Bushnell elite series. 3200 vs 4200 vs 6200

[pinkmoon]

Hello. I currently own two Bushnell elite 3200 scopes and I am really happy with them. I am wondering if I should stick with the 3200 or shell out a bit more money and move up to the 4200 or 6200. I wonder if the extra cost will actually stand out in the optics or is the difference between the three really small.

In short is it worth it to move up to the 4200...I use my scopes on the range out to 300...maybe 400 max and for hunting.

 

[shredder0]

Just my 2 pennies worth here...

If your scope allows your rifle to shoot accurately and reliably all is good. The amount of time you look through your scope is actually extremely short. No need for the best lenses money can buy. Spend your optics budget on the best binocular you can afford. You will spend a lot more time looking through them than your scope.

 

[scott87]

i have a 3200 and i was also thinking of upgrading but more so for better light transmition closer to dawn

 

[sir_springer]

I've owned a number of 3000/3200 Elite scopes. Good bang for the money, very underrated, IMHO.

The 3200 is rated at about 91% light transmission, while the 4200 is rated at 95%.

95% is about as good as it can get in a variable scope, dictated by physics, and contrary to marketing hype.

I upgraded my go-to rifle to a Leupold VX-III, equivalent to the 4200. Do I really notice a big difference? Truthfully, not that much.

The 6500 Elite (which I kinda lust after) isn't rated any higher optically than the 4200, it's more about design and extra features.

Bottom line, if you're happy with the 3200 Elite because it's workin' for you, save your money for other stuff.

FWIW.

 

[t-star]

the really objuective way to look at this is " do you or can you PERCIEVE the increase in light transmission- i'm willing to bet you CAN'T= the only way one scope is better than another for dusk and dawn is an INCREASE in the SIZE of the objective lenz, or a better coating- if you've already made the investment in the 3200( which to my mind is like comparing the 88 to 98 olds- one is just as good as the other, it's just the bling) then you'll be disappointed in the upgrade- save your money

 

[Ron AKA]

The big difference between the 3200 and 4200 is that the 4200 is fully multi-coated, and gives the extra light transmission. All the Elite line are made by LOW in Japan, who made the Bausch & Lomb line before Bushnell took over. They also make Weaver, and other quality scopes including some high end ones that are way over priced. While Leupold assembles scopes in the USA, they don't make the components there. Quite likely some of Leupold parts come from LOW as well.

This said, there are fairly limited times your eye can make use of the extra light transmission. If you take a 3-9x40 scope, it produces about 40/9 or a 4.3 mm exit pupil. While even an older person can use that much exit pupil, in normal light, your eye closes down much smaller and the extra light is of no value. 91% vs 95% just means it closes down about 4% less, and your eye sees the same brightness. In other words it makes up for the glass. The extreme is putting on sun glasses. Light transmission is significantly reduced, but your eye opens up and compensates so you still see fine in daylight.

The only time it is going to make a difference is when the light gets so dim that your eye is fully opened up to 4.3 mm and is using all the light it can get, which is possible before and after sunrise. But 4% is quite small.

The rumor on one forum in the US is that Bushnell is discontinuing the 3200 and 4200 series, and merging them. If true I expect they will likely all be fully multi-coated. There are reports of close out sales. You may want to wait a bit, to see if that happens here, and if you can get a bargain on a 4200. See this link:

Midway USA Bushnell Elite

 

[sir_springer]

The rumor on one forum in the US is that Bushnell is discontinuing the 3200 and 4200 series, and merging them. If true I expect they will likely all be fully multi-coated. There are reports of close out sales. You may want to wait a bit, to see if that happens here, and if you can get a bargain on a 4200. See this link:

Midway USA Bushnell Elite

Bushnell has in fact dropped the 3200 series.

There are now the "Elite" series, and the "Elite 6500" series.

The "Elite" series scopes are built to 4200 specs.

Somewhere around page 58 or so in their new catalogue...

http://www.bushnell.com/resources/catalog-downloads/?CFID=11688770&CFTOKEN=abbb0ce988e2870a-D897B02B-B76F-CB45-F41450CB315B26EF&

 

[44fordy]

If your scope allows your rifle to shoot accurately and reliably all is good. The amount of time you look through your scope is actually extremely short. No need for the best lenses money can buy. Spend your optics budget on the best binocular you can afford. You will spend a lot more time looking through them than your scope.

Good thinkin!

I have a 3200 and it works great!!

The big thing for me was something anti-fog with good light transmission...and the Elite 3200 does a splendid job of both.

