Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold Switch Power?

I found one old post, and read a few reviews, but anyone have first hand opinions? Cabelas has a sale and $200 rebate. Thanks!

I got the 10-17X42mm, great glass for the price and the rebate sweetened the deal.

That is exactly what is tempting me, the price and I am a confessed Leupold whore. Thanks!

Very neat looking binocular. Great price for sure. Anyone tries the 7/12x32?

If the glass is anything like the Gold Ring HD version you'll love it.

I posted in classifieds awhile back, but I have a like new 7/12x32 for sale. PM is interested.

What are you asking for them? New at Cabelas with $5 shipping they are $655.00.

PM sent.

These are really a pretty decent binocular. In response to JGR's query, the optics are right there with the rest of the Gold Ring stuff @ 7x. So what you get is a nice small, compact 7x glass with top optics that has the ability to flip up to 12x. There is simply not enough glass to bring the level of the 12x to that of the 7x, but they surprised me with how good the are at 12x for such a small package. They are useful as all get out at 12x, but don't expect a 12x32 to do the work of a 12x50-ish full size model. Use them as a 7x with the WTF? occasional flips to 12x. The 12x is really good inside say 800-1,000yds. These are not much bigger than the Katmai series.

I'm selling excess optics to clear up a couple of medical bills after gall bladder removal, otherwise I'd keep them.

Anyone notice there's two different styles of Leupold switch power binos available on Cabela's website? One type the 32mm version is sold out, but still available in the other. Both are the same price. Wondering what the differences are besides appearance and eye-cups?

Cabela's is also currently running a promotion where they'll activate a $150.00 gift card with purchases over $500.00, so it sweetens the pot even that much more.

Got a link to that promo? I'm looking for binos, you know?

Got the promo in the mail yesterday.

Oh, OK. I'll be on the lookout.

Anyone give these a go?

I spent close to three hours testing the patience of a Cabelas employee today. I quickly narrowed my search to the 10/17x42 Leupy, the 10-42HD and the 8x42HD. Long story shorter, I preferred the 10/17 on 10 better than the fixed 10HD------better than two pairs of 10HDs actually. I then had to decide between the 10/17 and the 8HD. When the dust settled, I chose the slightly more comfortable and forgiving view of the 8X glass. While 10X did make everything bigger than the 8, I noticed not only a slightly brighter view, but also the ease of getting my eyes centered behind the exit pupils. The lower power combined with the 34oz weight makes 'em rock steady even from a standing position. The 10/17s are 10oz lighter. It was a tough decision however, because the 10/17s were very very nice, with the exception of the cheesy eye cups. They're twist-ups, definitely than "alpha" plastic. The 8&10HDs have but much better eye cups IMO. I took a short look through the smaller switch power 7/12? too------OK, but not what I was after.

Honestly, if Leupold offered a 8/12x42 switch power I probably would have come home with them instead------especially if the eye cups were upgraded. While the 10/17 pair I played with today was only a sample of one I really liked 'em. I intentionally didn't compare them with any European 10s because I could guess how that'd turn out. Evaluated by themselves they were very nice. Combined with the legendary Leupold warranty and the huge discounts which can be stacked right now, I think both the Switch Powers and the GRHDs are a very good value. At the full retail there might be better options.

Naturally YMMV.