Alot of scopes are just rebadged.

45C said:
Who buys a scope for the warranty?
Click to expand...
People who want to bet they may need warranty on their complex optical devices.

The manufacturers with great warranty service bet you won't need it, and they're mostly right.

All charge enough for products to cover warranty work as a matter of course. Or they don't last long.
 
Lots of yeah buts from guys who paid 600 bucks for a scope re-branded for 200-300.
Always good to do your research before dropping big money.
The Cabelas Intensity 4-12x44 for $159 bucks is a steal. I have 7 of them. Not one issue. 3yrs running. As I said Vortex glass.....
You can pay what you wish. I prefer lower prices not names.
Caveat emptor
 
You are free to buy what ever you want. This post is not intended to insult you, it is just my opinion formulated from over 40 years of buying optics. You don't have to justify why you cheapo out.
No "buts" from me for spending big money on scopes. You get what you pay for. Unless it is an affordability issue, I can't for the life of me understand why anybody would cheapo out on optics.
If you want to educate yourself on the differences between a cheapo scope and a good one, go to this website and read this article:
Journalofmountainhunting.com
Gear section
page 7, titled BEYOND THE GLASS

You will see that there is a reason why some scopes cost a lot more than others.
 
45C said:
Who buys a scope for the warranty?
Click to expand...
The best warranty is one you never need.

Vortex carries a reputation that indicates the warranty will be used several times.

The hunt I look forward to and plan and practice for and spend a lot if money on means I'll buy equipment I trust.

So far all lines of Leupold including Marksman and Rifleman have been solid performers as has the 3200 and 4200 series of Bushnell scopes.

Any other scopes I own and are in use are on "Plinking" rifles that I wouldn't gamble a once in a life time Buck or Bull on.
 
I agree with FCD on this one.
If the scope is just going on a plinking rifle, who cares. If it is going on a varmint rifle that is used to shoot critters that you will have several chances every time you are out, then who cares if it fails.
If the scope is going on a hunting rifle that could make or break an opportunity on the animal of a lifetime, or ruin a hunting trip that took a lot of planning and expense, then it has to be a real good one.

Good 4x4 truck = $30,000 and up (and most are double that and then some)
Fuel for each day hunt = $40 and up (out west we have to go a long way to get away from other hunters)
Premium ammo = $2 to $6 each shot
Hunting time = priceless (I miss the old days when all I did was hunt)
Cheapest scope I can buy just doesn't seem smart. I would rather have ONE premium optic than ten cheapo's
 
The older Japanese-made Bushnell's (3200, 3500, 4200, 4500) certainty aren't junk and can be picked-up for a song. I have three of them on my hunting rifles and they have been exceptional for my needs. Good glass and good coatings too. But generally, there's alot of junk on the market today and you pretty much have to pay for performance.
 
I've had a couple of Vortex products...and have unfortunately used their warranty many times. It's good service, for sure...but if I am on a hunt far from home, where any shot taken is both expensive and very important, the knowledge that Vortex will replace the scope...again...if it fails...again...does very little for my confidence. Even on a hunt that I walk to from my back door, I want to feel confident that when I raise the rifle, the scope will be clear, fog-free and still zeroed...rather than knowing that I can get another equally crappy one from the company if the current one goes belly-up.

When you buy a cheap scope...and when you realize that the price actually pays for a couple of them due to warranty replacement...and that the company is still making a profit...it really drives home that they are overpriced crap.
 
Shua said:
All charge enough for products to cover warranty work as a matter of course. Or they don't last long.
Click to expand...
That right there should make a guy wonder how much these brands really cost to build. I'd rather pay more on a good bet I won't need the warranty. Can't imagine losing an opportunity to take a trophy only to find out my scope can't hold zero.
 
The Kurgan said:
The older Japanese-made Bushnell's (3200, 3500, 4200, 4500) certainty aren't junk and can be picked-up for a song. I have three of them on my hunting rifles and they have been exceptional for my needs. Good glass and good coatings too. But generally, there's alot of junk on the market today and you pretty much have to pay for performance.
Click to expand...
I own at least a dozen of these, and they were always a good choice. Sadly, if you do need warranty it's out of the states, and they have dropped the no questions asked warranty that the warranty depot in ON used to have. - dan
 
elKrusto said:
I agree with FCD on this one.
If the scope is just going on a plinking rifle, who cares. If it is going on a varmint rifle that is used to shoot critters that you will have several chances every time you are out, then who cares if it fails.
If the scope is going on a hunting rifle that could make or break an opportunity on the animal of a lifetime, or ruin a hunting trip that took a lot of planning and expense, then it has to be a real good one.

Good 4x4 truck = $30,000 and up (and most are double that and then some)
Fuel for each day hunt = $40 and up (out west we have to go a long way to get away from other hunters)
Premium ammo = $2 to $6 each shot
Hunting time = priceless (I miss the old days when all I did was hunt)
Cheapest scope I can buy just doesn't seem smart. I would rather have ONE premium optic than ten cheapo's
Click to expand...

Unfortunately good equipment adds up the money fast.

My Buck last year was about $350 per pound ...LOL
 
The Kurgan said:
The older Japanese-made Bushnell's (3200, 3500, 4200, 4500) certainty aren't junk and can be picked-up for a song. I have three of them on my hunting rifles and they have been exceptional for my needs. Good glass and good coatings too. But generally, there's alot of junk on thoe market today and you pretty much have to pay for performance.
Click to expand...
Not sold on the 3500 and 4500.
I had a 3500 fail while helping a friend with a Coyote issue.

The cross border service I encountered turned me off any new Bushnell products.

I replaced the failed 3500 with a 3200 5-15 on a 223 XPR.

The chickens were happy I was back up and running the following weekend with the used 3200 mounted.

The 2 Coyotes did not appear as impressed.
 
45C said:
Who buys a scope for the warranty?
Click to expand...
I blame Leupold for pioneering the lifetime no paper work BS..... what a bunch of losers! They may have not been the first, but they roped me in years ago with their quality assurance.

:)

On a more seriuous note, the lifetime no paper transferable warranty sure makes buying and selling used scopes more attractive.
 
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