Leupold Switch Powers

[Mike]

Did Leupold discontinue the 10/17 Switch Power binoculars? Were there any problems associated with them? The binoculars are on Leupold's web site, but many online retailers list the 10/17 model as being discontinued, so I wonder if anyone here knows the story? Perhaps just a model update coming out soon?

[Jim White]

I have heard they were being discontinued. Don't know why, I really like my 7x12's.

[Rick in Oregon]

Leupold Switch-Power binoculars are indeed discontinued.

My factory friends tell me it was a direct result of timing and the failed economy. They were a Gold Ring product made here in Oregon. As such, they were a preimum product (not an import), competing with the Leica Duovid and like Euro models that sell for substancially more than the typical Wally World glass. They were just catching on when the economy took a dump and sales reflected that event so Leupold decided to not produce ANY U.S. made binos for the near future until the U.S. economy gets back on its collective feet and shooters can again afford preimim-priced products such as the S-P's. None of their riflescope manufacturing was subjected to this protocol.

From what I gather, producing a high quality U.S.-made binocular is very expensive and time consuming. If there's not a market to purchase them, it makes little sense to produce them and have them sit on shelves because people don't have jobs to pay for them.

The 2012 election may be the most important in the history of our country.

[RAMOS]

The 2012 election may be the most important in the history of our country.

Amen, Rick.

[Mike]

Thanks for the info, guys. It's a shame to see the product line go away, but I'm happy to hear that it wasn't due to problems with the binoculars. I'll just keep my eyes open for a nice pair to pop up for sale somewhere.

[Mike]

Leupold Switch-Power binoculars are indeed discontinued.

My factory friends tell me it was a direct result of timing and the failed economy. They were a Gold Ring product made here in Oregon. As such, they were a preimum product (not an import), competing with the Leica Duovid and like Euro models that sell for substancially more than the typical Wally World glass. They were just catching on when the economy took a dump and sales reflected that event so Leupold decided to not produce ANY U.S. made binos for the near future until the U.S. economy gets back on its collective feet and shooters can again afford preimim-priced products such as the S-P's. None of their riflescope manufacturing was subjected to this protocol.

From what I gather, producing a high quality U.S.-made binocular is very expensive and time consuming. If there's not a market to purchase them, it makes little sense to produce them and have them sit on shelves because people don't have jobs to pay for them.

The 2012 election may be the most important in the history of our country.

Rick,

Just to tag on to your post, I contacted Leupold to see if they had any remaining inventory of the Switch Powers. They don't, but the rep who responded to my request said that Leupold has heard quite a bit of grumbling about the Gold Ring models being discontinued. He said that the Gold Rings would probably make a return in 2012 or 2013.

[Mike]

I landed a pair of Switch Powers, so now it's time to hit the field. They'll be with me in the deer stand this weekend for their maiden voyage.