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New Leupolds

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mwyates View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/30/2009 at 15:22
I saw a pic of the new Leupold Northforks with the single bridge. 
 
 
Look like they would be comfortable to hold.  Slightly updated optics from the Pinnacles, looks like.  I guess surely Leupold has made them where thley'll be durable with that small, single bridge
No man on his deathbed ever said "I wish I'd made more money".
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2009 at 17:15
I had both the Leupold Northfork and Monarch X in hand at the recent Pacific Northwest Sportsman's Show.  Of the two, I preferred the Northfork.  It has a much different feel to it from other binoculars.  It looks sort of like a dual hinge where somebody made it on Monday and forgot the front hinge.  It looks like it would be pretty easy to knock out of alignment, but I give Leupold credit for having that figured out.  Having said that, I've called Leupold technical service and asked them that question.  I have not found anybody who either can/will answer the durability of the single small hinge question. 
 
The optics are pretty clear and sharp, seeming to me to be very similar to the Gold Ring series.  The Monarch X shows what look to be fairly obvious similarities, except with the front hinge in place.  Then somebody decided to put a rod down the center and this leaves no place to put your fingers around a barrel.  The Northfork appears to be to be the clear ergonomic winner.  Optics on both are nice.  Both are Japanese.


Edited by Klamath - March/30/2009 at 17:33
Steve
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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2009 at 18:16
Actually, to me that Northfork looks a whole lot like an updated version of Leupold's original WindRiver binoculars. 
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2009 at 11:08
I don't see how they could possibly be as tough as other open hinge style binos such as the Elite's, EL's, etc. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spf2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2009 at 12:22
I called Leupold few weeks ago. The tech told me that the Northfork is their top of line Green ring series.  Maybe it is a crossover between greenring and goldring Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2009 at 12:27
Originally posted by spf2 spf2 wrote:

Maybe it is a crossover between greenring and goldring Wink
Wouldn't that make it something like a brass ring?
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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Klamath View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Klamath Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2009 at 12:46
I tend to agree with JG Raider.  They do not look like they could take any hard use.  It is also somehwat suspicious the they have nobody who can or will answer the toughness question.  The guys they had at the booth at the Sportsmans show were really clueless.
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mwyates View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2009 at 14:48
Well it is Leupold.  If they don't hold up they will make it right.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote volsdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/01/2009 at 07:56
Greetings,
   The best pair of binoculars I have ever own and still have,is a pair of Redfield 10x50 that i got back in the early 80s. They have the single bridge and look just like the new Leupolds.
   The Redfields have held up great. I have hunted with these all over the west.So a single bridge bio can be very strong, of course these were american made in Denver.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/01/2009 at 09:17
I never said a single bridge couldn't be tough.  I just think the bridge should be longer, like a trinovid.  Who knows, it may be plenty tough enough, but the appearance to me says something different.  Even though Leupold will make it right with their stellar service, having one malfunction during a hunt is the lst place I'd want to have to trust their service. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JF4545 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 01:36
n,nhhcv
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2009 at 07:03

Call me naive if you like, however, a company like Leupold, with over 100 years of experience, certainly has ways of testing their hunting products long before they are marketed.

Also, if some consumers don't have confidence in the product up front, then, just give the model time to prove itself, before you buy one.  It's just a matter of time before the reviews start coming in.  8>)
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