Leupold Vari X II versus Vari X III ?

J

jdthaddeus

New member
I am looking to buy a Leupold Vari X in the 1.5-4x20 variety.
The Vari X II in that type runs just over $200 and the Vari X III of the same runs over $300.

So, what do I get in performance gains for that significant rise in cost?

Thanks,
thaddeus
 
Leupold

I'm a big fan of Leupold.
As a matter of fact....wouldn't purchase anything else.

I veiw the X III's as simply the new generation of scopes that Leupold is making. Since it is Leupold, and it's their newer design, it's that much closer to perfection!
I did read that on the XIII's the machine tolerances in critical areas measures no more than 0.0005 of an inch. Could'nt find the tolerances for te XII's. Did the XII's offer Multicoat 4 lense treatment? Is the eye relief the same on the two scopes your comparing?

I would get the XIII no matter what the price.
Pay it with a smile and send Leupold an extra $100 for being so damn good!
next month I'm picking up a XIII long range scope and it's $800 (+)...... Trust me...I'd buy it if it was $1500.

Look at http://www.bearbasin.com when you are ready to buy.
Got all my scopes from them.

M Gruber
 
I've owned both models and with the Vari-XIII you get a somewhat greater power range, click adjustments, slightly brighter optics and more light gathering. The only way to judge is to compare both side by side. Either way you are getting a great scope.
 
Whatcha gonna use it for? Not disagreeing at all with the above responses, but:

Generally, that power range is intended for closer distances in hunting. I'm not sure that you could tell much difference between them during daylight, on a deer at 75 to 150 yards.

Is the "better" of the Vari-X III enough better for your intended use to justify the additional $100?

When you get into such shooting as P-dogs at 300 or more yards, and a 4.5x14 or such, I'd say go with the Vari-X III.

Thinkin' out loud,

Art
 
The lens coating on the V-X III is Multicoat 4. It provides a light transmission of 91% (http://entreprise.com/Catalog/Scopes-Optics/Leupold/Vari-X%20III.htm) "about 8 to 10% more than Vari-X II, which has lenses fully coated with magnesium fluoride" ( http://www.leupold.com/tiscope.html ) (magnesium fluoride transmits about 82%).

The LPS line of scopes have a lens coating called DiamondCoat. The external lenses are coated with ion-assist formula of DiamondCoat to provide 10 times more scratch resistance than is required by the military.
The light transmission is about 92% according to the Leupold catalog. 94% according to http://www.gunsmagazine.com/Pages/1200spcl.html (FYI: I saw a Nikon that had 95% light transmission.)

The LPS scope also has a much more constant eye relief for all of the zoom levels.
 
I have both VX-IIs and VX-IIIs. As has been stated in terms more technical than I'm comfortable with, the IIIs provide better light transmission (somewhat better in low light conditions) and positive click adjustments on the windage and elevation turrets.

I have IIIs on my long range target and varmint guns, as I like the positive clicks when adjusting for range. On my deer rifles, however, I have VX-IIs. Once they are sighted in to hit 1.5" high at 100 yards, I completely forget about the adjustments. For this application, I think the II is the better bang for the buck.
 
The difference is also in the warranty. The Vari-X III has a lifetime warranty. I believe the Vari-X II has a five year warranty, however I'm not sure about that.
 
Thanks.

As was guessed so wisely, this will be a close range hunting scope. No plans to shoot anything with it out over 300 yards or so max, probably more like 150 or less. It will go on a Model 70 (probably 30`06) for everything from mountain lion to mule deer and maybe elk (you can never count on that elk tag in AZ).
I hunt in the southwest and some predator hunters here actually complain of too much light gathering in the fancy scopes, so they prefer to use a Wal Mart special scope. It is bright out there in the high desert.

Due to the light conditions here and the fact I am looking for a low powered scope, I think I will be fine with the Vari X II and its slightly lower light gathering and less features. But I have time to think about it and I appreciate knowing what the differences are. It sounds like it comes down to light gathering and adjustment features that I probably won't use. For now I think my Trijicon ACOG will do just fine since I already have it.

The biggest downside to the VariX II in 1-4x20 is that it apparently only come in silver gloss? Now who would want a silver gloss 1-4x20 scope? That scope just screams for bush and predator hunting, and I don't see anyone building fancy bright silver bush and predator rifles. Anyway, I guess I will have to spray paint it ;)

[Edited by jdthaddeus on 04-19-2001 at 11:14 AM]
 
jdthaddeus: Bright? Desert country is bright? Well, I'm regularly taking pictures at 1/500th and f22 with ASA 400 color print.:)

SW Texas is a bit bright, too.

I've been using an '06 for a long time, but the doggoned rifle is getting heavier than it was 20 or 30 years back. Dunno why. I've got a project-gun deal going, to "buggy-whip" a .308 barrel on an ADL, and use a Weaver V3. I'm hoping for seven pounds, "fully dressed".

Although this new, titanium-actioned Remington looks like a Neat Thing. Pricey, though. But, in 7mm-08, it could be fully rigged and loaded at just over six pounds...

I hunted several years with a Sears&Sawbuck .270 and a K4; the deer fell just as dead with that rig as with fancy guns and 3X9s...

:), Art
 
JDT: I once had a silver Leupold scope that was far too visible in the field. I painted it flat black with Aluma-Hyde II from Brownell's. This paint to great for such purposes. The scope has gone for five years now with no chips in the paint.

I have both Leupold V-II's and V-III's. The only obvious difference I've noticed is the presence of adjustment clicks on the V-III. My V-II's have a full lifetime warranty.

Basically, if I had the money, I'd buy a V-III. On a budget, I'd get a V-II. I wouldn't expect any problems with either, based on my experience.
Good Shooting, CoyDog
 
jdthaddeus,

I have one of each, the 1x4 Vari-X II is on my 10/22 Ruger and the 1.5x5 Vari-X III is on my .35 Whelen.

The 1.5x5 is a little brighter than the 1x4 and also has click adjustments. BOTH scopes have Leupold's lifetime warranty that covers any problems.

The 1x4 comes in gloss black finish, not gloss silver finish, while the 1.5x5 comes in both gloss black and matte black finish.
 
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