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Leupold VX-II vs Vortex Viper

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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Leupold VX-II vs Vortex Viper
    Posted: November/17/2010 at 22:29
I'm setting up my AR-15 for coyote/predator hunting. I'm pulling off the EOTech and putting on a 3-9 scope. Which is the better optic between the Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 and the Vortex Viper 3-9x40?
 
They're both top notch in the warranty department.  The Viper is 2.2 ounces heavier than the VX-II.  I also don't really care for the magnification readings on the Viper eyepiece (the VX-II eyepiece is cleaner looking than the Viper eyepiece).  Though, if the Viper is a better scope, I can certainly go that way.
 
 
Advice, suggestions?
 
I also need a suggestion for a good mount.  I really like the American Defense Mounts, but I'm not sure I really need to have a QR scope mount.  I guess eventually I might but some BUIS on the rifle, so I'd need a QR mount then, but I'd like to save a little money now.  I'm willing to spend a second time later on.  I think the standard site plane over bore is 1.5" on the AR-15, so that's what I'm looking for.
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Bigdave View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bigdave Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 22:42
The leupold VX II can't hold a candle to the Viper, not as for as glass goes anyhow. The VX II realy is not a good deal in my openion, it isn't even on par with a Nikon Buckmaster.
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tman1965 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tman1965 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 22:46
I just done a side by side comparison of a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 and a 2-7x32 Vortex Viper, and IMO the Viper ate the Leupolds breakfast!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote grimreaper21 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 22:48
Between those two I would probably buy the viper every time.  Unfortunately that size viper isn't in the sale they are having right now.  These are common enough scopes that you should be able to go up to a local outdoors store and be able to look through either one and compare for yourself.  the leupold is overpriced for what it is.  If i was going to buy exactly a 3-9x40 however, I'd make zero hesitation about buying a Zeiss conquest for only a little more than the $300-350 you're looking at.  It is certainly the hands down overall best buy for any scope at the $400 price range.   
http://swfa.com/Zeiss-Conquest-Rifle-Scopes-C239.aspx

Also, If you want a one piece mount, look at the SWFA SSALT (does both 1'' and 30mm in one), and Burris PEPR (You have to buy either a 1'' or 30mm).  They run $60, and $70 respectively.  just go back to the swfa.com site and click 'mounts rings and bases'.  I just went with some regular aluminum rings for mine instead of the mount because i had alot of rail room. 
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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 23:13
Originally posted by grimreaper21 grimreaper21 wrote:

I just went with some regular aluminum rings for mine instead of the mount because i had alot of rail room. 
Which aluminum rings did you go with and what is their height?
 
Thanks.
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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 23:55
Never mind about the rings. I only have the standard flat top upper and I won't be able to get the scope far enough forward for proper eye relief when using rings.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2010 at 08:56
The power ring is one of my favorite features on the viper. You can actually read it without taking your eye completely off the eye piece.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote grimreaper21 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2010 at 09:06
Originally posted by royta royta wrote:

Never mind about the rings. I only have the standard flat top upper and I won't be able to get the scope far enough forward for proper eye relief when using rings.
I went with the swfa because they are picatinny bases instead of weaver since the picatinny is specific for MIL-STD ar15 rails. Both the one pieces I recommended earlier are picatinny and work great. If you don't want to push the budget get the viper but if 400 isn't much more to you definately get the zeiss. It should be a good bit better especially for low light hunting.

Edited by grimreaper21 - November/18/2010 at 09:08
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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2010 at 09:08
Originally posted by lucytuma lucytuma wrote:

The power ring is one of my favorite features on the viper. You can actually read it without taking your eye completely off the eye piece.


I guess I don't see the benefit of that. You either have enough magnification or you don't. If when looking through the scope you find you need more or less, then turn it down or up. A "number" doesn't tell you anything.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2010 at 09:17
Originally posted by royta royta wrote:

Originally posted by lucytuma lucytuma wrote:

The power ring is one of my favorite features on the viper. You can actually read it without taking your eye completely off the eye piece.


I guess I don't see the benefit of that. You either have enough magnification or you don't. If when looking through the scope you find you need more or less, then turn it down or up. A "number" doesn't tell you anything.
 
There are a couple benefits of it but very minor like you said, its rare that I look for a number versus just looking at the scope FOV.  One situation that it is helpful on is if you where ranging with MilDots on a variable power scope that was not FFP.  They Mildots are only typically true on one specific power for that scope model and its would be easier to glance up and see that your good to go without picking your head up. 
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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/18/2010 at 10:29
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

Originally posted by royta royta wrote:

Originally posted by lucytuma lucytuma wrote:

The power ring is one of my favorite features on the viper. You can actually read it without taking your eye completely off the eye piece.
I guess I don't see the benefit of that. You either have enough magnification or you don't. If when looking through the scope you find you need more or less, then turn it down or up. A "number" doesn't tell you anything.

 

There are a couple benefits of it but very minor like you said, its rare that I look for a number versus just looking at the scope FOV.  One situation that it is helpful on is if you where ranging with MilDots on a variable power scope that was not FFP.  They Mildots are only typically true on one specific power for that scope model and its would be easier to glance up and see that your good to go without picking your head up. 


The MOA dimensions of the Viper BDC are when at full magnification. I guess if you were calculating at something under full mag, there could be a benefit of not looking away from eyepiece to view numbers.
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royta View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote royta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2010 at 22:20
I don't know why I didn't consider a Sightron SII Big Sky 3-9x42.  Afterall, I have an older (2001-ish) SII 4-16x42 w/ 1/8 clicks and target turrets on my .22-250.
 
Where does the SII BS 3-9x42 fall in?
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