WARNING!! - Counterfeit Leupold Unboxing VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- I picked this scope up on Wish. It was sold as a Leupold scope but it clearly isn't. If something seems too good to be true it probably is. I don't support counterfeit products but this does seem to be a fairly good quality item. I just wish the company that did this copy would brand their own scopes and sell them for the same price.
Thanks for Watching.
Wow! I was freaking out for a minute. I still have the original box. So like Matt is Matte on mine. Also the numbers don't match. Mine are 170704. Not 08. Also under the barcodes mine says Twilight Max tm. No caps, neoprene leupold cover. No rings. Looks like I dodged a bullet. Paid 550 a couple years ago on ebay. Exact same vx3i 4.5×14 ×50mm.
I've had a NCSTAR long eye relief on a Mosin 91/30 (mounted with no permanent mod to rifle) for 12 years now and it's still holding zero through at least one spam can of ammo. I'm pretty happy for what I paid. It was all I could afford at the time and my eyes suck so I needed some magnification to really test the rifle. I shimmed it based on the way the Finns did and cork bedded the barrel and it's an amazing shooter for a Mosin refurb. Lots of refurb Mosins fit poorly in their stock and it hurts accuracy a good bit.
I just got one from a customer who brought me a new rifle and a new Leupold Vari-X 3,still in the box.I actually started mounting it before something caught my eye.The power ring works backwards.On the genuine Leupold scopes the power is increased by turning the ring clockwise.On this scope,you turn the ring counterclockwise to increase the power.I have 15 of their scopes,and in my little gunsmithing/rifle tuning shop,I've mounted dozens of them.My customer bought three of them for $100 apiece.The serial number is also fake,and they would never put a crappy set of Ching Chung rings like that with one of their scopes.I don't know why nobody mentioned the power ring being backwards like most Asian scopes are.
Nice observation, hadn't heard that one before.
Go to Wish.com and you will see many more Chinese imitation scopes. Not only Leupolds but Zeiss too. I'm still amazed that this is still going on. I would have to think it's illegal to counterfeit another company's product like this. I've heard some comments about the quality of the counterfeits being better than the real ones. I pity such ignorance. Anyone who would say that would have to be mentally ill or have at least one of their names end with a G.
Thanks for the video ill buy straight from leupold to be safe. I didn't realize these were so close. Yes ever time we try to save a penny we are hurting American jobs. In done with Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.
I don't blame you.
Thanks for your video. A good reminder to everyone out there buying glass for their firearms. The glass for Leupold is not manufactured in the USA. It is `farmed`out by specification to the lowest bidder... The production site can be made anywhere there is an optics factory... This being the case with Leupold and other scope manufacturers means that China and other countries have the specifications for the name brand scopes so they can readily make copies. It`s good to know about the rings as that would be the give-away when looking at the box that the scope comes in. Maybe China is letting us know that certain products that command a high price can be made for much cheaper then one would expect. It needs a good testing with what we believe is a true Leupold scope in the same magnification on a 30-06 or 300 WM.
I didn't know they outsourced their glass like that. Thanks for the Info and for watching!
You're only somewhat correct BigRed...Leupold mostly buys Nikkor (Nikon) glass ground in the Philippines. Leupold is one of Nikkors most exacting customers and has very high standards. Leupold also buys some of it's lens from S.Korea (Yes, they make some fine high transmission glass/coatings there) and a bit now and then from Europe.
Where the tragedy lies, is the fact there is NO good supply of common us optical glass or lens grinding. The Japanese have spent Millions building state of the art plants in China and the Philippines...Every one of those plants should have been built here in the USA. Kentucky or West Virginia would have been a good place to start....
I picked up a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50 CDS Windplex, side focus riflescope about 5 years ago. I noticed my adjustment dials (turrets) look different from the counterfeit scope shown in the video. I ordered a custom dial (CDS) from Leupold and they verify your serial number to ensure making the correct dial for your riflescope.
Great information to watch out for counterfeit Chinese stuff like the fake Silver Eagle coins flooding the market. Buyer beware.
I've had someone try to sell me one of those fake coins before
There are budget scopes out there that punch way above their price point without being a parasite on another company’s hard earned reputation.
