Leupold Vx-3 cds vs Vx-5hd [Archive]

Weatherby Fan

02-17-2021, 05:38 AM

Really depends on what models you’re talking about and if you have weight concerns for your application,

The VX3 HD 4.5-14x40 30mm ZL-CDS is about the best compromise for a lightweight long range hunting/shooting scope, but if you don’t mind the extra weight the VX5 HD 3-15x44 ZL-CDS is an excellent option.

If your strictly hunting with it take the money saving approach between the two

bchunter181

02-17-2021, 06:07 AM

Yah those are the 2 models I am looking at
Vx-3hd 4.5-14x40 cds zl vs
Vx-5hd 3-15 x44 cds zl2 side focus

I think its 6.3oz difference.

islandhunter

02-17-2021, 08:02 AM

The firedot might sway me to go vx5

Ride Red

02-17-2021, 08:08 AM

Yah those are the 2 models I am looking at
Vx-3hd 4.5-14x40 cds zl vs
Vx-5hd 3-15 x44 cds zl2 side focus

I think its 6.3oz difference.

I agree with WF, save the weight, save the cash. Jmo.

sako79

02-17-2021, 08:47 AM

I had both the vx5hd is amazing glass and I had the firedot But it was useless to me because of my stigmatism all I saw was 6 dots at once. I'm now back to the vx3i. The vx5hd is well worth the extra money in my opinion the main reason I went back to the vx3 also was the weight savings with my lightweight gun

THE SWEDE

02-17-2021, 09:00 AM

I own both and like Weatherby Fan says if you just hunting go with the 3i.. I’d also wait and see what the new VX3 HD’s look like.

sako79

02-17-2021, 09:05 AM

I own both and like Weatherby Fan says if you just hunting go with the 3i.. I’d also wait and see what the new VX3 HD’s look like.

Yes I hope they're going to come out with a 2 to 12 or 3 to 12 that weighs around 14 oz

todbartell

02-17-2021, 09:54 AM

Yes I hope they're going to come out with a 2 to 12 or 3 to 12 that weighs around 14 oz

won't happen, they're a 3x zoom range like the previous generations (2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, 4.5-14x)

If you want to dial past 15moa, the 5HD is the ticket. For most hunting needs the 3i/3HD are great

sako79

02-17-2021, 11:11 AM

won't happen, they're a 3x zoom range like the previous generations (2.5-8x36, 3.5-10x40, 4.5-14x)

If you want to dial past 15moa, the 5HD is the ticket. For most hunting needs the 3i/3HD are great

Have you got your hands on the new vx3 HD how did the compared to the previous line

todbartell

02-17-2021, 11:40 AM

Haven't seen one yet

bchunter181

02-17-2021, 04:48 PM

I own both and like Weatherby Fan says if you just hunting go with the 3i.. I’d also wait and see what the new VX3 HD’s look like.

When is the new vx-3hd supposed to come out?

THE SWEDE

02-17-2021, 04:54 PM

Should start showing up anytime now.

.330 Dakota

02-17-2021, 11:21 PM

When is the new vx-3hd supposed to come out?

Theyre out,,I have one on my kitchen table as I write this,,,they are not much different than the VX3I CDS model,,as far as the glass, cant tell the difference,,,,the HD5,,,I also have one of those on my 330 Dakota,,,because of the 30mm tube, the light gathering, and clarity is way better than the VX3 model,,also the CDS dial goes double the distance of a 1" tube scope

sako79

02-17-2021, 11:30 PM

Theyre out,,I have one on my kitchen table as I write this,,,they are not much different than the VX3I CDS model,,as far as the glass, cant tell the difference,,,,the HD5,,,I also have one of those on my 330 Dakota,,,because of the 30mm tube, the light gathering, and clarity is way better than the VX3 model,,also the CDS dial goes double the distance of a 1" tube scope

Where did you get your vx3 HD from

Ohwildwon

02-18-2021, 12:59 AM

Less weight the better, unless you drive around all day

.330 Dakota

02-18-2021, 09:48 PM

Where did you get your vx3 HD from
Directly from Korth, I have the 2.5-8x36, they have a 1.5 - 5 in stock as well

sako79

02-18-2021, 09:49 PM

Directly from Korth

Well then how does it compare

.330 Dakota

02-18-2021, 09:51 PM

I really cant tell the difference between it and the VX3i models,, I have 2 of those, other than the 2.5-8 is a good 1 to 1.5 inches shorter,,,I also have an HD5, and that is a way better glass

REMINGTON JIM

02-18-2021, 10:00 PM

Directly from Korth, I have the 2.5-8x36, they have a 1.5 - 5 in stock as well

Hmm ! Korth sells Direct to the public now ? :-) What did that scope cost ? :wink: RJ

REMINGTON JIM

02-18-2021, 10:05 PM

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-4-5-14x50-cds-zl-duplex Nice scope ! RJ

Bustercluck

02-20-2021, 08:12 PM

Why wouldn’t you guys go with the side focus model in the vx3?

