Rifle Scopes Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

[Lexington]

I've owned Leupold scopes for years, then finally stepped up to a USO ST-17. I've stayed there for a while. I just decided to shop for another scope because I like the mil/mil turrets and reticle, unlike the (heretofore) moa/mil turrets and reticle of the Leupolds I have.

I have casually watched as Leupold introduced its first FFP scope, and now it has a whole line of mil/mil FFP scopes that surprise me with their prices. It seems like Leupold is no longer the budget scope line relative to Nightforce and Vortex in the same magnifications and objectives.

Am I the only person taken aback by Leupolds for $1800? Are they worth it?

 

[sib1948]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

Not sure. They're new and haven't had a chance to see or try one !

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

You have to compare apples to apples.

A new Mark 4 ERT with mil/mil and FFP costs a lot more than a mil/moa and SFP scope, but a new Leupold 6.5-20x50 is $2500 while an S&B 3-20x50 is $3500 (and other than giving up a little on the low end of the mag range, the only feature the Leupold is missing is an illuminated reticle).

I'm not trying to start a debate on how much better S&B glass is. If you think it's better and worth the money, it's your skirt (wear it how you like), but I've looked through an S&B scope and wasn't enough to justify getting rid of any of the scopes I already own.

 

[mjh30]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

Lexington $1800 is notthe much compared to the new MK 6's whichme start at 1900 and go up to about 2500, the higher priced MK8's are upwards of 3400, I suppose you are paying for better quality but they are far from cheap.

 

[ykrvak]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

Leupold made it perfectly clear a while ago that they were far more interested in profits rather than providing a good product. I'd wait for them to reprove themselves before shelling out the money for one. There are others in the same price range that have mil/mil ZS ect... that have proven themselves many times over and continue to do so. Leupy is awfully proud of them selves and it's reflected by their price. They are going to have to RE-earn any business from me.

 

[sr15match]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

I like Leupold, have owned many and just picked up a 3.5-10x40 M2 to put on a 700 Police rifle. I don't and won't pay retail for one.

Comparing apples to apples as said above, look hard at your options, is your price range comparing available options and then decide. I try to stay made in the USA if at all possible but sometimes it just can't be done.

I to am a USO fan but that's not quite a good comparison either to the Leupy Mk4 unless looking at the latest Mk6 & Mk8 offerings. This is all a hobby for me so I try and keep things "resonable" so not having the absolute best isn't really hurting me. I tend to run middle of the road on options.......

 

[Lexington]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ykrvak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Leupold made it perfectly clear a while ago that they were far more interested in profits rather than providing a good product. I'd wait for them to reprove themselves before shelling out the money for one. There are others in the same price range that have mil/mil ZS ect... that have proven themselves many times over and continue to do so. Leupy is awfully proud of them selves and it's reflected by their price. They are going to have to RE-earn any business from me. </div></div>

That's how I view it. They obviously responded to the competition by upgrading features and it seems to me the pricing is an attempt to see what the market will bear.

 

[Ed-G]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

I have like a dozen Leupold scopes. The last three I got a discount on thru the Leupold Hunter Education Program. The last one of the three was a Mark4. Two years ago Leupold decides that Hunter Education Discount no longer is valid on the Mark4 and above scopes. The Mark4 and above are the only scopes I need so I called and asked about the change and it is what it is. I told the Lady that I never even look at other scopes but she didn't care. I explained again that I have never looked elsewear and without the discount I was going too, she didn't care.

The last 5 scopes have not been Leupold. Without the discount when I compared them to others I found others won. 1-Eotech, 1-GSRC, 3-Vortex. Ready to order a Vortex Razor HD 5-20. I did have them convert a Mark4 to M5 knob from M1 to match the TMR reticle.

I'm not bashing them, they make good scopes and back them up. Its just that there are alot of options out there in the super competitive world we live in.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

A new 4.5-15x50 or 6.5-20x50 FFP M5 can be had for about $1500-1600.

Compared to the NF (which comes with rings) at $2300.

Leupold is still a cheaper option. It isn't nearly the quality of the F1, but seems to be descent value.

I'm not the biggest Leupold fan, but bought a 3.5-10x recently and had the M5 conversion done. For what I have in it, I couldn't find anything else as good. Leupolds are great scopes to buy used.

 

[jrm850]

Re: Leupold Prices Seem Much Higher

There is an old marketing adage that says you can go down in price a lot faster than you can go up. Start your pricing at where you want to be and let the market make the corrections.

Maybe we are seeing a bit of this with the new lines.