posted also on GUNSMITHING:

I've just seen the 2002 Leupold brochure announcing the replacement for the Vari-X II line. Surprise! It's not one new line, but two: the VX-I and VX-II lines. And, another surprise, they will both continue to be made in America at the Oregon plant.
No pricing information is available, but the VX-I is now the price leader model, with a 2-7, 3-9, and 4-12, all available only in gloss and without AO. The VX-I has single-coat lenses and friction adjustments.

The VX-II line has matte and silver finishes available in addition to gloss, 1/4 minute click adjustments, and multi-coating on the EXTERNAL lenses only (had to leave something to hype for the Vari-X III's).

No information is available about the erector system and other internal features, but there must be some differences because the specifications table gives a bit less eye relief and field of view for the 3-9 model in the I vs. the II. It also shows the maximum actual magnification for the I at 8.5X and the II at 8.6X. Weight and dimensions appear identical for the I and the II and are also similar to, if not identical to, the original Vari-X II.

My guess is that the VX-I will be a bit cheaper than the current Vari-X II and the VX-II will be a bit pricier.

Would be interested if someone has additional information not contained in the literature.

Stone creek my gundealer told me that the vari X 1 line of scopes will have tubes which are not one piece, but made up of 3 pieces like cheaper scopes. I thought that the VX1 scopes would just be the current VX2 scopes re badged. Any truth to this???

Regards PC

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[This message has been edited by PC (edited 12-23-2001).]

I was listening to a gun show on the radio last week and they had a gentleman on from Leupold talking about the new line.

He said that the new VX-I line is essentially the same as the old VariX-II line. The exceptions were only coating the outer lenses and limiting the line to a few models. Limiting the line was to allow then to compete with other lower end scopes through economies of scale.

The VX-II line is offered in more models. I think it has 30mm tubes as well, but don't quote me on that.

I have the memory of a sea slug, so I can't remember a lot of what was said on the show.

If you'd like I can call them Monday or on Wednesday and get the details.

They are a local company and it's a local call for me. One of these days I'm going to take a tour. Kind of like New Yorkers never going to the Statue of Liberty.

Take Care and Happy Holidays!

-Steve

I thought as much, so the VX1 will still have a mono tube??.

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Stone Creek,

That's disappointing. I was hoping that Leupold would replace the Vari-X II line with the Vari-X III as the bottom end of their product offerings. I hoped to see a new Vari-X IV line with a 4 to 1 variable multiplier, one inch tube, and quick adjusting eyepieces as they have in their illuminated reticle scopes.

Good Hunting !

Folks,

I tried calling Leupold and found that they are shutdown during the Christmas-New Year week. I will try and get the low down next week.

Take Care,

-Steve

Folks,

I called Leupold and talked to a customer service rep who was quite helpful.

Here's the scoop...

VX-I
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Construction: One Piece

Coatings: Magnesium fluoride on all lenses

Custom options (i.e., reticules): None
[She did think that Premiere Reticule might offer reticules]

Models: Limited to 2x7, 4x12, and 3x9

Adjustment: Friction

Finish: Gloss only

VX-II
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Construction: One Piece

Coatings: Magnesium fluoride on internal lenses. Multi-coat 4 on objective and ocular

Custom options (i.e., reticules): Yes

Models: Many (too many to list)

Adjustment: Click

Finish: Multiple

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Basically the scope are based on he same components. Differences are limited to coatings and available features

She said that the VX-II differed substantially from the VariX-III in construction components and coatings (VariX-II has multi coaling on all lenses)

So there you go.

Take Care,
-Steve

[This message has been edited by Steve (edited 01-03-2002).]

A pity they dropped the 1-4 in the VX-1 line. I just may have to take advantage of the new pricing and get one of the 2-7's for my wifes rifle though.

Thanks steve, thats great, so basically the vx 1 line is the old vx 2 line slashed to the most popular models but with the same features as the old vx 2. They will represent good value and still a quality scope.

Regards PC.

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Checkout www.leupold.com for the whole story on both the VX-1 and VX-II.