VX-3i Major Parallax Issues (no AO or side focus)

[Duckmasta]

Hello, I just purchased a new Leopold VX-3i for my Tikka T3 hunting rifle. I have noticed an extreme narrowing effect when going past 9x magnification. Anyone have a similar experience. If the absence of an AO or Side Focus is the issue than shame on Leupold for selling a model that doesnt have either of these features that is still a $400+ scope on the market. Very frustrated.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Welcome. Maybe throw this up in the optics or firearms section next time to get a bit more focused response.

I have one of those scopes on my tikka and get some narrowing at the high end of mag. For what I paid for it, I accept the result as a mid priced scope. It doesn’t hold a candle to some high end glass like night force and others but it doesn’t carry the same price or weight either. Not sure that helps but at least you know it isn’t a dud.

 

[Mosster47]

Did you or whoever you had mount the scope make sure and set the position of it on the highest magnification?

That can make a huge difference.

 

[Duckmasta]

Desk Jockey, will do.

And yes I did. I triple checked when my local
gun shop aligned and set my scope. I did not purchase the scope from them, but from Midway. Else I would have returned it or switched models. After lots of internet research, this is a problem with the Lupey 4.5-14’s without side focus or adjustable objective. Seems to be a common issue. I dont think I have a choice but to look to return it at this point and switch it out for a lesser powered VX-3i.

 

[Blockcaver]

VX3.5-10 is fine without AO or side focus, but I agree, the VX4.5-14 Non-AO I bought maybe 14 years ago was the worst scope I ever owned. Despite making a few trips to Leupold it got sold. And I like Leupold 4.5-14 X 40 mm objective scopes with AO and with side focus. Both work fine but the 30mm tube scopes with side focus are clearer to my eye than the 1” tube AO scope variety in that power range. Good luck with your scopes!

 

[Duckmasta]

Blockcaver

I cannot believe they would even sell a scope like this. To make it worse on pretty every site I have been on (including their own) all of the VX3i reviews are clumped together so you really don't notice the low reviews and comments on this particular model.

 

[Duckmasta]

Just got off the phone with a customer service rep from Leupold. He is telling me the way the scope was mounted is the issue. He says the way my eye lines up to the “eye box” is not correct. Just to restate my issue, I am getting a narrowing of the lens at medium to long ranges and it gets very difficult to get a full field of view in where the image coming through the scope stays clear.

 

[ChrisAU]

This thread is confusing. That has nothing to do with parallax. The exit pupil gets smaller as magnification increases on 100% of all variable scopes ever made. If your eye isn't centered in the scope when you shoulder the rifle then it is mounted too high or low or you need to adjust your position.

 

[Marble]

Yeah it doesnt seem like paralux to me either.

 

[browning2480]

You can just give it to me. Hate to have something like this out in the market place. I will hide it away for you

 

[Duckmasta]

I agree, sorry for the confusion. I think after reading about all the alleged parallax issues with the non- adjustable focus version of the 4.5-14 VX3i I thought that was my issue. Maybe it will still be a concern down the road but for now I need to get back behind the lens and get my field of view squared away to eliminate the black tunneling effect or vignette as Leupold refers to it as.. still might trade down to a 3-9 as all the hunting I do is int the UP of Michigan and mostly whitetails at 100-300 yds MAX.

 

[Marble]

When it narrows does it get dark from the outside edges of the scope view?

 

[browning2480]

I don’t have much experience with higher magnification scopes like that, but positioning has always been critical for me when mounting scopes. I am sure you have done all of that already, but hopefully you will get it figured out.

 

[Duckmasta]

When it narrows does it get dark from the outside edges of the scope view?

Yes thats exactly right. I have adjusted it fore-aft and am having a tough time getting that darkening out as I go from Low to High or High to Low magnification.

 

[Duckmasta]

All, I think things are considerably better now that I had time to mount everything and I feel comfortable with the cheek weld in regards to getting my best Field of view at lower/higher magnification. Have a generic question as I am a self proclaimed scope newbie; is it normal at higher magnifications (say 14x like in my case) to have to Adjust your cheek weld a bit closer to the scope (to reduce the human eye to eyepiece distance) in order to have a clear view of your target? I found myself having to do this on the maximum magnification. Thanks in advance! Sorry for the confusion.

 

[HuntHarder]

Perfectly normal, your Exit pupil is getting smaller as you increase power.

Exit pupil= objective lense diameter divided by power scope is on. So if 50mm objective and on 5 power, your exit pupil will be 10mm across.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I have a VX III and a VX3i both in 4.5 x 14 and have no more trouble seeing through them than any other scope I have looked through at that power. As the power is increased on all scopes it becomes more important to be correctly alined.

 

[Duckmasta]

I have a VX III and a VX3i both in 4.5 x 14 and have no more trouble seeing through them than any other scope I have looked through at that power. As the power is increased on all scopes it becomes more important to be correctly alined.

Thanks. Just curious do you have the AO or Side Focus model of the VX-3i?

 

[Mr Drysdale]

Thanks. Just curious do you have the AO or Side Focus model of the VX-3i?

No. Fixed.