Leupold is an awesome company

[InlineDieselFan]

Another vote for Leupold, all of my rifle scope are from them and my spotting scope. I also have thier compact binoculars, but when it was time to buy the big 10x40 or 42 type bino's; Leupold had stopped making them (or at least I could not find them anywhere for some reason). SO I bought Swarovski EL 10x42's. Super nice but a lot more $$$.

I went on a tour of the factory once way back when 15-20 years ago when I took a scope in for repair. People were incredible nice and took the time to show one customer around the factory, I was not a part of a tour group.

Leupold does make the 'Wind River' line of optics that I believe are made overseas.

To my knowledge it is only 'The Golden Ring' optics that are made in the U.S.

steve

 

[Podunkadunk]

Ok, so after reading all the posts about where this is made or that was made, I decided to email Leupold and ask them directly. That was days ago and I just got a response, albeit short! So I called them for "clarification", more on that in a minute.

First the response to me emailing and asking if Leupolds (including their low-end "Rifleman") were made outside the U.S. (My name changed to protect the guilty).

My answer:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #

Caller: - Podunk
Phone:
Summary: scopes

All of our scopes are made in our factory in Oregon, even the Rifleman. The only part of the scope that is not US made are the lenses. We have never made lenses.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm, so after receiving this email, I called the number (above), which put me through to Leupold Technical Support. The guy answered, I asked him where the lenses were made. He said all the lenses were manufactured overseas and come from many different manufacturers. So I asked specifically where a MK-4 lens was made, he wouldn't tell me. Then I asked about Rifleman...again, he wouldn't tell me. He said that where their lenses were made is "proprietary information".

That really took the air out of my sail. Trust me, I love the optics, but I was really hoping they lived up to their advertisement that all their products are U.S. made. If something, even a washer isn't made in the U.S., they should have to state something to the effect of 99.9% made in the U.S.

I feel like I've been lied to, but I'll get over it.

How do you guys feel?

Podunk

**Edit** I did a little digging, found this article. It seems their optics are made in Japan, which to me is FAR better than if they were imported from China!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scope maker sights-in turning process - Leupold and Stevens Inc | Modern Machine Shop | Find Articles at BNET.com

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I have to agree with you. I worked for a major equipment manufacturer that put on all their parts invoices, "All parts manufactured in U.S.A." When I picked up my parts for a job one day, the part was stamped that it was made overseas. I pointed it out to the parts guy. He shrugged his shoulders.

I find it surprising that Leupold doesn't make the most important part of their product, the lenses.

I know that only a certain percentage of the components have to be made here for the manufacturer to claim the product was made here. Now, if I could pay that same percentage of my taxes in foreign currency.......

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If Leupold was to make their own lenses very few people would be able to afford their products.

Personally, if the lenses are high quality then I don't care where they are made

 

[lovemytoys]

that why i buy zeiss

 

[Podunkadunk]

If Leupold was to make their own lenses very few people would be able to afford their products.

Personally, if the lenses are high quality then I don't care where they are made

I see your logic. The link I posted at the bottom of my last post is interesting. It stated how Leupold offset the rising cost of their Japanese optics (didn't say what Jap company exactly) by revamping their process, thereby shaving money here and there. It was either that, or pass the cost on to the consumer, which they didn't want to do. (Admirable I think!)

As for the second part of your statement, I tend to agree, I am very happy with Leupold's optics. I just feel like their label stating "Made in the USA" is marketing hype, I mean, how many people will actually call or email Leupold to find out the truth?

that why i buy zeiss:

If I could have afforded it, I would have gone with a 10x Unertl instead of the Leupold MK-4 I bought...but the price would have more than doubled Unertl's by the way are 100% made in the USA, there are no parts from an outside source (according to their website). Hey, if they are good enough for USMC Snipers and all the **** they go through, I couldn't damage one if I tried!

Podunk

 

[Robert_in_NY]

It is no different then John Deere saying their compacts are made in the USA. They have Yanmar motors and other foreign parts that all get assembled here but John Deere is the All American company in some peoples eyes. A lot of companies use the made in America label to boost sales and I thought there was rules pertaining to requirements to use that label. So I guess it all depends on the requirements and how the companies want to spin their product.

I use to care about where things were made but I have bought some junk that was made in the US and I have bought junk made elsewhere. So now I just buy what I feel is the best for my use and if it is made outside of the US then so be it. If all things are equal I will buy US made. I also try to support my local stores and such as much as I can and I definitely support the people who support me or organizations I belong to.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Wow, I just re-read all my posts and it seems I kind of hijacked my own thread

My initial intent was (and still is) to praise Leupold for "hooking a brother up". I still think they are an awesome company and I will continue to buy from them. I don't mind Japanese optics at all. The Japanese build an overall great product, no matter what it is. My concern in later posts leans more towards China and I should have clarified. I've yet to buy anything that was made in China that stood the test of time. Cheaply made = Cheaply priced. I guess you get what you pay for.

So I apologize for getting off tangient. Even though Leupold isn't 100% "Made in the USA", I'm still a loyal customer.

Having said that, I'm done with this thread.

Podunk

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Wow, I just re-read all my posts and it seems I kind of hijacked my own thread

Podunk

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.

I don't care who makes their lenses either, I was just surprised that they didn't make them. Personally, I would rather put a Swarovski on my Sako, but then I think the scope would be worth more than the gun. And no way I can afford one. I have reservations about taking the gun in the woods as it is, any more scope on it and I'd be paranoid.

 

[Soundguy]

Reminds me of that ?phone? comercial with a big CEO setting in his chair at a desk, talking to his underling about 'sticking it to the man'.. then his underling points out that 'he was the man' and that he'd be sticking it to himself... I forget the response.. but it was something like 'yeah'.. or similar remark..

so podunkadunk.. you do man for hijacking your own thread!


soundguy

Wow, I just re-read all my posts and it seems I kind of hijacked my own thread

My initial intent was (and still is) to praise Leupold for "hooking a brother up". I still think they are an awesome company and I will continue to buy from them. I don't mind Japanese optics at all. The Japanese build an overall great product, no matter what it is. My concern in later posts leans more towards China and I should have clarified. I've yet to buy anything that was made in China that stood the test of time. Cheaply made = Cheaply priced. I guess you get what you pay for.

So I apologize for getting off tangient. Even though Leupold isn't 100% "Made in the USA", I'm still a loyal customer.

Having said that, I'm done with this thread.

Podunk