Leupold vx-5hd review + comparison

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.

Glad to hear another positive review! The guys in the video below sold me on the VX-5HD. Ordered one on Friday.

I didn't have a HD model VX-6 4-24X52 and yet it matches my Swarovski z5 5-25X52 in an optics chart at 127 yards and deer antlers at 131 yards in low light. Europe no longer has an advantage.

Long time reader looking for some help. Purchased an xbolt stainless in 300 WSM and looking at both the V4 and the Leupold. I was pretty set on the V4 as I liked the turrets until I read the 5 year warranty. Does the Leupold have a good zero stop on return?

Good review and they are priced right the only thing holding me back would be the 2 turn limit. I wonder if it's enough to get out past 1000 I like to shoot steel way out.

You end up with 37 or 38 MOA. Zeroed at 200 it'll get most long range calibers to 900-1200yds. I suggest plugging your loads into a ballistic calculator to check. I use my rifles for hunting, so the ranges won't be that extreme, but it's reassuring to know the turret has a lock and zero stop when in the field.

NZ, Glad to hear it has zero stop and I like that it locks.

Thanks

Tracking is what I am interested in.

I bought 3 of the VX-5HD 3-15x44, with the impact 29 moa reticle. I installed one on a 300 win (long range deer rifle) and the other on a 338 rum (long range elk rifle), and kept one to use later. I found what I thought was a good deal on them. Sighted both in and shot painted rocks at 500 and 800 yds, to verify the trajectory of each. Not alot of shooting yet, but they tracked perfectly during sight in, the etched reticle is dead on, and are as clear as can be. I'm using the etched reticle instead of spinning turrets, trying to keep the mechanical "aspect" to a minimum, for shooting big game. I really like these scopes, so far, and don't see how you can get more scope for the money.

FWIW, I replaced two VX-6 3-18's (first model) with the windplex reticle, with these. I sent the two VX-6's back to Leupold to have the CDS ZL changed out to CDS ZL2, and then mounted them on 22-250 and 308 varmint rifles. I'll spin the turrets on these for rock-chucks, this spring. I'll find out real quick, how repeatable the 6's are, after one session of shooting chucks.

Love my VX5s too. I believe Leupold is about to release a 4-20x also which should be good for those way out there shots.

The 4-20 is a 3 turn turret I believe too. I wonder if a guy could send in a 3-15 with the 2 turn for the 3 turn turret?