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Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: Pathfinder101 on March 09, 2010, 09:32:23 PM


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Title: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 09, 2010, 09:32:23 PM
This spring I restocked my dad's old .300 Mag Weatherby Mark V.  New stock, new recoil pad, etc...
Now I have to replace the scope.  I restocked the thing because it kicks like an angry buffalo, so I know I will have to put a scope on it that will handle the shock.
I have been watching used Leuoplds on Ebay and have been seeing most 3x9x40 VX1s going for about the same price as the new 3x9x40 Redfields.  I looked at the Redfield at Cabela's tonight, and liked it better than I thought I would.

What do you guys think?

(And please don't tell me to "save up and buy a Swarovski".  I know my budget, and that is not going to happen.)
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 09, 2010, 09:49:16 PM
i would get the leupold but i have never had a problem with the one redfield that i have but i am a leupold buff
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: BrandonWatts on March 09, 2010, 11:37:50 PM
i talk to the ceo of leupold about a month ago and he said that the guts of the new redfields are basically leupold vx1 guts. so in my personal open i would go with the redfield unless you step up to a vx2.  :twocents:
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Intruder on March 10, 2010, 09:40:21 AM
Try to get some objective data regarding the glass and coating for each.  I'm not overly familiar with either to be able to really make a recomendation.  If you're not dead set on Leu/Red, check out the Weaver V series scopes or the Vortex Diamondbacks.... those are pretty good values.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Rob on March 10, 2010, 09:44:41 AM
Likewise, check out the Nikon Prostaff and Monarch Scopes.  they have GREAT glass at a reasonable price.

I'm biased to Leupold if the choice is only between he two.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2010, 09:51:30 AM
Thanks for the advice guys.  Yes, I am biased toward Leupolds, and that is really the only reason I am considering a Redfield.  I hunted last fall with a guy that had a Vortex Spotting scope, and I was not impressed.  Quality seemed to be about the same as my cheap Alpen spotter.  Incidentally, he had a Nikon Monarch Scope also, and it seemed like a nice piece of gear, but like I said, I am hung up on Leupold. 
If the Redfield has the same guts as the VX1, then maybe I would be better off with the Redfield, just because I really liked the new Accu-Reticle (or whatever they called it).

Keep the comments coming though, I am still not decided.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2010, 09:54:15 AM
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.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2010, 10:04:31 AM
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.

Why specifically Bobcat?  I own a 4X12X40mm VX1, and I love the scope.  What exactly makes the VXII worth the extra $150.00 that I would pay for a used VX1 or a new Redfield (which it appears is the same thing)?
Like I said, I know my budget, and quite frankly, $150 would kill one of the out-of-state tags that I was hoping put in for this year.  I save up for this stuff all year, and just don't have an extra $150 "wiggle room"...
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on March 10, 2010, 10:08:51 AM
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.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2010, 10:11:14 AM
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.

Thanks for the tip Wapiti.  I'll check it out.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2010, 10:22:09 AM
The VX-II's have better lens coatings. That's the main difference. But it can be an important one. But if you're only going to spend $150, I'd probably get a new Redfield.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2010, 10:27:11 AM
What does the lens coating actually do (in laymen's terms)?
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2010, 10:33:51 AM
Lens coatings let more light in so you can see better early and late in the day. This is a good for explaining the differences between Leupold scopes:



Quote
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-7

New 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.
LPS

The 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 4

Beginning 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 III

The 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-I

The 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.
Rifleman

Though 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.


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Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2010, 10:38:21 AM
Thanks Bobcat. 
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 10, 2010, 10:59:48 AM
Glass coatings and such.. For that price it's tough to get two features worth holding out for. 1/4 click adjustments and fully coated lens's.  (Helps with light gathering and glare)  I lean Leupold VXII.  If the Nikon Monarch is out of reach, and the Prostaff not quite up to the requirement, then the Nikon Buckmaster is in the middle with both of those features. I have them on my son's rifles and they've taken just as much beating as my Leupold's have without issue. Light gathering is on par with the VXII's.

