Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Demo units, any body bought one?

Has anyone ever bought a Demo scope from any of the dealers, re; cameraland, Europtics, SWFA, etc? I'm wondering how many times the knobs were twisted back and forth, dropped, etc. The discounts aren't that great and most have a warranty.

Just wondering if any Campfire members have bought one and how they functioned

I've bought 3 or 4 from Doug. All have been just like new. The only thing that wasn't like new was the price. If you can find something that he has that you want and there's a demo available, I'd recommend it 100%.

Thanks, I'm looking at one of his Zeis Duralyts

I bought a Zeiss Conquest and a Swarovski Z6 from Doug at Cameraland with no issues both were as new with box and accessories

Purchased many from CL and all 100%.

Absolutely zero complaints on two scopes and a pair of mid-range binos. Good to go IMO.

Just be careful on the pre-owned and demo Leica stuff. The lifetime warranty is not transferrable, and is usually only 10 years at most.

I buy demo units when ever possible, never an issue. Last year I bought a Swarovski spotting scope from an optics rental company great deal on a great scope.

New condition on all of the demos I purchased from him.

Bought a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks from Cameraland a few years ago. I don't know if the box had even been opened. No complaints here.

Yep, lots of good luck here as well.

I bought a demo Swaro EL 8.5X42 Swarovision from Doug back in April. They were absolutely NIB from what I could tell.

I bought a Zeiss RF, it appeared new, no evidence of having been mistreated. However, it crapped itself after a month. It was returned and I received a new one from the factory after another month. I guess I would have to be comfortable the warranty is as good as the Zeiss if I was to buy that way again.

I've had my share of demos from Doug, and have been pleased with the condition of every one.

I'm waiting for Doug to get a couple of Swaro Z3s in a demo... 3.5-10x and a 4-12x with the elevation turret. (When I have the money for them would be great, too. Nothing worse than missing a great deal because you're broke.)

I've bought a Zeiss Conquest for me and a Vortex Diamondback scope for a friend from Doug at CLNY and Pentax DCF SPs from another Ebay seller. All were new in box, despite being demos.

Yup one scope and a pair of binos from Doug at cameraland. Both were demos but I couldn't tell that they weren't New in the box. I will Always buy from Doug first, great deals and awesome customer service. Now if he would just start selling Leupolds I'd be set!

Buzzsaw, I've bought at least 3 scopes from Doug on demo- all Conquests. They have been as-new.

The 6.5-20x50 Comquest demo I picked up from Doug looked like it was brand new.....will be purchasing more of the demos from now on.....

I've had good luck with my purchases, I will add I never have bought anything other than a std scope and tend to set and forget. A scope with rangefinding turrents may be a different horse altogether.