What’s the best low light rifle scope that Leupold makes?

I would say - FX III 6x42, where it not for the Wide Duplex >>cringe<<

Now - probably this, based on parameters:

HD Glass, Coatings, Objective Size, Illuminated Reticle

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-5hd-3-15x56mm-cds-zl2

It isn't so much the scope as it is the crosshair. I could see the deer I shot at first light on an overcast day under thick canopy with my 2.5-8x36, but I couldn't see the standard Duplex unless I held it up to the sky. I ordered a 1.5-5x20 with the heavy Duplex reticle and what a difference in low light! It is no target reticle, but there is no missing it when you put the rifle up. Given that the 36mm objective is nearly twice the diameter of that 20mm it should be better in low light right? It isn't.

On some deer antlers 131 yards away in the woods I compared a Leupold VX-6 4-24X52, Swarovski z5 5-25X52, and a Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50 with a VX-5 3-15X56.
The first three went down in the same minute. The VX-5 lasted twenty minutes longer!

Twenty minutes is impressive. I wonder if Leupold has a special coating that is helping with low light? What size tube was that Ringman?

I was very impressed at the light gathering in a 1-6 VX6. I generally have it set on 3X, and with a 24mm objective, a lot of light was on my eye. Mine are older, non-HD models.

Ok. Thanks

I’ve had the same Leica 10x40 binocs for decades. Never felt the need to upgrade. Some years back I found I could see deer very clearly with the binocs that weren’t that visible in my Leupold Vari-X III 4.5-14. Last year I bought a new Leupold VX5 3-15x40 Firedot, and it seemed real bright, but I hadn't hunted with it much. A couple of afternoons ago I had a doe close by as the light was fading fast. I could see her just fine in the Leica binocs and decided to take her for the freezer. Picked up the rifle and put the scope on her (8 power) and I was honestly very surprised at how well I could see the deer. Much brighter than my decades old Leica binocs. I love those Leicas, but the new scope is brighter. No doubt. That has never happened with any other scope I have ever owned.

That’s impressive Country.

Normally I can see better with my binocs and if I can make out that it’s a deer I want to shoot I can do do with my scope, but no way is my scope brighter than my binocs, and I have fairly inexpensive binocs

I've been impressed with my VX-5 2-10 in dim light.

As for the other things that make a scope good, we shall see....

Anyone make a good low light bino for under $500

Meopta Meopro are excellent in low light and they come in under your budget

Absolutely. Give us a call to discuss yours

I think the VX-5 was 30mm. I know the VX-6 was 34mm, the z5 was 1" and the 6500 was 30mm.

Do the VX-5 & 6 have different coatings than VX-3i's ?

My VX5 3-15 has really impressed me and I'm not a Lupy die hard. I have 6 other brands in the safe. Illuminated reticle is fantastic - especially on black targets

Ringman,

I have VX6 and it's a 30mm tube. It's a very good scope and I love the illuminated reticle as you can turn it down late in the evening, but I don't think my VX6 is capable of allowing me to see 20 minutes past what I could see in the my old Leupold Vari-x II that it replaced, and that is why I was wondering about the VX5. Of course, my VX6 is a 40mm objective, not 56mm

Does the VX5 have any special coating or light gathering coatings that a 3 year old VX6 wouldn't have?

One day I am going to buy myself (Maybe in two years when I start collecting my Reserve retirement) the best low light scope and binoculars available.

Dan

I know I’ve owned several excellent low light scopes. I have owned the Vx5hd as well and it is a good scope and does really well at low light but it’s way outclassed by my Meopta Meostar as well as a Swarovski Habicht that I own. The Leupold will hang within a couple minutes of the Habicht but both go dark well before the Meostar

How about the fixed 6x42 or fixed 4x33 Leupolds ?