Owning a good branded scope is more than just a hobby. When the topic of scope arises, a lot of people prefer to stick to a single brand of their choice. And on further deep questionnaire with experienced users and professionals, you are most likely to hear the name of two brands – Vortex and Leupold.
Now, since both of these brands are incredible at what they do and become an instant favourite, there are still some differences between them and choosing the best spotting scope between Vortex and Leupold can be very subjective to personal choices and activities preference. But don’t worry, in this article today, we will compare between the two brands on the basis of factors like accuracy, design, reliability, feel and affordability of these two brands.
Overview of Vortex spotting scopes:
Been staying in the limelight and true to their service since 2004, the Vortex optics brand, although quite young in comparison to its market competitors, these have an excellent eye for what the users are looking and about the incorporation of high-end, advanced technology in their optical instruments.
Outdoor vortex equipments like binoculars and rangefinders are already pretty famous within the public, and the spotting scopes don’t fall short either. Furthermore, these spotting scopes come in a lot of price varieties fitting for both people wanting economical gears or either the very pricey ones. Some of the market favourite rifle scopes made by Vortex include Razor, Viper, Strike Eagle, and Diamondback lines.
Not just the flexibility in price and high-quality, premium product also offer VIP warranty for all of their products, which makes it very easy for customers to send in their spotting scopes in whatever conditions to be repaired immediately, or even obtaining completely new gears sometimes.
Key Features of Vortex Spotting Scope
Some of the key features that are seen in almost all of the basic Vortex Spotting Scope are:
APO Optical System:
Under the APO Optical System feature, the Triplet Apochromatic lens typically merges with HD glass, exhibiting unparalleled color sharpness.
HD Lens Elements:
The HD lens elements offer extra-low dispersion giving high resolution plus great color fidelity, giving an overall high definition images.
XRPlus Fully Multicoated lens:
The ogee proprietary coatings featured within the highest level of light transmission combined with the multiple anti-reflective coating for ultimate brightness.
Dielectric Prism Coatings :
The induced multi-layer prism coatings also aid in providing high brightness, color clarity, pristine and color accurate images.
Plasma Tech:
Last but not least, the Plasma Tech technology possesses an impeccable technological feature that provides users with unmatched performance and coating durability.
Constructional Features
Vortex Spotting scopes also provide the Porro prism feature offering maximum image quality. Protected by the durable, ultrahard and scratch resistant compound that is able to even replace oil, fingerprints, etc., these Vortex spotting scopes are completely waterproof, weather-resistant and fog proof. This will assure you have a great time with your outdoor gear even in the extremities of different weather conditions.
Additional Features
For other kinds of added or extra features, the Vortex Spotting Scopes usually have adjustable eyecups for comfortable viewing mechanisms both with or without spectacles, a rotating tripod ring to let the eyepiece rotate about and sideways positions, making spotting very easy. Not just that, the gear also features a sunshade to minimize the possible glare whilst protecting the objective lens from being affected by rain, dew and snow.
Benefits of purchasing Vortex Spotting Scopes
- Affordable range of prices with weatherproof technology.
- High, qualitative performance by the gear.
- HD lens elements with multicoated lens systems.
- Commendable degree of magnification with high quality glass.
- Dielectric Prism lens coating that reduces a lot of glare.
Overview of Leupold spotting scopes:
Leupold isn’t one tad less when it comes to spotting scopes, or even more because the ones who use Leupold just love what they have. Manufactured by an American Company called Leupold and Stevens, it is based on Oregon. Even under the company, the Stevens branch is more focused on the manufacture of water monitoring instruments, while the Leupold brand specializes in the optics genre.
Vortex was a new company, but regarding Leupold, it is around more than a century old, with the Leupold scopes being in production only aftermath the termination of the Second World War in 1945. This long and big history of the company proves that they have been challenged many times in their lifetime, and the fact that they are still on-demand and thriving in the market fiurther proves how great they are at what they manufacture, and how innovative they are.
