Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Bushnell 3500 4500

Any info or hands on experience out there?

I've had very good experience with the B&L/Bushnell Elites, especially the 4x zooms. several 2.5-10's and 6-24's over the years.


The web site says AO for the 4-16x40 , but shows a SideFocus
also I didn't see a 4-16x50 offered.

I still miss the 4200 1.5-6x36 - thought that was a great hunting scope

I don't get the DOA reticle, but it is different.

Hard to believe they don't offer the Firefly reticle anymore. They should offer it w/o the "glow in the dark" gimmick and bring back it's original name....the "3-2-1" reticle. One of the very best low light reticles I've ever seen.

Yaah, I have one of those 3-2-1 Firefly reticles and I like it.

DF

It's the next best thing to an illuminated reticle IMO.

Yep.

It's amazing other makers didn't jump on that band wagon.

Evidently you and I are the only two Loonies who like it...

DF

Yep. Got the 3 2 1 in a 3200. Can't beat it for shooting deer in the deep woods.

Now look here...

We now got three Loonies on board...

Bushnell should have done their market research right here on the Fire and maybe they wuoldn't have discontinued that fine reticle.

DF

count me in as another fan of the 321 reticle

The optics quit way before that reticle does in schit light.

Oh contrare! I like it very much myself.

We need to get together as a driving force and get a petition together to give to Bushnell along with any other list of demands such as more eye relief.........

I've had the 4500 4-16x40 for about a week. The parallax adjustment is on the front. I'm not too critical of scopes as long as they don't break, so I'm happy with my choice so far. It seems like a large scope.

Lets get Bushnell on the phone...

DF

this is interesting I actually sent an email to bushnell a year or so ago suggesting they revive the 2 tiered elite scopes I even suggested the 3500 and 4500 numbers for the new models. Bushnell has IMO lost a ton of business. Vortex has pretty much displaced them on the shelves of sporting goods stores. I haven't seen a new model elite ever in any of the stores around me, sportsmans, cabelas, scheels and other shops around. They often sell the cheap banners but none of the upper tier line. The elite series of scopes are some of the best made for the money they cost. but they are dieing a slow death.

They should know their best marketing info is right here on the Fire...

DF

On that note, I just sent Rick this post.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9719883/Marketing_surveys#Post9719883

What do you guys think?

DF

Way too Logical !

Imagine doing Market Research amongst your own Repeat Customers, Gasp

Unthinkable

Any other comments on the 4500 ?
Can you compare yours to a 4200 or 4000?

I like the Side Focus for size, but I don't know how precise they are.
All of mine are the AO style, and they do make for a larger Objective diameter when mounting etc.

I appreciate all your comments on these new models.

I'm still bitter about missing out on closeouts on the 4200 1.5-6x36 both with or without the 3-2-1 reticle .

This new DOA reticle does nothing for me.

I don't like the DOA reticle either. I'm sure it was just a market driven response to ranging type reticles.

My perfect Elite 4500 would be a 2.5-10 x 40 or 42 with the 3-2-1 reticle, approx. 4 inches of ER and a hunting style low profile (perhaps one of their pop up type like the ones on their 6500's) elevation turret.