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-4-5-14x40-side-focus-cds-zl-wind-plex

VLD43

02-20-2021, 08:29 PM

Why wouldn’t you guys go with the side focus model in the vx3?

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-4-5-14x40-side-focus-cds-zl-wind-plex

Your absolutely right. The model you suggest is the only one in the VX3 HD line up with a 30 mm main tube and side focus. The rest are all 1 inch tubes

REMINGTON JIM

02-20-2021, 08:31 PM

Why wouldn’t you guys go with the side focus model in the vx3?

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-4-5-14x40-side-focus-cds-zl-wind-plex

I GOT a few of them In VX3 & VX3! and there Very Nice ! RJ

Bustercluck

02-20-2021, 08:31 PM

There seems to be a few guys on here in the know of the vx5, so I’ll ask another question. Is there any difference between the vx5 windplex model and the impact29 other than the reticle? It seems like $300-400 more for just a reticle is quite expensive.

https://www.leupold.com/vx-5hd-3-15x44-cds-zl2-side-focus-wind-plex-riflescope

https://www.leupold.com/vx-5hd-3-15x44-cds-zl2-side-focus-impact-29-moa-riflescope

Weatherby Fan

02-20-2021, 09:22 PM

Why wouldn’t you guys go with the side focus model in the vx3?

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-4-5-14x40-side-focus-cds-zl-wind-plex

That’s my favourite lightweight hunting Scope.

Bustercluck

02-20-2021, 10:24 PM

That’s my favourite lightweight hunting Scope.
I was going to get some new binos this year, but I think a scope would be a better purchase. I have it narrowed down to one of the three I pasted links for. I’m thinking it’ll be the vx5 with the windplex reticle.

madcalfe

02-21-2021, 06:48 AM

i had the vx5hd with the Boone and crocket reticle and really liked it. was good enough to dial the 300wsm to 1100 yards.

VLD43

02-21-2021, 12:09 PM

I was going to get some new binos this year, but I think a scope would be a better purchase. I have it narrowed down to one of the three I pasted links for. I’m thinking it’ll be the vx5 with the windplex reticle.

If you can before making a final decision, see if you can physically handle or see the scopes your considering in the flesh. The reason I suggest this is that the VX5 HD is a great scope but it is fairly heavy and quite large in size. Unless your planning on shooting out past 500 yds that scope is of no real practical use. I have both the VX5 HD and the VX3i 4.5 x 14 - 30 mm tube side focus. They are both great scopes but for hunting the VX3i is the right balance of power vs weight in my mind. Good luck what ever you decide to do.

Bustercluck

02-26-2021, 12:48 PM

The dilemma continues. I can get the vx3hd right now, or preorder and wait for the vx5 that will probably be here April 15ish. Decisions, decisions.

Bustercluck

02-26-2021, 02:22 PM

I let the kids decide. They picked the vx5 so I have one coming from great north precision. Should be here mid April.

VLD43

02-26-2021, 04:44 PM

I let the kids decide. They picked the vx5 so I have one coming from great north precision. Should be here mid April.

That's what I would have done if Dad is paying for it. Hope it works out well for you.

Bustercluck

03-13-2021, 11:45 AM

todbartell

03-13-2021, 11:55 AM

https://media.giphy.com/media/czCrt9bpoXzMc/giphy.gif

twoSevenO

03-13-2021, 09:18 PM

Lol ... ya, I could never use that reticle for hunting. That would be terrible

hawk-i

03-13-2021, 11:48 PM

I ended up with the vx5hd and impact 29 reticle. I didn’t want to wait for one to come in and I really wasn’t confident that they were going to show up on time from the retailers. I threw in a timney trigger spring at the same time. I actually took the light spring and trimmed it down a touch more.
https://i.imgur.com/xY3R8JA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PyiJEPD.jpg

I've got the same VX5HD as you....very nice scope, the problem with the VX3HD is it only has 14.5 MOA dial up....what the heck are you going to do with that!

REMINGTON JIM

03-14-2021, 12:24 AM

Lol ... ya, I could never use that reticle for hunting. That would be terrible

I AGREE - Ok for target shooting BUT it would be HORRIBLE for a Hunting ! jmo RJ

donny.brooke

03-14-2021, 05:02 AM

I let the kids decide. They picked the vx5 so I have one coming from great north precision. Should be here mid April.

