Old 'Pold or new Nikon?

[C5rider]

I've got a friend who is offering me his Leupold Vari-X II scope. We've not worked out a price yet, but it is a nice used scope with a few dings, not terrible. I have been looking at some scopes lately and I'm just trying to figure out which way I should go in choosing a new scope for my baby.

The Nikon Prostaff 4-12 mil-dot is $180 through Midway. It's a new scope and has some of the newer geegaws like Mil-dot sight and such. Here's a link.

The Leupold is a 3-9, which will work fine and, has a great warranty from what I hear. Problem is, I compare numbers and factoids on websites but they're just numbers as I don't have a lot of reference as to what those numbers MEAN. Or, ultimately what they'll mean to me on my rifle. Either one would be much better than the one that is currently on the rifle. I'm just trying to figure out a good price for the used Leupold (for both him and me) and, at what point it would be better to add a little more to the fund and go something newer, like the Nikon Prostaff.

Thanks for any information and guidance!

 

[Ranger30-06]

I have a Nikon 2-7x that I bought for $200 at Dick's on my Springfield 1903, and let me tell you, it is hands down the best scope I have ever used. It offers as good or better clarity than the super expensive ones, but for a pretty fair price. Just my $.02

 

[almherdfan]

I just ordered the Nikon Prostaff 4X12 from my LGS. I have a Prostaff 3x9 on my 10/22 that's been great.

The Leupolds have a great rep, but I have limited experience. If your buddy gives you a great deal, take it, but all things be equal, I'd probably go with the new Nikon.

 

[C5rider]

Sounds like the price is the deciding factor as both apparently so far, have good responses. Thanks for the input. Anyone have any more to add?

 

[bbq fan]

I bought the Nikon Prostaff 4-12 because of the specs, price and warranty. Warranty is only for the orginal buyer. I received a rebate also. If I were in the market again, I would check out Redfield.
BTW I have no issues about buying used optics, but would do so on high end stuff. Good luck.

BF

 

[heeler]

Both are good scopes but I personally believe the updated Nikon Prostaff is much better.
Understand by todays standard that older Vari-XII is the equivilent of todays VX-I.
However the one thing you will not get with the Nikon is the ability to have the scope rebuilt like you will with the Vari-X or any other Leupold scope.
So in the event that five years from now your Nikon breaks they will replace it but if they have stopped production of the Prostaff you will get what they offer you where as Leupold will restore your same scope.

 

[bman940]

Heeler, While I have no idea what other scope maker's do with broken scopes I can tell you that Nikon will be standing behind what they make. ProStaff scopes have been around for a long time and will continue to be around for a long time to come. They were redesigned in 2011 and in my semi unbiased opinion an excellent scope for under $200. We'll be showing off our new 2012 Scope's next week at Shot Show in Las Vegas. A lot of very cool thing's coming out for the AR Shooter so keep your eye's peeled. We will also have some excellent promotion's that if you guy's are still interested in hearing about I will post them for you?

Here's a pic of my Father In-Law practicing at the range prior to our Ks. deer hunt this year. Practice definitely made perfect as he went 3 shots, 3 deer.
Nikon ProStaff 4-12 BDC and T/C Icon .308.
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/bman940/C.jpg

 

[heeler]

I am well aware that Nikon will stand behind it's products and I am also aware that the newer updated Prostaff is a much better scope than the old and discontinued Vari-X II.
But if the imported scope is no longer being made they will not bring it back into production.
Are you saying Nikon will rebuild that scope if that model has been discontinued??
Most Asian rim scope makers don't do that that I am aware of.
If Nikon does then I stand corrected.
Leupold on the other hand will simply rebuild that scope even if it was a 30 year old model because that's what they do.
Fwiw,I own both a Monarch UCC 3x9x40,a Monarch UCC 2x7x32,and a pair of great and lightweight 7x20 binoculars that are at least 20 years old and well used.
Very curious about the rebuild or replace on a discontinued item though.

 

[LoonWulf]

I own 3 nikons, and really like them. Along with the bushnell 4200s, they perform the best for MY eyes.
Leupold offers a good scope at a decent price, and great customer service should it be required. I have used a number on other peoples rifles but dont own any as Ive never found one I liked.
Ive never had to have nikon repair an old scope. I MIGHT see if they are willing to refurbish my ...3-9x40, Box didnt have a scope line on it just Nikon, from 99. The coatings on the objective lenses are pretty badly worn, well see. I had to send my 1-4 .223 scope back after falling on it, out on a lava flow...my mini didnt take any damage thankfully....mostly because it, and I landed on the scope. Nikon replaced it inside of two weeks...cant complain there.

 

[briantf]

I don't buy Leupolds any longer; I sold off a VX-1 and the 3-9x40 VX-II I have was on an NRA raffle rifle I won in 2006. My Dad's Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 bought about the same time is CLEARLY a better piece of glass, simple as that. My 3 Bushnell Elite 4200's are better still, in MY opinion, but they cost a bunch more, too.

