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Redfield Scopes

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=19351
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 17:46
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Topic: Redfield Scopes
Posted By: Acenturian
Subject: Redfield Scopes
Date Posted: September/19/2009 at 23:18
I have been away for awhile so please bring me up to date.  A quick inter-net check showed that Redfield was purchased by Leupold from Meade as well as the Weaver name being bought by ATK again a good thing since I love the Grand Slam scopes and under Meade I heard quality started to drop off.
 
So my question is what is up with Redfield, has Leupold said if they are going to make any scopes under the Redfield badge? 


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If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous




Replies:
Posted By: brodeur272
Date Posted: September/20/2009 at 19:55
Not much has been offered as far as info on that at this point from my reading.  Others may have a bit more insight based on contacts.


Posted By: silver
Date Posted: September/20/2009 at 21:09
I do not expect there ever to be a new Redfield scope to made.

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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

WWW.formitch.com



Posted By: fireroad
Date Posted: September/23/2009 at 17:33
I would second that.  Plenty of great deals on old redfields on Fleabay.  I still keep my 2-7x30 as a "just in case". If you do a google serch there is a company that still services them.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/23/2009 at 18:14
It looks like Leupold bought Redfield brand name in order to get rid of some competition.  I think that's a shame and I might ultimately be wrong, but time will tell.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
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Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/23/2009 at 23:55
Leupold will not discuss Redfield except to sat that they (Leupold) have no intention of even fixing the product for paid repair service, let alone making good on any "Lifetime Warrantee" on Redfield products.  Apparently, "Goodwill" is not what Leupold paid for and the word is not in the Leupold corporate lexicon. 

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CDR3


Posted By: Acenturian
Date Posted: September/24/2009 at 05:10
Ok...well that is too bad...Also too bad about not willing to fix a product for "paid" repair service.  If I had a Redfield and got that reply I can promise you my next purchase would not be Leupold.

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If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous



Posted By: REMF
Date Posted: September/26/2009 at 21:54
I have an older Redfield on a 10/22 set up for squirrel hunting.  I've never had a single problem with it, but I'm sad to hear that I couldn't get service for it if I needed it. 
 
I also own an old Leupold VARI-X III that is atop a 30-06.  It'll be the last Leupold I own - and I only keep it because it was a gift from my father. 
 
Is it just me, or does it seem that customer service has absolutely gone down the crapper across the board in this world?


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/26/2009 at 22:24
There are other companies that will fix Redfield scopes, despite Leupold turning their back on Redfield.  They paid Meade Optical good money for the Redfield brand which Meade ran into the ground.  I don't know how Leupold treated the purchase debit and asset on their books.  Some say that Leupold took a writeoff and bured the Redfield brand to keep others from using it.  In any event, whether Leupold retreads the brand or retires it, I won't buy their product because they won't stand behind it as Weaver has.
 
I still own two Leupold scopes (2-7x28 Vari-XII and a 4.5-14-40AO VX-III), plus a pair of Katmai binoculars, having just sold a third VX1 scope that I did not like.  Additionally, I have owned several Vari-XIII scopes in the past.  Leupold has worn thin with me and their prices for the VX-3 line are getting too close to the Germans to be a good value any longer.


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CDR3


Posted By: Sandracer
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 10:42
I don't know why Leupold bought the Redield name, but I don't feel they should be responsible for repair of the scopes they didn't make! How could you repair something  with parts you never made?  As far as the new VX-3 line, to me they are pretty much in line with others of the same quality. I have never had a problem with Leupold's service and feel they have gone overboard to fix things that were not even their fault. I still have an old Redfield low profile and would never expect Leupold to repair it since they never made it! I still have several old Vari-x II scopes and would take them over the chinese crap any day, guess what Leupold will fix theirs today that were made in the 70's, try this with your other brands!

That being said, I do have lots of other brands of scopes and like them too!


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 18:35
Sandracer, I was willing to pay Leupold to go over my Redfield scope.  They refused and said that they will not touch Redfield scopes, period!  Weaver on the other hand, is standing behind the warrantee on Weaver scopes made by made by Meade Optics.  Weaver will also service older scope not made by them!  That may not be the standard American, almighty buck first, thing to do but Weaver is doing it.  That is a class act!
 
Perhaps the optics dollars that I allocated in the past to Leupold will now go to Weaver for having class and a decent product!  I certainly do not need my Leupold binoculars anymore and never use them.  I believe selling them will be the next step in shedding myself of Leupold.  I will use the money from the binoculars toward buying a Weaver scope.


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CDR3


Posted By: Al Nyhus
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 22:24
    When Redfield rolled up it's tent for good in 1998, subsequent owner Blount didn't honor any outstanding Redfield warranty issues. Nor did later owner Meade. They simply bought the rights to mfg. and sell scopes under the Redfield name. There was no tooling, spare parts or anything else sold along with the name. Ditto with the latest owner, Leupold.
 
