NZperson
New Member
Just bought a VX5-HD 3-15X44 Windplex, and I'm very pleasantly surprised.
This evening I sat down with a couple of other posh scopes to compare on dusk. Kahles K418, Kahles Helia CL 3-10X50, Zeiss Diavari V 2.5-10X50.
As much as I hate to admit it, the Leupold resolves slightly better than the K418 at 15power. Not much, but its just a bit easier to make out detail.
On 10 power, the Helia wins. Holds detail longer than the other scopes, but also loses reticle first (as it's a fine duplex). The Leupy actually resolved shadow detail better than the Zeiss - I could make out an iron roofed building for longer than the Zeiss. When you get to more classic hunting country, (i.e. Fields with scattered bush) the 50mm scopes hold an advantage.
All the European optics have better edge clarity and a less fussy eyebox, but when you consider the Leupy has a zero lock with 2 turns elevation, an extra 5X on the zoom ring, and 75MOA of adjustment - it's a very capable scope.
It's also good to finally own a Leupold with fixed eye relief - I hate crawling the stock, or compromising field of view by choosing a mounting position that's sort of right for both ends of the power range.
Also, for those like me who were worried the windplex may be too heavy, it's actually a good weight for a hunting reticle, and not too distracting. The website pictures make it look much heavier than it actually is.
For someone who was bought up hearing the mantra "Leupold make reliable scopes with an excellent warranty, but they aren't optically as good as the euros." I'm very impressed.
Hopefully the CDS turret tracks, and it will be a great all round hunting scope.
This evening I sat down with a couple of other posh scopes to compare on dusk. Kahles K418, Kahles Helia CL 3-10X50, Zeiss Diavari V 2.5-10X50.
As much as I hate to admit it, the Leupold resolves slightly better than the K418 at 15power. Not much, but its just a bit easier to make out detail.
On 10 power, the Helia wins. Holds detail longer than the other scopes, but also loses reticle first (as it's a fine duplex). The Leupy actually resolved shadow detail better than the Zeiss - I could make out an iron roofed building for longer than the Zeiss. When you get to more classic hunting country, (i.e. Fields with scattered bush) the 50mm scopes hold an advantage.
All the European optics have better edge clarity and a less fussy eyebox, but when you consider the Leupy has a zero lock with 2 turns elevation, an extra 5X on the zoom ring, and 75MOA of adjustment - it's a very capable scope.
It's also good to finally own a Leupold with fixed eye relief - I hate crawling the stock, or compromising field of view by choosing a mounting position that's sort of right for both ends of the power range.
Also, for those like me who were worried the windplex may be too heavy, it's actually a good weight for a hunting reticle, and not too distracting. The website pictures make it look much heavier than it actually is.
For someone who was bought up hearing the mantra "Leupold make reliable scopes with an excellent warranty, but they aren't optically as good as the euros." I'm very impressed.
Hopefully the CDS turret tracks, and it will be a great all round hunting scope.