In the world of hunting, optics are a critical component to success. Simply put, if a scope fogs up or loses zero, all the time, work, and money spent to get there is lost. So, whether a customer is looking for a new scope for their deer rifle or something for their plinker .22, a scope’s ruggedness, warranty and company reputation are important aspects of the purchase. This should be a consideration when you’re helping a customer decide what optic is right for them.

Optics fall into three basic categories: scopes, binoculars and electronics. While warranties for non-electronic optics are straightforward, the added electronic complexity in rangefinders, thermal, and night-vision requires additional warranty scrutiny as terms vary greatly, and only one is stated as “lifetime.” Also, it goes without saying that if you are considering adding low-cost, off-brand manufacturers, especially for electro-optics, they are often too good to be true. As a rule of thumb, off-brand optics and electronics may come at a good price point that can encourage sales, but getting in the middle of an angry customer and a non-responsive manufacturer will cause a lot of aggravation and time, often negating the initial benefit or profit.

If you have worked in retail for any amount of time, I am sure you have gone through the warranty/return/exchange process. In most cases, the process is simple: The company issues an RMA and you, or the customer, returns the optic to the manufacturer, where it is either repaired or replaced. In most cases, this is the process, and there will be no deviation. Despite the process being straightforward, there are times when waiting two to three months to get an optic repaired or replaced is far from being satisfactory to a customer, and retailers end up in the middle. 

My personal experience has run the gamut. I have dealt with brand-new scopes that were faulty and scopes that were 15 years old that had been put through the wringer. While we generally didn’t get involved with the warranty at the store, sometimes the manufacturer, or situation, forced us to get involved. While I have been in the middle of many claims, one stands out boldly in my memory. 

To set the backdrop, I sold a customer a brand-new Leupold scope two weeks before deer season, matched to a new rifle. About a week later, the customer returned with the scope, stating he couldn’t site it in. I immediately put the gun back on the boresighter and turned the dials to watch the crosshairs move. The elevation tracked fine, but the windage was no bueno. Clearly, something was wrong. Having sold hundreds of Leupold scopes with nary a complaint, I found this a strange occurrence, and one I was going to attempt to handle directly.

I explained the situation to the customer, and despite being unhappy, he was calm and understanding. I looked at the time, and knowing that Leupold was still open, I called customer service and explained the urgency of the situation. After all, deer season opener in Pennsylvania is a state holiday of sorts! Without hesitation, the customer service representative told me to replace the scope on the spot, and that they would note in the RMA to send a brand-new scope to me. I jotted down the info and began replacing the scope as the customer shopped. (I never did ask the owner, but he never complained, either…) 

When the customer returned to the optics area, I had just about finished up, and he asked me, puzzled, what was going on. I explained what Leupold had offered and handed him back his rifle, hopefully, good to go. He thanked me more times than I can remember and left the store. 

That is where the manufacturer, not just the warranty, matters. While many brands offer a lifetime warranty, reading between the lines of the warranty and understanding and experiencing a company’s reputation firsthand is what makes the difference. While this article focuses on the warranties of different optics manufacturers, the printed warranty coupled with your personal experience is what really tells the tale. If a customer is trying to decide between Brand A or Brand C, knowing the printed warranty and how the process works is critical information that can help seal the deal. After all, a lifetime warranty that takes six months to sort out is not a situation any customers want to find themselves in. 

While this list is not fully comprehensive, it contains many brands across all price points. In addition to a summary of their stated warranty, I compiled results of internet research on customer opinions, after reading between the lines and separating opinion from fact. While the research is far from a scientific study, it does highlight the high points/comments of those that have dealt with the company firsthand. 

Burris

Warranty: “Forever Warranty” — All optics, except thermal, are covered by this warranty. Warranty transfers automatically to future owners. No receipts, warranty card, or questions asked AND no repair or replacement charges. Customer visits Burris support portal to submit warranty claim and sends optic back. Customer pays for shipping to Burris; Burris pays for shipping back to customer. Thermal optics are covered for three years from date of purchase.

Feedback and Reputation: Mostly positive. Most complaints are for scopes that need replaced but are no longer a product-line offering. In these instances, a credit towards a new optic is given. Otherwise, customers are generally happy, and the complaints referenced above seem slightly out of line. 

Bushnell

Warranty: Claims lifetime, but states lifetime is 30 years for riflescopes and 20 years for binoculars and spotters, and five years for electronics (i.e., rangefinders). Warranty is only valid for defects in workmanship or materials. It doesn’t cover and accidents, misuse, or abuse.

