SCOPECHIEF

OK . . . Bearbasin.com and SWFA.com have the 2X-7X Gloss VX-1 for $179.95.  You will have to contact them about the "Rifleman."  Neither of them listed the Rifleman on the web.  The matte might look better on a Ruger?

Hate to mention it, but you COULD get the Bushnell Scopechief for $80 . . .

If you haven't seen them yet, Smith & Wesson is peddling scopes now!  I have a suspicion they are made by Bushnell - they have "Rainshield" coating . . . much like the Elites.  Pricey though.

Edited by pocketnavy

With all of the recent changes, it can be difficult know exactly how each product will perform.  Every scope Leupold currently produces, including the Rifleman, is made in the USA, fully coated (all lenses, internal and external, are coated), and utilizes glass, coatings, and optical systems of equal or better quality than the discontinued Vari-X II's of the past.  The price of the Rifleman is lower due to increased efficiency in our production process, not from reduced quality.

To make things easier, I have compiled a brief summary of our current scope lines as well as the features belonging to each. 
It is important to note that every lens (internal and external) in every Leupold scope is coated, but the type coatings will vary.   "Fully multicoated" means that each lens is coated with multiple layers of lens coatings, such as Multicoat 4.  "Fully coated" means that each lens is coated with a single lens coating; Leupold uses magnesium fluoride.

-LPS
The LPS line uses 1/4 MOA, low profile, finger-adjustable adjustments and our Diamondcoat lens coatings producing a total light transmission figure of approximately 94%.  It is important to note that Leupold light transmission figures are measured as a total, throughout the entire optical system - on a per lens basis the light transmission totals are well above 99%
-Vari-X III
The Vari-X III line has seen little change and is still optically the same as those produced in the 90's.  Vari-X III's utilize 1/4 MOA "click" adjustments and are fully multicoated with Multicoat 4, producing a total light transmission figure of approximately 92%. 
-VX-II
The VX-II line uses a combination of Vari-X III and Vari-X II (discontinued) technology.  VX-II's also utilize 1/4 MOA "click" adjustments, but the lens coatings are different.  The external lenses are coated with Multicoat 4 and the internal lenses are coated with magnesium fluoride, producing a total light transmission figure of approximately 86%.
-VX-1
The NEW VX-1 also utilizes a combination of Vari-X III and Vari-X II technology, utilizing 1/4 MOA friction (non-clicking) adjustments.  The external lenses are multicoated and the internal lenses use magnesium fluoride, also producing a total light transmission figure of approximately 86%.
-Rifleman
Though the Rifleman line of scopes uses a different maintube (for aesthetic reasons), it is optically the same as the Vari-X II (discontinued for 2001).  The adjustments are exactly the same as the Vari-X II (1/2 MOA friction) as are the lenses and coatings.  All lenses, internal and external are coated with magnesium fluoride, providing a total light transmission value of approximately 82%.  Basically, the Rifleman is a newer-looking matte version of the Vari-X II that helped build the Leupold reputation.


I hope this helps reduce confusion.  If you have any further questions, we will be more than happy discuss them.

Regards,

Tim Lesser



Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400

Hey DFC  >>  Can you clear something up.  The customer Service Rep's comment     ...

"Every scope Leupold currently produces, including the Rifleman, is made in the USA"

...     raises a question.  I was under the impression that Burris was the only scope with all parts completely manufactured, then assembled here in the good ole USA.  And that Leupold was getting their glass from Japan and doing the final assembly here.  Do ya know anything about that?  Not that I have anything against Leupolds, Burris, or Japanese glass.  Just curious if an answer to this has come up in your chats with Leupold.  >>  klallen

Should i get the VX-1 or the Rifleman??? The VX-1 seems to be more advanced for the same price. Dakota, i need you to check out the VX-1 and compare it to the VX-2 ASAP. LOL

NH_Hunter

That is a good point, Kingpin. Since i extremely limited experience in the Optics field, i can not say whether or not you are telling the truth. From what i have READ (I just want to put emphisis{sp?} on this) cheaper optics are worse. Well, i can easily tell the difference between my Tasco (yes i do own a tasco, maybe will eventually put it on my paintball gun) and my dad's Leupie VX-2's. The Redfield is in between the two, and slightly better than my dad's bushnell. In fact, the bushie might even be a Scopechief. It is a 4-12x40 AO.

NH_Hunter

Things are a bit slower getting to us up here in Canada, so I got my first chance to look through a new Sightron 3x9 today at the local Gunstore. It definitely didn't make me want to take off one of my Leupolds and slap the Sightron on instead. Certainly a bit less money than a new VXIII, though. Regards, Eagleye.