One year, still happy - Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20 Matte Rifle Scope

I had ordered a Leupold Mark 4 MRT 1.5-5 x 20mm with the 300.BLK reticle. Through no fault of Optics Planet, Leupold couldn't deliver and after about two months I canceled it and on 5/15/2012 I purchased the Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20mm Matte Riflescope, Fire Dot Pig Plex Reticle 113165. Fast, intact shipping. I'm glad I didn't hold out for the other scope because this was MUCH less expensive and I'm very pleased with it.
Mounted on a CMMG .300 BLK flat top upper, set-up was easy with the Leupold recommended base/rings. Laser bore sited at 25 yds. to get on paper then stretched it out to 100 yds. Of many available Blackout rounds, I settled on Rem. 125 gr. Accutip because that round with that scope on that upper shoots flat and true out to 100 yds. (Thats my personal max distance to hunt with the .300)
In one year, this is what Ive found at the range:
Its as good as any other scope of the same magnification in artificial light.
In the woods is where this thing excels:
The glass in this scope is clear and sharp. It shows very good color contrast in the environment of Florida hardwoods and swamps. Standing in sunny palmettos and looking into the shadows of a Cyprus head (and vice versa) the image is sharp and the reticle can easily be seen. The light transmission in this scope is better than any I own. As the sun goes down on a generally clear day, at the very end of legal light, Ive noticed a 5-10 minute window where the image in the scope is brighter and clearer than looking with bare eyes.
The Pig Plex reticle seemed a little gaudy and awkward at first but I dont even notice it anymore. But it does play a role..
The Fire Dot feature is good and I like it ok, but I wish it would turn on in the lowest setting like an Eotech. It turns on in the last brightness setting that you had it in and that can be way too bright in a low light condition. A push of the button and it automatically starts. On low its just a teeny dot that you can easily see but its not obnoxious. Keep pushing the button and it will get brighter and eventually obnoxious. I dont use the Fire Dot feature a lot and I always forget to turn it off. It will turn off after a period of motionlessness and Im still on the original battery.
This is a low power scope and my personal experience is that at 1.5 power it truly is a both eyes open optic. Thats how I discovered its brighter than ambient light at the end of the day. On low power you can easily acquire a target with both eyes open both indoors and outdoors.
Ive not experienced any fogging or other distortions of the glass. Its been exposed to a range of temperatures from 29 F in the woods to 130 F in a closed truck with no apparent problems. Its been rained on, muddy, and yanked free from entanglements. Its accidently been thumped pretty good a few times and my Initial 100 yd, zero still holds.
For anyone inclined to mount a day/night device in front of a scope, this one should be considered. An ATN PS22 CGT in front of this Leupold is like magic.
Finally, all of the attributes of this scope were realized on one particular shot. In a large open pasture with scattered palmetto and oaks a decent boar was working his way through a thicket. I was in the bright sunlight and he was in the shadows of the oaks. I worked my way in from 80 yds. on low power, with both eyes open so I could see if there were any others that might spook. Then at 40 yds. I rolled the ring to 4 power and the Pig Plex reticle made it pretty easy to guide my sight to the vital area, but the moving shadows, small branches, and black hair seemed to make the reticle untrustworthy if that makes sense. At that point I turned on the Fire Dot and Viola! All went well.
I highly recommend this scope for close and medium range work. It is small, light, rugged, and has good features and clarity.

Pros: Exceptional piece of glass for the money
Cons: None that I've found

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.