Banner has brighter picture than Elite 3200?

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Idcurrie

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I have two Bushnell Elite 3200s. Each mounted on different rifles, obviously.

I also have a Bushnell Banner mounted on a 30'06.

I paid $89 for the Banner and $259 for each of the Elites.\

All are 3-9x40

I fully expected the Elites to be superior, they are on paper.

They have nice Japanese glass, rainguard, and are supposedly fairly high quality.

The Banner has a larger field of view, "multicoated" glass, and cheap Chinese glass.

Here's the problem, the cheap $89 Banner seems to me to have a larger picture (which the specs support) but also it seems MUCH brighter than the Elite scopes. It's very noticable. I prefer to shoot with the Banner, it's frankly much easier to aim and shoot with, especially near the end of the day.

Normally, I would assume that the Elite might be defective but I do have two here and they both look the same. The Banner looks MUCH better though.


So...what gives?
 
I am not a fan of Bushnell 3200 and 4200 series, for the money I think a Nikon Buckmaster is a far better choice for image quality, eye relief, durability and brightness.

Having said that, I have owned 3 Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn 4-12x40AO scopes and they were awesome for the money ($115 ish). I had one on a .22Lr a .22 Win Mag and a .308, and the accuracy was excellent and they all held zero like there was nothing else.

However, once I put the Banner from the .308 on a lighter (harder recoiling) .270.... that extra recoil got the best of it and it was printing all over the place. I put a Nikon scope on and cured that issue on the .270, and the Banner still worked fine on a .22 afterwards.

I have used a 3200 before (3-9) and my buddy has an elite 4200 and I was sure disappointed in that scopes visual quality. He vehemently disagreed... until he sat down behind my Nikon for a few shots, then he quickly changed his tune.
 
Idcurrie said:
I have two Bushnell Elite 3200s. Each mounted on different rifles, obviously.

I also have a Bushnell Banner mounted on a 30'06.

I paid $89 for the Banner and $259 for each of the Elites.\

All are 3-9x40

I fully expected the Elites to be superior, they are on paper.

They have nice Japanese glass, rainguard, and are supposedly fairly high quality.

The Banner has a larger field of view, "multicoated" glass, and cheap Chinese glass.

Here's the problem, the cheap $89 Banner seems to me to have a larger picture (which the specs support) but also it seems MUCH brighter than the Elite scopes. It's very noticable. I prefer to shoot with the Banner, it's frankly much easier to aim and shoot with, especially near the end of the day.

Normally, I would assume that the Elite might be defective but I do have two here and they both look the same. The Banner looks MUCH better though.


So...what gives?
Click to expand...

I have a couple of Banners' in a box somewhere. I'd be happy to trade you for the Elite. Send me a PM. :D
 
If bearkilr doesn't take your 3200's off your hands, I will. I prefer them to all similarly priced optics so far. Sightron possibly being the exception but I haven't had enough experience with them to be positive.
 
Maybe there are some exceptionally good Banners? I'm happy with the two Elites I have, one a 3200 and the other a 4200. Both being different sizes and magnification, I can't really compare them either. Pretty much unfair to compare unless all things are equal. If your happy, that's great value.
 
While to my objective eye the banner does seem brighter, I'm going to leave the elites on the 30'06 and 270 for the simple reason that they are supposed to be built better and able to handle the recoil better.

I will be very happy with the banner on my 223.

The difference in image quality was surprising, that's all.
 
I'm a firm believer of bushnell glass on a budget, I presently own and would rate:

3200 10x40 - best glass/ best clarity paid $220. hands down my favorite scope.
3200 3-9x40 - close bu still second. paid $250
banner -3-9x50 - not as clear, but with the 50mm objective it seems to gather more light. paid $90
dusk and dawn 3-9x50- pretty bad next to the elites and banner, almost yellow, dark. paid $70.

dollars vs quality? I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another banner for rimfire/small centerfire.
 
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