Agreed
Well said. Seen a lot of people trying to pass these off as legit scopes too
Great review Readiness. I had the guys at work watch this video. Great information. Thanks for sharing brother 👍
Thanks for spreading the word brother. These copies are really so good it's kind of scary. I would hate for someone to think they are getting the real thing when it was actually a fake.
Great vid, noticed the miss spelling too. I always try to buy direct from company or places like optics planet, cabelas, etc.. Thanks for putting this out there though.
Thanks for checking it out. It's sad to say it but you have to be careful who you do business with especially for larger purchases like this.
Thank you, I was going to purchase a used Bergara HMR w/ this scope but now I’m skeptical .
Visual tells that it is counterfeit: the printing on the gold ring is any colour other than black, the indications on the power ring are facing away from the shooter, and the QR code on the bottom of the scope is on the left side. Hope this info helps somebody from making a mistake.
one of the first signs is "Matt" on the box authentic ones have "Matte"
Nice observation. Thanks for the info.
Blake that’s a nice anecdote👍
plus the same Model scope they will have the same serial numbers the 4.5-14x40AO model 170694 serial # is 253512AD & Looks like the 4.5-14x50 model 170708 Serial # is 503088AB So if you ordered Ten 4.5-14x50 mod 170708 scopes they all will have the same 503088AB Serial Number , that's why if you are at a Gun Show the seller will only have one on table at a time so you can't spot that they all have the same serial numbers and Know there Fakes .
Mine has the same serial number but they did spell matte right
@Blake congrats blake!
There are indicators that are obvious, the magnification increases by turning COUNTER clockwise, also the markings are 2x 4x 6x 8x etc instead of 2 4 6 8
The average gun owner wouldn't know these things.
@@ReadinessReviews I won't
Did you make a follow up on how the scope held up and preformed?
On the one I have, 'Matte' and 'Assembled' are both spelled correctly. I have it on a Savage 110 ba. It has good clarity up to 12X. It has held zero well through about 100 rounds of .338 Lapua. I think these are hit or miss on quality control. Mounted it as a joke thinking it would not last on a high power rifle, but it's still on there and doing fine. Range snobs won't like it, but they don't like my Savage either. You don't need to spend 10 grand on a rig to shoot long range. I shoot to around 800 yards with pretty good results.
Dang that's impressive.
Good to here, will be going on my 300 bo and my CZ457
34 seconds into the video, note that "ASSEMBLED" is misspelled as "ASSEMBLBD". Bad grammer is common for pirated goods.
Nice observation! Thanks for checking the video out
I have an authentic copy of this scope. I don't believe the gold ring is shiny like this fake. I don't believe the power adjustment knob is as wide/the same, and the bikini covers have the Leupold logo on them. The magnification markers are different and it turns in a different direction.
Good info for someone trying to identify a fake.
Idk who would buy this for $60 and expect it to be legit. I mean, cmon. You gotta know better than that.
The problem is people try to sell them for full price
I actually bought this item on eBay that was advertised as NEW and they used stock photos. What gave it away instantly to me was the included scope rings and the wonky rubber cover instead of the neoprene cover that it should have.
I could have spotted that it was a fake Leupold just by looking at the box. My genuine Leupolds have the product labels slapped on the box ends crooked, like they were rushed out of the factory at 4:59PM on Friday afternoon. On the fake boxes, they are perfectly straight, lol! My new genuine VX-5HD 3-15x56MM came with a small amount of debris on the upper vertical reticle. The side windage knobs are made of flimsy plastic. And the bikini covers don't look any better than the ones on the Chinese scope. So I had to pay an extra $150 for their Alumina scope covers. Oh well!
Incidentally, I talked to the Steiner distributor a while back. He said that if a Chinese optic sells for $100 here it only cost about $3 or $4 to make. How much quality/quality control will you get for $2? No such thing as cold fusion. Good luck!
Interesting. I didn't know that about the labels. Thanks for the info!
I bought that exact scope .I know it's not legit .but I have been shooting it on my 6.5 creedmore .been very consistent actually paid 90 bucks
It's not a bad scope for the money. I just don't like the misrepresentation part.
@@ReadinessReviews but you bought it anyway lol. Do you have a knock off Rolex for date night?
