Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 vs Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42
Quick take: The Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 has a wider field of view (326 vs 314 ft @ 1000 yds).
Field of view, to scale
Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Which one to buy
Leupold points buyers of the discontinued first-generation BX-4 Pro Guide HD to the Gen 2 as its replacement, at the same $600. BX-4 owners describe the Gen 2 changes as better prism coatings and noticeably better glare control in low sun and dim light, at the cost of about an ounce: 25 oz for the Gen 2 against 24 for the original.
The numbers also show a few steps backward. The Gen 2 shows 314 ft at 1000 yards against the Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42's 326, and close focus of 9.3 ft against 7.5. It nudges eye relief to 17mm from 16mm and adds an open-bridge chassis with a click-lock diopter.
What owners say applies across the line: a sharp, bright, contrasty image, interchangeable eyecups, a glove-friendly focus knob, warranty repairs taking 6-8 weeks, and used Gen 1 units often priced like new Gen 2s. At the same price, the Gen 2 is the one to get, as owners advise buying current production; a Gen 1 makes sense only at a clear discount, for someone who values its wider field and closer focus over the newer coatings.
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42
Only if clearly discounted, for a hunter who values its wider field and closer focus over the newer coatings.
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42
The one to take at the same $600: current production, better glare handling by owners' accounts, and a click-lock diopter.
| Spec | Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 | Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$600 | ~$600 |
| Use case | Hunting | Hunting |
| Magnification | 10x | 10x |
| Objective | 42mm | 42mm |
| Exit pupil | 4.2mm | 4.2mm |
| Field of view | 326 ft @ 1000 yds | 314 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 16mm | 17mm |
| Close focus | 7.5 ft | 9.3 ft |
| Prism | Roof | Roof |
| Glass | HD | HD |
| Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Weight | 24 oz | 25 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.6 x 5.0 in | 5.7 x 5.0 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Feature comparison
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42
- ✓ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✓Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✓Magnesium Body
- ✓Locking Diopter
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42
- ✗ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✗Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✓Locking Diopter
What birders say
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42
- ✓Optics that surprise people - birding forum members describe them as 'exceedingly sharp and bright' and compare them favorably to the Zeiss Conquest HD
- ✓One precision-rifle forum member who tested the mid-price field called it 'much better than the Viper, closest I found to the Razor in this group' - strong praise at this price
- ✓Very bright, contrasty image with strong color definition - owners consistently mention the punchy, high-contrast rendering
- ✓Gen 2 coatings (Guard-Ion and Diamond Coat 2) measurably improve glare handling and low-light performance over the original
- ✓Open-bridge magnesium body is easy to grip one-handed and comfortable on long glassing sessions
- ✓Three interchangeable eyecup options - including winged eyecups that block side glare and short cups for eyeglass wearers - a feature usually reserved for pricier glass
- ✓Locking diopter and a smooth, precise focus knob that reviewers say is easy to run with gloves
- ✓Included accessories are genuinely good: the rubber lens covers stay attached better than most competitors' and the belt case is usable in the field
- ✗Gen 2 gained about an ounce over the original (roughly 25 oz), so it is not the lightest 10x42 in its bracket
- ✗Leupold warranty repair turnaround is reported at 6-8 weeks, notably slower than Vortex's roughly 2-week service
- ✗Early Gen 1 production runs had delays and some warranty replacements discussed on birding forums - buy current production if you can
- ✗MSRP has crept toward $600 for Gen 2, pushing it into direct combat with the Vortex Viper HD and Maven C-series that sell for less
- ✗The warm, high-contrast Leupold color rendition is a matter of taste - some owners love it, others prefer a more neutral image
- ✗326 ft field of view is respectable but not class-leading for a 10x42 - a Nikon Monarch M7 shows you more
- ✗Close to Razor-class but not quite - shoppers hoping for true alpha performance at half price will still see the gap in tough light
- ✗The name-alike lineup (BX-1 through BX-5, Gen 1 vs Gen 2) confuses buyers, and used-market Gen 1 listings are often priced like Gen 2
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 vs Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 10x42: common questions
What is the difference between the Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 and the Gen 2?▾
Owners say the Gen 2 brought better prism coatings and improved glare control in low sun, with about an ounce of extra weight. It also has a slightly narrower 314 ft field and a longer 9.3 ft close focus than the original's 326 ft and 7.5 ft, plus 17mm of eye relief against 16mm.
Should I buy a used Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 or a new Gen 2?▾
Owners warn that used Gen 1 units are often priced like Gen 2, so confirm which generation you're getting. At the same price the new Gen 2 is the better buy, and a Gen 1 only makes sense at a clear discount.