I shot a VX3i today. 3.5 X 10 X50. it has a worse view than my VariX111 2.5 x8 and even aV9 Weaver too. I was stunned. And I focused them all for the clearest image of the target. Leupold better get it together. I use to look at them first. That's over.
I call B.S. I've owned a VX3i, VX3, and vari-x III, all in 3.5-10x44. I still own the VX3i. Optically, the 3i is superior to the previous generations. It's not a night-and-day difference, but it's noticeable. Keep in mind that I'm not really a Leupold fan, so this isn't fan-boy speak. This is based on having owned and used all three scopes experience. As far as how it stacks up against a Weaver, I can't answer that. As much as I've tried, I have yet to find a Weaver I've looked through that's worth owning, except for one that I inherited.