Feedback and Reputation: In general, it seems like obvious issues were handled correctly, but a few customers felt that some failures weren’t covered when they should have been. It’s hard to say “the customer is always right” in a case like that, because some people are never happy. That said, most scopes and binoculars should last more than the year limit stated above, so this is not truly a lifetime warranty, and they ask a lot of questions to receive the warranty. Bushnell has also been bought/sold, so new ownership carrying old warranties/products can sometimes lead to hiccups. 

Hawke

Warranty: “No-Fault Lifetime Warranty” — Optics are repaired/replaced regardless of fault. Applies only to non-electronic optics. Rangefinders and red-dots, etc. have a two-year warranty. No-Fault warranty applies to optics purchased through authorized dealers after January 1, 2018 only, and older optics fall under the previous warranty. The customer must register the purchase to be eligible or keep the receipt. Warranty applies to original owner only. 

Feedback and Reputation: I found some complaints, but they seem to have been handled correctly according to the company’s warranty policy, despite customer dissatisfaction that is just not justified. Focus of research was on posts that were after 2018. Some BBB complaints exist that were unfounded and have been handled appropriately. Hawke is a “newish” optics manufacturer in my eyes to the U.S. market, as they are a UK company founded in 1978. Overall, there is less history to dig into.

Leupold

Warranty: “Lifetime Guarantee” — Leupold offers a performance-for-life guarantee. It covers scopes, red-dots, spotting scopes, and binoculars. No questions asked, will repair or replace for free. No time limits, proof of ownership, or receipt required. Electronic products are covered by a two-year warranty, and proof of purchase may be required.

Feedback and Reputation: Overwhelmingly positive posts regarding Leupold’s warranty service, even for optics that are greater than 20 or 30 years old. The only “real” complaint focused on timeliness of repair/return to customer (one instance of five weeks), but generally most repairs/returns were very quick. I am sure timing of return and supply chain all play a part. Leupold has been around a long time, so there is a lot of history here that indicates their warranty is very solid with many satisfied customers. 

Swarovski

Warranty: Swarovski has a complicated warranty matrix that really depends on what the optic is and when it was made. In any event, the longest stated warranty is 10 years, with all non-electronic items having a 10-year goodwill that includes parts and labor. Electronic optics, like the EL Range, have a max of five years. They also state proof of purchase is required. It’s unclear if it is transferable. Warranty seems to have changed recently from previous iteration.

Reputation and Feedback: Warranty reviews online are very good, despite “limits.” Some posts state that the goodwill policy in the U.S., rather than the warranty, is what makes it exceptional. My personal experience, as the second owner of a pair of Swarovski binoculars, is that it has been very good. I sent in at-fault damage for repair and the item was fixed free of charge AND was more than 10 years old. No real complaints circulating the internet. 

Tasco 

Warranty: No longer lifetime. Tasco offers a one-year very limited warranty on both optics and electronics. Only covers defects to workmanship or materials. Unclear how previous “lifetime” warranty products are covered. 

Reputation and Feedback: It goes without stating that there are many complaints due to changes in the warranty policy for Tasco. The company was sold, and transferring these warranties is always difficult. That said, there are complaints about resolving warranty issues, and with Tasco only offering a one-year limited warranty, the low price point is the only major selling point. 

Vortex

Warranty: “VIP Warranty” — Vortex will repair or replace their products in the event it becomes damaged or defective for free. No fault, unlimited lifetime, fully transferable, and no receipt required. Applies to scopes, red dots, rangefinders, and seemingly every type of optic they make. 

Reputation and Feedback: Many good reviews online, minimal negative posts. Overall, the warranty is bulletproof and it covers rangefinders! Any posted complaints I found were clearly not a fault of the company. Turnaround repair/replacement times were generally fast.

Zeiss

Warranty: Zeiss Sports Optics Optical Systems have a limited lifetime transferable warranty. Electronic items are covered for five years. It does explicitly state that it warrants against workmanship and materials for life. No receipt required; however, one may be required for the five-year No-Fault policy in the U.S. or Canada. The No-Fault policy applies only to Victory and Conquest product lines. If no receipt, date of manufacture is used. 

Reputation and Feedback: Online reviews are good and complimentary of Zeiss’ fast service. I couldn’t find much on products that were out of warranty for items that were damaged at the fault of the buyer.

The devil with warranties is, as they say, in the details. Combining the details with real-life experience is how you can separate fact from fiction, giving your customer the best, and most up-to-date information. Generally speaking, in addition to paying for optical quality, customers are paying for the warranty up front — just in some cases more so than others.