Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42
- Size
- 10x42
- Eye relief
- 16 mm
- Field of view
- 326 ft @ 1000 yd
Maker specs: Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42
Leupold binoculars
Compare 9 Leupold binoculars, from the BX-1 McKenzie to the BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56, by size, eye relief, field of view and weight. Leupold's own specifications appear where we found them.
Read more
Leupold names its binocular lines by tier, so the BX number tells you roughly where a pair sits before you read a single spec. Listing names can lag behind Leupold's catalog: the BX-2 Alpine here is a 12x52, while Leupold now sells an Alpine HD under BX-3. Check the exact size and generation on the product page before you choose.
- 9 models
- 4 with maker-listed specs
Leupold binoculars: our picks
Leupold BX-1 McKenzie Binocular
- Size
- 12x50
- Eye relief
- 13.7 mm
- Field of view
- 242 ft @ 1000 yd
Maker specs: Leupold BX-1 McKenzie 12x50
Leupold BX-2 Alpine Binocular
- Size
- 12x52
- Eye relief
- 15 mm
- Field of view
- 261 ft @ 1000 yd
Maker specs: Leupold BX-2 Alpine 12x52
Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56
- Size
- 15x56
- Eye relief
- 18 mm
- Field of view
- 231 ft @ 1000 yd
Maker specs: Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56
Also in our guides: Leupold BX-1 Rogue Compact BinocularLeupold BX-1 Yosemite Binocular (Leupold list)
Our Leupold guides
The full lists these picks come from, with our notes on every pair.
Compare Leupold binoculars
Scroll sideways to see every comparison field and Shopping action.
| Model | Magnification | Objective (mm) | Eye relief | Field of view | Maker’s model | Shopping action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 | 10x | 42 | 16 mm | 326 ft @ 1000 yd | Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 | |
| Leupold BX-1 McKenzie Binocular | 12x | 50 | 13.7 mm | 242 ft @ 1000 yd | Leupold BX-1 McKenzie 12x50 | |
| Leupold BX-2 Alpine Binocular | 12x | 52 | 15 mm | 261 ft @ 1000 yd | Leupold BX-2 Alpine 12x52 | |
| Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 | 15x | 56 | 18 mm | 231 ft @ 1000 yd | Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 |
5 models without a maker’s figure record are listed in the picks above.
Leupold binocular questions
Are Leupold binoculars good?
They are well backed: Leupold covers its binoculars with a lifetime guarantee that needs no proof of ownership (Leupold), and its BX tiers show where a pair sits, from the entry level BX-1 to the high level BX-4.
Our Leupold guide explains each pick, and you can compare the pairs here on Leupold's published specifications.
What do Leupold's BX numbers mean?
They mark the quality tier. Leupold's FAQ calls BX-1 its entry level, BX-2 mid level and BX-4 high level, with BX-3 between the two, matched to glass quality and lens coatings.
The FAQ does not place the BX-5 Santiam HD or the BX-T, so judge those two on their own specifications.
What does the Leupold warranty cover?
Leupold's Full Lifetime Guarantee repairs or replaces a binocular that stops performing, free and with no time limit.
You need no proof of ownership or warranty card, and it applies whether you are the original owner or not. It does not cover a pair that was modified, misused or damaged by accident or abuse, and the electronics in rangefinding binoculars carry a separate five-year limited guarantee. Full terms are on Leupold's warranty page.
Which is better, Leupold or Vortex binoculars?
That comes down to the two exact models you are weighing, so compare them pair against pair on each maker's spec page: magnification and objective, eye relief, field of view, close focus and weight.
Then read both warranties. Leupold covers later owners with no proof of ownership, and Vortex's VIP Warranty repairs or replaces damaged or defective products whoever was at fault, though it excludes loss, theft and deliberate damage.
Are all Leupold binoculars made in the USA?
