TFB Review: Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD Spotting Scope

Howdy, folks! Patrik Orcutt here, comin’ at ya with a deep dive into the Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD 27- 55x80 mm spotting scope with its slick angled eyepiece. I’ve been haulin’ this bad boy around for 9 months, puttin’ it through the wringer at the range while zeroin’ rifles and out on my buddy’s ranch spottin’ cattle.

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The Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD Spotting scope was provided by Leupold for this review, and while I am allowed to keep this optic after the conclusion of this review, it will not impact my current or future opinions on the brand and their products. The Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD has been used pretty extensively over the past 9 months.

Specs

Magnification Range: 27x-55x (variable zoom)

Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm

Eyepiece Design: Angled (45-degree)

Optical System: High Definition (HD) with multi-coated lenses

Body Material: Magnesium housing

Weight: 68.7 oz (approximately 4.3 lbs or 1.95 kg)

Length: 15.7 inches (398 mm)

Field of View (FOV) at 1,000 yards:

• At 27x: 105 feet
• At 55x: 73 feet

Eye Relief:

• At 27x: 19.2 mm
• At 55x: 16.6 mm

Close Focus Distance: 11.8 feet (3.6 meters)

Weatherproofing: Waterproof and fog-proof (nitrogen-filled)

Mounting System: Integrated Arca-Swiss compatible base

Twilight Management System: Yes (enhances low-light performance)

Lens Coatings: Fully multi-coated with Guard-ion hydrophobic coating

Exit Pupil:

• At 27x: 2.9 mm
• At 55x: 1.5 mm

Tripod Mount: 1/4-20 thread (in addition to Arca-Swiss compatibility)

Color: Gray with black accents

Warranty: Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee

MSRP: $1799

First Impressions

As it should be no surprise, when I cracked open the box, the SX-5 Santiam HD looked very high quality. Leupold is known for their quality glass and phenomenal presentation. That magnesium housing feels like it could take a few falls and still keep up. At 68.7 ounces, it ain’t no featherweight, but it’s got a purposeful heft that makes it steady as a rock on a tripod. The matte finish is low-key, blendin’ right into the brush or the range bench, and it’s nitrogen-filled to laugh off rain and fog. I got caught in a downpour at the range one day, and I'm happy to report the scope did not fog up at all.

Arca-Swiss Base

I’m a sucker for gear that plays nice with my setup, and the SX-5’s Arca-Swiss compatible base is a godsend. At the range, I slapped it onto my Leupold Tripod and the setup was quick and easy. This is also very convenient for me to use any of my camera tripods with the same Arca-Swiss Base in a pinch. It’s a small thing, but when you’re switchin’ setups on the fly, that kind of simplicity is gold.

On the ranch, the Arca-Swiss base was just as clutch. I was lugging a carbon-fiber tripod across fields, and setting up to spot cattle was a breeze. Whether I was glassing a herd or zeroing my 6.5 Creedmore rifle, the base kept the scope steady without me cussing at wobbly mounts.

Multi-Coated Lenses

The glass on this scope is where the magic happens. Leupold’s multi-coated lens system is sharper than a tack, cutting through glare and pulling in lots of light. At the range, I was spottin’ 5.56 holes on paper at 200 yards like I was standing right next to the target. Even at max zoom, there’s no fuzzy edges or weird color fringing like you can find on other less expensive scopes.

Out on the ranch, those lenses were a lifesaver in low light. Early mornin’ or late afternoon, when the sun’s playin’ hide-and-seek behind clouds, I could still pick out individual cows long distances. One foggy morning, I used the scope to track a calf that wandered into some shrubs, and the lenses cut through the haze like it was their job. I have nothing but great things to say about the optical quality of this spotting scope.

Magnification Range

The 27-55x magnification range is just right for what I do. At the range, I’d start at 27x to spot targets quick, then crank it up to 40x or 55x to check bullet holes. The zoom dial’s smooth as butter, with enough grip to stay put when I don't want it to move. At 55x, I could see 6.5 Creedmore impacts on steel at 300 yards, clear as day, making my rifle a walk in the park. The image stays sharp, though I noticed a touch of dimness at max zoom in low light—not a dealbreaker, but worth bringing up.

Pros:

• Crystal-Clear Glass: Multi-coated lenses give you sharp, bright images even in cloudy conditions.
• Flexible Zoom: 27-55x range handles everything from wide scans to tight detail work.
• Arca-Swiss Base: Snaps onto tripods quickly and stays put, no adapters needed.
• Angled Eyepiece: Keeps you comfy for hours.
• Tough as Nails: Waterproof, fog-proof, and built to take a thrashing.

Cons:

• Bit Heavy: At 68.7 ounces, it’s not the lightest for long hikes or backcountry hunts.
• Pricey: This ain’t a budget scope, but you get what you pay for.
• Slight Dimness at Max Zoom: At 55x in low light, it loses a smidge of brightness.

Final Thoughts

The Leupold SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm is a beast of a spotting scope that’s as at home on the range as it is out in the pasture. Its killer glass, versatile zoom, Arca-Swiss base, angled eyepiece, and rugged build make it a tool I can count on, whether I’m dialing in a rifle or spotting cattle/ wildlife. Yeah, it’s a bit heavy and costs a pretty penny, but for a guy like me who lives for precision and reliability, I think the price is justified.