I bought a gun a HT97 used and it had one of these on it, the front lens was scratched so I sent it to Leupold for a lens change and they said it was fake!!! Went straight back to the Gun Trader, He point Blank denied it... Am in process of suing Him, I paid extra as it had this scope...
SO WATCH OUT PEOPLE even gun shop are doing it...
Stuff like that is exactly why I made this video
Most likely Chi-Com made Leupold lenses from the scratch/dent pile
bought 2 vx 111 3.5 to 10 by 40.
Did not know they were fakes as they were very impressive. Didnt' know to look at the serial numbers (they matched). Put it on a 22 and it self destructed after 10 rounds. So i keep the other one in the kitchen as a spare bino.
I put this one on a 5.56 AR. It's held up pretty well so far. I'm sure the quality control is terrible so it's not surprising you got one that was pure junk. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the save
If the video helped even one person it was worth making.
Wouldn't be surprised if they were sourcing glass from the same place.
It's possible
The easiest way to tell is I leupold magnification turn to the right to zoom not to the left
Leupold is made in China read the manual so this is why it’s a easy to knock it off. But your right call and verify the serial number with leupold just to make sure you have the warranty. It’s a sad world we live in when everything is now made in China. Check out the trijicon acogs and look it up on your tube they still hold zero with a 12 ga trijicon is the only company that did not respond when I warned them about a counterfeit product.
Thanks for the input.
Looks pretty good for a knock off 🤔 look forward to seeing how it does on your .22 😁
Thanks for watching man. I actually put it on an AR-15 for testing and it's holding up well so far.
Good deal!!
I have a real Leupold VX-3i and the current, serial number engraving and gold " L " embossing ( which is on the paralax knob ) are all different. The thing about a scope that most people outside of the long range community fail to realize is that it is a tool to measure hold over. Unless you have the ability to understand how to use the scope measurements and cross it to D.O.P.E., effectively you can save yourself the trouble a use a cheap airsoft site. These fake scopes only matter to people that shoot 100 yards or less. You can throw a football that far, but hitting an object at 900 yards at less then MOA requires equipment you can count on.
Thanks for the input
I.bought one The eyepiece screws right off. It fogs up in seconds.
Not surprising. They look good but you get what you pay for.
Before you even get the scope out of the box, assembled is spelled wrong [no "e"].
Hahaha
That may well be how they avoid copy right laws.
Nice information RR.
Thanks for watching Marilyn!!
I own an actual one that I got from leupolds website and the real scope doesn’t have a dust cover for the elevation adjustment and for magnification adjustment it doesn’t have a x behind the number so for example (a real leupold just has a number like 14) (the fakes has a x after the number so like 14x) those are the slight differences between a real and a fake.
Good info!
The first way you can tell it’s a counterfeit is the the writing on the box the word matt is misspelled. A real Leupold spells it matte .
There were several spelling errors. It's still a pretty convincing fake if someone didn't know what to look for. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the info mate. Had no idea the Chinesees were doing this. 🇦🇺🦘
No problem 👍 It's easy to be fooled if you don't know what to look for. Thanks for checking the video out!
They are doing it with arrows and broadheads too.
The Chicoms fake everything they can it’s how they built that economy.
2 syllables:
"LOO-POLD".
Thanks
Probably the main market for these is either gun show scams or returns. Seen it when I used to work retail.
Customer buys a real scope, takes it home and swaps in the fake. Then returns the fake in the legit box. Turning a $60 scope into a $400 scope. I worked at a big box outdoors store in the guns section. Someone returned a "Vortex UH1" to customer service. When it got back to me it was a pretty obvious fake.
That is so shitty
I bought this scope on eBay that was advertised as new in box but with stock images. The first giveaway is that the box included scope rings. Leupold does not include in their box. Also the wonky rubber scope caps scream fake. I ended up getting a refund and the seller was kicked off eBay but this sucks that many people wouldn't know this is a fake.
I'm glad you got your money back!
Wonder how much China stuff is in the real deal kinda like buying a Chevy says made in America but everything on it says made in Mexico or China
That's a good question. Pretty much everything has some materials in it from China.
This is killing me. For the first time I was actually looking to purchase one.
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. I wouldn't let this stop you from buying a Leupold if that's what you want. Just be cautious of fakes before making that purchase. Thanks for watching!