 

[klrklr]

the really objuective way to look at this is " do you or can you PERCIEVE the increase in light transmission- i'm willing to bet you CAN'T= the only way one scope is better than another for dusk and dawn is an INCREASE in the SIZE of the objective lenz, or a better coating- if you've already made the investment in the 3200( which to my mind is like comparing the 88 to 98 olds- one is just as good as the other, it's just the bling) then you'll be disappointed in the upgrade- save your money

x2 I love my 3200 10x !

 

[Farmboy]

Compared the 3200 to the 6400 we have in stock in the store after reading this thread.

There is a slight different between them. Huge difference? Not really, but there is one.

 

[pinkmoon]

wow thanks for the replies you were all a great help Ron AKA that was a very informative and detailed replie..thank you

It looks like The 3200 is the scope for me....I like them and they work. I guess the return for the money drops off fairly fast as you move up to the 4200 and 6200 series
Thanks
Again

 

[TarpMan]

Isn't the 6500 scope a 30mm tube, instead of the 1" tube? Could that alone make up some of the difference in light transmission? I use the 3200 3-9x40 and am happy with it. I haven't missed an animal or not been able to count points due to a "entry level" scope. I have looked through the Leupold VX1 and Rifleman and they don't compare to the 3200.

 

[hawk-i]

Isn't the 6500 scope a 30mm tube, instead of the 1" tube? Could that alone make up some of the difference in light transmission? I use the 3200 3-9x40 and am happy with it. I haven't missed an animal or not been able to count points due to a "entry level" scope. I have looked through the Leupold VX1 and Rifleman and they don't compare to the 3200.

The 4200 Elite 6x24x50 tactical is also a 30 mm tube

 

[stubblejumper]

This said, there are fairly limited times your eye can make use of the extra light transmission. If you take a 3-9x40 scope, it produces about 40/9 or a 4.3 mm exit pupil. While even an older person can use that much exit pupil, in normal light, your eye closes down much smaller and the extra light is of no value. 91% vs 95% just means it closes down about 4% less, and your eye sees the same brightness. In other words it makes up for the glass. The extreme is putting on sun glasses. Light transmission is significantly reduced, but your eye opens up and compensates so you still see fine in daylight.

It is true that in bright light,a larger exit pupil,or better lens coatings may not be important,but in low light conditions,the light transmission of a scope can be very important.At first or last legal light,your pupil is as dilated as it can be,and that extra 4% can make the difference between seeing the target properly,and not seeing it well enough to take a shot.How much you are willing to pay for a bit more light transmission,is up to you.

Isn't the 6500 scope a 30mm tube, instead of the 1" tube? Could that alone make up some of the difference in light transmission?

Tube size increases the amount of adjustment possible,but a 30mm tube will not increase light transmission over a 1" tube, if the lenses and coatings are equivalent.

 

[RememberTheSomme]

The big difference between the 3200 and 4200 is that the 4200 is fully multi-coated, and gives the extra light transmission. All the Elite line are made by LOW in Japan, who made the Bausch & Lomb line before Bushnell took over. They also make Weaver, and other quality scopes including some high end ones that are way over priced. While Leupold assembles scopes in the USA, they don't make the components there. Quite likely some of Leupold parts come from LOW as well.

This said, there are fairly limited times your eye can make use of the extra light transmission. If you take a 3-9x40 scope, it produces about 40/9 or a 4.3 mm exit pupil. While even an older person can use that much exit pupil, in normal light, your eye closes down much smaller and the extra light is of no value. 91% vs 95% just means it closes down about 4% less, and your eye sees the same brightness. In other words it makes up for the glass. The extreme is putting on sun glasses. Light transmission is significantly reduced, but your eye opens up and compensates so you still see fine in daylight.

The only time it is going to make a difference is when the light gets so dim that your eye is fully opened up to 4.3 mm and is using all the light it can get, which is possible before and after sunrise. But 4% is quite small.

The rumor on one forum in the US is that Bushnell is discontinuing the 3200 and 4200 series, and merging them. If true I expect they will likely all be fully multi-coated. There are reports of close out sales. You may want to wait a bit, to see if that happens here, and if you can get a bargain on a 4200. See this link:

Midway USA Bushnell Elite

Ron,

How do the Fully Multi-coated lenses in the Legend series, compare to the step up, 3200 Elite series . I know the 91% claim is the same in both, but would the 3200 have better resolution ,or is it just their durability/ design features, that make them a little higher in price?

Where are the Legends made?