I bought a used & carefully prepped Savage 12FVSS in 223 with Leupold bases and rings - and an Elite 4200 6-24x40 AO MilDot. I dumped the factory stock (it sucked), the Leupold mounts and rings went in favor of a Farrell 0MOA 1 piece, and I lucked into a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 SF MilDot at a price I couldn't pass up. The features on the Zeiss are better, the eyebox on the Zeiss is more forgiving at 20x, BUT the glass on the Elite 4200 absolutely hangs with the Zeiss, even with a smaller objective. I would buy a Zeiss 3-9x40 for $399 over another Leupold VX-II for $299 in a heartbeat - but a $200 Nikon Buckmaster for $219 would make me think more than twice.....

I see many old/experienced shooters at my range and they have embraced the Nikon Monarch series as the best "value" in mid-range glass, over the 4200 series. I totally respect that and when I buy my next scope, Nikon will be at the top of my list. Assuming I don't find another killer deal on a warranteed Conquest.....

Incidentally, that 4200 6-24x40 looks GREAT on my 10/22, and the AO is always set for 100 yards on that rifle.....

Regards,
Brian in CA

 

[slowr1der]

Out of those two choices, I'd go with the Prostaff. I've had a Vari X IIc, actually 2 of them, as well as current model VX-I's, and a VX-II. To be honest the Vari X IIc was my favorite, of them, but I'd still go with the Prostaff as the older one I owned I liked better. However, I think there are better options out there.

I don't own any of the new Prostaffs, but I owned a previous model Prostaff and while it didn't have great glass or great turrets, it was a tough reliable scope with decent glass. Overall, I thought the glass was very similar to the VX-I's/Vari X IIs. I couldn't really tell a difference except for the Leupolds may have had a hair less chromatic aberration on the upper powers, but it was very close. The difference was that I've had several problems with the VX-I's losing zero, and the Nikon never lost zero on me, and I was fairly rough on it. I think it's a more reliable scope.

The new Prostaff upgraded the turrets and glass so I'd like to check it out.

I now have 2 Monarchs, and they have much better turrets, but I was disappointing to see that I didn't see much of a difference in the glass quality. On 8x and 9x, I see a lot of chromatic aberration which kind of turns me off from it. I've also noticed that over time from constant twisting of the turrets, it doesn't seem to go back to my original zero. This isn't a big deal if you set them and then don't touch it, but it is a problem if you are constantly twisting them in the field. That said, it's a solid reliable scope, with decent glass, and for someone that isn't a turret twister it's a decent choice.

However, there is also the Burris FFII that you can get for under $200 and imo, the ones I've had, and I've had several have all had better glass than the Monarach, and the VX-II's I've had. It's turrets track well for me, but aren't the best for constant dialing as you can't reset them to show your zero. However, for $80 Burris will add their tactical turrets, if you need them. This is the way I'd go in this price range.

I'd also check out the Vortex Vipers, as well as Sightrons offerings in this price range.

Check them out and see which one has the best glass to your eyes, and which one has the features that fit your needs. Any of them should be pretty reliable. I'd then go with whichever one you like best.

 

[Elkins45]

Are the new ProStaff models made in Japan, China, Malasya or the Phillipines? If I'm buying non-US scopes I prefer ones that are made in Japan. I think the Sightron Japanese-made scopes are better quality than the Nikon ProStaff models I've owned that weren't. I can't remember if my ProStaffs were made in Malasya or the Phillipines, but the optics weren't any better than my Loupolds and one of them is oozing grease. It has only been taken to the range a couple of times and never handled roughly.

 

[heeler]

Elkins,I am pretty sure the Nikons are made in the Phillipines.
My Monarchs are.
My old Nikon binoculars are made in Japan.
I also know Weavers better scopes are made in Japan.
At least the 3x9x40 varible power I looked at a few weeks ago was.

 

[Countryguy1982]

I am a huge nikon fan. Love the PROSTAFF for the ( PRICE) and the buckmaster. Fantastic scopes and i have bought SEVERAL prostaff 3x9x40 on ebay for $100 new in box. JUST bought the 4x12x40 prostaff. Fantastic. All i use my scopes for is hunting . Hunting.and more hunting. I will say this. I have had a few rifleman , vx I and Vx II leupolds. and other than just exterior looks i cannot tell the leupolds being any better. I know someone will want to kick me in the ass for saying that , or look at me like i took a pee on their rose bushes. and i am speaking from nothing but experience. I have hunted for probably 18 years. and the last 6 or 7 years , its been EVERY weekend from the time small game in ga opens in august till may when turkey season closes. I do Gun dipping for a living along with Custom Tactical coatings like duracoat and teflon coating. I have my hands on scopes damn near every day of the week , from your $40 tasco pronghorn to your High end leupolds and swarovski . Bottom line its hard to beat a nikon for the price. The clarity is great, The light gathering ability is way above its price range. And to me their isn't much difference in light gathering from the nikon prostaff to the leupold vx II scopes. Only major difference is price. I am sure there is a lil bit of difference when it gets up there in the High end scopes. Is it $600 to $800 worth of difference ? Not to me its not! That nikon will serve you well , Has a great warranty and will gather light well beyond legal shooting light. ONLY complaint I have with them is in the rain!. you get rain on the outer lense and it smudges and smears. ( leupolds ) will do it to though . Bout the best ive seen for that though is the bushnell's with rainguard coatings. This is an easy EASY EASY fix though. get some rain X at the local auto parts, wipe it on your lens, and it does fantastic. go with the NIKON brother! you will love it