Leupold Illuminated FireDot Reticle Issue

Captains1911 · December 28, 2024, 09:09 AM

I have a Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42 with the illuminated firedot reticle. I love everything about this scope except for the sensitivity of the “shake awake” feature with the illuminated reticle. With the reticle turned on, the dot turns off (goes to sleep) after 5 mins. of sensing no movement in order to conserve battery power, and it is supposed to immediately turn back on (wake up) when it senses movement. However, with mine, it’s not sensitive enough to where I can slowly pick it up without it turning back on, and I have to give it a good wiggle or bump to “wake up.” I first noticed this is a hunting situation where I was slowly picking my rifle up with a deer nearby, and thought that my battery had died. I have several red dot sights with this same feature that are extremely sensitize to even the slightest bit of motion, nothing like this scope. New battery replacements have not resolved this issue.

I emailed Leupold asking if this is normal, and the rep said that it is not, that he has never seen one do this, and that I should send it in for service. However, a buddy of mine has this same exact scope, purchased around the same time, and his behaves the same, so I’m having a hard time believing that the only two examples I have experience both exhibit this “rare” defect.

Therefore, before I go through all the trouble of taking the scope off, sending it in, remounting, and rezeroing, I want to make sure that this isn’t just the typical nature of these optics. Does anybody else have any experience with Leupold scopes with this reticle, and if so, does it behave similarly?

Captains1911 · January 19, 2025, 09:32 AM

Wow nobody else here owns a Leupold with this feature?

603Country · January 19, 2025, 04:55 PM

I have one. Normally I just push the button for the Firedot. Never really tested how much shake I’d have to give it.

Algunner · January 24, 2025, 12:27 PM

Sometimes manufacturing errors come in batches. For example CNC machines are great, but the machinist does not have to watch all the time, he may be watching several machines or is lazy. As a result if the machine is off it the tool worn a lot of product could have the same flaw. Or with electronics they test a new shipment of capacitors by testing only a few and assume the rest are good, but they arise a lot of product goes out with the same flaw.

stagpanther · January 24, 2025, 02:37 PM

I have a CNC router--I can list tons of ways to ruin a production batch.

Precision machining lathes probably have a much higher degree of consistency. Either way--I've never known Leupold to not make good on their products; if they say send it in--I would.

December 28, 2024, 09:09 AM	#1
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 697	Leupold Illuminated FireDot Reticle Issue I have a Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42 with the illuminated firedot reticle. I love everything about this scope except for the sensitivity of the “shake awake” feature with the illuminated reticle. With the reticle turned on, the dot turns off (goes to sleep) after 5 mins. of sensing no movement in order to conserve battery power, and it is supposed to immediately turn back on (wake up) when it senses movement. However, with mine, it’s not sensitive enough to where I can slowly pick it up without it turning back on, and I have to give it a good wiggle or bump to “wake up.” I first noticed this is a hunting situation where I was slowly picking my rifle up with a deer nearby, and thought that my battery had died. I have several red dot sights with this same feature that are extremely sensitize to even the slightest bit of motion, nothing like this scope. New battery replacements have not resolved this issue. I emailed Leupold asking if this is normal, and the rep said that it is not, that he has never seen one do this, and that I should send it in for service. However, a buddy of mine has this same exact scope, purchased around the same time, and his behaves the same, so I’m having a hard time believing that the only two examples I have experience both exhibit this “rare” defect. Therefore, before I go through all the trouble of taking the scope off, sending it in, remounting, and rezeroing, I want to make sure that this isn’t just the typical nature of these optics. Does anybody else have any experience with Leupold scopes with this reticle, and if so, does it behave similarly?

January 24, 2025, 02:37 PM	#5
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 12,972	I have a CNC router--I can list tons of ways to ruin a production batch. Precision machining lathes probably have a much higher degree of consistency. Either way--I've never known Leupold to not make good on their products; if they say send it in--I would. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

January 19, 2025, 09:32 AM	#2
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 697	Wow nobody else here owns a Leupold with this feature?

January 19, 2025, 04:55 PM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 4,039	I have one. Normally I just push the button for the Firedot. Never really tested how much shake I’d have to give it.

January 24, 2025, 12:27 PM	#4
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 85	Sometimes manufacturing errors come in batches. For example CNC machines are great, but the machinist does not have to watch all the time, he may be watching several machines or is lazy. As a result if the machine is off it the tool worn a lot of product could have the same flaw. Or with electronics they test a new shipment of capacitors by testing only a few and assume the rest are good, but they arise a lot of product goes out with the same flaw.