Leica, Zeiss, or Leupold?

T

twoblink

New member
I'm familiar with the "lens war" in the camera world between Leica and Zeiss, and I understand both make scopes... I hear that Leupold is awesome as well. So any opinions on those three?

Or is it a Sig, HK, Glock debate, but on a different product, where there is no "bad" in the entire group... and comes down to personal preferences?

Thanks!
Albert
 
You better throw Nikon, Kahles and Swarovski into the mix.

(Some might even back U.S. Optics in the scope fight too...)

Personally, of all the scopes I've owned, the Swarovskis have been the clearest and brightest.
 
Optics are a case of you tend to get what you pay for. Personnally, I'm fond of Swarovski. I've also had excellant scopes from Leupold and Bausch&Lomb. The military Swarovskis (Kahles) I've had have been uniformaly excellent. The military Zeiss (Hensoldt)I've had experience with are also excellent.
 
Schmidt and Bender makes superb scopes also. Of the scopes mentioned I'd choose between S&B, Swarovski and Zeiss - not had the opportunity to test the Leupold LPS series, but I hear its optics are high quality.
 
Let me start this by saying I do not have the funds to buy the top of the line scopes for my guns. Instead, I bought the best binoculars I could find, Swarovski, and then set a price range for my scopes that I could live with and found the best for my money. That has usually been Leopold. Unless you are able to spend $500 or more, the good glass of Swarovski and Leica are out of your price range. If you want to shop around, a good starting point may be http://www.swfa.com/riflescopes/index.html
They carry all the brands and also have a used/demo sight if you want to go that route. I've purchased several items from them and have yet to be disappointed.

Good luck in making your decision.
 
In the "bargain" dept, look at the lower end Nikon stuff.. they are marketing some scope under the "Buckmasters" name that aren't too shabby... I have two of the fixed 4xs, one of which is on a Runger 10/22 magnum and has served VERY well.....
 
Is there a general rule of thumb for glass vs. steel cost? How much should I be spending for my glass if I am buying a Ruger 10/22?

I have never experienced swarovski's myself, but I will add that to my list.

Thanks for the help thus far,
Albert
 
Have posted on this subject till I sound like a broken record but facts are facts. Zeiss couldn't swallow the 20% duty so they have hired a eastern companies ti make their scope.But don't expect a penny of the duty to be refunded. It just went to increase the profit margin 20%. If you consider that all the manufacturing companies and their socialist management there isn't a scope made in Europe that when you add duty can compare with American made. consider duty, freight .Importer markup, distributor markup If you feel like paying 25% more for your scope than you should, Be my guest
 
Because of the tax system that exists in Europe everything made on that side of the Atlantic is about twice as expensive as it should be. This is a function of the high D.Mark/Dollar exchange rate (which is kept artificially inflated by the German banks), import duty, and the insidious European VAT (Value Added Tax).

Add to this the exorbitant cost to produce anything in an European cradle-to-grave Nanny State and you've got one way overpriced product. Why do you think all these "GmbH" companies are stepping over each other in the rush to build factories in the USA? I guarantee, anything affordable that says "Made in Germany" probably isn't. (The sole exceptions being Gummi Bears and those leather shorts with little suspenders & bibs.)

That said, I'd still love to have a pair of Swarvoski 7x42 SLC binos some day. -- Kernel


[This message has been edited by Kernel (edited March 04, 2000).]
 
I concur with Gale. European optics are great, but I'm staying with Leupold. Besides their spotting scope, I've got four right now (including a Mark IV M1) and am considering another.

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Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt
 
Swarovski :) but then, here in argentina, there is about 70% tax (and/or flat overhead charges - and that would be on top of Zeiss' little gimmick) on all makes. Kahles and Swarovski are about the same methinks - Leupold is superb. Nikon will do fine. A good scope can be taken from one rifle to another if upgrading or whatever... I think it worthwhile to get the best affordable regardless of the current rifle.
Peter Knight

[This message has been edited by Elchimango (edited March 05, 2000).]
 
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