Having worked with a lot of American law enforcement and army branches, namely the US Army, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps to even the Secret Service, Leupold has even managed to secure itself the honor of two of 2014’s most popular scope manufacturer titles, information credited to the NRA Survey. With such great history and a name to keep, the company, Leupold have transitioned pretty impressive onto the 21st century horizon and have been nailing it pretty incredibly too.
Key Features of Leupold Spotting Scope
Regarding the Leupold Spotting Scopes, they feature a whole lot of product lines like FX, UltimateSlam, Mark, Competition, and the VX Series too. Some of the major features or the key features observed in almost all Leupold spotting scopes are:
ED Glass:
The provision of ED glass in a Leupold spotting scope is that it provides a great image clarity on requirement. These images don’t just have great clarity, but also impeccable color gradients and brightness.
Multi-position Eyepiece click system:
The multi-position eyepiece click system offers comfort, ease of use to the users all while goiving nice, crisp clicks with minimal play.
Barrel Focus System:
The barrel focus system is basically a fast focus setup technology allowing you to have a quick focus on any object you intend to. Focus systems in Leupold Spotting Scopes allow you hold up even under full magnification ranges.
Low Light Performance
An image with good light resolution, backed by an impressive color contrast feature is ensured with Leupold Spotting Scopes. You will be able to view images clearly even under dimly or low light conditions.
Benefits of purchasing Leupold Spotting Scopes
- Highly rugged with 100% weather-resistant.
- Integration of an incredible eyeglass giving a comfortable all-day glassing experience.
- Very adaptable even in less light conditions.
- Glare reduction in viewing image.
Comparison of Vortex and Leupold spotting scopes:
Although both Leupold and Vortex Spotting Scopes are incredible brands on their own, there are a few criterias of comparison so, let’s get into that:
Optical Quality
Optical clarity is one of the main basis and criteria for the differentiation between Leupold and Vortex Spotting scopes. The term ‘optical clarity’ is defiant for a lot of aspects of a scope including brightness, clarity, resolution, contrast and color of the image produced by the scope.
But despite being the representative of the common spotting scope terms, the measure is also quite difficult to quantify, since this depends vaguely on the person’s perspective and opinions. And this difference leaves out enough room for discussions when it comes to the comparison between Leupold and Vortex Spotting Scopes.
Based on our personal opinion, we would definitely say that Leupold has a better optical quality in comparison to Vortex, in general. This slight qualitative edge brings you to spend a few more dollars in comparison to Vortex, but it is totally worth it.
Since we just mentioned that we would prefer the Leupold Spotting scopes over Vortex in an aggregate, now this doesn’t all the Leupold Spotting Scopes. You cannot be ensured that all the Leupold Spotting scopes you come across will give you precise, clear and pristine images than any other Vortex scopes. What we mean by this statement is that on an overall basis, Leupold seems to be slightly better in quality.
Vortex is a very popular brand and well loved among its audience, a lot of audience might find not agree with our decision because of how loved the brand is and due to the affordability they provide the audience. We, personally, are a huge fan of Vortex too, but it’s just that in terms of build quality and glasses, Leupold feels a little superior, specially among entry level spotting scopes category.
Reticle Options
Both of the competing brands offer a great range of options when it comes to reticle, which are both functional and aidatory. These two brands of spotting scopes, Leupold and Vortex, offer almost the best reticle options you could possibly get in the market. And if you cannot find an reticle option in one of these brands, or have a missing reticle options in one of these, sadly, you might never be able to find one. What this implies is that the reticle options offered by these brands are the most of and diverse options available in the market.
Talking about our favorite, Leupold, this brand or company is credited to have invented the “duplex” reticle design in the starting of spotting scopes, that is the 1960s. Invention of such a feat, definitely indicates that the company knows what they are doing and about what they should be incorporating next. Now, when you put both the Leupold Spotting Scopes and Vortex Spotting scopes beside pone another, we will have to give the win for Leupold considering the number of reticle variants they provide.
