On the down side, lens erecting systems are not known for their optical quality. The extra lenses often degrade the image, especially at high power, and, if the moving elements are not kept in perfect alignment as they move, the image will be degraded further at various, often unpredictable, spots in the power range. Add the fact that the two large mirrors in the system should cause some light loss, and, if not precisely made, their own image degrading effects, and you have a real challenge for the optical designer and manufacturer. Leupold has pulled it off very well. The image is not as contrasty as the best of the 60mm scopes, but, due to the use of enhanced mirror coatings, it is just as bright.
Field of view is comparable to other high quality zoom scopes at similar powers.
Resolution, at all powers, is quite good. That last says it all. This is a very portable, very durable, very weatherproof scope, and that is a combination of features that is hard to match in any other scope currently on the market. Considering its unique blend of features, I am giving the Leupold a Product of Special Merit classification in the Reference Set. In response to a first draft of the review of the Leupold compact scope, I had a call and a letter from Forrest Babcock, the project engineer who oversaw the design of the scope.