#Leupold

Howdy, folks! Patrik Orcutt here, comin’ at ya with a deep dive into the Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD 27- 55x80 mm spotting scope with its slick angled eyepiece. I’ve been haulin’ this bad boy around for 9 months, puttin’ it through the wringer at the range while zeroin’ rifles and out on my buddy’s ranch spottin’ cattle.

It’s been eight years since its introduction, and it’s now time for the VX-5HD Gen 2. It’s available in six configurations: 1-5x24, 2-10x42, 3-15x44, 3-15x50, 3-15x56, and 4-20x52. The VX-5HD Gen 2 is designed for hunters needing reliable performance in tough conditions. It features Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System for clear visuals, with strong light transmission, glare reduction, and sharp resolution. The scopes include Guard-Ion lens coatings to repel dirt and water, ensuring clarity across the entire field of view.

On this week's episode of TFB's Behind the Gun Podcast, we have an opportunity to talk to one of the product developers from Leupold & Stevens, Inc., based in Oregon (my home state). Leupold has roots here with a history dating back to 1907, initially specializing in surveying equipment before pivoting to optics after World War II. They are most well known for pioneering truly waterproof and fogproof hunting scopes, as well as developing rugged tactical military scopes, like the Mark 4 line adopted by the U.S. Army for the M24 sniper rifle, and their widely used red dot sights, such as the DeltaPoint Pro and legendary LCO. Our guest today, Nic Kytlica, who has worked for Leupold for nearly two decades, shares some of that extensive company history with us, as well as helps me walk through some of Leupold's current and past products. We'll even get a glimpse into what's coming next from Leupold, including insights into their latest generation of red dot optics and products showcased at events like SHOT Show 2025.

Leupold & Stevens has introduced updated versions of two of its spotting scope lines: the SX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 and the SX-2 Alpine HD Gen 2. The SX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 features Leupold’s Elite Optical System, designed to cut down glare and provide clear views in challenging lighting, such as the harsh glare of early morning glassing. The more budget-friendly SX-2 Alpine HD Gen 2 uses Leupold’s Advanced Optical System, which offers solid clarity and contrast throughout the day.