Point Blank
New member
Is a Leupold 3x9x32 a "status qou" scope or is it really that good?? What makes it better than my Simmons 3x9x32.My Simmons is clear,and i can see a fly at 100 yards.What else do you need??
Simmons -vs-Leupold
- Thread starter Point Blank
- Start date
Jerry Stordahl
New member
Pointblank: I only own Leupolds and consider their quality second to none. In addition to the overall excellence, they offer a warranty that is remarkable. It isn't just the glass that counts. Take into consideration the internals and the lens coatings used. It is always worthwhile to pay more up front for the best.
WalterGAII
Moderator
This is a joke, right?
Stephen Ewing
New member
I have to admit, I think Walter nailed it.
Still, assuming it's serious, Jerry's point about the coatings is well taken, and I'd add durability right at the top of the list. Leupolds have better eye-relief (generally) than Simmons, the light transmission is better, the warranty is better, the parallax is less, zoom changes point of aim less, etc. The Leupold is also a 3-9X40 or X50, and that's increasing the brute force of the exit pupil math, without even going into any difference in quality whatsoever.
Just out of curiousity, these words of praise for a Simmons weren't born on a bright sunny afternoon at the range, were they? You want to see a Leupold eat a Simmons alive, you go out into the backwoods at dusk.
Having said all of that, if the Simmons is doing what you want it to do, and you're happy with it, tell all of us to have a Coke and a smile, and to shut the heck up.
Steve
[Edited by Stephen Ewing on 04-22-2001 at 02:32 AM]
Still, assuming it's serious, Jerry's point about the coatings is well taken, and I'd add durability right at the top of the list. Leupolds have better eye-relief (generally) than Simmons, the light transmission is better, the warranty is better, the parallax is less, zoom changes point of aim less, etc. The Leupold is also a 3-9X40 or X50, and that's increasing the brute force of the exit pupil math, without even going into any difference in quality whatsoever.
Just out of curiousity, these words of praise for a Simmons weren't born on a bright sunny afternoon at the range, were they? You want to see a Leupold eat a Simmons alive, you go out into the backwoods at dusk.
Having said all of that, if the Simmons is doing what you want it to do, and you're happy with it, tell all of us to have a Coke and a smile, and to shut the heck up.
Steve
[Edited by Stephen Ewing on 04-22-2001 at 02:32 AM]
rugerfreak
New member
Get Real. In no way can a Simmons compare to a Leupold.
[Edited by Art Eatman on 04-21-2001 at 09:45 PM]
[Edited by Art Eatman on 04-21-2001 at 09:45 PM]
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I'm not familiar with the 3x9x32 scopes you mention, but I can offer some comparisons between the two brands.
I used a Vari-X II 3X9 on my '06 from 1973 through 1997. It worked well, never losing its zero from one year to the next, nor when accompanying me on involuntary, high speed descents down mountainsides.
For no particular reason other than "try something new", I put on a Simmons "44 mag", 3 or 3.5X10 (I forget, and I'm too lazy to go look.) I moved the Leupold to a bolt-action .223.
So far, all's well. The Simmons has held up while riding around rough jeep trails in my 4X4 without losing its zero. I've gotten tight groups at 100 yards; I took an antelope at around 100-125 yards; and I've gotten under MOA at 500 yards. I have no reason to complain.
The acid test is to shoot one shot at 100 yards on nine power; reduce to three power and shoot again. If the shots are within the usual group size for your rifle, you're in good shape.
All that said, I agree that the Leupold will serve a bit better at dawn and dusk, due to the better quality coatings. I'd also assume better repeatibility on the adjustments. (I rarely change the adjustments with range, in a hunting rifle. Once set, I leave it, so repeatibility is not an issue for me.)
Hope this BS helps,
Art
I used a Vari-X II 3X9 on my '06 from 1973 through 1997. It worked well, never losing its zero from one year to the next, nor when accompanying me on involuntary, high speed descents down mountainsides.
