Thoughts on Leupold VX-2 1-4x20?

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Stick Man

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Looking at getting a new low power variable, prefer it go be in the $300 range. The Leupold VX-2 1-4 looks good, but I hear a lot about it being overpriced and not much of a step up from economy models. Thoughts on that? If I don't get the Leupold I imagine I'll go with a Nikon Monarch 3 1-4 because I hear a lot of good about it, but I'm more interested in the VX-2 because it's lighter and I'm trying to save ounces.
For a Winchester Featherweight Compact, 308.
 
Don't know about that particular model but I have the 1-4x20 Hog Plex and it's great.
1x gives you nice large field of view and 4x is just right for 100-150yrd targets.
Plus the Nikon stuff seems to have a lot of black inside the eye box (edges) compared to the Leupold.
I'd definitely look through the Nikon before you buy.
 
I've looked at the popular 1-4x20's, and settled on a Leupold FX-II. It's a fixed 4x33 with good glass, and though just a hair short for my .30-06, would work perfect on a .308.

Reasons I went for the 4x were;
- Simplicity
- Weight; It's 9.3oz.
- Cost; When I looked at the glass features compared to the VX-3 line at the time, they had the same coatings and features. I don't know for sure if it's the exact same glass, but the site sure made it seem that way, and in use, it provides a very clear image with good contrast. I don't feel gipped either way.
- Exit pupil diameter at 4x; A 1-4x20 will have an exit pupil smaller than your own dilated pupil at ~2.5x. Meaning, going over 2.5x can become too dark at the very first/last light of a hunt. And that's my experience in real world use. For only 2.5x, I'd rather use an Aimpoint Micro. But since I use a scope to help me see in that first/last light, I want a nice bright 3-4x. Never felt the need to go over that.

I'm not trying to sell you on the fixed power, just sharing what my thought process was when in a similar boat, and the brightness was the largest motivating factor in me getting a fixed 4x over a 1-4x20.

If I wanted a variable with a good low end, Leupold's VX3i 1.75-6x32 makes a lot of sense to me. It weighs 10.9oz, so it does add 2.8 oz over the VX2 1-4x20, but it's still lightweight, and you get a brighter image across the entire range of magnification. And the actual magnification is 1.9x-5.5x (vs. the VX2's actual magnification of 1.4x-4x), so you aren't giving up too much FOV on the low end. Something worth considering, and it's one I'm planning on grabbing in the next couple months.

All of Leupold's 1-4x20's that I've used have been great daytime optics in my experience. If the VX-2 1-4x20 offers the right brightness and image quality for you, roll with it.
 
I looked long and hard between the VX-2 1-4x20 and the Monarch 1x4.

Everyone has their own preference but for my eyes the Monarch 1x4 hands down was the best of the two and I think the winner of the compact 1x4 scopes. I have several of these on rifles or setup for backup scopes. The German #4a reticle is the best reticle for hunting IMO.

The few extra ounces of weight are worth it.
 
The VX-1 and VX-2 are both good quality scopes, especially those made after 2011. A newer VX-1 is essentially the same scope as a comparable VX-2 made prior to January 2012 and is a very good value. The newer VX-2's were also improved at the time. I have a couple of VX-2's in 3-9X40 on my go-to big game rifles, but I also have some VX-'s in 1-4X20 mounted on AR's and I really need to buy another for a lever rifle I want to scope. For my money the VX-1 is the value leader.

I also own a couple of Monarchs, but in 2-8X32. Within the same price range Nikon tends to have slightly better glass. I'll give them credit where it is due. If that is your primary purpose they are good dependable scopes. But I don't like the reticles, they are a LOT heavier, have less eye relief and the view through the scopes is a lot like looking through a cardboard paper towel tube. You get a thick black ring that obstructs a large portion of the view at the outer edges of the scope. Most other brands only have a very thin dark line at the edges.
 
I checked the 2012 print catalog and the current one on line. Anyone can check the specs if they want.
Glad you like your scope.
 
I have a VX-2 1x4 on Ruger 77/357. My reason for the VX-2 is that it's a very good 50-200 yd hunting scope. The idea is you can dial it down for a 75' field of view if hunting in the brush, say maybe hogs or deer. I honestly don't think you could find a better scope for an AR. It's small, light and gets excellent reviews. I'm sold on Leupold scopes.

If all you want is a scope for the range then go with a fixed power scope. Most range shooters just dial it up to the highest power and leave it there anyway.
 
Inebriated said:
I've looked at the popular 1-4x20's, and settled on a Leupold FX-II. It's a fixed 4x33 with good glass, and though just a hair short for my .30-06, would work perfect on a .308.

