Leupold LPS: Use it or buy new

[skydiver386]

Rummaging through one of my safes, I came across some old Leupold boxes and one felt heavier than the others. It turned out to be a silver box with an LPS scope that I purchased new more than 20 years ago, and never mounted on a rifle.

I have several PG caliber rifles under construction that would be a good match for this scope, but I understand optics make leaps and bounds in quality every year.

Should I send it to Leupold and have it cleaned, inspected and dry nitrogen purged and use it on my new .257 or .280? Or sell and buy a newer scope in the same price range?

 

[wvfred]

I sent my 1.5x6 LPS in to be cleaned and serviced and they just sent me a new VX HD in place of it.Leupolds customer service is hard to beat!

 

[375Fox]

Use it. No reason to have it cleaned and purged if new in box.

 

[skydiver386]

After looking through the scope beside a few others, I think it's best to take a trip to Oregon for a little freshening up. The view looks cloudy, a little yellow and fuzzy.

Called Leupold and a nice young fellow named Nick said it may or may not be possible to service this scope. If not, I'll ask if they can swap it for a VX5HD.

 

[375Fox]

After looking through the scope beside a few others, I think it's best to take a trip to Oregon for a little freshening up. The view looks cloudy, a little yellow and fuzzy.

Called Leupold and a nice young fellow named Nick said it may or may not be possible to service this scope. If not, I'll ask if they can swap it for a VX5HD.

I’m surprised to hear that if new in box. My oldest Leupold was given to me by my dad from 1987. Still clear.

 

[skydiver386]

The only logical explanation is that it may have been exposed to high heat when I lived in Arizona, and put some things in storage when I retired from the Army. I've had several dozen Leupold scopes that are much older than this one, and none have ever looked like this.

 

[wvfred]

They swapped mine for a VX6 HD.

 

[CBeck]

Surprising…I have and old red field wide field scope form the 70’s clear as the day it was made. I can’t believe storage or not it would have any effect on clarity.

 

[skydiver386]

Getting the scope ready to send to Leupold Customer Service and found the original receipt in the bottom of the box. Ahh the good old days. I bought this at Welchers Gun Shop in Tacoma,Wa and paid $579.95 for what was at the time their most expensive line of scopes. This was in May of 2001. I think their top line now is somewhere around $1,500.00, so we’ll see what they do for a repair or replacement.

 

[375Fox]

Getting the scope ready to send to Leupold Customer Service and found the original receipt in the bottom of the box. Ahh the good old days. I bought this at Welchers Gun Shop in Tacoma,Wa and paid $579.95 for what was at the time their most expensive line of scopes. This was in May of 2001. I think their top line now is somewhere around $1,500.00, so we’ll see what they do for a repair or replacement.
View attachment 667320

I wish Leupold still made scopes like that. Just a simple tough scope. No CDS dials.

 

[skydiver386]

Update

Sent the scope back to Leupold 6 weeks ago and got an email yesterday to call Customer Service. Nice young man informed me that the scope could not be repaired, but replacement value was $2,000. Anything in the VX5 or VX6 line under that price point was mine for the asking.

I briefly considered a 1-5x24, but since I already have several in that range, the VX5HD 4-20X52 got the nod. It will sit perfectly on a long range rifle currently under construction.

A similar VX6 would have been nice, but would have gone just over the price mark.

In any case, I'm 100% happy with how things turned out. Leupold is a bit backed up right now, but replaced my scope with no questions asked other than what new scope I would like to replace the old one.

 

[375Fox]

I’m definitely glad they honored their warranty (as expected) and presented you an option you are happy with. However, I would have liked to hear they repaired it instead of just offering a replacement. I’ve heard a few stories recently of what should be simple work offered a replacement instead of a repair. I’d like to know they still have the people to work on scopes especially if I decide to send in an older scope I like one day.

 

[skydiver386]

I’m definitely glad they honored their warranty (as expected) and presented you an option you are happy with. However, I would have liked to hear they repaired it instead of just offering a replacement. I’ve heard a few stories recently of what should be simple work offered a replacement instead of a repair. I’d like to know they still have the people to work on scopes especially if I decide to send in an older scope I like one day.

I agree, a simple repair would have made me happy, but we are talking about a product line they haven't produced in close to 25 years, so I think I understand their position.