For no particular reason other than "try something new", I put on a Simmons "44 mag", 3 or 3.5X10 (I forget, and I'm too lazy to go look.) I moved the Leupold to a bolt-action .223.
So far, all's well. The Simmons has held up while riding around rough jeep trails in my 4X4 without losing its zero. I've gotten tight groups at 100 yards; I took an antelope at around 100-125 yards; and I've gotten under MOA at 500 yards. I have no reason to complain.
The acid test is to shoot one shot at 100 yards on nine power; reduce to three power and shoot again. If the shots are within the usual group size for your rifle, you're in good shape.
All that said, I agree that the Leupold will serve a bit better at dawn and dusk, due to the better quality coatings. I'd also assume better repeatibility on the adjustments. (I rarely change the adjustments with range, in a hunting rifle. Once set, I leave it, so repeatibility is not an issue for me.)
Hope this BS helps,
Art
With scopes you tend to get what you pay for but the trick is to only pay for those things that you need. Shotgun hunters don't need high magnification, plinkers don't need massive light gathering capabilities, deer hunters don't need adjustable objectives, etc.
Figure out what you need, what the specific scope offers and then buy it. Going into a rainy, foggy place then maybe the Bushnell Elite with Rainguard is your choice. Hunting at night in Germany would suggest an Leupold LPS for its spectacular light gathering capabilities. For walk around varmint hunting at reasonable distances a Simmons AETEC is a fine choice. A .22 tin can killer can go through life with just about any make and model.
Only pay for those things you you need but, at the same time, don't expect more of your scope than you can reasonably expect it to give. I once had a hunting trip ruined because I'd cheaped out on optics. My scope and binoculars (not Simmons) both crapped out on a damp and cold day. Another member of the party showed me some more expensive optics and I haven't looked back but I also haven't bought anything that didn't suit the intended purposes.
Figure out what you need, what the specific scope offers and then buy it. Going into a rainy, foggy place then maybe the Bushnell Elite with Rainguard is your choice. Hunting at night in Germany would suggest an Leupold LPS for its spectacular light gathering capabilities. For walk around varmint hunting at reasonable distances a Simmons AETEC is a fine choice. A .22 tin can killer can go through life with just about any make and model.
Only pay for those things you you need but, at the same time, don't expect more of your scope than you can reasonably expect it to give. I once had a hunting trip ruined because I'd cheaped out on optics. My scope and binoculars (not Simmons) both crapped out on a damp and cold day. Another member of the party showed me some more expensive optics and I haven't looked back but I also haven't bought anything that didn't suit the intended purposes.
Point Blank
New member
Thanks to all that responded.The3x9x32 Simmons is my first scope,it came mounted on a Savage 30-06..think its called a "package deal".Been reading here about how good the Leupold is so i have been shopping for a used one.My wife has me "almost" brainwashed into believing that Simmons is "good enough" for me(Hahahahaahaha)She said if i hunted deer than maybe i would need a better scope.Thanks again.
The late great Gale MacMillan once said here at TFL that the lens were all made by one company. It is the care and quality with which they are assembled that makes the difference. He concluded that Leupolds were the best, had a lifetime warranty which applied to successive owners, and that you paid for that quality and warranty when you bought their scope.
I have several non-Leupold scopes, and they all work well, but I'll always stay with Leupold for serious work.
I have several non-Leupold scopes, and they all work well, but I'll always stay with Leupold for serious work.
brianidaho
New member
I've got a Simmons on my FAL right now-need to save up for the Leupold. The adjustments aren't worth a darn on the Simmons-they aren't consistant when sighting in, and forget about moving range to range, way too much hysterisis (sp!). Still, when dialed in, it seems to hold OK. For a well under $100 scope, its not bad on a "fun gun". I sure wouldn't trust one on a hunting rifle, where you bust a$$ all season and it all comes down to one shot. Bummer of a time to find the cheap scope is a POS .
.