Thoughts on Leupold VX-R Patrol Tactical?

[MK11]

I realize this is probably overpriced (https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/leupold-vx-r-patrol-tactical-rifle-scopes?searchTerm=leupold%20patrol) but I'm burning credit card points. Any opinions on this or the Fire Dot reticle in general? For my situation, lighter weight trumps magnification, so I'm OK with 4x. Thanks!

[NH Shooter]

Nice scope for the money: light weight, nice glass and I liked the auto-off/wake-up when moved feature.

The reticle is OK but I wasn't crazy about it. Not a deal breaker, but just a tad busy to my eye.

[BobM]

I have the 3-9 version on my MP10. My only complaint is that the turrets move to easily, sometimes even from rubbing the inside of a soft case. I have the VX/R Hog Hunter 1-4 on another AR and am quite happy with it. It has capped turrets.

[41magfan]

I have two standard reticle VX-R's (capped turrets); one in 1.25 x 5 and the other a 2 x 7 and I'm pleased with both. The eye-relief on the lowered power model is very forgiving and when dialed down, the FOV makes it about as useful as a RDS ... albeit much heavier and larger.

[Suvorov]

I got one when they first came out so I have had mine for several years now and I like it overall. The retical works well and the FireDot is visible in all lighting conditions and I have yet to need to change the battery. The low range is not a true 1x so it is not as fast as a red dot but I find I can still make my standards with it. 4X is not as high as I would like but a lot better than nothing. The only real/minor issue I have with mine is that the fire dot is not exactly centered at the center of the reticle. It can be fixed but I haven't sent the scope in as I really don't think it has affected my accuracy at all. As you already assumed - you can find a better price but if you are burning points go for it.

[FPS]

I’ve got a 3-9 mrad and glass clarity, weight, and dot brightness and size are all thumbs up. I wish they made one in a 2-10 or 2-12. Excellent scope for the price point.

[Paul Blackburn]

I've got this one and love it! Capped turrets, 11.5 oz, its as fast as a red dot, and good battery life. Made hits out to 300 yards pretty easy.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx-r-1-25-4x20-matte-rifle-scope.html

[NH Shooter]

Another Leupold option to consider;

35579

FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20mm (https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rimfire-scopes/fx-ii-ultralight-2-5x20mm) mounted with a Daniel Defense mount (https://danieldefense.com/components-parts/daniel-defenser-1-optics-mount-double-ring.html).

Pros;


Extremely light weight - optic is just over six ounces, scope and mount together 12.2 ounces
Long eye relief and forgiving eye box makes two-eyes-open shooting very easy
Low profile turrets provide unobstructed FOV with two eyes open
Actual magnification is 2.2x, which I find perfect for a fixed magnification scope on a general-purpose carbine
Simple duplex reticle (I like simple), center cross hair subtends about 1 MOA at 2.2x
Optics are bright and clear (even more so than the VX-R)
This model has a superb track record on heavy recoiling, dangerous game rifles and has widespread excellent reviews
Available from the Leupold custom shop (https://customshop.leupold.com/configure/fx-ii-ultralight-2-5x20mm/?s=95&r=9&aw=2&ae=2) with different reticles, CDS turrets, etc.
Adjustable eye piece (diopter) to compensate for crappy eyesight



Cons;


no illuminated reticle option
no mil-dot reticle options


I'm using a 150-yard zero for the scope, which places a 75-grain Gold Dot pill about .7" high at 100 yards, 2.6" low at 200 and 14.2" low at 300. At some point I may be tempted to send the scope back to Leupold for a set of CDS turrets, with the elevation turret calibrated for the 75 grain Gold Dot load.

Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I really like this scope on my grab 'n go AR, which I have optimized for the CQC-to-300 yard envelope. I'm also using the MBUS Pro offset sights (added since I took the above photo), which makes me comfortable that I have my aiming/sighting requirements well covered with less than a pound of cargo attached to the rifle.

[HCM]

I've got this one and love it! Capped turrets, 11.5 oz, its as fast as a red dot, and good battery life. Made hits out to 300 yards pretty easy.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx-r-1-25-4x20-matte-rifle-scope.html

The only real issue with the VX-R Patrol is I have never understood why they put exposed target turrets on a LPV.

The glass and illumination are good. The 1.25x is usable

I like the circle of the SPR reticle for close fast work but give the exposed turrets I would choose one of the other VX-R 1.25-4 models with capped turrets unless I got a deal on a used one.

I’ve had two of these overthe years. For similar money I would likely get a Steiner 1-4 instead.

[PearTree]

For the price listed in the link I would buy a Steiner, I like it much better than the leupold.


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[John Hearne]

We've got a couple in the field and they are holding up on 308's. We did find out that if the rifle is in a locking rack in a patrol vehicle, routing driving motion will keep triggering the reticle and burn through batteries. If you put it in a padded case in the back of the vehicle then it works fine.

[Alpha Sierra]

For the price listed in the link I would buy a Steiner, I like it much better than the leupold.


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+1


The Steiner P4Xi 1-4X can be found for the same or less and it's significantly better in every department except weight, and even then it's still 17 oz.

[ST911]

I have a VX-R Patrol in 3-9, mil/mil. All use is 5.56mm. Some precision rifle courses, lots of shooting, lots of bouncing around in cars. Mine has exceeded my expectations and I recommed it to others wanting a Leupold and/or who are limited to that price point. Tracks true, holds zero. Exposed turrets need a loop of tape or they bump out of adjustment. Crosshair is a little coarse but good enough for most work. The lume is supposed to be smart but I'll occasionally find it on and dim or a dead battery even after I thought I shut it off. A planned upgrade will move it to a hunting bolt gun and I suspect it will go quite awhile longer. Experience with the 1-4 variant is more limited but is similarly positive. Viable option.