Under the low magnification ranges, we see that the company Vortex makes use of their Dead-hold BDC system alongside V-Plex reticles. Similarly, Leupold makes use of Duplex and Tri-MOA reticles under low magnification ranges, which are eventually the most popular and the most common.
Under mid-range power magnification, Leupold is seen to offer the two different sets of reticle options; where one focuses on hunting – the Duplex acting as the focal point, and the other one is set to focus on long-range shootings simultaneously. Vortex also follows a similar construction and working plan, but one thing that differentiates the both is that Vortex has a smaller number of reticle options, with their choices for this power ranges are inclined more towards the long-distance shooting.
A nd, as we gradually shoot up the ladder for higher magnification ranges, we tend to see that Vortex reticle options incline away from hunting to focus widely on longer range shootings. In this way, the Leupold’s higher scope models offer reticles majorly gearing towards hunting focusing predominantly on long-range shooting reticle options like the H59, Tremor 2, and the Tremor 3 reticles.
Warranty Offered
Both the Leupold and Vortex provide a great warranty program, in general. First, talking about Leupold, the warranty program is pretty legit – which basically is a lifetime product guarantee. There is no requirement for the evidence or proof to be eligible for the warranty. What this means, is that irrespective of the fact that your are either the first owner or the 20th owner of the Leupold Spotting Scope, the company is going to repair it absolutely free of cost.
But, one thing that needs to be understood is that the shipping costs are required needs to be paid by you. Another thing about a lot of warranty programs similar to Leupold’s, state that the brand will not cover the optic or item in case any alterations or modifications have been made to it. Even denting and painting, will be considered altercations so you need to be careful with that.
On the other hand, Vortex is known to offer their special ‘VIP Warranty’, with many people in the industry even claiming that the Vortex warranty is the best warranty in the market. Vortex insures you with an unlimited lifetime warranty which is in fact fully transferable not requiring an y kind of prior registration. Similar to Leupold, the Vortex warranty also doesn’t require any kind of purchase evidence.
All in all, when kept alongside each other we would say that it’s a definite tie in the warranty category with both the companies offering incredible warranties.
Leupold SX-4 Vs. Vortex Viper Spotting Scope
Premium quality spotting scope manufactured with some of the best technologies in mind, to provide you the best of clear and pristine images.
Excellent quality spotting scope with working in par with the premium Leupold SX-4, at an affordable rate.
It is an undeniable fact that both the Leupold SX-4 and Vortex Viper Spotting Scope are some of the best spotting scopes and popular for their incredible clarity, reliability, and affordability. Between the two spotting scopes contenders, there are several bases of comparisons that can be done. Some of the criteria for comparison are:
Clarity
Clarity is one aspect that can definitely not be omitted when it comes to purchasing a spotting scope. In terms of clarity, both the Leupold SX-4 and Vortex Viper both deliver great, but there are still room for comparisons. Starting off, the Leupold SX-4 bears a better quality alongside hyper-accuracy, plus the gear is also well known for it’s choice of high quality glass. Leupold also utilizes multiple powerful coatings in order to further enhance the glass quality, presenting you with the sharpest and the crispiest of images.
When it comes to the Vortex Viper HD, the clarity is not bad, but it is not the best in terms of visuals. The most notable difference is observed in color correction, which appears to be slightly off when compared to the Leupold Spotting Scope. Additionally, the Vortex Viper doesn’t perform well under low-light conditions and can sometimes become murky.
Reliability
One important thing about a spotting scope is that it should be reliable enough to make your shots hit the targets perfectly. When talking about sturdiness, the Leupold SX-4 is seen to have a particular upper hand. With that being said, the Vortex Viper isn’t backing off easily too.
A lot of people just love the Leupold SX-4 but one issue a lot of them have a problem with is the warranty scheme. This is because, you as a user, might not be able to get a replacement or repair if you don’t fall under their given criteria. On the other hand, while the Vortex Viper isn’t as sturdy as the Leupold but this is compensated by the warranty given. You could have a highly damaged scope and Vortex will still provide you with full replacement.
