Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold vx-3 4.5-14x50 vs Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50 LR

Looking to start spinning some turrets and trying to figure out what scope to get. Thinking of getting the Leupie and adding an M1 turret or maybe getting the Vortex Viper.

Any of you guys had any experience or seen any reviews?

Get the leupold
Vortex glass will disapoint.

I have a couple of Vipers that I really like. Had a couple of VX-3s that went down the road and got replaced by Zeiss Conquests. I just wasn't impressed with the Leupolds at the price point. To my eyes, the Conquests are more scope for the money.

I like Vortex Viper, Burris Sig Select and Black Diamond, and Nikon Monarch scopes just as well as the Leupolds for significantly less money. For me to step up to the next level money wise, Zeiss is where my money goes. YMMV

Get the Vortex. Turret/reticle combos are way better than Leup.

Leupy. Adequate lenses. Small F.O.V..

Nightforce!

I am going through the same dilema and other factors are weight, 30mm vs 1", etc. Cost for the Leupold 4.5 CDS will run 1" $650, 30mm $730, Vortex HS $550.00. Features Vortex wins, US made and optics Leupold wins. I agree with all those who see Vortex being a little fuzzy. Good luck and I look forward to more opinions.

Well, after spending an hour at SWH i ended up with the VX3-4.5-14 CDS. I still do not like the Vortex glass, but will say the clicks feel very precise. Good luck with your quest.

I have a VX3 4.5-14x50 CDS LR model, and am more than pleased with it. Adjustments are on the money so far. It's better than "good enough" in my book.

Does the side focus have the yardage marked on it?

It has hash marks, but no yardages on SF.

I like both, Vipers and Leupos but...

I bought several VX-3 4.5-14 scopes for cheap from a local sporting goods store. I think I paid around $300 for them last year. I couldn't stand the tunnel vision and the FOV sucks for a 4.5x (~same as most 6x scopes). I took them back for a refund. I suppose I could have flipped those scopes for a profit, but I didn't want the hassle.

I was at the Beaverton facility checking out a 4.5x-14 MK4. Same thing, tunnel vision and I seem to recall a critical eye-box. Huge discount on that one, but didn't like it.

I have only looked at the Viper 4-16x briefly in the store so I don't have a good feel for that scope. But, it seems to consistently get low marks for image quality.

I think that Leupold does really well with the plain-jane 3-9x (i.e. VX-2), FX-3, and a few others. I know a lot of guys love the VX-3 4.5-14x, but I don't care for it for the money.

It seems like the standout from the Viper line is the 6-24x. Lots of good reviews on that scope, but not that many on the 4-16x.

When I was shopping for this class of scope, I ruled out the Viper and VX-3 and was ready to get the Weaver Tactical 3-15x. Very nice scope optically, but I was worried about the longterm, and whether Weaver would be around to warranty it. I ended up getting a VX-2 6-18x with M1. It has AO, SF is not an option, but the FOV is similar to the VX-3 4.5-14 on the top end and bottom end, but with more magnification. I'm happy with it, but that's just me.

jrob on some other forums reviewed the Viper 4-16x PST:

http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/optics/35476-field-test-weaver-3-15-vs-vortex-pst-4-16-6-24-a.html

I think most people who complain about the 4-14x leupold are using the 40 mm objective lens with 1" tube. I owned a leupold tactical 4-14x40 1" tube front A/O and did not care for it so i sold it . I have a 4-14 x50 tactical leupold 30mm side focus now and the veiw through the scope is really good at max power,there two totally different scopes.

I think alot of folks who say nay to Leupold is due to price. It is not really a good comparison on price since one is US made and the other China/Phillipines. If it is what you want and looks good to your eyes then there is no wrong answer. I looked through Zeiss and Nikons as well. The size, how busy some of the lens, and weight were big factors for me as well. The PST was not an option due to weight and I really wasn't looking for a luminated optic. It is good to have so many quality choices to choose from! Thank you to all my Vet brothers here and gone, have ablessed weekend and good shoot'n!