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New Leica ER 5 Riflescopes !!!

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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Leica ER 5 Riflescopes !!!
    Posted: January/22/2015 at 20:41
They have released an exciting new line of Riflescopes that are designed and engineered in Germany & made in the USA. This new line of scopes was designed with the North American hunter in mind. They are everything you'd expect from Leica. Beautifully finished, sharp optically, really a precision instrument. Well done, and here's the unbelieveable part, they start at only $749.00. This may be the home run of SHOT Show this year.

Features:
- Highly usable 5:1 magnification ratio
- 4” of extended eye-relief Precise and highly tactile ¼ moa turret adjustments
- Finger re-settable turret calibrations
- Balanced turret and main tube design for mounting flexibility
- Rugged one-piece main tube of Aerospace grade aluminum
- Waterproof and fog-proof go anywhere performance
- Low profile turrets perfect for saddle scabbards
- Generous windage and elevation adjustment ranges
- 30mm main tubes
- More streamlined eye piece assembly
- Available in 6 models with a wide choice of reticles, a perfect match can be found for any hunting/shooting need.

New ER 5 Riflescopes Made in USA
#51080 ER 5 1-5 x 24, Plex
#51081 ER 5 1-5 x 24, 4A
#51082 ER 5 1-5 x 24, CirclePlex
#51083 ER 5 1-5 x 24, LE-TAC
#51040 ER 5 1.5-8 x 32, Plex
#51041 ER 5 1.5-8 x 32, 4A
#51042 ER 5 1.5-8 x 32, CirclePlex
#51043 ER 5 1.5-8 x 32, LE-TAC
#51050 ER 5 2-10 x 50, Plex
#51051 ER 5 2-10 x 50, 4A
#51052 ER 5 2-10 x 50, Std. Ballistic
#51053 ER 5 2-10 x 50, Mag. Ballistic
#51070 ER 5 3-15 x 56, Plex
#51071 ER 5 3-15 x 56, 4A
#51074 ER 5 3-15 x 56, Std. Ballistic
#51075 ER 5 3-15 x 56, Mag. Ballistic
#51060 ER 5 4-20 x 50, Plex
#51065 ER 5 4-20 x 50, Mag. Ballistic
#51090 ER 5 5-25 x 56, Plex
#51095 ER 5 5-25 x 56, Mag. Ballistic


They expect availability in the Spring
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote daveco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2015 at 23:38
Yea!  I've been working on getting a European import, but looks like I can hang back and wait.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 00:19
Good news is they start at $750. I think the 2.5-10x50 was a grand. Hard to beat that with Leica quality.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 03:53
One of my friends is the Leica rep in the southeast and he told me about them a few weeks ago.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dirtyoldsix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 05:25
Can anybody tell me what is the warranty on these optics?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 07:24
Great news! I'm sure these scopes will be fantastic as usual, and the stated prices are outstanding for optics at this level! I didn't see it mentioned, but do they still have their AquaDura coatings?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 08:02
Is Leica assembling these scopes themselves here in the USA, or do they outsource that again like they used to?  Just curious.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 09:11
I live real close to Leica USA and have a friend that works for them. I've been there several times. I doubt they will be assembling them in Allendale cause the place doesn't look big enough to do that there, but they do repairs on cameras there. I could check with my friend but I doubt they would let me give out that info.

Ted, no they don't have the AquaDura coatings
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 10:52
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:


Ted, no they don't have the AquaDura coatings


Bummer! I think all riflescopes over the $350 price point should have some sort of hydrophobic lens coatings, and especially high end optics! The AquaDura coatings on my ER 2.5-10X42 and my Ultravid HD 8X32 binos and LotuTec coatings on my Zeiss Varipoint 1.5-6X42 all work way better than I ever expected. I was initially kinda skeptical of its virtue when Bushnell introduced "Rainguard," but now I'm sold on the concept and this feature has become a huge selling point on scopes and binos for me!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maverick2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 11:03

Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:


Ted, no they don't have the AquaDura coatings


Bummer! I think all riflescopes over the $350 price point should have some sort of hydrophobic lens coatings, and especially high end optics! The AquaDura coatings on my ER 2.5-10X42 and my Ultravid HD 8X32 binos and LotuTec coatings on my Zeiss Varipoint 1.5-6X42 all work way better than I ever expected. I was initially kinda skeptical of its virtue when Bushnell introduced "Rainguard," but now I'm sold on the concept and this feature has become a huge selling point on scopes and binos for me!

I agree with this 100%.  I'll give up other features in a scope before I give up the hydrophobic coating on a hunting rifle.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 11:06
Me too, Mav!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote daveco Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 14:46
Lifetime Limited Warranty – plus 3 Year Leica Passport Protection, whatever that means.

