Rifle Scopes Info on my Leupold?

[TheBigCountry]

I am sitting on a scope I honestly don't know much about. It is an older Vari-X III 3.5-10x40 that came with a Remington 700 TWS. Scope has some tall target turrets with covers, lens covers, and is mounted in a Leupold 1 piece mount.

Beyond that, I have not found much information on this scope and was wondering if anyone else could shed some light about it before I do something silly like sell it then have to kick myself for it later on.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Sell it, why would you kick yourself later on? It was Leupold's lower rung "tactical/target" scope back in the day and I dare say that by today's standards it's surpassed by a Super Sniper, which offers parallax adjustment, 0.1 mil adjustments, and an enhanced mil-based reticle.

 

[Poorboyr]

It would be comparable to a modern day VX-1. You would probably get around $150.

 

[Erud]

It would be comparable to a modern day VX-1. You would probably get around $150.

Why would an older VXIII be comparable to a modern VXI? Has Leupold learned so much about making scopes in the last few years that their high-end line from a few years ago is only as good as their entry level scopes now?

 

[supercorndogs]

Why would an older VXIII be comparable to a modern VXI? Has Leupold learned so much about making scopes in the last few years that their high-end line from a few years ago is only as good as their entry level scopes now?

Its not, I have watched them go on eBay multiple times for around 500 bucks.

 

[Poorboyr]

In simple terms, yes. The VariX III technology became the VXII when that was new (The new technology becomes the better and the others get pushed down the ladder.) Then when Leupold went with the numerical numbering system (VX1, VX2, etc....) the VXII became the the VX1. The Vari X III was developed in the early 90's maybe 80's. I sure would hope their higher end lines would get better in 30 years..... Granted a few ideas or coatings may still be used on the higher models, however the mechanics would drop with the glass quality. Don't take my word for it..... Contact Leupold.

 

[Poorboyr]

Its not, I have watched them go on eBay multiple times for around 500 bucks.

Why would you pay $500 for a Vari X III? (Manufactured in the 90's) when you can get a brand new VX3i for less than that? I guess someone would buy it.

 

[supercorndogs]

Why would you pay $500 for a Vari X III? (Manufactured in the 90's) when you can get a brand new VX3i for less than that? I guess someone would buy it.

I wouldn't, but that is how much others pay for them, therefore about what they are worth. There is nothing wrong with being made in the 90s. There are some scope I would rather have from 90s production. The Nikon Monarch comes to mind.

 

[supercorndogs]

In simple terms, yes. The VariX III technology became the VXII when that was new (The new technology becomes the better and the others get pushed down the ladder.) Then when Leupold went with the numerical numbering system (VX1, VX2, etc....) the VXII became the the VX1. The Vari X III was developed in the early 90's maybe 80's. I sure would hope their higher end lines would get better in 30 years..... Granted a few ideas or coatings may still be used on the higher models, however the mechanics would drop with the glass quality. Don't take my word for it..... Contact Leupold.

No.

 

[Erud]

In simple terms, yes. The VariX III technology became the VXII when that was new (The new technology becomes the better and the others get pushed down the ladder.) Then when Leupold went with the numerical numbering system (VX1, VX2, etc....) the VXII became the the VX1. The Vari X III was developed in the early 90's maybe 80's. I sure would hope their higher end lines would get better in 30 years..... Granted a few ideas or coatings may still be used on the higher models, however the mechanics would drop with the glass quality. Don't take my word for it..... Contact Leupold.

So what happens to the VX1 line when these ladder shifts happen, do they become VX0's? How many steps can they get moved down, will they use negative numbers?

 

[TheBigCountry]

So has anyone used one of these scopes? I thought I read somewhere these turned into the Mark series line? Is that correct?

 

[roggom]

I think this thread got off track. The Vari-X III went in a couple directions. One version ( LRT) became the MK4,obviously resigned erector and thicker tube. As a matter of fact I have one and it's the same model number as the earlier MK4. To PB's point, the tech found on the earlier top of the line Vari-X iii are similar to what you get on the current VX2 scopes. Lens, indexing, coating etc. The other Var-X III became the VXIII then VX3.
As far as value, well that is relative. An old school Leupold can still pull a few hundred dollars, just depends on the buyer.

 

[supercorndogs]

I think this thread got off track. The Vari-X III went in a couple directions. One version ( LRT) became the MK4,obviously resigned erector and thicker tube. As a matter of fact I have one and it's the same model number as the earlier MK4. To PB's point, the tech found on the earlier top of the line Vari-X iii are similar to what you get on the current VX2 scopes. Lens, indexing, coating etc. The other Var-X III became the VXIII then VX3.
As far as value, well that is relative. An old school Leupold can still pull a few hundred dollars, just depends on the buyer.

The buyer being the key. In some circles they are the end all, best scope ever made. In other circles, they are a decent optic with a totally undesirable feature set. I had one of the 3.5-10 LRT M3 MK4s right after they diverged from the VXIII long range. It was a great optic, I just didn't like the feature set anymore. I probably sold it to buy a stock or a range finder or something.

 

[Post Oak]

I think this thread got off track. The Vari-X III went in a couple directions. One version ( LRT) became the MK4,obviously resigned erector and thicker tube. As a matter of fact I have one and it's the same model number as the earlier MK4. To PB's point, the tech found on the earlier top of the line Vari-X iii are similar to what you get on the current VX2 scopes. Lens, indexing, coating etc. The other Var-X III became the VXIII then VX3.
As far as value, well that is relative. An old school Leupold can still pull a few hundred dollars, just depends on the buyer.

That describes it well, and it was confusing with two different scopes marked similarly. From the OP's description though, "tall target turrets with covers", I think he has the latter type. OP, if you can post a pic that would help.

The type that was like the early Mk4 had exposed M3 or M1 adjustment knobs.

Dave