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

[Laniarius]

Here is a link to that thread:

Thoughts about Leupold VX-3HD

In case it helps others, I'd like to share something I probably could have realized before I bought a Leupold VX-3HD. I bought the scope (a 2.5-8x36) because I wanted to try something really light (about 12 oz or less), with magnification in about that range, and with good long eye relief. I...

www.africahunting.com

CDS is Leupold's Custom Dial System. I saw someone else call it a "wheelygig", I think it was on here but I didn't see it in a search just now. I can see the value for people who shoot longer ranges. There are some pretty strong opinions about them. No need to rehash the debate here, it's all in the thread if you're interested.

 

[Laniarius]

Update: the scope is fine and this was my misunderstanding. I sent it to the Canada Leupold warranty centre, and they sent it back. This prompted me to check some more and ask myself if I was testing it wrong.

I think the mistake I made was in how I looked through the scope to check it when I first got it. Some of the time I was moving the front up/down and left/right, while holding the eye piece piece more or less stationary. This is what led me to see a "fisheye" effect. When a scope is mounted on a rifle and the rifle is mounted to one's shoulder, it doesn't move that way and I don't see a fisheye effect when it's on my rifle.

I also mentioned above some comparisons I did at the edges of the view, in comparison to my VX-5HD 2-10x42. I re-did those tests with each scope mounted on a rifle and the quality is about the same. I was probably affected by confirmation bias when I was testing before. I saw the fisheye initially, and proceeded to build my case...

After a few months of trying it out I'm happy with the VX5HD 1-5x24. I'm glad because the options are limited for me to find a suitable scope where I can get proper eye relief positioning and without being heavier than I'd like. I have a stock Model 70 Safari 375 H&H. With Warne bases (extension front), Warne Hyperlite rings, a Blue Force ultralight hunting sling, and with 4 rounds, the total weight is 10.99 lb. Following the common recommendation of 10-11 lbs, I wanted to keep it under 11.

A VX3 1.5-5 would keep the weight down very easily, but I wanted to have HD glass but no wheelygig, and found the VX5HD 1-5 metric illuminated version with a top cap.

 

[Luvthunt]

Good that it all worked out for you