April 2022 maybe lol.

Bustercluck

03-14-2021, 07:30 AM

I AGREE - Ok for target shooting BUT it would be HORRIBLE for a Hunting ! jmo RJ

Lol ... ya, I could never use that reticle for hunting. That would be terrible

What don’t you like about it? The fine crosshairs? Or the busy window? I’m going to bring it for a test drive today. The fine cross hairs is what worries me. I’ll hold it up to a bunch of different backdrops and see how it sticks out.

hawk-i

03-14-2021, 07:51 AM

What don’t you like about it? The fine crosshairs? Or the busy window? I’m going to bring it for a test drive today. The fine cross hairs is what worries me. I’ll hold it up to a bunch of different backdrops and see how it sticks out.

A little thicker would be nice but even at last dusk or first dawn on 3 power it still works on a dark coloured object in bush.

An illuminated dot would make it perfect as an all around reticle though...JMHO :)

Bustercluck

03-14-2021, 08:17 AM

The picture of the crosshairs doesn’t do it justice. I can see all of the numbers clear as day looking through it.

REMINGTON JIM

03-14-2021, 08:56 AM

sako79

03-14-2021, 09:01 AM

Bustercluck

03-14-2021, 09:13 AM

All those dot's and numbers - just WAY too much in there for a hunting scope and too FINE for FAST hunting WHY would you want all that in there with a CDS scope ? WindPlex is Perfect with CDS system - Hey just my Opinion - if you like it - GREAT !
I still like My B&C reticle and LR reticle with windplex BEST for hunting - RJ
The problem with the windplex is you can’t buy one right now and nobody knows when they’re going to get one. I don’t know if you could even find a duplex at the moment and the b and c seems kind of useless to me. I’ve been looking for one for a couple of months. Great north said they’d get one in mid April, but every other retailer has no idea when they’ll be in so I figured great north is giving a little bit of lip service.

Maybe I’ll change my mind, but I have zero interest in getting custom dials made up for this scope. If you know what a minute of angle is then there’s no reason for them. I personally think it’s a false sense of security. I have a sightron with an moa reticle and I’ve shot out to 500 metres with it plenty of times without touching the turret, so there must be some value in that, maybe if you’re making a quicker shot and don’t have time or don’t want to move and spook something.

For the record, this is on a dedicated sheep rifle. It won’t be used for deer, moose or any other critters.

REMINGTON JIM

03-14-2021, 09:27 AM

All GOOD ! Buster ;-) RJ

Bustercluck

08-02-2021, 11:10 PM

Just thought I’d throw something out there.

I was out shooting today with my vx-5 and my brother was shooting with his vx-3. The screws that hold on his top turret came loose and let the turret free-wheel. Shortly after I found a bit of a wiggle room on my parallax adjustment and it was the same problem. Kind of odd that it happened to us on the same day

I reset mine at 100yards and tightened it down. I’m going to shoot with it a couple more times and then pull each screw out one at a time and put a dab of pink(low strength) loctite on each screw and tighten them back up.

Just thought I’d share just in case someone heads out hunting and has that happen or loses a turret altogether.

REMINGTON JIM

08-03-2021, 08:11 AM

There Sick - Covid Scopes Buster ? Jab them with Loctite ! :p RJ

Bustercluck

08-03-2021, 08:27 AM

There Sick - Covid Scopes Buster ? Jab them with Loctite ! :p RJ
Is that a government approved message? Lol

.330 Dakota

08-03-2021, 01:36 PM

Hmm ! Korth sells Direct to the public now ? :-) What did that scope cost ? :wink: RJ

No Jim, it was a replacement under warranty for a scope no longer available, so no idea on the price

hawk-i

08-04-2021, 05:29 PM

Here's my take on these scopes that I have...the leupold vx3/vx3i have good optics but, the vx5hd 3-15x44 takes it up a notch(impact29 works alright for hunting), vx5hd has 2 turn dial big plus over the vx3.

I just bought a Vortex razor LHT 3-15x42 (HSR-5i MOA) 32 MOA reticle and Illuminated dot, the weight is the same as the vx5hd 3-15x44.

The Vortex has better glass than the vx5hd, an illuminated dot, lift locking elevation turret, and a thicker reticle (if that matters).

My house sits in a valley with mountains to the east and west( peaks are 2-3 Km both directions), off my back upper deck the upper logged cut is 2800 yards (according to google earth) from my deck... I can clearly make out individual fireweed flowers with the razor, the vx5 isn't quite as clear (slightly blending flowers together).

Both are excellent scopes but so far the Razor to my eyes gets the win all around :)