Leupold does not say so. Its FAQ says its premium made in USA products include the Golden Ring line, and that no American maker can supply enough high-quality lenses for that production, so it buys its glass from vendors that meet its quality standards.
The FAQ names no models, and the binocular pages we checked show no country of origin. Look for it on the box of the exact model, the GR 8x32 included, and see our guide to where Leupold binoculars are made.
Do any of these Leupold binoculars have a rangefinder?
No. None of the pairs on this page is an electronic rangefinding binocular.
Leupold sells that type in its BX-4 Range HD Gen 2 and BX-6 Range HD lines, and their electronics fall under the five-year limited guarantee rather than the lifetime one.
How to choose Leupold binoculars
Choose the magnification for where you glass
Pick 8x for close cover, 10x for most mixed country and 12x or more only when you can rest the pair. Leupold's guide to choosing binoculars says 10x gives enough power for long-range identification with a field of view that still works in tight spots, and that 12x to 15x adds weight but closes the distance on any target once mounted on a tripod.
| Power | Leupold suggests it for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 6x to 8x | Treestands and thick cover, where an extra-wide view catches movement | Less detail at long range |
| 10x | Long-range identification, with a view that still works in tight spots | A less wide view than 6x to 8x |
| 12x to 15x | Tripod glassing at any range | More weight |
Settle the tier before the features
Decide how far up the BX ladder you want to go first, because Leupold ties glass quality and coatings to the tier number. Two 10x42 pairs can sit tiers apart, so compare within a tier first, then step up only if a spec you care about improves.
Sizes of the listed Leupold models
The table below counts the listed pairs by size and gives each size's exit pupil, the objective divided by the magnification, which is the width of the beam of light your eye receives.
| Size | Models | Exit pupil, calculated |
|---|---|---|
| 10x42 | 1 | 4.2 mm |
| 12x50 | 1 | 4.2 mm |
| 12x52 | 1 | 4.3 mm |
| 15x56 | 1 | 3.7 mm |
Leupold's specifications for four listed models
These four are the pairs for which we found Leupold's own spec sheet, and they show how much weight the larger sizes add. The 15x56 Santiam weighs 45 oz, nearly twice the 24 oz of the BX-4 10x42, and Leupold's guide pairs 12x to 15x with a tripod. Leupold lists an exit pupil of 3.6 mm for the BX-1 McKenzie 12x50, 4.2 mm for the BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 and the BX-2 Alpine 12x52, and 3.7 mm for the BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56. Go by those maker figures rather than the calculated ones in the sizes table, which divide the objective by the magnification.
| Model | Eye relief | Field of view | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 | 16 mm | 326 ft at 1,000 yd | 24 oz |
| BX-1 McKenzie 12x50 | 13.7 mm | 242 ft at 1,000 yd | 28.5 oz |
| BX-2 Alpine 12x52 | 15 mm | 261 ft at 1,000 yd | 30.3 oz |
| BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 | 18 mm | 231 ft at 1,000 yd | 45 oz |
Match the listing to the exact model
Confirm the size and generation on the product page, because Leupold reuses line names across sizes and updates. Read the spec sheet of the exact model rather than another size in the same line, and note that the BX-4 now also comes as a Gen 2 on Leupold's site.
Check where your pair is made
Read the country of origin printed on the box or ask Leupold about the model number you are buying. A brand's home state tells you where it is based, which is a separate question from where a given binocular was built. Our American made binoculars page explains what each label wording means.
Keep the guarantee details in mind
Leupold's lifetime guarantee needs no receipt and follows the binocular to a new owner, which matters if you buy a pair second-hand. A rangefinding model is the exception: its electronics are covered for five years.
Our Leupold reviews
For our verdict on each pair, read the best Leupold binoculars, and for one model in depth, the Leupold Cascade review.
Choosing between 10x42 and 12x50
Leupold sells both sizes across several tiers, and our guide to how far 12x50 binoculars can see covers what the extra power buys you at range.
More by brand and origin