Reasons I went for the 4x were;
- Simplicity
- Weight; It's 9.3oz.
- Cost; When I looked at the glass features compared to the VX-3 line at the time, they had the same coatings and features. I don't know for sure if it's the exact same glass, but the site sure made it seem that way, and in use, it provides a very clear image with good contrast. I don't feel gipped either way.
- Exit pupil diameter at 4x; A 1-4x20 will have an exit pupil smaller than your own dilated pupil at ~2.5x. Meaning, going over 2.5x can become too dark at the very first/last light of a hunt. And that's my experience in real world use. For only 2.5x, I'd rather use an Aimpoint Micro. But since I use a scope to help me see in that first/last light, I want a nice bright 3-4x. Never felt the need to go over that.

I'm not trying to sell you on the fixed power, just sharing what my thought process was when in a similar boat, and the brightness was the largest motivating factor in me getting a fixed 4x over a 1-4x20.

If I wanted a variable with a good low end, Leupold's VX3i 1.75-6x32 makes a lot of sense to me. It weighs 10.9oz, so it does add 2.8 oz over the VX2 1-4x20, but it's still lightweight, and you get a brighter image across the entire range of magnification. And the actual magnification is 1.9x-5.5x (vs. the VX2's actual magnification of 1.4x-4x), so you aren't giving up too much FOV on the low end. Something worth considering, and it's one I'm planning on grabbing in the next couple months.

All of Leupold's 1-4x20's that I've used have been great daytime optics in my experience. If the VX-2 1-4x20 offers the right brightness and image quality for you, roll with it.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't a 1-4x20 scope have an exit pupil of 20 at 1 power and 5 at the 4 power?
 
Wouldn't a 1-4x20 scope have an exit pupil of 20 at 1 power and 5 at the 4 power?
Click to expand...
The VX2's low end is 1.4x, so it'd actually be a 14mm exit pupil on the low end, but yes, 5mm on the high end. Dark-adapted pupils are ~6-8mm depending on age, so matching that'd be ideal.

But numbers aside, going over ~2.5x on the common 1-4x20's is just too dark for me to be able to distinguish shapes or patterns in light brush when there's little light left. I consistently would want to dial it back further and further to see better. I'm sure higher-end scopes do a better job of transmitting light, but having tried a handful of the $200-$400 scopes at dusk/dawn before buying (or after), I found that none of them really offered me what I wanted compared to a larger objective at 3-4x. So I looked to the 4x33, and other lower powered 28-32mm options, which gave me a better image at 3-4x.

Like I said... I'm not saying 1-4's don't work, but I started out wanting one, and tried several before deciding it wasn't right for me. Just sharing that.
 
I'm not saying 1-4's don't work, but I started out wanting one, and tried several before deciding it wasn't right for me.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. I tried them, too. A 32 mm objective is as small as I want.
 
Inebriated said:
The VX2's low end is 1.4x, so it'd actually be a 14mm exit pupil on the low end, but yes, 5mm on the high end. Dark-adapted pupils are ~6-8mm depending on age, so matching that'd be ideal.

But numbers aside, going over ~2.5x on the common 1-4x20's is just too dark for me to be able to distinguish shapes or patterns in light brush when there's little light left. I consistently would want to dial it back further and further to see better. I'm sure higher-end scopes do a better job of transmitting light, but having tried a handful of the $200-$400 scopes at dusk/dawn before buying (or after), I found that none of them really offered me what I wanted compared to a larger objective at 3-4x. So I looked to the 4x33, and other lower powered 28-32mm options, which gave me a better image at 3-4x.

Like I said... I'm not saying 1-4's don't work, but I started out wanting one, and tried several before deciding it wasn't right for me. Just sharing that.
Click to expand...
Good explanation, thanks.
 
Everyone's eyes are different. I see better out of Leupold than Nikon. Doesn't mean Nikon makes bad scopes, they make good scopes and I sell a lot of them. I have customers that are just the opposite, they see better out of Nikon than Leupold.

There is a pretty big jump in glass quality when you go from a VX-1 to a VX-2. The difference going from VX-2 to VX-3 not so much. I like the VX-3 1.75-6x32 and have one on a Marlin 336. The adjustment range for windage and elevation is pretty narrow, I have no idea why. If the OP sees better through the VX-2 1-4 than through the Monarch his choice is easy. Same also if he sees better through the Monarch.
 
I can't comment on the Nikon but have been very happy with my vx-2 1-4 on my AR. It was my first better scope and from the first time I looked through it I could tell it was very high quality. It is very clear and the whole scope and turrets are high quality. I got the Leupold because it is lighter than all other comparable scopes that I saw but with Leupold's reputation for tough scopes and there awesome warranty I knew it would still be just as tough and strong as the heavier scopes. I highly recommend the Leupold
 
I'll second the Burris MTAC, can't cite comparisons between it and the Leupold VX but the package deal was a winner for me. Adding in the Ballistic CQ reticle and I was sold.

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Check the eye relief.

I have an earlier model Leupold 1x4, and there's quite a big shift as you zoom from 1x to 4x.
 
I like the smaller front lenses to keep the line of sight closer to line of impact at closer ranges.
 
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