-Steve
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 10, 2010, 11:34:06 AM
I have a VX1 2X7 on my A-bolt in .300 Win Mag and it is solid as a rock.  I previously had a Redfield 3X9 on it that I wanted on a .270 of mine and it was also solid.  The Redfield was about half the price, but I really like both of them.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: KimberRich on March 10, 2010, 11:40:57 AM
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. 
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 11, 2010, 05:30:19 PM
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. 

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...
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: KimberRich on March 12, 2010, 08:17:05 AM
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. 

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...

I hadn't heard that until I read this thread.  That would be great to get Leupold quality optics at a slight discount possibly?? I like it!  If they have the same warranty as the Leupold's I say go for it!  If you do, it would be awesome if you wrote up something about how it performed and such.  I'd love to hear about them and I'm sure the other Leupold fans on here would also.  Good Luck!
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 12, 2010, 08:36:03 AM
Quote

THE REDFIELD STORY


For 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.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 12, 2010, 09:27:16 AM
I sent a PM for a Leupold VXII 2-7 for $150 on Craigs list....

-Steve
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 12, 2010, 09:30:28 AM
Is it a VX-II or a Vari X-II?
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 12, 2010, 09:53:26 AM
VX.. Looks like the posting has been removed. Sold it I guess.

-Steve
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: bobcat on March 12, 2010, 10:24:39 AM
I would've bought it for that price, even though I don't currently need a scope.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 12, 2010, 10:35:34 AM
Yup. Looked like a good deal to me.

I think that if he's patient, networks with the rest of us, he'll find what he needs for a good price.

-Steve
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: addicted on March 15, 2010, 01:04:00 PM
since its all leopould and all american. i would get a new redfield to continue stimulation of the econemy.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: 87Ford on March 15, 2010, 06:24:12 PM
Curious.  What sort of stock did you put on the old Weatherby?  Wood, composite??  Brand?
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 16, 2010, 07:28:24 AM
I bought a used sythetic stock on ebay.  I believe the brand is actually Weatherby.  That's what it said on the recoil pad anyway.  I took off that recoil pad and put a Limbsaver in it's place.  I did all this to reduce the recoil, which was atrocious.  It is still a cannon, but at least it is shootable now.  I took it out and put a few rounds downrange the other day and it wasn't nearly as bad as before.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 16, 2010, 07:34:12 AM
What scope did you decide on?

-S
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 16, 2010, 07:38:19 AM
Still watching about 10 or 12 Leupolds on Ebay.  If I see a smokin' deal on one (they are all going for about the same price) I'll get it.  If I haven't found a smokin' deal by the first week in April, I will go to Cabela's and get the Redfield. 
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: whacker1 on March 16, 2010, 07:54:13 AM
I think in that price range that I would only buy the Leupold "used" if you knew the person you were buying it from.  Big gun, lots of recoil, I would lean toward buying a scope that would have some warranty.  Not sure if Leupold would warranty the used scope or not. 
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 16, 2010, 07:57:35 AM
Yes, Leupold warranty is honored on used scopes.  The warranty is lifetime and you don't have to show proof of original purchase (otherwise I wouldn't even consider it).
 
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: whacker1 on March 16, 2010, 08:08:38 AM
you might also check www.overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com) for new Leupolds.  I saw quite a selection on there yesterday.
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 16, 2010, 11:23:46 AM
Thanks whacker.  I've been checking there.  They seem to have about the same prices as the new ones on Ebay.   
Title: Re: Used Leupold or new Redfield..?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 23, 2010, 07:08:03 PM
Okay, just to update; I was in Spokane on business so I went to Cabela's and let them talk me into the Redfield 3X9X40 with the Accu-Range Reticle.  They mounted and boresighted it on my Weatherby.  Haven't shot it yet, but I will update the thread when I do.
For what it's worth, I REALLY like the scope.  It's clear and crisp.  After my military discount and the tax, I forked out $160 for it.  Seemed to be a pretty good deal.
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