If you never plan on going beyond a 100 yards, you can get a Tesco for less then half the price of this knock off and be fine.
I would be even more pissed if Someone would’ve paid the $800 of a real one
I've seen fake ones for real prices on eBay.
@@ReadinessReviews
Sheesh, this Chinese stuff is getting out of hand
@@johnt4060 Agreed
I got a real one from MidwayUSA and just to be sure ran the numbers threw Leupold to verify it. The scope was legit, and I have been ringing steel at 500 using XM80 and 900 using ELD-X.
Scary stuff brother! Hope you get good use out of it.
In this day and age it's so important to know where you are buying stuff from. There are so many fakes out there for all kinds of products. I appreciate you checking the video out!
Where is Leupold scope glass actually manufactured on real Leupold scopes?
It's supposed to be the USA but who knows at this point.
all glass is bought from Japan
Nice job young man 🇺🇸
Thanks for watching!!
Had a hk, 223, 3x9 Leupold scope, 1979, southern Texas, good to 900m, had the claw mount for scope! Amazing weapon! Coyotes are fun!
@@hectortellez7776 Sounds like an awesome set up. I love HKs
Loo-pold. Not leo-pold
Thanks for the input.
@DEL LOL Because it's someone's name and that's the way it's spelled and pronounced.
@DEL Actually if you stay true to the name, which is German, then neither would be correct. However I can't think of a good example for non-German speakers how you pronounce the "eu" part of Leupold, and the same probably goes for most customers who don't know that either, hence why the bastardized versions has snuck in and stayed 🧐
I own several leupold scopes.
I got this exact scope from a dealer as a used one for 400.
And my serial number matches the one in the video... lmao I got burned. Hey it did hold 0 on a 308. But I could tell it wasn't a leupold as soon as I started sighting in.
Ouch! That really sucks! Sorry about that man.
Did it have any noticeable flaws, and in what ways did you notice it wasn't the real deal?
@@pieterveenders9793 brightness and zoom. Its more of a 3-9 power. And at max zoom around 12-14 it wants to either make the target blurry or the crosshairs blurry. I took it on a hunt that evening anyways and I could see better with my eyes than through the scope once it started getting dark. With a real leupold you can see better through the scope. Honestly probably wouldn't mind throwing it on a .22 or a pellet gun or something. At 6x its pretty clear and like I said it did hold 0 on a 308 haha
@@RockinRack If you had paid the going price for them if you had bought it through Wish or AliExpress, I can totally see how its flaws would still be somewhat acceptable and okey enough to warrant its use on a rimfire or air rifle. But with the kind of money you paid for it, yikes 😅 Being able to handle the 308's recoil and still holding zero is impressive though.
@@pieterveenders9793 yeah for 60$ its not a bad deal haha
So if I buy my same as this one from cabela is it’s fake or real one
I would assume a product from Cabelas would be legit. If you suspect it's a fake you can contact Leupold and give them the serial number and they will tell you.
Are you planning to make a video of it soon? Got one for my .270 Hope notHing bad Happens
I haven't shot it with anything but 5.56mm and it seems to be doing fine. When I get the chance I'm going to try it out on a 7.62x51mm CETME and see how that goes
Bought a scope from Wish as a test. Crosshairs were offset. Sent it to Leupold for possible repair. They returned it with a " NOT Leupold Product " . All Wish Product are cheap, useless fakes.
Buy the real ones folks. American workers and a real guarantee , backed up by technical support staff that actually answers the phone. And it's a real forever warranty.
Have to know what you are buying!
@@ReadinessReviews just told you.
What is so difficult about saying “LOO POLD”. Good grief every reviewer on youtube says Leo-pold
What's so hard about not caring how people say things when you know what they are talking about.
I could tell it was a fake in 2 sec of the video. The machining of the body where the adjustment turrets are located isn't correct.
Good eye!
The turrets are a dead giveaway, those are definately not vx3i turrets
Good eye
Because your $200 Redfield is Made in the Philippines. You can thank Leupold for going overseas to make products. I quit buying them and use German / Austrian makers.
I agree German are the best in the business. They are just a bit out of my price range.
The VX3I, VX5, and VX6 are assembled in Oregon USA. They probably have Japanese lenses. Some of the scopes assembled in Japan use the same Lenses as the German scopes.
