Leupold Scope Resolution

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heeler

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I had a funny thing happen with my Leupold VX-1 2x7 scope the other day at the range.
Since deer season is fast approaching I took out three rifles to shoot and make sure the scopes were still on.
The other two rifles are equipped with the older Nikon Monarch UCC scopes,one in 3x9x40 and the other 2x7x32.
Both are superb scopes.
Of course since both use those fast focus eye pieces you almost always have to turn the thing to get a crisp focus at the paper target that is 100 yards away.
No problems both scopes were dead on.
Then came my turn with the VX-1.
For the life of me I could not get a sharp focus at all.
I actually had to use my reading glasses to focus clearly on the target and shoot.
Is this my scope and it needs to go back or me??
This scope has always been bright and clear with no focus issues at all.
Hard to believe from one year to the next something like this could occur.
Again my Monarchs were crystal clear in focus resolution.
It is 10 years old and has never been hard handled,in other words dropped,banged into something etc.
If it is the scope what causes this??

In my life I had a new 3x9 Denver Redfield break a reticle after a very hard fall due to ice and I had another straight 6 power Redfield that clouded up but that scope was close to 35 years old.
 
I could not guess the problem, but the solution may be to send it back to Leupold. I had a Leupold that, for unknown reasons would not adjust. Sent it in and they sent a new scope immediately. The new one has been flawless, just like all my Leupolds.
 
Not sure I'd bother sending it back to Leupold.
I've seen the exact same thing in my Leupolds in the last couple years, including the ones I've owned for twenty five years.

Pretty sure all of them didn't lose their focus at the same time every one of the newspaper presses all got really rough in their printing.
 
A 10 year old Leupold isn't a VX1. It's a VX-I, which is like a Rifleman but with older technology and 10 years of wear and tear.
Sounds like an upgraded new scope would be worth while.
 
I guess I will be sending it back to Leupold after hunting season.
One thing though.
The lack of sharp clarity at the paper target does not affect the scopes ability to get the job done.
Using nothing more than Federal Blue Box 150 gr. .308 that little Remington 600 Mohawk put three shots together that could be covered with a quarter.
Thanks.
 
Unlock the rear bell and set the diopter for your eye. That you used your eye glasses to see clearly tells me you don't have your scope set to your eye.
 
Coltdriver.
No amount of turning the focus adjustment brings it clear.
I actually like Leupolds and Weaver because of the locking ring that keeps the focus set at it's adjusted point unlike many other scopes such as my Nikon and Burris that is a fast focus eye ring that is not locked.
 
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Haxby...At first I was confused by your post but a bit of research made me aware that there is in fact a difference between my 2003 built VX-I and the now newer VX-1.
Obviously Leupold has gotten into gear and made a lot of improvements to these scopes in the last few years.
 
The eyepiece should be used to bring the reticle into focus, not the target.

If the target itself is out of focus at 100 yards, it does sound like a problem with the scope. Leupold will fix it, though I know that doesn't help you with hunting season so close.
 
Actually it should be both.
Again.both of my Monarchs bring the reticle and target crystal clear at 100 yards with the slightest adjustment of the eye piece.
And just Sunday I took my old Ithaca LSA-55 in .243 out to the range and it is topped with an older Bushnell legend 2x7x32 scope and after minor adjustment of the eye piece both reticle and target were quite clear.
Alas,something is wrong with my old VX-I.:(
 
Send it to Leupold after the season. If there's anything wrong with the scope, they will fix it. I've had them repair a couple of mine.
 
Heeler, you're seeing the effects of the target being in or near the focal length of the scope and minor adjustments being made by your eye. You could say it's sort of a coincidence, but it's intentional by the manufacturer based on the ranges at which they figure you'll use the scope.

The adjustable eyepiece on every scope I'm familiar with, and specifically on Leupolds, is there to adjust the focus of the reticle. It will slightly effect the overall focus of the target, but that's a secondary effect rather than the intended purpose.

Either way, I hope they get it fixed for you quickly.
 
I wonder if the lenses aren't just dirty. I would take a good cleaner for eye glasses and clean the lenses before you do anything else. If one of the lenses has a coating of gun oil that may be the problem.
 
For the life of me I could not get a sharp focus at all.
Click to expand...
Adjust the eye-piece focus.

Without looking through it.

Turn the eye-piece one way or another.

Then pull it up and look at the sky.

Keep adjusting in or out, until you can pull it up and look at the sky and see the cross-hairs clearly.

DO NOT stare through it while cranking the eyepiece bell in & out.
(Your eyeball will try to adjust to the out of focus scope faster then you can screw it in or out.)

Once done, it will be in focus for your eye.
 
yup those first generation vx1s were nothing to write home about. The newer ones are hands down better in optical performance.
 
It is not oil or dirty lenses guys.
And it is not my lack of adjusting correctly as I have stated before.
The scope,for what ever reason, just will not focus sharply....Period.

I recently bought a new VX-2 in 2x7 to replace the old VX-I.
I will send the old one back at the end of hunting season and see what becomes of it.
I own enough rifles to find a new home for it.
 
The adjustment really is just for the reticle. And you really do it pointed at the sky as recommended. And the adjustment and zero will change a little with different glasses or other such changes.

I'd send it in for free service. Or update the scope. Those lens coatings don't stay as new forever.
 
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