Well I did some trading this weekend and ended up with an old Weaver 4x Marksman crosshair (like new) for $20 and a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5 x 10 - 40 with AO (98%) for $300. Somebody told me Leupold now longer offers the AO on this model.
Did I do OK.

Heres the question - get home and look the Leupold over and compare it to my 2 year old Vari-X III 4.5 x 14 - 40 (fine duplex) and notice that when you look at the lenses on the newer one they have a green tint (coating) however the older 3.5 x 10 (duplex)doesn't seem to have the green tint.

Did they not use the multicoat 4 on these older vari-x III or just not the 3.5 x 10.

Any ideas.

Thanks,

RJS

RJS,
Leupold started incorporating MultiCoat 4 lens coatings in around 1990. I don't know exactly when the 3.5x-10x40mmAO was upgraded, but the 4.5x-14x was introduced with the MC4.

You have an older 3.5x-10x, and it is not fully multicoated. I'd say you overpaid if that is the case.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

Any idea what coatings they used on the earlier Vari-x III. Did they use the same coating as on the Vari-x II, some other coating, or no coating?

Now you've got my curiousity up.

RJS

They used a magnesium fluoride coating, and not all lens surfaces were coated. They were good, but the newer, MultiCoat 4 fully-
multicoated versions are better.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

You'll never be able to tell the difference in any of the coatings just by looking through the scope. I would anticipate your scope's brightness, clarity, and resolution will be equal to anything you can buy off of the dealer's shelf today (or tomorrow). It's probably even about as good as my 36 year-old Vari-X II.

Direct answer to your question: If the exterior, lens, and adjustments are all in excellent condition, then you did just fine in terms of dollars spent. A "like new" used Leupold will generally sell at 80 -85% the price of a (discounted) new one. Check this ratio against any other brand, regardless of how good it's touted to be.