Just a guess, but they probably ran out of parts, such as lenses, of that specification a while ago.

Looking at the bright side, how many companies would allow you to return a product nearly 25 years old, offer to replace it with another product of an even higher value, and thank you profusely for your business? I had totally forgotten that I even had that scope in the back of my gun safe, so for me it was like getting a $2,000 Leupold under the Christmas tree.

 

[375Fox]

I agree, a simple repair would have made me happy, but we are talking about a product line they haven't produced in close to 25 years, so I think I understand their position.

Just a guess, but they probably ran out of parts, such as lenses, of that specification a while ago.

Looking at the bright side, how many companies would allow you to return a product nearly 25 years old, offer to replace it with another product of an even higher value, and thank you profusely for your business? I had totally forgotten that I even had that scope in the back of my gun safe, so for me it was like getting a $2,000 Leupold under the Christmas tree.

They definitely honor their warranty. I’m not sure I like their current direction though. If they reopened their custom shop it would be a positive sign. I’m still a fan of their scopes though.

 

[skydiver386]

I can't blame them. Tacticool features sells a lot of expensive optics right now.

On a hunting scope, I like the simple low capped turrets, but you and I are probably in the minority.

 

[Spearhead]

They definitely honor their warranty. I’m not sure I like their current direction though. If they reopened their custom shop it would be a positive sign. I’m still a fan of their scopes though.

@375Fox , if I may (no way trying to hijack op post). Would you buy a new scope from them today? I need a scope and was always stuck on Zeiss since high school in the 80's. I just wanted capped turrets and a lighted dot. Seems simple, but is harder than I thought to find solid glass without totally getting bent over.

 

[375Fox]

@375Fox , if I may (no way trying to hijack op post). Would you buy a new scope from them today? I need a scope and was always stuck on Zeiss since high school in the 80's. I just wanted capped turrets and a lighted dot. Seems simple, but is harder than I thought to find solid glass without totally getting bent over.

It’s still my favorite scope, but their options with higher end glass and no CDS are very limited. I really like the vx5 2-10. I also just put a recently discontinued vx6 1-6 patrol on a new 375. EuroOptic has a good deal on it now.

https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-patrol-6hd-1-6x24mm-30mm-sfp-illum-firedot-duplex-riflescope-182398

 

[Woodcarver]

I’m definitely glad they honored their warranty (as expected) and presented you an option you are happy with. However, I would have liked to hear they repaired it instead of just offering a replacement. I’ve heard a few stories recently of what should be simple work offered a replacement instead of a repair. I’d like to know they still have the people to work on scopes especially if I decide to send in an older scope I like one day.

I sent an old gloss VariX II 3-9x40 in early last year after the reticle broke. That scope was roughly 30 years old. Made it very clear on the return form that I really wanted it repaired, not replaced. A few weeks later, original scope showed up with the reticle and seals replaced, lenses spotless, and a fresh purge complete. They can still do repair work.

 

[BonUm16]

I sent an old gloss VariX II 3-9x40 in early last year after the reticle broke. That scope was roughly 30 years old. Made it very clear on the return form that I really wanted it repaired, not replaced. A few weeks later, original scope showed up with the reticle and seals replaced, lenses spotless, and a fresh purge complete. They can still do repair work.

Appreciate you posting this. I have a VariX 2-7x28 Compact of roughly the same age that I’ve been holding off sending back out of concerns similar to yours. To me, it’s the perfect lever-gun scope, both in performance and aesthetics. No desire to have it replaced with something larger and newer.

 

[ActionBob]

Update

Sent the scope back to Leupold 6 weeks ago and got an email yesterday to call Customer Service. Nice young man informed me that the scope could not be repaired, but replacement value was $2,000. Anything in the VX5 or VX6 line under that price point was mine for the asking.

I briefly considered a 1-5x24, but since I already have several in that range, the VX5HD 4-20X52 got the nod. It will sit perfectly on a long range rifle currently under construction.

A similar VX6 would have been nice, but would have gone just over the price mark.

In any case, I'm 100% happy with how things turned out. Leupold is a bit backed up right now, but replaced my scope with no questions asked other than what new scope I would like to replace the old one.

That is awesome Congratulations and well done.