested in. They have tons of luopold, Nikon and lots of others at rediculous prices sometimes. They are under Sports/hunting. I would buy new.
5. What are the major differences between scope lines?With all of the recent changes, it can be difficult to know exactly how each product will perform. Every scope Leupold produces, including the Rifleman, is fully coated (all lenses, internal and external, are coated) and utilizes glass, coatings, and optical systems of equal or better quality than the discontinued Vari-X II’s of the past. Decreased cost associated with the Rifleman line is due to increased efficiency in our production process, not from reduced quality.To make things easier, a brief summary of our current scope lines has been compiled including the most prominent features belonging to each. It is important to note that every lens (internal and external) in every Leupold scope is coated, but the type of coatings will vary. “Fully multicoated” indicates that each lens in an optical system is coated with multiple layers of lens coating, such as Multicoat 4. “Fully coated” indicates that each lens is coated with a single lens coating; Leupold uses magnesium fluoride. “Standard multicoated” scopes have a combination of coated lenses and multicoated lenses.VX-7New for 2007, the VX-7 line takes full advantage of Leupold’s 100 years of experience. The VX-7 uses ¼-MOA SpeeDial adjustments which eliminate the possibility of losing adjustment covers. DiamondCoat 2 exterior lens coatings provide the highest level of scratch resistance ever offered. Xtended Twilight internal lens coatings work to optimize the wavelengths specific to twilight conditions, making the VX-7 the best low-light scope we’ve ever produced. The use of a 4-to-1 erector system provides a larger range of magnification, making this line the ultimate scope for serious hunters.LPSThe LPS line uses ¼-MOA, low-profile, finger-adjustable adjustments; a fast-focus eyepiece; and our DiamondCoat lens coatings to provide incredible light transmission values with the addition of remarkable scratch resistance.VX-L® The VX-L was new for 2006, and uses ¼-MOA or 1/8-MOA adjustments depending upon model, has a fast-focus eyepiece, and utilizes an objective lens specially shaped to allow large objective scopes to be mounted in low rings. VX-L scopes use a combination of Index Matched and DiamondCoat lens coatings as well as edge-blackened lenses to produce extremely low glare and unprecedented light transmission values.VX-III The VX-III line was new for 2004, and uses ¼-MOA, low-profile, finger-adjustable adjustments and a fast-focus eyepiece. VX-III’s are fully multicoated and Index Matched to ensure that each lens has the best possible coating, producing total light transmission values higher than ever seen before.Mark 4Beginning in 2004, all tactical scopes are included in the Mark 4 category and will have the same features as past tactical models with the addition of a fast-focus eyepiece and Index Matched lenses; there are two exceptions which include the CQ/T and 3-9x40mm PR. The CQ/T has always utilized a combination of DiamondCoat (external) and Multicoat 4 (internal) lens coatings, and the 3-9x40mm PR is fully multicoated using Multicoat 4. 2003 tactical scopes typically had fully multicoated lenses utilizing Multicoat 4.Vari-X IIIThe Vari-X III line (discontinued for 2004 with introduction of VX-III) has seen little change and is still optically the same as those produced in the 90s. Vari-X III’s utilize ¼-MOA click adjustments and are fully multicoated with Multicoat 4.VX-II The VX-II line (2003 and older) uses a combination of Vari-X III and Vari-X II (discontinued) technology. VX-II’s also utilize ¼-MOA click adjustments, but the lens coatings are unique. The external lenses are coated with Multicoat 4 and the internal lenses are coated with magnesium fluoride.Beginning in 2004, the VX-II line is fully multicoated and will perform comparably to the discontinued Vari-X III line.VX-IThe VX-I also utilizes a combination of Vari-X III and Vari-X II technology, utilizing ¼-MOA friction (non-clicking) adjustments. The external lenses are multicoated and the internal lenses use magnesium fluoride.RiflemanThough the Rifleman line of scopes uses a different maintube (for aesthetic reasons), it is optically the same as the Vari-X II (discontinued for 2001). The adjustments are exactly the same as the Vari-X II (½-MOA friction) as are the lenses and coatings. All lenses, internal and external, are coated with magnesium fluoride. Basically, the Rifleman is a newer-looking matte finish version of the Vari-X II that helped build the Leupold reputation. It is important to note that Custom Shop options (reticle changes, target adjustment installation, etc.) are not available for the Rifleman line of scopes.Beginning in 2005, there were changes to the fixed magnification scope lines, updating them to follow the current convention used by the VX series of scopes; all fixed magnification scopes now have an “FX” designation followed by a number indicating the combination of technologies used in that product. For example, an FX-II will have the same lens coatings and adjustments as a VX-II, an FX-III will have the same lens coatings and adjustments as the VX-III line, etc.There was also a shift from using the term “compact" to the term “ultralight,” meaning that the FX-II 2.5x20mm Ultralight which was introduced in 2005 will be a fixed magnification scope with ¼-MOA click adjustments, fully multicoated lenses, and will have the compact eyepiece. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say Leupold. I wouldn't even look at another brand for a rifle that I'm going to hunt with. Redfield may have improved their products but from what I've seen and experienced in the past they aren't on the same level. But like someone else said.. I'm Leupold bias.
