Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Vx3/3i upgrade.. what would it be

My eyes loose the last 10 minutes or legal light through this scope. More particularly my eyes loose the reticle in the background. Vx3 and a 3i both 3.5x10-40 with the duplex. Where would the next reasonable upgrade lead me to? Leupold and i like what ive been hearing about Meoptas. What do yall say?

I think the Meopros would be the next step. Not a huge step but I can tell a difference. I don't know much about them but I would expect VX5 to be a step up also

Man, I ain’t never experienced that unless it was due to yardage and I hunt past legal deer light for hogs. I would say you might as well get illumination.

soooo, you want to spend $1k or more for those last 10 minutes?

Best bet, try to find a used Leica ER for $600-ish.

Second best, open the wallet and watch the bills fly...

Cheapest bet: give the critter the win and enjoy a glass of wine back at the lodge.

I had simular problem.
Sent my VX-3 to Leupold and had heavy duplex installed.
Made a big difference in low light

My pick would be a swaro Z3 with 4a.

That one should work. A Meopta with a #4 would likely do it too.

I have a couple of Razor LH HD's. I keep trying but I can't convince myself that my Swaro Z3 is better. I actually think the Razor has the edge, no pun intended. They can be had for an amazing price right now. The reticle isn't quite as bold as a traditional #4/4a but it is better than a duplex.

Illumination in a scope with decent glass would be another option. I haven't explored this route with hunting optics so I'm not exactly sure what's out there.

Nightforce SHV illuminated

This. Hadnt considered that. I believe ill give this a try first.

What does a reticle change cost? Leupolds hold their value well. I think you'd spend less and have better optics by selling it and buying a Meopta.

Leupold quoted me $125 a few weeks ago to install a post and duplex in a 2.5-8x36.

ding ding ding ding.....

Not to be one that doesnt take advice given, but how would the vx-r 3x9 or 4-12x40 with say the firedot duplex treat me compared to the vx3/3i's i have now. Beside the addition of illuminated dot is the glass comparable, less, better? This would would put me ooh n the 525-550$ range.

Lets change tracks and throw in a meopta with the new dichro reticle. Experiences with these?

For my eyes, an etched reticle sticks with me longer than a wire. You’d save a good amount of money selling and picking up a used Zeiss Conquest.

If you’re not going to go that route, keep an eye on Tract Optics’ outlet. A demo Toric or Tekoa could be had for the value of the Leupold + the cost of a reticle change and you’re into far superior glass.

Leupold told me they want two hundred bucks for a rerticle change, Ouch. I have a German #4 in a VX3 1.5-5x20 and ya can't miss it. I had a Leupold Post-Duplex and like it and the Fire Dot 4 in the VXR line is a good reticle. My Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 has the illumination option and it is a more positive and better thought out illumination nob then the Leupold's I have had. The Forceplex reticle on the Nightforce is ok, but I would of liked something like the Firedot 4 reticle. All of these reticles allow hits to 500 yards, which takes care of my needs for moose and caribou.

I am fortunate to have moose pass through my 2.5 acre lot on a regular basis and have been able to sight on them in dark timber with many scopes that me and friends had. A VX5 2-10x42 had very good low light glass, but the wide Duplex left me wanting, even with the illumination option.

I think a reticle change would help and feel it is more important then expensive glass that may only be 5% better, but if ya got the cash.

I would like to look through a big Schmidt $ Bender with a 50 to 56 mm objective just to see how good it is, but would not want to carry it around or pay for it.

I have not done side-by-side comparisons at dusk. However, side-by-side comparison of VXR 3x9x40 -vs- VX3 3.5x10x40, in normal daylight, the VXR glass is perceptibly clearer according to my 62 year old eyes.

My perception, the thin wires on the VXR reticles split the difference between the thin wires on Leupold's normal duplex reticles, and the thin wires on their heavy duplex reticles. Even without the red dot, I like the subtension of the thin wires in the VXR reticles. JMO...

Mg
I understand where you are coming from. No offense to some of the guys here but they do not realize how dark it can get in a pine forest with the canopy. Also some states do not allow the late hunting we have. We are allowed 1 hr after official sunset. That is dang dark in woods that never loose its canopy. With all that said I think the glass you have would do much better with a heaver duplex. The Zeis Conquest had a great compromise thickness. Recently I have been moving more and more towards the Zeiss/ Meopta lines because the extra is available right out of the box and I definitely notice it.
GreggH

NO they don't. I went thru that scenario in SC and AL until Alabama changed their laws to 1/2 hour before sunrise and 1/2 hour after. I would look at a 50-56mm. Low end would be Zeiss V4 3-12x56 with a #60 reticle. Meopta R1 with a #4 should work nicely as well, both these will be a lot more bulletproof then a Swaro Z3 4-12x50.

I have one of the VX3 1.5-5x20 with the #4 reticle. That is definitely a visible reticle. In very low light, 30mm tubed / 24mm objectives scopes to my eyes do much better at target visibility. Reticle visibility, again to my eyes, this reticle is one of the best.
I do not have a 50 or 56mm Schmidt and Bender. I do have a couple of 42mm ones that I have hunted with the past couple of years. 1.5-8x42's, 1st focal plane #4's, FlashDot illumination.
My opinion, a very good low light scope, for the distances that I can identify a legal moose rack.

From my little informal comparisons, I think the Swarovski Z6, 1.7-10x42mm with the Plex reticle does well in low light. I find this reticle very usable and I have no biatches about the optical view. So far, I really like this scope.

I have some 50mm higher end scopes but frankly have put them on rifles that I don't really use, The "what if" rifles. So far, for the distances that I will shoot the 42mm's work. 42mm objectives definitely have an advantage over the straight tubed. The 42 / 50mm comparison, is not as noticeable difference to my mid-20th century eyes.

All eyes and perceptions differ. In my opinion, looking through scopes in decent daylight or a store room tells me nothing. Unfortunately, actual use in the conditions that I will be using them is the truth teller.

For optical view, reticle visibility, and versatility I am satisfied with the Swarovski Z6, 1.7-10x42 Plex. I am a set & forget scope user and range limited. I cannot speak to its "toughness". It is not a military grade sniper scope.

You want a VX5 3-15, CDS, with firedot. The firedot has variable brightness and is perfect for low light and a dark target - like a black hog. It seems brighter than my VX3 scopes.