vx-freedom vs vx-3i

[MISportsman]

I went into my local gun shop on Saturday and he had an older savage 111 .338 win mag for a very good price so it followed me home. I'm not sure what I'm going to use the rifle for yet, but for the price I couldn't leave it. I hope to be able to get to Alaska and Africa in a few years after the kids get out of school so it would have a place there. I was looking at scope options for it and have always been a leupold fan. I have a vx-3i on my .300 win mag that is excellent, but I also have vx-freedoms on a couple of my deer rifles that so far seem to be pretty good too. My question is is it worth twice the money for the vx-3i, or is the bx-freedom just as good? They also have a fire dot version of the vx-freedom on a 30mm tube that shows promise and is still $100 cheaper than the base vx-3i. I wonder if it is worth a try?

 

[Andrew Short]

Go ahead and buy it! For the money it’s worth a try. The 30 mm tube and illuminated reticle are hard to beat.

Let me know how you like it because I was Looking a the VX 6 or Swarovski! I’d be interested in saving some more money.

 

[USMA84DAB]

Just had a Client thank me for "talking him into" going with the VX-Freedom 30mm tube firedot. I really like them as well. I have a 3-9x40 and a 1.5-4x30.

 

[MISportsman]

The more research I do, the better they sound. That's the direction I'm leaning.

 

[Andrew Short]

I’d do it if it were me.
Hey if you don’t like you can always list it here. I’m sure it would sell rather quickly

 

[Dwight Beagle]

If the IR on the Freedom is the same as what was on the VX-R the I say it’s definitely worth it.

 

[Capt_Oscar]

I asked Leupold why they discontinued the VX-R Scout. They replied the Freedom line uses the same illuminated reticle but has better, more advanced lens coatings. The Freedom line is still a step below the VX3I.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

I asked Leupold why they discontinued the VX-R Scout. They replied the Freedom line uses the same illuminated reticle but has better, more advanced lens coatings. The Freedom line is still a step below the VX3I.

When the VX-R line came out, the glass quality was between VX-2 and VX-3 according to Leupold. If what Leupold told you is true then the Freedom line has better glass than the VX-2 which I don’t believe.

 

[roverandbrew]

I purchased a VX3I to replace a Redfield Revolution I had used on a CZ 550 (30-06) in the US and in South Africa a few years ago. I have a CZ 550 in .243 with a VX-Freedom. Comparing the glass I personally do not see a big enough difference to warrant the difference in price for the average hunter. I honestly like my Redfield the best of the three and have put it back on the 30-06. The VX3I is boxed up in the safe.

 

[CBH Australia]

I purchased a VX3I to replace a Redfield Revolution I had used on a CZ 550 (30-06) in the US and in South Africa a few years ago. I have a CZ 550 in .243 with a VX-Freedom. Comparing the glass I personally do not see a big enough difference to warrant the difference in price for the average hunter. I honestly like my Redfield the best of the three and have put it back on the 30-06. The VX3I is boxed up in the safe.

Interesting,
If whats claimed about the VX Freedom is true they should be great value in that bracket.
If the Vx3i is what its meant to be i guess the difference will be seen in low light.
The OP has both and should maybe do some comparisons for their reference and may ours?
I think its all pending your budget, needs which model has the features you require for that setup? What price point can you justify to yourself.?
The 30mm Freedom model might suit the outfit and the type of hunting opposed to models available in the Vx3i.
I have a VX3i i havent mounted as i am working out what setup i want on a couple of rifles and their planned use/s , and then i get another bright idea.

 

[Graham Hunter]

It is the same.

If the IR on the Freedom is the same as what was on the VX-R the I say it’s definitely worth it.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

VX-3 glass is noticeably better than any Redfield branded Leupold I’ve looked through.

 

[Divernhunter]

The VX3i has better glass. "I" would pay the extra money for one. They also have the VXR and VX5HD if you want a firedot. I have 2 of the VXR scopes and the VX3i glass is a bit better. The VX5HD is better yet but does cost more

 

[Dwight Beagle]

They also have the VXR and VX5HD if you want a firedot.

VX-R is discontinued.

 

[Divernhunter]

good to know. My next firedot scope was going to be the VX5HD anyway.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

I wish Leupold had kept the VX-R. I’ve got a 2-7 Firedot 4 on my AR and really like it.

 

[Graham Hunter]

VX-R is discontinued.

It has now been put under the Freedom line.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

It has now been put under the Freedom line.

I guess that’s open to interpretation. Some of the externals are different and I don’t believe the glass is the same. The VX-Freedom supposedly has VX-2 glass and VX-R glass was, according to Leupold, better than VX-2 glass.

 

[Philip Glass]

I went into my local gun shop on Saturday and he had an older savage 111 .338 win mag for a very good price so it followed me home. I'm not sure what I'm going to use the rifle for yet, but for the price I couldn't leave it. I hope to be able to get to Alaska and Africa in a few years after the kids get out of school so it would have a place there. I was looking at scope options for it and have always been a leupold fan. I have a vx-3i on my .300 win mag that is excellent, but I also have vx-freedoms on a couple of my deer rifles that so far seem to be pretty good too. My question is is it worth twice the money for the vx-3i, or is the bx-freedom just as good? They also have a fire dot version of the vx-freedom on a 30mm tube that shows promise and is still $100 cheaper than the base vx-3i. I wonder if it is worth a try?

I’d go with the VX-3i. Good glass always costs a lot but it will be worth it. As you are planning to take it on an epic safari adventure I’d say it’s surely worth it.

 

[R.M.C.]

I think the big difference is the coatings on the glass and field of view . I'd go with vx 3 for sure. Worth every penny