Do optic companies actually make repairs anymore?

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have a set of green 6/30 binoculars that have been fogging internally when going from the warm truck out to stalk coyote in the winter. The well known company -teiner told me to ship them(with a rma# after I gave them the serial#) in for repair,off warranty. One day after receiving them they email me saying the "prisms are separating" and can't be repaired. Since this model is no longer in the product line, I need to decide on a "discounted" replacement. I haven't needed to send any optical equipment in for 20+ years, wondering if anyone repairs or if it is just an item swap chain.

 

[Delfuego]

Most will repair if possible. Some cannot because they don't have parts for older models, or they are built entirely offshore. It's hard for auto shops to get part for a 20 year old car. You can imaging trying to have a specific part on the shelf for a 20 year old scope or binos. I would be happy they are willing to do anything on a 20 year old piece of sporting equipment. Most sporting goods have a 1 year warranty, our sport is an anomaly.

 

[MGYSGT]

What ever happened to "lifetime' warrenty. If they can't fix them they should replace them.

 

[Delfuego]

What ever happened to "lifetime' warrenty.

Who's lifetime? Yours or the product? EU changed their laws because "lifetime" is an unrealistic. I think the longest they can do is 20 years. Again, most sporting goods (most products in general) have a one year warranty. If warranty is the most important issue to you; buy Vortex. Vortex changed the game for every optics company that sells in the US.

 

[codybrown]

Vortex changed the game for every optics company that sells in the US.

By making low cost scopes overseas and just throwing them away and shipping new ones when a warranty is needed. Leupold has been around a long time longer than them making products in the US, and repairing them and returning the original back.

 

[hogpatrol]

I recently returned a Sightron FFP scope to fix a stiff parallax knob. They fixed that, reset to factory specs all under warranty, four week turnaround.

 

[grovey]

I recently returned a Sightron FFP scope to fix a stiff parallax knob. They fixed that, reset to factory specs all under warranty, four week turnaround.

Mine's not FFP, but the side focus on one of my 8x32's is also stiff . Did they give you any grief about receipts and such?

 

[hogpatrol]

Mine's not FFP, but the side focus on one of my 8x32's is also stiff . Did they give you any grief about receipts and such?

No, they did not ask for one but I did submit a copy of my receipt. I called them and all they requested was a note or letter describing the issue and contact information. This is a common problem with Sightrons. I'd bet they fix it, no questions asked.

 

[Jr solocam]

This is a great question and I am looking forward to more people sharing their experiences.

 

[22DASHER]

By making low cost scopes overseas and just throwing them away and shipping new ones when a warranty is needed. Leupold has been around a long time longer than them making products in the US, and repairing them and returning the original back.

Correct. And one more thing with Vortex warranty that I have learned.....You WILL have to use it! Without their warranty in place they wouldn’t have anything.

 

[CT10ring]

Leica repairs their binoculars in the US. New Jersey? I sent mine in few years back. "Reasonable cost" + they provide documents on work performed,
specs tested & performance. $ well spent for me to keep em going, and great glass.

 

[Mikey_P]

Recently sent in my 12 year old Burris Scout 2.75X for repair (broken reticle). No complaints, AT ALL, with their service - prompt response from their service dept. and a three week turnaround! Total cost for me was the shipping cost out to CO. And, to answer the OP question - apparently Burris still does repairs as the scope retained it's original serial number.

Mike

 

[PDS]

+1 for both Burris and Sightron. They have repaired scopes that I purchased used. No charge for repairs and shipped back postage paid.

 

[moondog]

Same here with Sightron. S111 ffp, super stiff parallax. Sent it in last week, they called me yesterday and said they would ship it back Tuesday.

 

[codybrown]

+1 for both Burris and Sightron. They have repaired scopes that I purchased used. No charge for repairs and shipped back postage paid.

I've also sent a couple scopes into Burris over the years and couldn't have asked for a better experience.

 

[Delfuego]

I am not a Vortex fan-boy by any means. However, I have owned a few and have not had issues with mine. They were Japanese built Razors.

All optics companies make their low-end scopes overseas in Asia, Leupold included. It is not coincidence that many optics companies "Now offer a lifetime no questions asked warranty". This is because their hand was forced by Vortex.

 

[Leeman]

"All optics companies make their low-end scopes overseas in Asia, Leupold included. It is not coincidence that many optics companies "Now offer a lifetime no questions asked warranty". This is because their hand was forced by Vortex."

I am sure Leupold, Sightron and Nightforce also have had this warranty, well before Vortex came on the scene. On the contrary, I would say it was forced ON Vortex if they wanted to play in the same yard as the rest.

 

[codybrown]

I am sure Leupold, Sightron and Nightforce also have had this warranty, well before Vortex came on the scene. On the contrary, I would say it was forced ON Vortex if they wanted to play in the same yard as the rest.

I'm also in agreeance with this. The bargain priced scopes from multiple companies are built overseas. I personally have a hard time justifying the amount of money Vortex wants for their "premium" scopes that are built in the Philippines. I also group Nikon into the bunch with them. I may be biased but if I spend top dollar on optics, they're going to be American made, Japanese made, or German made. Again, this is just my .02 and is worth what you paid for it.

 

[F Class John]

For the record Leupold makes ZERO scopes anywhere but in US. Here’s a quote from their website.

“Leupold riflescopes are all designed, machined, and assembled in our Beaverton Oregon manufacturing facility. We do not have any other riflescope manufacturing facilities or offices anywhere in the world.”

This also includes all the Redfield scopes (although Redfield Revenge scopes USED to be overseas).

Bottom line is every current Leupold product is US manufactured in house.

As to the warranty. I’ve used Leupold for warranty many times over the years especially when I was in the business. Despite what people have thought over the years the ‘Gold Ring’ warranty has never been a universal do whatever you want to the scope and we will give you a new one warranty. It is however a we will replace or repair your scope forever if anything goes wrong as a result of the scope failing in any way AND we have the discretion to replace or repair under other conditions as well. In my experience this has always resulted in service that replaces or repairs nearly any issue so long as intentional or idiotic abuse isn’t detected.

My latest example was a pair of 1990s Wind River binos. I’ve had them forever, used them, abused them and finally after nearly 25 years the eyecups starting cracking and getting hard. I took them in and five days later I had a brand new pair of BX-4 pros. That’s service.

I’ve been to their factory and had a private tour. It sounds corny but if there’s one thing you feel walking around that place it’s pride of American made products and everyone looks pretty happy working there.

All that being said I’ve also had to use my Vortex warranty several times on spotting scopes. While I use Kahles now for my comp guns, I will probably always use my Vortex Razor for my spotting scope. Why? I bought it on clearance for $850, it’s good glass, let’s me read mirage and if there’s one piece of glass that gets kicked around, dropped and falls over in the gravel from someone tripping over the stand it’s my spotting scope. It’s gone back several times already from stupid things beyond my control and always come back repaired or replaced. Rinse and repeat in this case. They want to put that warranty out there I’m happy to use it but only in this case.

 

[STOMP442]

Correct. And one more thing with Vortex warranty that I have learned.....You WILL have to use it! Without their warranty in place they wouldn’t have anything.