Bushnell Elite 3200

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steve-o1979

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Ok, just how bad is it ? I have read numerous posts on here basically saying the Bushnell 3200 is junk... what is so bad about them ? I bought one to replace my Bushnell Trophy not long ago, and although it may not be a Leupold VX-III, I think it's finest kind. The glass is good and clear, and it seems to be built fairly well. I can't see how it's a bad option for those of us that either can't afford to, or don't want to drop a truck load of cash on a scope... especially to use for mainly hunting. Tell me what's so bad about the 3200's, because I'm not so sure I dare to try shooting a deer with it anymore lol.
 
I have a 3200 Elite in 10 power and target turrets. With the mili-dots, I do not have to guess where to shoot. It has been on a .223 and 30-06 with no ill effects. Clear as a bell and retains accuracy from one shoot to another. I cannot see spending big cash on a "big name brand" to get super accurate. i am in it for fun and would rather spend the extra funds on ammo to shoot. Everything that the cross hairs fall on goes down, what more can you ask for.
 
Without a doubt the best bang for the buck! Sure, there's better scopes, but not for that price.

I have a 3200 Elite on my .308 and it works like a dream.
 
I am a fan of the Elite series ( esp the 4200's ) and I think the criticism you have heard/read is mostly directed at Bushnell's other lines. Leupold guys like to take a poke as the Elites but in my experience they are good value.
 
No one I know that actually has one, including myself, has had a complaint about theirs. People do post complaints on here, so I have to believe there are lemons, but overall they seem decent. I have a 3200 and a 4200 and I like them. I would buy them again.
 
i have a bushnell 3200 3-9x40 for hunting on my norinco m14s it just flawless, lense was full cover of water and leaf and i still can see very good through the lense ! a++ bushnell build good hunting scope with quality water protection !
 
steve-o1979 said:
Ok, just how bad is it ? I have read numerous posts on here basically saying the Bushnell 3200 is junk... what is so bad about them ? I bought one to replace my Bushnell Trophy not long ago, and although it may not be a Leupold VX-III, I think it's finest kind. The glass is good and clear, and it seems to be built fairly well. I can't see how it's a bad option for those of us that either can't afford to, or don't want to drop a truck load of cash on a scope... especially to use for mainly hunting. Tell me what's so bad about the 3200's, because I'm not so sure I dare to try shooting a deer with it anymore lol.
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I don't know where your reading that the Bushnell 3200's are junk but most posters on this forum are generally quite supportive of this model line (including myself). The quality of the optics with the price range they come in are very good value and would have no issue with putting them on any hunting rifle I own. There are some complaints about Bushnell warranty in general (too long for service) but rarely do the Elite models require any warranty. Phil.
 
P of PDent said:
I don't know where your reading that the Bushnell 3200's are junk but most posters on this forum are generally quite supportive of this model line (including myself). The quality of the optics with the price range they come in are very good value and would have no issue with putting them on any hunting rifle I own. There are some complaints about Bushnell warranty in general (too long for service) but rarely do the Elite models require any warranty. Phil.
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Yeah...most posters... but there are still alot of them that will say stuff like "save your money and get a Leupold such and such or a Vortex whatever", one guy said something along the line of he keeps one at his place to hold his window or screen door open or something like that...

Basically what pisses me off is when someone asks something like..."is ### scope good for the money ?", some guys can't give them a good answer...the only thing they will say is save your money, an extra $100 will get you a Leupold.....or whatever....you get the point. If someone wants an opinion on a scope...or a gun... in a certain price range, they don't want to hear what an extra couple hundred dollars will get them....they want to know about things in that price range. I asked about scopes a while back... one being the Bushnell Elite 3200... someone said to get a 4200 lol.
A lot of guys on here are hardcore gunnutz... guys who do sink a lot of their money, and most of their time into guns and shooting sports...and that's cool, but a lot of guys (or girls) on here are just average Joes that are proud to have a 5 gun collection. Some people on here will turn up their nose at an entry level gun with a composite stock and a budget scope, but reality is that's all some people can afford. Sure a $3000 Weatherby with a $1000 Leupold VX-III would have been super-dee-duper... but I ended up getting a $600 TC Venture, and a Bushnell 3200....and I'm as proud as a pig in ####.
 
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I do not have any experience with any Bushnell products. I have also never heard anyone who has one say they were junk. Quite the opposite- Excellent scopes for the money, with many solid features, but limited MOA adjustments.


The only complaints I have heard are concerning their warranties and customer service. This is the only reason I will never buy one. I have heard and read countless times that dealing with them can be a nightmare. Customer relations is very high on my list. I have simply ran into too many complaints concerning this to ever consider buying one.
 
I have both a Leupold and a Bushnell (3### and 4###). The Leupold is on my 7mmRM and is my primary go to for long range hunting (moose).

As a testament to the strength of the Bushnell, I have a 4### series mounted on my .30-378 Weatherby Mag (6-24x50) and a 3### series mounted on my Tikka .270 (3-9x40).

I've been lead to believe that where you get a price difference is in the quality of the glass and the pass through of the light (especially under low-light conditions). The difference is really only a couple of percent, but for someone that absolutely counts on the scope, the extra percent can mean making the shot and not making the shot.
 
lonely_wolf said:
I do not have any experience with any Bushnell products. I have also never heard anyone who has one say they were junk. Quite the opposite- Excellent scopes for the money, with many solid features, but limited MOA adjustments.


The only complaints I have heard are concerning their warranties and customer service. This is the only reason I will never buy one. I have heard and read countless times that dealing with them can be a nightmare. Customer relations is very high on my list. I have simply ran into too many complaints concerning this to ever consider buying one.
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The issue of warranty for Bushnell in Canada was discussed in our annual meeting with them at the Shot Show. Bushnell Canada is very aware of this problem and are trying to address is as best they can with the resources available to them. Complaints from CGN have been sent to head office and they are attempting to improve the problem. To be as fair as I can about their product I can honestly say that we sell lots ( we are one of their largest independent dealers in Canada) and we rarely get returns on their product and almost never on the Elite series. For the money they are one of the best values in optics available. I can put almost any optic at any price on my own guns (as long as Dianne doesn't find out !) and have several Bushnells on certain guns because they were the best fit for that particular firearm and applicarion. Phil.
 
i think a lot of busnell complaints are on the lower end products. in the past i have had problems with busnell. i swore off using there scopes for years. i got a great deal about a year and a half ago on a couple of 3200's 3x9"s and a 2x7. they don't match my vx11's but have proven to be very good for the money. all new in box for $200 or less. i just picked up a 5x15 elite for my 223. my main hunting rifles will still wear leupolds but i have no worry about hunting with a 3200. if on a budget the 3200 line is were i would look first. there a little heavier than there listed weight as well. i would rate them at least as good as a leup rifleman but at less cost.
 
P of PDent said:
The issue of warranty for Bushnell in Canada was discussed in our annual meeting with them at the Shot Show. Bushnell Canada is very aware of this problem and are trying to address is as best they can with the resources available to them. Complaints from CGN have been sent to head office and they are attempting to improve the problem.
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Thanks for the update Phil. I am happy they are aware of the problems and complaints. They have a good product and if they improve their warranty services I would definitely consider them for future purchases.

As for the quality of goods versus amount of returns, I cannot but still think, "Better to have and not need, then to need and not have."
 
lonely_wolf said:
Thanks for the update Phil. I am happy they are aware of the problems and complaints. They have a good product and if they improve their warranty services I would definitely consider them for future purchases.

As for the quality of goods versus amount of returns, I cannot but still think, "Better to have and not need, then to need and not have."
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AVP quote, FTW...lol
 
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