Quote from: KimberRich on March 10, 2010, 11:40:57 AMI say Leupold. I wouldn't even look at another brand for a rifle that I'm going to hunt with. Redfield may have improved their products but from what I've seen and experienced in the past they aren't on the same level. But like someone else said.. I'm Leupold bias. I am the same way about Leupolds KimberRich. That's the only reason I am considering a Redfield. They are now owned and manufactured by Leupold, and apparently the Redfield Revolution is basically a Leupold VX1. Same factory, same waterproof, shockproof and fogproof testing etc...
THE REDFIELD STORYFor more than 100 years, Redfield® has built an American hunting legacy. Now, as part of the Leupold® family, this American legend is looking to another century of hunting.Based in Oregon, the original home of founder John C. Redfield, we've rededicated ourselves to his vision: no-nonsense optics for everyone. Focused on that goal, we've made top-notch optical equipment accessible to every American hunter. With Redfield, outdoorsmen across this great land can fill their tag without breaking the bank.Redfield represents the millions of American hunters who make this sport great. Those who scout, set up blinds, and wake long before dawn. Redfield optics are for people serious about their hunts, because we're serious about our hunting too. Whether you're after a trophy buck or a full freezer, Redfield optics get the job done, season after season.The Redfield Gun Sight Company was founded in 1909 by John Hill Redfield. The company designed and manufactured quality equipment that hunters and shooters trusted for accurate, rugged and reliable sighting. The company's product line grew over the years from the original innovative line of open sites to include riflescopes, mounts and eventually binoculars and spotting scopes. In 1998 Redfield closed its doors in Denver, Colorado marking the end of an era but leaving behind an undeniable legacy of manufacturing quality products for the American Sportsman. The Redfield name changed hands several times over the next ten years but never realized its potential to once again become a prominent brand among outdoor enthusiasts.In April of 2008 Leupold & Stevens, Inc. purchased the brand name Redfield and all the intellectual property associated with Redfield Optics. Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a market leading American-owned and operated optics company. Friedrich Leupold founded the company in 1907 in Portland, Oregon just a few short miles from its current location in Beaverton, Oregon. Now in its fifth generation, the family owned company employs over 650 people at its state-of-the-art facility where it designs, manufactures and assembles its famous line of "Golden Ring" sports optics. Leupold products are sold worldwide to hunters, wildlife observers, competitive shooters, law enforcement officers and special operations military personnel. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; flashlights; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.From design to assembly to final testing, more than 600 people are at the heart of our plant near Beaverton, Oregon. With countless years of experience, these men and women instill Redfield with passion, pride, and hard work.Redfield is a brand of Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the most prominent American owned and operated optics company. Visit leupold.com to learn more about quality Leupold products available for hunters, shooters, wildlife observers and tactical groups.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Redfield® is a division of Leupold & Stevens, Inc®.All content copyright 2010, Redfield®, all rights reserved.