Hopefully, more info will be forthcoming.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 15:39
I hear what you're saying Ted and you know how I feel about Rainguard type coats too as they have become one of the "must have" features especially since more and more companies have it available. Meopta only puts it on their top line R2 scopes, Zeiss on their mid-line and up, Bushnell on their Elites (maybe they are on the Legend line as well), Swaro (still not positive if their SwaroClean or Easy-to-Clean is a hydro reducing coating), Leica ER, ERi and some others I've probably missed. Heck, what the hell is up with S&B not even having them and Bushnell has had them since the late 90's. I see S&B has another new scope that was announced at SHOT that goes for $2400 and still no hydro coatings. Arguably the finest riflescopes on the planet, and the German lens wizard's at S&B can't/won't figure out how to make a similar lens coating ? The only scope I haven't replaced yet for a scope that has Rainguard is the one on my custom Husqvarna 06....



Edited by Roy Finn - January/23/2015 at 15:46
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 18:21
Let's see if the glass and coatings are the same or if they have been "tuned" for the market price.

One nice thing about S&B is they only offer one level of glass, they best they can make.

I am anxious to check these out of course
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 19:12
This might be one of those things where only a little work (assembly) is done here so they don't have to deal as much with all those import taxes. One thing I really like is the more slender eye piece on the new scopes. I was eyeballing the 2-10x50 and when I looked at the specs, I noticed it weighed 20 ounces which is about right for a euro(based) 50mm scope. I have the ER 2.5-10x42 and it comes in at slightly less than 17 ounces, and my first impression was that it was heavy. After some time, I now look at it like it was meant for the rifle all along. I'll bet it is bright ! ! !
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NDhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 19:46

I find it interesting, the Leica 42mm sizes are not listed above, and the 42mm

size compromises well over half of the of scopes sold by anyone.  Where are

those made?

I wonder about the made in USA, and how this model fits in the Leica sales

model.  Leica has been in and out of riflescopes, so keep that in mind.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 20:10
I hear what you are saying about the objective sizes, but they do offer 42mm's in the ERi line. I have a 2.5-10x42 ER and the box is marked Made in Germany. Now I hear that some if not all (ERi's) are made in Portugal where they have been making their bino's all along. Yeah they made a mistake teaming up with Leupold and for business disagreements, the partnership dissolved. Before that Leica made scopes and I don't know the reason they stopped. Leica doesn't have the marketing dollars to spend compared to Swaro and Zeiss and they have had their financial up's and downs as well. From what I've been told, they are back in the scope business "to stay". If their riflescopes turn out to be anything like their bino's and spotters, they should be durable as hell, which is something you can't say about Swarovski. I've heard quite a few people report about Swaro's lack of durability with their 1" scope line. In contrast, Zeiss has a 1" line that seems to be holding up very well. Leica's reputation for building superlative optics that are very robust as well, is well earned. I think they filled in the gaps pretty well with these new American built scopes at a surprisingly low price point. One of the smartest features they built in to all of them is having 4" of eye relief. Second focal plane reticles on non-ranging type reticles is a plus as well if your aim is the American market.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maverick2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 23:00

The attached link offers a little more info on these things.  I'm excited to see the amount of elevation adjustment increase over the current ER scopes, but disappointed in the lack of hydrophobic coating and that they dropped the MOA and Mil-based reticles (IBS and Ballistic) in favor of the BDC reticles.  Will be interested to hear feedback on the capped turrets -- I thought the locking, exposed turret that Leica had on their ERi 3-12 was a winner and that they may have been available with the higher mag offerings.  

http://us.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Riflescopes/Leica-ER-5/Range

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2015 at 23:16
I spent a fair amount of time with Leica and looked at the ER5 scopes in some detail.

I started recording my impressions while I still have them (here).  I will add more as I go along.

The scoop on ER5 scopes so far is as follows:  
- the glass is brought from Europe (from the Portuguese factory, I think)
- the design is done by Leica in Germany
- most of the mechanicals are made in the US (the tubes and all that are machined here)
- the assembly is done in the US

SHOT is not the best place to evaluate optics, but I liked what I saw with the ER5.  Overall quality is good, eyerelief is forgiving and weight is under control.  There are some specifics with the design that will make this basic chassis a good basis for a variety of scopes in the future.

Some of the reticles are newly designed and I was very happy to find out that some of the feedback from last year registered:  I complained that on some design the thick bars are so far apart that they are almost useless in low light.  On this scope, none of the reticles are ultra thin and there is clear consideration of how usable these will be in low light.

I have a lot of mileage with ER scopes and I doubt that these are as good.  However, they are not far off.

If I were to guess, I would say that the overall design intent of these scopes was to be better than Zeiss HD5.  It is hard to say without a side-by-side comparison, but the ER5s are nice scopes.

Of particularly interest to me is the 1.5-8x32 model that weighs only 12 ozs and looked really good.  However, I will likely look at one of the large models as well.  If a particular confiuration is of specific interest, let me know.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/24/2015 at 08:04
Good info
Thanks
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