Leupold vs. Swarovski/Zeiss scopes?
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cratz2
Member
I have one 26mm Swarovski 6x42 and one 30mm Zeiss 2.5-10x52. I've also owned another Swarovski 26mm 6x42, Kahles 1" 6x42 and 30mm Kahles 1.5-6x42. The three I no longer sold were sold either seperately or with a rifle and were sold for more than I paid for them. They have all been excellent but must say, the Swarovsi 6x42s have been the best. Unbelievably bright.
I have experience with a current VariX II 6-18x40AO and a current VariX III 2.5-8x and an older VariX III 4.5-14x50.
There is no comparison of any of the Leupolds to any of the European glass I've onwed. NONE! You may not want to pay for the difference but the difference is huge. On a moonlit night with snow on the ground, the Swarovskis are completely and utterly clear and bright. I just cannot convey the difference.
SWFA has a list of used optics available at www.samplelist.com that offers some savings over even discounted pricing. I have bought from Chris and the descriptions are accurate.
I've also been impressed with the Weaver Grand Slams that compare to the VariX IIIs at a price a but below that of the VariX IIs. And IOR Valdada glass is very impressive but their customer service is dreadful. I was actually told that it would be a few months before they would attempt to repair a scope I called them about. Horrible!
I have experience with a current VariX II 6-18x40AO and a current VariX III 2.5-8x and an older VariX III 4.5-14x50.
There is no comparison of any of the Leupolds to any of the European glass I've onwed. NONE! You may not want to pay for the difference but the difference is huge. On a moonlit night with snow on the ground, the Swarovskis are completely and utterly clear and bright. I just cannot convey the difference.
SWFA has a list of used optics available at www.samplelist.com that offers some savings over even discounted pricing. I have bought from Chris and the descriptions are accurate.
I've also been impressed with the Weaver Grand Slams that compare to the VariX IIIs at a price a but below that of the VariX IIs. And IOR Valdada glass is very impressive but their customer service is dreadful. I was actually told that it would be a few months before they would attempt to repair a scope I called them about. Horrible!
scopes
I had a Swarovski scope with one of my 50's, it was a 10X 42mm scope with a 50 caliber ladder reticle. I have 8-10 Leupolds from 4x fixed, 3X9's and 12X fixed on various rifles. I couldn't notice any difference in brightness or clarity between the Swarovski and the Leupolds. Other European optics I have are a Leica spotting scope which is incredible, and some 8X56 Swarovski binnoc's that I wouldn't trade for any other pair.
I had a Swarovski scope with one of my 50's, it was a 10X 42mm scope with a 50 caliber ladder reticle. I have 8-10 Leupolds from 4x fixed, 3X9's and 12X fixed on various rifles. I couldn't notice any difference in brightness or clarity between the Swarovski and the Leupolds. Other European optics I have are a Leica spotting scope which is incredible, and some 8X56 Swarovski binnoc's that I wouldn't trade for any other pair.
Has anyone noted that the more expensive Euro scopes tend to have larger objectives on average than, say, a Leupold? I was just browsing BearBasin.com and noticed this trend. They don't even list a 40mm objective for Zeiss or Swarovski (except the Zeiss Conquest which is considered the "value" line). Zeiss and Swarovski both skip the 40mm and go straight to 42mm. Could the larger-than-average objectives have something to do with the notion than Euro scopes are brighter? Doesn't a larger objective let in more light? Has anyone compared a 50mm Leupold to a comparable 50mm Zeiss?
cratz2
Member
The standard for European glass is to have a 7mm exit pupil. 6x scopes will have a 42mm obj, a 8x scope will have a 52mm obj. American compaines tend to have a 32mm obj for compact scopes, 40mm obj for standard scopes and a 56mm obj for big honkin scopes. I really think it has more to do with the quality of glass and the coatings. The little 3-9x36 Zeiss is plenty bright.
Marshall
Member
It's all in the optics not the size of objective lense when comparing quality and brightness from scope to scope. The same brand with the same optics, yes, a larger objective lense will provide a brighter sight.
cheygriz
member
I believe Jeeper is spot on! Like copmparing a Vette to a Farrari.
Just another example of "you get what you pay for."
And BTW, I am one of Leupold's biggest fans. But a $450 Leupold just can't be compared to a $1200 Hensoldt. apples and oranges.
Just another example of "you get what you pay for."
And BTW, I am one of Leupold's biggest fans. But a $450 Leupold just can't be compared to a $1200 Hensoldt. apples and oranges.
Bottom Gun
Member
My two Zeiss are much better than my two Leupold scopes.
Mikul
Member
I was at a dealer's table at a gun show who carried all manner of scopes. He had everything from Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, and Schmidt & Bender.
Zeiss, Swarovski and Kahles were nearly identical in clarity and brightness. There were differences, but I couldn't pin it on model or manufacturer.
The Leupold was a small step down. It's quality glass and I thought it was nice until I picked up the others.
I had never heard of Schmidt and Bender (S&B) before and I didn't expect much considering the big three that I had looked at were nearly identical, but the S&B glass was MUCH brighter and clearer. Even the optics geek that I brought with me was impressed.
