Leupold 12-40X60 Golden Ring HD Spotting Scope

[chas]

Has anyone tried these scopes? I've always been a Leupold fan and love the fact their made in the USA, but want to spend it wisely. Feedback is appreciated.

 

[Outhunting]

I have one and love it. I have a big Swarovski for when I am close to a vehicle but the Leupold is always in my pack when I am backpacking in. Compact, light and very clear. I had the non HD years ago and it was pretty good but HD is the way to go and can be found used in the $600 on up range.

 

[Blockcaver]

I had both the Leupold non HD and HD version with higher marks optically for the HD at the higher power settings. This scope has the most user friendly eye relief for eye glass wears of any out there if ,that is important. In side by side comparison with a Swaro 20-60 x 65 mm HD the Swaro edges out the Leupold for counting growth rings on sheep. This was important to me so I now own the Swaro since I hunt sheep every year. All in all, the Leupold is a decent scope for a decent price, and isn't excessively heavy. I'd be happy with one if not a sheep hunter.

 

[Terrapin]

I definitely like mine. Very light and crisp optically. It is all in use anymore.

 

[castandblast]

We have settled on the 12-40x60 in our group as the sweet spot for light weight and all day comfortable use with eye glasses. We have used others including the Swarovski 85mm and the Leupold keeps getting the nod. Granted we are not sizing up sheep or goats, just pronghorn, deer, elk, and bears.

I have tried running optics without eye glasses but with astigmatism I cannot get crisp focus so the eye relief of the Leupold gives me the full field of view through the full power range while using the astigmatism correction of my glasses.

 

[Blockcaver]

+1 to castandblast's comments about the Leupold and eyeglasses/astigmatism. He is spot on and clearly"knows about this issue. As a side note, I find that I can use an angled Swaro and get a full field of view (better than the straight version allows) while wearing glasses. An important note if we hunt and glass with eyeglasses.

 

[castandblast]

+1 to castandblast's comments about the Leupold and eyeglasses/astigmatism. He is spot on and clearly"knows about this issue. As a side note, I find that I can use an angled Swaro and get a full field of view (better than the straight version allows) while wearing glasses. An important note if we hunt and glass with eyeglasses.

An angled scope is something I have not tried, but if I ever draw another sheep or goat tag it would be good to have a Swaro with more X's so it's helpful info that an angled scope would work better. How does the angled eyepiece help with eye relief?

 

[Blockcaver]

The angled eyepiece seems more ergonomic in use and really does help me get full field of view out of the Swarovski in sheep hunting situations. I typically am sitting on my butt up against a boulder with the scope low on the tripod. Anyway I spent time behind both straight and angled before buying the angled and like it better as an eye glass wearer. Obviously your Leupold is great with the long eye relief.

 

[castandblast]

Thanks for the info!

 

[chas]

Just ordered one. Hope it's worth it. Thanks for the advice and I'll post a review