Vx2 or diamondback

[Bmcox86]

Trying to decide on a leupold vx2 3-9x40 or vortex diamondback 3-9x40 for my new savage model 16 7mm08. Planning on using talley or dnz rings. Will mainly be using it for Sitka blacktails on the islands and possibly Blackbear in the mountains.
Anyone have experience with both scopes, I've only owned Nikon and vortex so the leupold is new to me

 

[BackcountryMT]

The leupold will definitely have better glass. Vortex has the unconditional warranty but you'll have nearly the same with Leupold and American made. You could close your eyes and point a finger and land on a good option.

 

[GKPrice]

Leupold's warranty and customer service would be difficult to fault for anything but the reason I've stayed with Leupold scopes is they just don't fail unless abused and it has to be severe to take Leupold out of service - I wouldn't use anyone's low end scopes but the VX2 line isn't low end - Nikon makes really good scopes to though - A couple of times lately I've walked past the scope counter in SW and actually listened to the guy behind the counter running down Leupold products while talking up Vortex as the "new and BETTER" stuff .... it just ain't so - not saying Vortex is crap by any means but there's good reason why Leupold is in the group at the top of the list, actually several reasons ... quality, innovation, engineering, customer service, solid warranty - If one were to be able to drift around the Leupold factory and corporate offices (in Beaverton Oregon, always has been at the same address) one would hear quite a few German/European accents which I've always found interesting ..... I've been treated like a rock star every time I've ever taken or sent a scope in for a checking out but I've never had one fail me while in the field, never - you can buy a used one on ebay and send it to Leupold simply to "look it over" and they'll take it completely apart and check every last detail for $0.00 except nominal shipping and not always that - THAT'S a good warranty

 

[mtswampfox]

Over black friday picked up a 3x9x40 AO diammondback for a 17 hmr project. Was impressed as have almost all leupold scopes with no faults. The diamondback is clear enough for my use. Not sure how it would hold up to centerfire abuse. Have a leupold EFR on my 20 cal beeman,which will destroy a lot of scopes, and it is a real winner but at least a hundred bucks more money.

 

[280twoeighty]

vx 2 hands down.

 

[Broomd]

Yep, Leupy. Frankly, not even a valid comparison. IMHO.

 

[Firehawk]

We have an original Diamondback 3-9x40 scope with the BDC reticle on my son's (used to be mine until recently) 7mm-08. Optics are quite good. It is easily as bright as my VX2 3-9x40 CDS scope, slightly better than my Burris Fullfield II scope and slightly under my Burris Signature Select and definitely under my Zeiss Conquest. That said, I really don't like how short the eye relief is with it. My son has complained and I had issues with it as well. If it is 2.5" at 9x I would be surprised. My Leupold VX2 has terrific eye relief. It is really easy to get behind that scope. My Zeiss Conquest also has terrific eye relief and its optics are better than either of the others mentioned.

I have not looked through a Diamondback HP scope yet. They may have corrected the eye relief issue, but the specs on their website suggest that they are the same.

Have fun with your project.

FH

 

[PathFinder]

Leupold has the same level of CS and warranty, and IMO makes a far better product. Vortex has good pricing and features, but nothing the Leupold doesn't in that price range. I've been really unimpressed with my Viper PST; poor optics for the $$, cheap construction (parts glued on), and I had an entire turret body un-thread and come off today. I've been really impressed with performance for the price of all of the Leupolds I've used (Rifleman, VX 1, VX 2, Mark 4 LR/T & ER/T) and never had issues with one either.

 

[belly-deep]

Leupold

 

[Bmcox86]

Thanks, I think I'm going to go with the leupold for this one

 

[GKPrice]

Thanks, I think I'm going to go with the leupold for this one

Wise move IMO - optics wise there may be better than Leupold but each set of eyes sees a different picture and range of focus through a given optical field - mechanically wise I sincerely doubt there is a better product, especially if you go top shelf or close to it (VX2 is a lot of bang for the buck) Also, if I'm not mistaken, Leupold owns the eye relief race and has for a long time, likewise in the lightweight arena - they pioneered using lightweight aircraft grade alloy components
For scopes I'm a Leupold forever guy and I've tried every other upper end scope out there Now, for binoculars Leupold comes in a distant 3rd FOR MY EYES, #1 is Zeiss #2 is Leica #4 is Swarovski (that is for MY eyes) In scopes #2 would be Swarovski hands down and Kahles / Swarovski are of the same fine quality for MY eyes as well - Cost is not always the most telling factor either