     Spares and parts from Redfield were acquired by ABO in Florida. ABO still services Redfield scopes, so there's your source for having the scope fixed. I believe that Iron Sight, Inc. (not sure where they are located) also provides Redfield service.
 
    Hard to make a case for Leupold honoring warranties and/or repairing scopes from a company that's been closed for 11 years, has had two previous owners and for which they have no parts.....


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"Marsupials scare me".


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/27/2009 at 23:05
I was not aware that ABO had purchased the assets of Redfield.  I agree that the Redfield brand was run into the ground first by Blount and then by Meade.
 
I guess that I am just sorry to see a premium brand of scope be treated so shabbily.  I have (had) owned several of their scopes including Illuminator's and Low Pro's and it is a sorry shame of a proud brand decline.  It started even under the auspices of Redfield, Denver.  Very ugly, all around.


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CDR3


Posted By: Al Nyhus
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 05:07
Originally posted by Oldtrader3 Oldtrader3 wrote:

I guess that I am just sorry to see a premium brand of scope be treated so shabbily. 
 
    I think anyone that's been around hunting and shooting for any length of time has a soft spot in their heart for the Redfield brand name. I sure do. There's something about a Redfield 6-18 Golden Five Star on top of a classic varmint rifle like an original Remington  Varmint Specials ....they just look like they were made for each other.
 
   Things were pretty hinky in Redfield-land for several years before the EPA deal proved to be the final straw. Quality had slipped badly and it seemed like they had lost their direction. When they made one final attempt to revive the line by introducing some pretty good quality stuff at the end, the fat lady had already sung.
 
    I dearly wanted to buy both a TX-27 5-20X40 and a 6-24X50 Varmint, but talked myself out of it until things looked a bit more stable out there. 
 
     Glad I waited.


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"Marsupials scare me".


Posted By: REMF
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 07:21
My only point was that Leupold was doing what has become a trend in a LOT of industries - not just optics.  
 
For example, Chase bank recently purchased Washington Mutual...but not all of Washington Mutual.  They did not purchase the "toxic assets," rather only the safer stuff while leaving the mess for taxpayers to purchase.
 
While it's not a perfect analogy, it's called "Cream Skimming," and the net result is that I have very little faith in a warranty of any kind anymore.  Same thing happened to us with some furniture we bought several years back.  The company had some trouble and sold the assets but not the liabilities, and we were left with broken gear.
 
I just don't ascribe a lot of financial value from warranties any more.  I even own a lot of Zeiss, Swaro and Leica gear, but I don't blindly assume that they will be around forever either.


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 08:22
It sounds like Leupold saved the Redfield name from anymore trashing..........


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 09:34
The executives that thrashed these optics companies got their golden parachutes.  How come the American consumer has no protection of services promised, like warranties for instance?  You know why because nobody does anything about it.  The Consumer Protection Agency is too busy helping the US Congress steal promised entitlements like Medicare and Social Security surpluses.  This is after the US Congress has already stripped and raped the Social Security surplus fund every year since LBJ got in office.
 
Maybe companies should be required to set-up a financial reserve with a bank to protect warrantee rights for consumers before a company can pay their golden parachutes and have their pension fund siphoned off and sold as a simple asset (read: no pension for their workers, except from the Federal Insurance Quarantee Fund).
 
We allow these slimey thieves including our Senators and Congressmen to take anything that they want to steal and do nothing about it.  Someone needs to be an advocate for the American people since they won't be their own advocate.  We can have rights once again, you know.


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CDR3


Posted By: Sandracer
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 10:52
ShockedWhackoThe company I work for has done the very thing you are talking about! They sold all of their assets to other companies to ravage and reap the easy profit, then resell what's left. I may make it another year for retirement before all is gone and then again maybe not! The CEO of the original company took millions of dollars and retired, then left the rest of us poor bastards to go to hell! Is this the american way?

I don't look for Obama to help us out, maybe he could move Acorn to Oregon.Whacko


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 12:50
Just think that guy that did that to you, his parent's spent $150,000. sending him to MBA school to learn "greed is good". 

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CDR3


Posted By: REMF
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 18:48
Don't get me wrong.  Yes, executives don't always make decisions that are in the best interest of their customers.  They are paid by the shareholders to make decisions that are in their best interest. 
 
Despite the shortcomings of these changes in corporate control, I still hold to the free-market principles which made this country great.  I would rather have business people making these kinds of decisions than our government.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, your only out is to vote with your pocketbook.  If you don't like Leupold's decision...then don't purchase their product.
 
Again, I use Leupold as an example.  I'm not unfairly picking on them; however, they seem to be the target in the crosshairs right now.  If Bushnell or some other company chose to do the same, I would be talking about them.


Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: September/28/2009 at 20:20
Speaking of banks destroying shareholder value!  If you want to see a shareholder rebellion that succeeded and then died, look at B of A/Merril Lynch.  We, the stockholders, rebelled and voted to kick the CEO out and fire the board.  However, Kenneth Lewis is (still) CEO and nothing changed!  I am one unhappy (minority) shareholder with the taxpayer owned B of A and Kenny Big Bucks! 


