Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold Freedom vs Leupold Vari X ll

I just pulled out and old Vari x ll gloss 2x7 with friction windage and elevation turrets. Really bright and great field of view.
My question is how does it compare to the new Freedom series 2x7. Does anyone have experience with the Vari X ll and Freedom?

Yes. The optical clarity and ability to see in low light is better on the Freedom.

I have not had any trouble with either maintaining zero. But I typically don’t check zero unless I miss a deer.

The Freedom line has better lens coatings, but both scopes will do the job for most people under most conditions.

Isn't the Freedom a cheaper scope?

This ^^^^


No. Especially if you consider the era of manufacture of the VX-ll. They even brought out a VX-llC as an upgrade to make it more comparable to their competitors scopes.

drover

Vari-X II
Vari-X IIc
VX-II
VX-2

The Freedom’s glass is allegedly the same glass and coatings as the VX-2, but different tubes and some differences in internals.

Nitpick alert : VX and Vari-X are not the same thing, and Leupold's nomenclature means abbreviating Vari-X to VX causes an error in identification. It was the Vari-X II which evolved into the Vari-X IIc which had more adjustment range than its predecessor.

The Freedoms are good scopes, just a lot uglier than their predecessors……

And it causes no end to confusion……😊

There ARE improvements in the glass and coatings in each generation.

amen..... i have one in a 2-7 on a mini 30 its held up great and very good glass i just hate the way it looks lol

Have both. My eyes can’t really tell the difference optically, but to the touch and feel the Vari-X II is twice the scope. Ill take one of them any day over a freedom.

Have the Freedom and Vari -X II mounted on a Remington 7600. Purchased new and it is deadly accurate. Whether it's the scope, rounds, or me is unknown but it is a prime hunting scope. Has good twilight factor.

I bought two because I liked them. One is for sale, "New in Box".

Freedom glass is better than the VX-2 and it uses the same coatings as the VX-3i. That is straight from a good friend that works at Leupold in the custom shop.

How much for this?

Well, I sold three gloss scopes on Ebay no problem: flew out the door One was a B&L 3x9, a Nikon and 1 Leupold ( ALL Gloss). It's not cheap but give me a price you feel at ease.

Is your friend now unemployed? What’s his status? The custom shop hasn’t existed for years now.

@ pabucktail: "Correcta mundo". Again, I have both and would not bargain for the Vari-X II, 'Not at all'. "Holds zero: shot after shot' after shot".

I have a 4x12 VariX11 I bought 35 yrs ago. I payed $216 with tax and all. I started using it again on my .243 Win. It still seems like a good scope. I also have some Redfield Revolution that seem ok but thought those were equal to the Leupold Freedom. No?

In my mind with regards to Leupold. Newer means better and yes I know there are different levels. I would rather have a more entry level modern Leupold with better coatings and click adjustments than VX-1 or prior mid tier Vari-x ii. Competition has improved things since the days when it was either Leupold or Redfield.