Q&A Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40mm

[kbone]

Thank you for these scope tests. I had one of these scopes with a wandering zero. It was driving me insane. I could not figure out if it was the rifle, the ammunition, rings, etc. I should have known after the scope was mounted on a rifle that was sub MOA with an older scope, and would not group hardly at all after mounting the leupold.

I just sent my leupold back because the turrets flat out don’t work anymore. No drops, just riding in a case and losing zero from shot to shot. Looks like I have some reviews to read before settling on a new scope.

 

[Kimber7man]

Every "test" I've seen Ilya do has been a comparison of features between scopes, not a comparison of capability and durability. Ilya lines up scopes next to each other on a tripod and then compares glass, eyebox, turret feel, depth of field etc. If any shots are fired its less than 100. The assumption is durability and field capability are the same across all scopes therfore "features" define the differences between manufacturers. None of the scopes come out at then end of the "test" with a single scratch. I've seen other well known testers do the same but compare scope features on an excel sheet and then determine a winner based off of the features compared.

An analogy to this type of test is lining up a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Hilux on the show room floor and doing a comparison between the features of each vehicle. This "test" doesn't tell me how well they work in the field.

Formidilosus version of testing is taking both vehicles an a 20,000 mile 4x4 test through Cape York or Namibia and then saying which vehicle made it through to the other side without falling apart. Both vehicles end up after 20,000 4x4 miles with scratches, dents and wear and tear as you would expect when using a vehicle for its intended purpose.

Features compared on a show room floor or excel comparisons mean nothing to me. I need to know how well my 4x4 will operate when used hard. Same can be said of my rifle scopes.

Bad analogy. The LC and Hilux will likely tie in all off-road tests....