Zeiss, Swarovski and Kahles were nearly identical in clarity and brightness. There were differences, but I couldn't pin it on model or manufacturer.
The Leupold was a small step down. It's quality glass and I thought it was nice until I picked up the others.
I had never heard of Schmidt and Bender (S&B) before and I didn't expect much considering the big three that I had looked at were nearly identical, but the S&B glass was MUCH brighter and clearer. Even the optics geek that I brought with me was impressed.
I used to buy only Leupolds,and they are good.But when I looked through a Zeiss Conquest 3x9,my mind was made up to buy this brand and forget Leupold. I've had the scope for two years and really like it. I want to buy more of them in different powers. Running out of money quickly.
swifter
Member
The kraut scopes may well be better. I always thought they were too proud of 'em, but considering the current situation, the krauts can eat their superior optics before I buy 'em.
I'm not planning on a BMW or Mercedes, either
Druther have our Lexus anyway.
Tom
I'm not planning on a BMW or Mercedes, either Druther have our Lexus anyway. Tom
One other word of warning. If you do not already own a Swarovski, Zeiss, or Kalles scope you must think of the reprecussions. All your other scopes will look dirty. I was happy with my old Simmons I had on my mod 700 deer rifle until I bought a Swarovski to put on my long range gun target rifle. Now I am always trying to clean my other scopes but they don't get any better.
cheygriz
member
Mikul,
Interesting post. I have never owned a Schmidy & Bender, but I've had the oppurtunity to shoot two rifles equipped with them.. You say the Leupold is a small step down from the Zeiss etc. I agree. I think the S&B may very well be a small step UP from them. Just MNSHO!
Interesting post. I have never owned a Schmidy & Bender, but I've had the oppurtunity to shoot two rifles equipped with them.. You say the Leupold is a small step down from the Zeiss etc. I agree. I think the S&B may very well be a small step UP from them. Just MNSHO!
cratz2
Member
I guess I'm an on-again off-again glass snob. The centerfire rifle I shoot the most has a Zeiss 2-10x52 V series scope mounted and the scope I mount on new guns to play around with is an older Swarovski. I like them a lot. They are both very bright and perfectly clear and few scopes I've looked through compare to them and I look through these scopes all the time.
When it's time to shoot off some rimfire ammo, I'm usually looking through a Bushnell Banner 4-12 scope that, while no where near as impressive as the above scopes, serves perfectly well in its role. And it's held its zero very closely for about 4 years now. This is the rifle (22 magnum) I use the most and it has been banged up and dropped a couple times, once from a deer stand onto the brush below. I can't fault the Bushnell one bit.
Funny thing is, I have these nice scopes, as well as a couple Leupolds and a couple Weaver Grand Slams and I still think the BSA Contender is a good line of scopes.
When it's time to shoot off some rimfire ammo, I'm usually looking through a Bushnell Banner 4-12 scope that, while no where near as impressive as the above scopes, serves perfectly well in its role. And it's held its zero very closely for about 4 years now. This is the rifle (22 magnum) I use the most and it has been banged up and dropped a couple times, once from a deer stand onto the brush below. I can't fault the Bushnell one bit.
Funny thing is, I have these nice scopes, as well as a couple Leupolds and a couple Weaver Grand Slams and I still think the BSA Contender is a good line of scopes.
cheygriz
member
Cratz2,
Hey, if the BSA line works for you, more power to you.
I guess I'm a bit of a glass snob too, but I'm also one of Leupold's biggest fans. They work for me.
Hey, if the BSA line works for you, more power to you.
I guess I'm a bit of a glass snob too, but I'm also one of Leupold's biggest fans. They work for me.
Crimper-D
Member
Slightly Different experience here...
Got a Leupold VariXII 4x9 and 2 Unertl fixed power externally adjusted scopes, 10XSuper Varmint and a 2" 24X Target scope.
The Leupold has no AO, and shoots out of zero on a regular basis.
Despite their wierd flimsey appearence and Looong tubes, the Unertl's both have superior light gathering ability and it takes a deliberate act to shift their zero. Precise yes, delecate, no.
I'm looking forward to a groundsquirrel shoot with a borrowed rifle scoped with a Zeiss - type not known... I'll be interested to compare it with the Unertl Super Varmint on my .22Hornet
Put the Leupold on one of my .22LR's = still gets out of zero often.:banghead:
Got a Leupold VariXII 4x9 and 2 Unertl fixed power externally adjusted scopes, 10XSuper Varmint and a 2" 24X Target scope.
The Leupold has no AO, and shoots out of zero on a regular basis.
Despite their wierd flimsey appearence and Looong tubes, the Unertl's both have superior light gathering ability and it takes a deliberate act to shift their zero. Precise yes, delecate, no.
I'm looking forward to a groundsquirrel shoot with a borrowed rifle scoped with a Zeiss - type not known... I'll be interested to compare it with the Unertl Super Varmint on my .22Hornet
Put the Leupold on one of my .22LR's = still gets out of zero often.:banghead:
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