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.

Yeah, RD.

If they were listening to you, they'd sell some scopes.

I'd like one of those, too...

DF

My 2.5-10's have all given me excellent service.

Not quite enough Eye Relief has been a gripe with the 4200's

They used to advertise that their endurance testing was done with a .375

The euro guys have been listening to the request for more ER as seen in the new Leica ER and E5 scopes and Meopta in their new R2 scopes. Bushnell responded several years ago when they introduced the 6500's as well. Time for them to step up to the plate and upgrade the 3500/4500's as well.

From their webpage :

United States
We'd like to hear from you. Send our corporate headquarters a comment. Contact Us.

9200 Cody
Overland Park, KS
66214-1734

Domestic and International
1-800-423-3537
(913) 752-3400
Fax: (913) 752-3550

Think we should call them tonight...?

Find out why they not listening to RD...

DF

if you want tons of eye relief get a scout scope. extra eye relief has a very distinct downside. if your shooting an african big bore don't put and elite on it. however short of that an elite will work on any other gun. you want enough eye relief but not too much. I sure prefer the setup of an elite over a leupold I will tell you that. I love the optical formula bushnell uses for the elite scopes.

The DOA 600 reticle is hokey and stupid. I just can't warm up to it.

Probably be cool in a FFP setup

I want a 1.5-6 x 36 for a SS laminated .358Win BLR
2-7 x 32 issn't doing it for me .

I just pulled the trigger on an Elite 2-7x32 while I still could. It's going on my 7x57 carbine. I replaced the old Vari-xii with a Vortex Viper 2-7 which I hated.I now have a 4200 3-9 on it. I like the 3-9... just not on my 7x57.

It's too bad to hear that Bushnell is losing out to Vortex because I just haven't experienced consistent quality with Vortex's scopes.

Dan

Anyone care to update this topic ?

Thanks

I've been considering the 3500 4-12x40 for my Ruger No.1 in 6mm or my Tikka 695 in .25-06 just to try it. Anyone got one of these? Only drawback I see is the rather short eye relief.

There is a closeout sale on ebay on Elite 3-9x40's with the Firefly reticle for $249. The vendor is Optics Planet. Free shipping too.

I think that it is probably a marketing decision by the stores. I believe the Elite series competes favorably with more expensive scopes and customers may choose Elites over Leupolds or others for the price. The profit margin may be better on the Vortex or the Leupold scopes too.

Dan

I think you are right about the marketing decision as it was to confusing for people to figure out if they were getting a 4200 series scope or a 3200 series scope. Bushnell did this when they decided to trim down the Elite line. I spoke with someone at Bushnell about the 1.5-6 x 36 Elite regarding why they were removing it from the line-up and they said it just didn't sell well enough to keep making it.

I really like the Elite series and own 3 scopes. I considered the 1.5-6x36 but as I remember it was a rather lengthy and heavy scope for it's magnification range.

I waited till Bushnell combined the 3200's and 4200's together and bought the 2-7x32 Elite. Just the right size for a handy carbine.

Dan

If you search around you might be able to find their discontinued 3-10 x40. It's a compact scope designed just for short action rifles and it had a 1/2 inch more ER than the other 4200 Elites (3.7 inches).

Bushnell Elite 3-10x40

I have both the Elite 3200 and Elite 4200 with the Firefly reticle. Really like both of them.

That 1.5-6 was a great scope. I had one on my late, lamented Kimber Longmaster and miss them both.

It's about twice the bucks, but the Leupold VX-6 1-6 is a wonder, especially the illuminated version. When the dust settles from my latest spending binge, one of those, or the 2-12 might be next. Wonderful scopes, without that funky Euro-style.

Anyone got any hands on experience with the 4500 4-16x40 ?