BX-4 Gen 2

Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Messages
13
Haven't seen much talk on Leopold new BX-4s. Doesn't look too much different other than the replaceable eye cups which is cool. I sent an email on estimated in stock times and they just said they don't release those dates. Wondering if the upgrades are worth waiting on vs picking but the discounted Gen 1s.
 

gr8fuldoug

WKR
Rokslide Sponsor
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
5,437
Location
Old Bethpage, NY
Their new BX-4 Pro Guide HD binoculars come with 3 different eyecups that are easily swapped so you get the most comfortable eyecup for you. Nice feature. No price increase over the last generation and Upgraded coatings reducing glare.
 

Marlin604

FNG
Joined
Nov 10, 2023
Messages
17
Has anyone had a chance to compare gen 1 vs gen 2?
Interested to see if the changes make a significant difference.
 

Hotmail

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
Messages
214
Honestly extremely disappointed in the brand new BX4 12x50 gen 1 that I bought only couple months ago. The chromatic aberration is unacceptable. Both of my Chinesium Athlon Midas UHD Gen 2 12x50s and ScoopX UHDs 10x42s look way better looking through compared to these Leupolds I have. Even my Japan made BX3 12x50s sux even moreso.

Also the new improved updated 2023 Japan Burris Signature HDs in 8x42 and 15x56 that were in sale for really dirt cheap in Amazon recently are clearer than the BX4s with say less chromatic aberration. Even the 10x42s I recently received last which actually aren't as clear as the 8s and 15s are better looking through than the Leupolds. I sure hope the Gen 2 version has greatly improved their glass quality over the Gen 1 because IMHO the Gen 1 optically pretty much sucks when compared to way cheaper Chinese made Binoculars.
 

Hotmail

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
Messages
214
If considering buying Leupold brand Binoculars I can ONLY recommend buying their BX5s. I own every single model BX1 BX2 BX3 BX4 and BX5 and only the BX5 is acceptable to my eyes the rest are all junk. Better off buying Athlon Midas UHD Gen 2s or better yet the dirt cheap ScoopX UHDs. Frustrating to see not as crisp image quality with excessive chromatic aberration looking through BX4s and below models. I do appreciate all 3 models of my the BX1 Porro Prism 6x 8x 10x Binoculars though which don't appear to have such offensive chromatic aberration. They're at least as clear as my Kowa YF Porro Prism and Nikon Action Extreme EXs.

I already looked through so many different Binoculars already so man, the BX4s in 12x50 really are a major disappointment to my own my eyes especially when compared side by with way cheaper priced ones including dirt cheap generics.

I'm SO tempted to buy the $329 2023 new improved updated Japan made green Burris Signature HD 12x50s currently on sale on Amazon but I'd be pretty pissed if they aren't clearer than AT LEAST my CHINESE Athlon Midas UHDs.

I'd wait for the SIG Zulu 10s to go on sale as SIGs usually do just to move inventory like they did at Midway USA ($500-600 SIG Zulu 9s) before spending close to $700 on a BX4 Gen 2 because this is next level Vortex Razor UHD beating glass on the cusp of tier 1 Alpha glass.
 

Hotmail

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
Messages
214
Edited this double post

Reason I'm pretty nuts about dissing the Japan made BX4 12x50s is because I recently bought a really cheap $160 Chinese Bushnell Prime 12x50 and image sharpness and detail and the high levels of chromatic aberration are pretty much identical to the almost $800 Leupold BX4s when compared side by side. In fact these cheaper Chinese Bushnnells have even more POP than this specific Leupold I bought SMDH...

I buy pretty much everything at least to try out and actually kept this Bushnell Prime because they're practically just about neck and neck with my BX4s but have more POP.

This one

"Amazon.com: Bushnell Prime 12x50 Binocular, IPX7 Waterproof Binoculars with Fully Multi Coated Optics and EXO Barrier Lens Protection : Electronics" https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-BPR1250-12X50-Tactical-Accessories/dp/B07DLB5FL4
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 5, 2024
Messages
52
Location
Texas
I got 10x42 gen 2's this last weekend, haven't had any time to test them out yet but I can update as I get a little more time with them. I have a buddy that has gen 1s that I've used a handful of times so I'll try to put together a comparison.
 

fatrascal

WKR
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Messages
674
Location
Spring Creek, Nevada
Hotmail, I actually buy BX-1's for a Big Buck contest I put on in Nevada and the Leupold name pleases people more than if I get Vortex gen -1 Diamondbacks. These are for the youth category and usually are the first pair of bino's these kids will owne. My objective is to give them a start in their life of hunting and later they can upgrade during their life. These are used in 5th, 6th and 7th and 8th place prizes.
My question to you is do you feel like the gen 1 diamondbacks are better quality than thd Leupold BX-1's? And for that matter, the Vortex Triumph's? Thankyou for your opinion. Fatrascal.
 

Jon_G

WKR
Joined
Jan 25, 2023
Messages
914
I got 10x42 gen 2's this last weekend, haven't had any time to test them out yet but I can update as I get a little more time with them. I have a buddy that has gen 1s that I've used a handful of times so I'll try to put together a comparison.
Update on this?
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2024
Messages
52
Location
Texas
Took the gen 2's out for 10 days in Montana and Wyoming and had zero complaints. The different eye cups were a sweet option, makes extended glassing periods a lot more comfortable. As far as comparing my buddy's glass to mine, the gen 2's seem to have more clarity, and less strain on my eyes after extended periods of glassing. Overall I am very happy with the Gen 2's.
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
Messages
3,883
Location
Edmond, OK
Been playing with the Gen 2's side by side with a new pair of Vortex Razor HD's. For my eyes, the BX-4 Gen 2's are as clear with better color than the Razor's. Especially at daylight and dusk.
 

ChrisAU

WKR
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Messages
6,784
Location
SE Alabama
Anyone with 12x50 Gen 2's able to measure the minimum IPD? I'm skeptical of Leupold's claim of 56mm on the Gen 2's vs 58mm of the originals.
 
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