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CDR3


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: October/01/2009 at 07:43
If I have to worry about the scope going back to be fixed....then I don't want that scope. 

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Be sure to visit,

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=50 - THE ED SHOW

Ju Cucarachas!!!


Posted By: Al Nyhus
Date Posted: October/02/2009 at 08:37
Originally posted by Ed Connelly Ed Connelly wrote:

If I have to worry about the scope going back to be fixed....then I don't want that scope. 
 
    That doesn't leave many options. Wink   -Al


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"Marsupials scare me".


Posted By: Acenturian
Date Posted: October/02/2009 at 23:59
Personally, I think they should change the rules a bit.  After all big business is still a customer and they still have a choice when they buy a defunct company or smaller company ect... but perhaps if laws protected the consumer so when there is a life time warranty they buy that as well.  They have a choice don't want to honor it (fix it, exchange it whatever) then don't buy the name.
 
I stopped being a Leupold fan long ago when I started actually 'shopping' for a scope instead of being so brand loyal.  Many of the companies out there today have passed up the "America's Optics Authority" by producing products that are better at a lower price. just a quick check for a standard 3-9 (or there about) rifle scope and you can see what I mean.
Leupold VXII 3-9 is listed here at $399  ( Iwouldnt even consider a VXI)
Bushnell 4200 Elite 3-9  $299
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10 $379
Weaver GS 3.5-10 $269.95
All these scope IMHO beat out the VXII. Heck they are more in line with the VXIII line so why pay more for less performance? A name ? OK, well spend $40 more dollars and you can have a Zeiss 3-9 Conquest ......$40.00 more to a VXII??? Loco


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If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous



Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 01:03
Consider this, Cerebus owns Chrysler and is selling a major interest to Fiat.  How many people do you know that are going to buy a Chrysler automobile unless the new company honors the warantees on the 3-4 million chrysler products that are on the road, many of which are still under some warrantee.  The same with GM.  GM went backrupt and stiffed most of their shareholder (I was one of them) out of 100% of their money!  Do you think for one second that the new GM does not have enough "Goodwill" monies put in a Reserve account to protect the warrantees of all the cars out there that have been sold in the past five years?  Do you think anyone would actually buy a Chevy if they didn't honor warrantees?
 
This is how companies protect their customers from ditching them like the plague.  They provide goodwill as part of the deal in order to cover warrantee service on product made by the former owner.  Public companies do this as a matter of course to stay in business and keep former customers.. 
 
Privately owned, closely held (read family) companies are cheap and want to squeese every dollar out of every deal.  So private companies refuse to provide goodwill monies to new owners for warrantee coverage and their customers get shafted.  This is true except for ATK in the case of Weaver who agreed to honor warrantees from Meade and even Blount ownership to whom they owe nothing.  That may prove to be a smart move for building customer loyalty.


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CDR3


Posted By: Acenturian
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 05:55
I agree ATK should be commended for they way they are doing business under the Weaver brand.  I for one have always loved the Grand Slam series and because of what I read here about their customer service I will continue to be a Weaver customer.

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If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous



Posted By: crispycritter
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 13:59
Originally posted by Acenturian Acenturian wrote:

Personally, I think they should change the rules a bit.  After all big business is still a customer and they still have a choice when they buy a defunct company or smaller company ect... but perhaps if laws protected the consumer so when there is a life time warranty they buy that as well.  They have a choice don't want to honor it (fix it, exchange it whatever) then don't buy the name.
 
I stopped being a Leupold fan long ago when I started actually 'shopping' for a scope instead of being so brand loyal.  Many of the companies out there today have passed up the "America's Optics Authority" by producing products that are better at a lower price. just a quick check for a standard 3-9 (or there about) rifle scope and you can see what I mean.
Leupold VXII 3-9 is listed here at $399  ( Iwouldnt even consider a VXI)
Bushnell 4200 Elite 3-9  $299
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10 $379
Weaver GS 3.5-10 $269.95
All these scope IMHO beat out the VXII. Heck they are more in line with the VXIII line so why pay more for less performance? A name ? OK, well spend $40 more dollars and you can have a Zeiss 3-9 Conquest ......$40.00 more to a VXII??? Loco
 
 
 
$399 for a VX-II 3-9 ?  The 40 mm with dup runs $329.


Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: October/03/2009 at 14:07
Originally posted by Al Nyhus Al Nyhus wrote:

Originally posted by Ed Connelly Ed Connelly wrote:

If I have to worry about the scope going back to be fixed....then I don't want that scope. 
 
    That doesn't leave many options. Wink   -Al
 
I probably should have included this picture with my remark!!!    Roll on Floor Laughing
 


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Be sure to visit,

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=50 - THE ED SHOW

Ju Cucarachas!!!



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