Has anyone found out if the new Vari-X I is the same as the OLD Vari-X II?

From what I can gather it is, but I may be wrong. If so it will make them excellent value.

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Please get the nomenclature right, lest even more confusion is caused.

There is no "Vari-X I"; it's "VX-I", and it appears to be very similar, if not identical to the original "Vari-X II". There is also now a "VX-II", which differs from the old "Vari-X II" by having the EXTERIOR lenses multicoated and also having "click" detent adjustments as opposed to friction adjustments.

The "VX-II" is also available in matte, stainless, and gloss finishes while the "VX-I" is only available in gloss, and in more power ranges as compared to the "VX-I".

Whether there are actual differences internally between the original "Vari-X II", the "VX-I", and the "VX-II", the factory is not saying and no one outside of the factory seems to have yet had an opportunity to make a comparison.

I suspect the similarity of names of the three lines will cause a lot of confusion, perhaps not unintended by the Leupold folks.

I think we are already seeing the confusion. Midway closing out the all of a sudden "rare" 3x9x40 Vari II gloss, while selling the new VXI for $189. Yeah, sure. Dutch.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stonecreek:
[B]Please get the nomenclature right, lest even more confusion is caused.

Stonecreek:

Sorry about the "nomenclature" confusion! Maybe we are not schooled as well on Leupold products, here in San Antone, like you guys in Georgetown. I will do my best to get my ducks in a row next time I post a topic. I think the majority of surfers knew exactly what I was refering too. But, thanks for correcting me.

Corey

Corey: Sorry if I sounded "uppity", I surely didn't mean to offend. Your basic question as to whether there's any real difference between the new line and the old line is a very good one and I'm hoping someone with some concrete information will respond on this thread.

Leupold has made numerous adaptations to their original Vari-X II line through the years, most of them unannounced and mostly unnoticed. For example, the objective bell on the 3-9X is a bit smaller on the II-c than on the original, and it is also a fraction of an inch shorter. The original was a multi-piece tube, then, somewhere down the line, they went to a one-piece tube. I'm sure there have been some internal changes also. What's funny though, is that I have a couple of Vari-X II's that are over 35 years old, and a couple that are brand new (and many in between), and they all pretty much perform identically. I can't see any difference in the optics at all!

Incidentally, I paid $68 for a new Vari-X II 3-9X from a discount mail order firm in 1965. According to a CPI inflation calculator I found on the web, this is the equivalent of $366 in 2000. Considering I picked one up a couple of months ago for $179 (the equivalent of $33 in 1965), I'm confident they have become more affordable over 35 years.

Folks,

I talked to Leupold a few weeks ago about this. I posted what found out on the following thread...

http://www.serveroptions.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001196.html

Take Care,

-Steve

I stopped by the Leupold booth at the SHOT show this past weekend to look at the new VX glass. The 1/4 clicks and Multicoat is nice to see on the VX-II. Hard to tell how crisp the glass was by hnad holding in under the nasty lights. Would have really like to have strapped it on a rifle and stepped outside but Vegas ain't like it used to be. 8^)

The VX line is supposed to compete with the Nikon line of scopes. Time will tell.

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~spectr17

Jesse's Hunting Page and Gear Review

Stonecreek,
$179 is a fantastic price! The best I have found is $199
Leif Wold

Yeah, that's why I bought two. But that store sold out and I can't find anything now better than about the $190-$200 level.

I bought two 1 week ago from Bass Pro Shops - Katy, TX for $179. Gloss only though, at the time they had "tons of them!"