@@TexanUSMC8089 Mostly Nikkor (Nikon) lens ground in the Philippines. Top notch really.
I’m going to buy one and throw it on a .22 too.
Leupold looks at Chinese prices I’ll take it.
It's actually a decent scope for the money. I just don't like the fact they are counterfeit. Some people try to sell them at Leupold prices.
Having over a dozen authentic Leupold scopes, your scope screams fake to me immediately.
Folks with their untrained eyes can be duped easily.
What gives it away?
@@ReadinessReviews Easily the turret caps and turrets themselves are wrong. The finish is off and the gold ring color and lettering is off. The box is wrong, it says Matt not Matte, the Chinese probably don't understand the name Matt versus the finish word Matte!
yooper_man greetings fellow Yooper
@@u.p.woodtick3296 Thanks how are you?
Is it suitable for hunting boar Cz557lüx2 308 win
Eh maybe. I'd prefer something a bit higher quality for serious hunting.
Prob works just as good
I don't think it's just as good as the real deal but with the testing I've done so far I do think it's a pretty high value scope for the money. It would get the job done for the majority of shooters.
If it's a great scope for the price I don't care. Looks cool at the range just to have the leupold name. And if it holds zero. Then it's fine. Sucks when you would have to use leupold warrenty though.
Yeah I don't think you are getting any warranty support with this one lol
How can I order from Turkey I live in Turkey
Both Wish and Alixpress have them. Not sure if they ship there or not.
Wish there 63.65 20 5day shipping good as most best deal $for$ that u can find mine live on 22lr to 375. Rutgers no complantes but not a leupold nor does it eqaual to the quality but good deal iftheyjust sold it under true name it be amazing
I agree. They are just fine for the money. They should just call them what they are.
LOL, you ordered from WISH and thought it would be genuine. Joe is the most popular prez, let's go Brandon
I didn't think it would be genuine. I ordered it to prove it was NOT real and to show others as much.
Lou pold. Leupold
Thanks for the input.
Leupold is a German name, so the "eu" in Leupold is pronounced the same way as the "eu" in Keulen (i.e. Cologne). I reckon after a couple of generations the German pronounciation became bastardized into how it's pronounced these days, but both should probably be fine.
@@pieterveenders9793 ya, well when ya call the company they pronounce it Lou pold not leo pold
You can tell this is a fake by the turrets
Someone could easily be fooled if they didn't know what to look for.
It said everything but made in the USA
True
Even real ones don't. They say the same "USA* Designed*Machined*Assembled" just without the spelling errors.😉
Made in Asia somewhere and assembled in the USA and to expensive
How to take down an American Company.
Chinese ripoffs are hurting many companies
@@ReadinessReviews Now the Chinese/Liberals are going with the COVID shutdown to try to destroy the American economy.
Lets face the facts...China has it's own economy AND has ours as well.
@@cs-rj8ru Heck, Bill Clinton gave an entire aircraft/missile factory, Nixon opened up trade to China, Obama enhanced the trade to China's benefit...with leadership, how can lose?
Reading the serial number will NOT work.......the Chinese copy real serial numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It doesn’t bother you are supporting these counterfeit companies? Plenty of Chinese companies are willing to sell a product branded by their own logo... without selling counterfeit products. You should be giving your money to these instead of the Leupold copies. Unless you are trying to make people believe you are cracking out a Leupold when you really aren’t. That’s wrong dude.
Did you even watch the video? This was literally a video warning people about these copies.
Shame on you for enabling the crooks selling counterfeit merchandise. What is wrong with you that you can justify supporting thieves? If I had found this product advertised, I would have immediately contacted Leupold and reported the sellers. I would also have reported the sellers to the web site.
I think it's better to help get the word out these fakes are on the market than it is to just pretend they don't exist. If I can prevent even one buyer from making an uninformed purchase decision than it's worth giving the "thieves" my little $50. Thanks for watching and for the input.
Wow, got out of bed on the wrong foot did ya? The title of the video couldn't make it any clearer that it's a fake Leupold scope, and that the video is meant as a warning to others to be cautious when dealing with Leupold scopes being offered by a dodgy source.
Leupold has knows of counterfeits for years...Every American manufacturer faces the same problem...What can they do???