Built and Appearance
On the surface, both Leupold SX-4 and Vortex Viper maintain a good built-up and is quite sturdy. Looking in deep, the Leupold spotting scope made in China, is seen to be better than the Vortex Viper made in the Philippines. The lenses for Leupold scopes are usually imported from Japan, with the whole thing outsourced to China. Other usual parts are manufactured and used in the United States itself.
On the other hand, the Vortex has most of its parts outsourced. While the Vortex is also incredible delivering high quality, it falls a little tad bit fall when placed next to the Leupold SX-4.
Price & Affordability
Now this is one criteria for comparison that the Vortex Viper easily takes the cup, over the Leupold SX-4. This is because, with the very minimal and slight difference in working and lenses between the two spotting scopes, the price difference is considerably immense sometimes being even as large as 500$.
So, if you want to spend a few bucks, withought much compromise in the quality, you definitely should consider buying the Vortex Viper Spotting Scope.
Conclusion
All in all, both the Leupold Spotting Scope and Vortex Spotting Scopes are great on their own ways. But on an overall basis, we would say that the brand Leupold is what you should buy if you prioritize on the quality the most. A lot of people just want the best, and are willing to pitch in any amount for the best quality of product, so for these folks, we would advise on taking in Leupold Spotting Scopes.
But, if you want an excellent quality Spotting Scope, that comes under a budget and is affordable, without much compromise on the quality, then these folks should definitely go for Vortex Spotting Scopes. Vortex Spotting Scopes are what we call a great bang for the buck!
Offer any additional tips
Now that we have taken a look at some of the differences between the Vortex Spotting Scope and Leupold Spotting scopes, let’s take a quick look at some of the key considerations you must make before making your big spotting scope purchase:
Body
Body of a spotting scope is the first thing you notice when purchasing any scopes, and believe it or not, it has to look good! The outer look of the spotting scope should definitely be well constructed and aesthetic, and more than that, it must have a durable body.
Most of the spotting scopes definitely come with a reliable and strong “armored” exterior face, built up of either rubber or plastic. This is actually good, because rubber bears the property of resisting oil and dirt well off than a lot of other materials.
All in all, you must be sure to purchase the exact spotting scope for you that will let you get rid of and resist dirt, moisture and fog, that factors that can hurdle even the best spotting scopes’ performance.
Magnification
Magnification level is quite a basic requirement when purchasing a spotting scope, because you definitely need to zoom in on your targets for spotting them. Almost all of the scopes ion the market are able to magnify endlessly based on some other independent affecting factors. One of the determiners of the magnification level is the lens, which are usually adjustable.
There are also several other factors that come onto play like the glass coating, focus making a big difference whenever you view objects through scopes.
Focus
Having a great focus will allow you to maneuver how clear your image will be. Oftentimes, when we look at today’s gear, we see them to be highly adjustable, and low-profile focus dials. In order to amp up the clarity of the spotting scopes, the users will have a benefit of choosing the spotting scopes capable of making micro-adjustments.
Lens Coating
Lens Coatings are also an important aspect of a spotting scope since they help in reducing glares and allow the users to see in very low light conditions, and help you experience the same way you most likely do with the human eye. Lens coating are different for different spotting scopes, so it is important to choose one accordingly.
Read Also: Precision Pro NX9 vs Precision Pro NX10
FAQs
Some of the frequently asked questions regarding the spotting scopes comparison between two major brands, Vortex and Leupold are:
Which scope is better Vortex or Leupold?
Fairly, Leupold has a slight plus point over Vortex in regards to their built quality and performance, whereas Vortex has a price advantage over Leupold spotting scopes. But, nevertheless, they both are excellent spotting scopes to purchase.
Who makes Vortex Spotting scopes?
Vortex Scopes are manufactured by Vortex optics, which is a DBA of Sheltered Wings Inc. that was incorporated in Wisconsin in 1989.
What spotting scopes do the military use?
In the military, the most used spotting scope is the M151 Improved Spotting Scope, that permits target recognition and target identification even at long distance executing very precise ground engagements.
