Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics leupold VXR vs VX-31

I am in the process of clearing out some of my scopes and replacing them with the Leupold with CDS system. I am currently trying to decide between two scopes, and am having a hard time deciding. I figure lots of you guys have experience with Leupold scopes and might have some useful input. The two models I am looking at are...
1. VXR 4-12x40 firedot with cds
2. VX-3i 4.5-14x40 with cds

I am aware that the VXR has firedot which is nice, but not sure how practical it is in actual hunting situations, and I don't like the fact that it doesn't have side focus.
I am also a tad concerned that the firedot is just something else to "go wrong" years down the road. I see lots of 20-30 year old scopes going strong, and can't help but wonder if they had been equipped with lighted reticles back then, would they still be working thirty years later....doubtful ....lol

Also the VX-3i supposedly has better glass as well as side focus.
The VX-3i has a slightly smaller duplex which would be better for longer shots, but "may" get washed out in low light in brush. Also not sure if BOTH reticles are etched or not.

As of now I guess I am leaning towards the VX-3i due to the better glass and side focus, but not totally committed yet...lol

I was hoping someone of you guys and gals had some opinions on these two scope that may help me decide between the two. Thanks

Fwiw... not the same scopes you are asking about but I just picked up a VXR 2-7 ballistic firedot.

I am totally impressed and thrilled. It has total adjustability of the dot Down to the finest pinpoint and yet your eye can follow it and see it quickly. The glass may not be Meopta / Conquest perfect but I think it's right next door to it. Havent been in the field with it yet but I spend some nights on the deck looking into the brush as it gets dark.... for me at that point the dot is way more valuable than just a tiny edge and glass quality.
As for the durability I really don't care because Leopold stands behind everything. If this thing goes to crap in 10 years and they can't fix it I figure I'm going to get a brand new 10 year newer scope.... maybe it's wishful thinking but I can't imagine Leopold doing anything different

upp

Assuming you are talking about the 30mm tube versions of each?

I did a side by side comparison with the specs on the site. A few major differences stood out to me, which may or may not be significant for your needs:

Tube length: 5.1 on the VXR vs. 6.0 on the VX-3i

Adjustment range: 75.0 MOA on the VXR vs. 113.0 MOA on the VX-3i

Magnification (obviously): 11.7 vs. 14.7

The VX-3i in Duplex (170703) can still be found for under $500, which is a heck of a deal.

I never thought i would like a illuminated reticle in a scope until I tried a Trijicon now i don't like to hunt without one. Never owned a VXR but have looked thur a couple and they seem to have pretty decent glass in them. It would probably come down to how you hunt and the terrain you hunt in but I don't think you will ever regret buying the firedot.

What he said. I'd take a VXR over a V3 or i any day. An illuminated dot reticle makes a huge difference when hunting at the very edge of legal shooting hours. And where I hunt that is usually when you see the big ones.

I guess my thought is- if it is really dark enough to completely lose the crosshairs, are you going to have a decent shot in the first place?

I hope my VXRs go bad in 20 years...Leupold will upgrade to thE UBEr VXR-6m..

Just try one out in a hunting situation if possible. That's all. Our main hunting rifles now have Trijicons or one of those uber VX6's. The VXIIIs are on the standbys.

I'm still waiting for 6-7 VXIIIs to fail. Loaded up in the 90s, still good.

Jack

You guys not burning enough candle power. I saw a torch advertised on the web with 18 mil. candle power...

I bet most reticles would look pretty clear, the woods lit up with one of those...

DF

+1, My 2 favorite customs hunt with the 3-9x40 green dot.