Leupold 2.5 x 8 scope Vari-X vrs VX-III - what's different

[1187VX2]

I'm wondering what the differences are between Leupolds 2.5-8 X 32 mm older Vari-X scopes and the newer VX-III scopes.  Leupolds website seems to define the rifle scope lines pretty well & the changes over the years, but I'm not sure what applies to these pistol scopes.  Somebody please tell me what changed to get to the newer VX-III designation on this pistol scope.  Thanks.

[Catfish]

As near as I can tell the only big difference is the Vari Xll were friction adjustment and the VX lll`s are click adjustment.

[kennisondan]

I would just question the number of coatings and the placement of the coatings, intermal external, all coated, etc. and how the reflections inside are muted.... I just read something about it on another site and do not recall all of it, but it seemed like it came down to the placement and number of coatings of the various lenses internal and external.
\dk

[Lloyd Smale]

i dont think leupold ever made a 2.5x8 in any model except the vari xIII and with a 36mm objective. the vari xI and var xII were 2x7 28 mm scopes. the vari x111s have multi coated optics and click adjustments. The old vari x11s and the vari x1s dont. the newer vari x11s are muliti coated with click ajust but dont have as many coatings on the optics and use a different coating then the new vari xIIIs. confused yet

[kennisondan]

that is as obtuse as I can make it.... but Lloyd did better..
dk

[Graybeard]

Yeah well the failure of logic in all that is that until recently NONE of the handgun scopes were listed as or considered as a part of the Vari-X line up. Even the variable wasn't as far as I recall properly a Vari-X or VX either until the renaming of recent years.

You formerly had in the rifle scope line the Vari-X II and Vari-X III and the Compact which was not a Vari-X anthing. Same with the handgun scopes they were NOT Vari-X but just listed as handgun scopes.

Then Leupold made changes and added the Rifleman and VX-I lines and renamed the Vari-X lines to VX-II and VX-III. Not long afterward they reworked the Compacts and added them to the new VX line up. Some time following that the handgun variable also got added to the VX line up.

I've never owned one of their variable handgun scopes cuz the first couple I saw were to my eyes JUNK and not worthy of the Leupold name. Might be better now and might be those two I saw were the only bad ones ever made but they left a lasting impression on me that will likely forever prevent me owing one.

[Grumulkin]

I use use both the Vari-X and VX-III models of Leupolds 2.5-8X handgun scopes.  I think the glass may be a little brighter (or maybe my imagination) on the VX-III scopes but they're both excellent scopes.  In fact, for a heavy recoiling handgun they're probably the only scope I would use.

[Catfish]

I went back to the vault and the old scope I have is also just Maked Vari X and not 11, but I also have a VX 111 and I really can tell no difference, except as I said befor friction versis clicks on scope adjustments.

[Rog]

Below, I've cut and pasted from an email I recently recieved back from Leupold.

Hope this helps with the differences between the two scopes.

Regards,

Rog



Here's the cut/pasted email:
Roger,

The VX-III has better lens coatings and better adjustments than the former Vari-X III. The "Index Matched" lens coatings now on the VX-III have a different formula for each lens in the scope and light transmission is noticably better.

We will also send a new catalog.

Charlie Sunderlin

[Freezer]

    If I remember correctly the VXIII also had a longer eye relief for those who shoot streight up like the Brits.