Scopes

[Macgregor]

I was thinking about getting a new scope and have heard that for the money the bushnell elites are really good scopes. The question I have is what is the difference between the 3200 and the 4200 besides the price. Any info. would be appreciated.

[Chuck]

I was about to say that the only difference I could see was "1000" but closer inspection revealed that the 4200 tube is hammer forged with titanium and the 3200 is all aluminum. The 4200 allows for finer and more precise adjustment as well as a fully adjustable objective whereas the 3200 has that only in a specific model. Other than that, they're pretty close. Minor differences like that sure make choosing difficult,imo. Other than the weight difference, I suppose it would be hard to tell them apart, I guess the 4200, being heavier and titanium tougher would take a bit more abuse and last longer? I'd guess that's what they suggest.

[mntman]

have 2 4200 and they are great for the price you pay excellent light gathering a dusk and finer optics

[Mattimoose]

I don't know why you just don't save-up and buy a Leupold.

[boatdoc]

I have 2 bauch & lomb 4200,2 bushnell 3200 ,
vari-xII ,vxIII, I like the 4200 the best of all,nuff said?

[Gateholio]

The 4200 has far better optics than the 3200.

[depopulator]

I don't know why you just don't save-up and buy a Leupold.

I shoot all of them, and the only advantage leupold has over my Bushnell 4200's is being few ounces lighter, and umm..that gold ring....

[moosecaller]

Bushnell has a contact us on their web site why not ask them?
You may get an answer about optics between the two and you can avoid comments like his one, which I am sure was a big help to your question!

"I don't know why you just don't save-up and buy a Leupold."

[todbartell]

Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 = $260

Leupold VXII 3-9x40 = $430

for the extra $170 you get more bang for your buck. Brighter, clearer (especially at higher power), more eye relief, and a warranty that is about five times faster at getting the product back to your door. That is a wise investment, IMO

[Spitzer]

You can get a 4200 Elite 3-9x40 for $332 at Lebarons. Better than spending $430 for a lesser product.

[Macgregor]

Thanks for all the replies. It gives me something to think about.

[youngfellla]

I own both. There is not much of a comparison once you have used both in the field. 4200 is worth the extra money.

[todbartell]

Better than spending $430 for a lesser product.

ignorance is bliss :lol:

[Fisher-Dude]

You can get a 4200 Elite 3-9x40 for $332 at Lebarons. Better than spending $430 for a lesser product.

Lesser product? Leupold anything is better than Bushnell anything. A VX-I is $339 and a better scope than any Bushnell.

I know a couple of people with Bushnells, and they have both used their warranties (and expressed frustration with the time it took...one was about 8 months). All of my family uses Leupold, and we haven't had to use the warranty once.

Bushnells are good for up to 1.5" tolerance between 3 and 9 power. Leupolds are dead on at any magnification. Leupolds will also hold zero with any recoil. Bushnells? Who knows?

[wsm]

check out the nikon's before making a decision, you may find it worth your while.

[horshur]

You can get a 4200 Elite 3-9x40 for $332 at Lebarons. Better than spending $430 for a lesser product.

How bout this--you guys give Dana a bushnel 4200 and see how long it lasts---he has a leupold and it has never crapped out on him he has broke the mount scews off of the gun but the scope was fine---I have had the same. Bushnell won't last like the leupold if you are bit like a bull in the china shop--get the leupold. If you can't afford one new buy used even a 20 year old model-- they don't compare in durability at all.
I know there is a huge differance between a gun lover who cradles his baby, keeps her in a blanket or case even while driving in the truck--cleaned dried oiled relentlessy---I mean there are guys who can use scope caps and they don't fog up or fill with water---some fellows have never broke a stock even---I have broke a few--bettsy hangs on a horse--bounced down a scree slope--fallen on strapped too packboard---dumped in canoe--flipped on a sled--run behind dogs- poor girl gets used and as of yet--leupold has never failed. Get a leupold.

[JMac]

Here's my .02 on the subject. I've used bushnell elites hard for quite sometime. Here's the scorecard. 3200 elite 2-7x32 - fogged after several years (was mounted on my 270 for years and then on my takedown cougar gun which is carried in my pack for the last year), 3200 elite 3-10x40 - fogged in less than a month of hunting (was mounted on a 270WSM). 4200 elite 3-9x40 - tough scope but the one I had was blurry/distorted all around the edges. I sent it back and they're sending me a new one, finally after 3 months. Others I know have had very good luck with their bushnells. I have not. On the Island obviously we get a ton of rain and the rainguard I feel is invaluable - haven't had to wipe my scope in years. However when you primarly hunt "old school" climbing mountains/timber hunting etc. the scopes I have just don't seem to last long term. Obviously the rainguard doesn't work with a sh*t when you have internal fogging. When returned from the factory both the 3200 internals had loose erectors which is not good (especially the new one I had for a little over a month). I usually average 45+ days a year just hunting deer never mind bears and cats etc. Time for a change I guess.

[Barracuda]

just wondering how you guys rate the older B&L compare to the Bushnell 3200 ?

[GoatGuy]

My 3200 crapped out after a couple months of guiding - fogged right up. Sent it out for repair the second week of December and got it back 1 week before a grizz hunt at the end of April - after talking to the rep several times and complaining that it was taking forever to get back.

You'll never go wrong with Leupold they seldom break and it's 2-3 weeks return - bushnell's are indefinitely a lesser product and the repair/warranty service is right up there beside awful. I also had spare binos that I leant to friends etc., which were bausch and lombs and they took 6 months for repair.