Vortex vs. Leupold: Which Is The Better Scope?
Leuppold and Vortex both make a variety of scopes for a variety of purposes. The first thing most of us notice – the ones who work for a living anyway – is the price. That is often what separates the casual shooter from the professional. It is also often what can separate a fool and his money.
When the scopes from both companies are effectively the same, Vortex will come in a bit cheaper. If the Vortex model costs more, it is generally because it has a couple “extra” features. Before making assumptions of quality equating to cost, it is not a bad idea to look at what else can determine price and then make the decision for yourself.
Leupold Scope Overview
Leupold has been around since 1907, but did not start making rifle scopes until after World War II. Even before that, however, they had a reputation for manufacturing high quality glass for, among other things, surveying equipment. It is an American company with everything American from components to boxing and employs around 700 craftsmen, not just employees, craftsmen. Which are, you guessed it, also American. Leupold scopes are used by the US Armed forces as well as the Secret Service, albeit not exclusively. They are older and certainly more venerable than Vortex, but it is for the reason of keeping American skilled labor employed that there is a bit of a price hike on the store shelves. Yet it is generally accepted that the price is worth it: Leupold produces a quality product that your parents and even maybe your grandparents treasured for dependability and reliable performance.
About Vortex Optics
Vortex is an American company that has been making optics since 2004 and imports its components from overseas. In terms of quality, there is a negligible difference with glass from India, China, Philippines or Japan etc. when quality checked with that of American manufacture. After all it is Vortex’s responsibility to ensure that quality and customer reviews have been very favorable. There is, never the less, a strong inclination among US firearms enthusiasts to buy American. Or as is more often the case US gun people want to be seen to buy American. Quietly, they will enjoy a bargain like anyone else. For being a relatively new company, Vortex has done very well to be mentioned in the same sentence as Leupold and continues to be sought after, not just by the tactical shooters who grabbed up Vortex red dots, but also hunters and long-range shooters who require a reliable and trustworthy scope.
Warranties are Important!
Products of both companies come with warranties: Vortex has its Very Important Promise that they will fix or replace not only defects but also damage for the original owner. Leupold’s warranty is completely transferable for defects and any non-electronic failure, electronics only have a limited 2-year warranty. While different, the result of the warranties is generally viewed as comparable: such full replacement guarantees are offered to customers to inspire confidence, but by the company with the expectation that they will not be often required.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Vortex or a Leupold?
Despite being of comparable quality if not origins, brand names operate a large part of our experiences as consumers. To illustrate this, consider the following scenario: if you shoot and miss with a Leupold, observers may assume the fault lies with the shooter. If you shoot and miss with a Vortex, there is a good chance that observers will grant the shooter the benefit of the doubt: perhaps the fault lies in the scope. That is probably the most obvious difference – after the all important price – between the two companies any of us may ever be able to discern.