The starting point for the design is Leupold's well-proven 3.5-10X 40mm LR/T. Built on a 30mm tube, it's 13.5 inches long and weighs 19.5 ounces. Field of view runs from 29.9 feet (at 3.5X) to 11 feet (at 10X) at 1000 yards. Eye relief is rather healthy and varies from 3.4 inches (at 10X) to 4.7 inches (at 3.5X).

What's neat about this model are its M2 turrets. These are uncapped low-profile knobs similar to Leupold's familiar M3 turrets. They are approximately .75 inch tall and 1.25 inches in diameter and are nicely contoured to provide a secure grip. Adjustments for both the windage and elevation are in .5 MOA clicks whereas the M3 turrets have .5 MOA windage adjustments but 1 MOA elevation adjustments.

One complete revolution provides 30 MOA of adjustment. In addition, above the normal .5 MOA delineations the elevation turret also has caliber/load specific range markings from 100 to 1000 yards. With the 168-grain .308 Winchester turret installed one complete revolution will take you from 100 to about 830 yards, with just under another half revolution to take you out to a full 1000 yards. Adjustments have nice positive clicks that are audible and tactile, and the turrets are easily reset after zeroing.

This model also features a side focus knob and an illuminated reticle. A rheostat with 11 power settings is conveniently located on the ocular. Reticle choices include the standard Mil-Dot and Leupold's new Tactical Milling Reticle (TMR). An evolution of the traditional Mil-Dot reticle, the TMR uses hash marks in place of the dots. In addition, .5 and .2 Mil marks are added to aid rangefinding and to use as holdovers.

The result is a more flexible reticle system that is quicker and easier to use. Available in Dark Earth, as per the Army's request, this model is an excellent design for field use. I mounted a review model onto a custom-built sniper rifle and was quite impressed. Optical quality was very good, color rendition was excellent, the adjustments tracked perfectly, and foul weather did not bother it in the least.

Is this model perfect? No, low-light performance will never be outstanding with a 40mm objective, I really wish the rheostat had positive click adjustments, and some people will not dig the Dark Earth brown color. That said, I give this model two big thumbs up and suspect the M2 turrets will migrate across Leupold's scope line and eventually replace the older M3 models.

Big news from Leupold in 2006 is that the company now offers four laser rangefinders. Models offered include the 6x32mm RX-II and 8x32mm RX-III with inclinometers, thermometers, and a choice of 13 different reticles.

RX-II & RX-III Laser Rangefinders
The big news from Leupold for 2006 was the company's entrance into the laser rangefinder market. The new RX line consists of four models of digital laser rangefinders designated RX-I, II, III, and IV. The main differences between the four models are the distance they can measure out to and the amount of features they have. The RX-I and II are listed as being capable of ranging a reflective target out to 750 yards and a deer out to 500 yards. The RX-III will range a reflective target out to 1200 yards and a deer out to 700 yards. The RX-IV will range a reflective target all the way out to 1500 yards and a deer at 800 yards. What's interesting, though, is the amount of additional features they were able to jam into such compact little packages.