VX-5HD 1-5x24 edge distortion, is this normal?

[Laniarius]

I just purchased a VX-5HD 1-5x24 (model 171385 non-CDS) and my first impression is I'm surprised at the optical quality. At 1x it has a bit of a fish-eye look. I don't have any other 1x "higher" end scopes to compare it to but I thought it would be better. Upon side by side comparison with my VX-5HD 2-10x42, both set to 2x, the 2-10 is sharper. For example, with the 2-10 I can focus on the lettering on a beer can from 15 feet away, and move the scope from crosshairs on the lettering to the edges of the field of view on the lettering, and the letters stay in focus throughout. The view loses focus at 2x at the edges with my new 1-5x, and the effect is worse in the horizontal direction than the vertical. Yes the 2-10 has a larger objective but this was well lit indoors, so lighting/ exit pupil shouldn't affect the comparison here.

I don't think I'm being too picky for the cost of this scope, but I wanted to do a reality check and see what the scope connoisseurs on here think. Does this sound like a quality problem I should send in? Thanks.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I don't own any Leupold scopes but my recently acquired "low end" Bushnell Elite 1-4x 30mm has no distortion at all on the edges. I just checked at 1x and 4x. No "fish eye" that I could discern. Something doesn't sound right. I can see the barrel and hooded front sight on 1x but would think that's not unusual for 1x and a very low mount ( = very quick acquisition which is very important for DGR).