Leupold & Stevens, the prestigious optics industry based in Beaverton, Oregon (USA), offers the most important and innovative updates that can be made to the scopes segment.
From the beginning of the last century until today, no other manufacturer has introduced as many innovations in the manufacture of aiming optics as the Leupold & Stevens company has tirelessly brought to its spotting scopes. The nitrogen waterproofing, the Duplex reticle, the “Multicoat 4” anti-reflective treatment, the “Index Matched” lens system, the wraparound profile of the VX-L are just a few examples. All these innovations, never an end in themselves, have made Leupold spotting scopes indestructible and of superior quality, so much so that they pass intact tests that seriously compromise the mechanical seal of all the other spotting scopes.
The innovations we will talk about are: the "Xtended Twilight Lens System" anti-reflective treatment, the anti-scratch coating on the external surfaces of the "Diamond Coat 2" lenses, the waterproofing through Argon and Krypton filling, the "SpeeDial" adjustment system, the 4x double spring reversing vehicle, the “Light Optimization profile”, and opaque contoured lenses.
Let's analyze the features listed above one by one.
One of the most significant innovations is, without a doubt, the "Xtended Twilight Lens System" anti-reflective treatment, (extended twilight) which optimizes the transmission of the predominant wavelengths in low light conditions: at dawn, at dusk, in bad weather or with a completely covered sky, the image will still be bright, sharp and defined. In addition, the “SpeeDial” adjustment system with integrated turret cover allows the turrets to rise from the tube, thus avoiding the loss of infinite caps. Anyone using Leupold & Stevens optics is aware that in order to obtain bright, sharp and high contrast images in all lighting conditions, proper light treatment is required and maximum light transmissivity is absolutely crucial. For this purpose, the VX-L line is equipped with the “Index Matched” anti-reflective treatment, which greatly improves an already flawless exploitation of light. On some of the new VX-Ls, 98% total transmissivities have been measured, indicating that brightness and clarity will be obtained from them.
The second feature of Leupold & Stevens optics is the scratch-resistant coating on the external surfaces of the lenses treated with "Diamond Coat 2": an anti-reflective coating obtained through an ion-assisted process, which offers greater light transmissivity and the highest level of resistance. abrasion never achieved. The “Diamond Coat 2” has the additional advantage of playing an active role in light transmissivity, in such a way as to offer higher clarity, sharpness and contrast.
The third distinctive element is the waterproofing by filling with Argon and Krypton: a process that sees the use of nitrogen (already introduced by Leupold & Stevens in 1947), which eliminates the effects of thermal changes.
The fourth innovation is the “SpeeDial” adjustment system. This system involves extraordinarily tight tolerances and a perfect coupling of the internal surfaces, which allow for absolute precision and extreme robustness. The 3,5-10x and 4,5-14x models are equipped with 1/4 MOA click adjustable hand turrets, with a reset ring, while the 6,5-20x offers adjustments of as much as 1/10 MOA , also with reset ring.
The third last feature is found in the double-spring 4x inverter vehicle, which is the ultimate achievement in terms of indestructibility. This system exerts on the inversion lenses a holding force 30% higher than that of a normal inversion system.
The penultimate innovation from Leupold & Stevens is the “Light Optimization profile”, available only in the VX-7L 3,5-14x56mm LR and VX-7L 4,5-14x56mm LR models. This system offers all the advantages, in low light conditions, typical of larger lenses, without the disadvantages of high mounting. VX-7Ls with 56mm lens and 34mm diameter tube mount at the same height as those with 40mm lens, while still transmitting 96% more light radiation to the eye.
Finally, the lenses with opaque edges end our journey in the world of Leupold & Stevens: the engineers have adopted a further device to the optics, such as to allow an optimal transmission of light through, consequently eliminating the glare and thus obtaining the best possible contrast.