Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics bushnell elites now made in china

He did say for the most part. Ok 3x or 4x erector ok simple enough , Like has been pointed out there were run of 3x9's of 4200's that were much cheaper than the 3.5x10's . Are the 4x erector that much higher $$ ? On the newer elites is the glass quilty also higher on the models with a 4x erector? Seemed to me the 4200's had better glass then the 3200's did

I knew someone was going to highlight the one oddball 3-9 that was a 4200 model. In short, Bushnell decided after some time had passed, that they wanted a 3-9 in their 4200 line so compete with other makers who offered "premium" 3-9's, such as Zeiss Conquest, for example. It offered the same one piece tube construction and top of the line 4200 glass/coatings as the standard 4200 line, but in a 3x zoom package. Now, to tell the two 3-9's apart ( which were 3200's and the sole 4200 model 3-9) you have to look at the saddle on the tube. 3200's used a glue on saddle/turret assembly and the 4200's were always milled from a solid one piece tube, meaning the saddle/turret assembly was actually part of the tube itself.

Look closely at this picture and you can see that the saddle/turret assembly is glued onto the tube itself and not actually part of the main tube.






























































Now, here is a picture of a 4200 3-9 and you can see that the saddle/turret assembly is actually milled (hammer forged) into/from the scope tube itself. In other words, one continuous solid piece of aluminum.

RDFinn - Not trying to argue with you. But I'll tell you what, my 5 Japan made Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 scopes do NOT appear as in the picture you just posted. They look like this one: Link to Pic of Elite 4200 3-9x40

Am I not understanding what it is you are trying to say/describe?

Oh and also I believe the picture you posted isn't even a variable scope. No power adjustment ring there.

I just discoverd something very interesting , your pics showing the tube tube difference. something didn't look right to me so I wnet and dug out my horent it has 3x9x40 3200 on it and it is a one peice tube . So I than dug out a .22mag with a 3x9x40 3200 on it and is not a one peice tube !! Both scopes are close to same age like 10-12 years old. One I know was bought at wally world and the other a gun shop. I will dig out boxes and see if I can figure out which was from where and age
Ok found both boxes one from wal mart 2001 on the box advertises fast focus eyepeice and is accurate. The other is from 2002 from gunshop does not advertise fast focus eyepeice, but both scopes are. but still un sure which scope cam in which box !! cant find a serial # on box or paper work to match scope to box

I'm not sure how I can better illustrate what I'm talking about as it's hard to find close up pics of the 3200. Here is one that is a little closer...You can see that the saddle is glued on the tube itself..

Actually, I can see what you're talking about with the 3200 vs 4200 from your picture. I misread your previous post. Sorry about that.

You are right, that pic is a 3200 10x Tactical scope. I was just trying to find close up pics so that you could see the saddle of the scope tube.

I did a quick search using my google-foo and do see some pics of Elite 3200s that have the same design (one piece tube) as the 4200s I own.

ELITE with 1-piece tube

Maybe a some made differently than others? In fact there is a pic (of all places) on Wal Mart's site showing the 2-piece version. Don't remember where I saw the 1-piece though...it was the Wal-Mart that stuck in my head.

Add- another quick search found the 3200 on Optics planet.

It is entirely possible that Bushnell changed and swapped/improved or whatever you want to say. I know that when I first started buying 4200's, I did a lot (to much) reading up on them and had conversations with Bushnell as well. That was just one of the things I remember them telling me......about the tube differences.

Yeah, and it appears yet again my google-foo needs work. The link I posted is to a NEW Elite - NOT a 3200.

Oh well, beating a dead horse I suppose. I don't even own a 3200 only 4200s.

I'm really not trying to BS anyone here, only trying to help. The biggest difference between them (3200 vs 4200) was the glass itself. IIRC, Bushnell used to claim something like 91% light transmission for 3200's and 95% transmission for 4200's.

Understood. Didn't mean to get too far off topic either and not implying your were BS'n anyone.

I was thinking you bad either (FINN) I was just learning about the newer elites and the tube thing came up and was a bit baffled and have own both them 3200's for well over 10 years and had never noticed they were a little different , now which one is older ? I'm thinking the one with the 4200 style tube is the oldest but not sure , maybe it was an "over run" tube and they just used it for a 3200 or maybe it should have been a 3700 have way in between LOL

All you have to know is that when it comes to Bushnell Elites, I'm like Eremicus is to Leupold. Diamond Coat is the toughest coating known to mankind and the Elite is " The Worlds Brightest Riflescope "

As I understand it, the 3200's had some, but not all of their glass multicoated. The 3200's were also not built to the same standards of duability. E

I believe you are correct about the coatings Eremicus. Durability as well.

Glad I don't own any of these multicultural products.

for some reason I think it was a huge blunder for bushnell to drop the 3200 and 4200 nomenclature. for one I don't see any elites for sale like I used to in stores, cabelas, sportsman's and scheels don't sell them anymore. it was easy and simple to understand 3200 and 4200 one had basically better glass than the other. now to complicate we have some models being made in china. RD I have been and continue to be a huge 4200 fan, but as much of a fan as I am, they are not a zeiss conquest which is indeed a brighter scope, they are close but the zeiss gets the edge.

for what its worth I have a silver 3200 3x9 that I bought at a local store used a while back for $75 it has clear glue that holds the turret housings on. the brand new never mounted 4200 and the older 4200 I have both 3x9's have the 1 piece tube. all elites I own are japan made.

The thing that hurt those scopes the most was losing the Bausch & Lomb name. That separated them from Bushnell as far as most consumers probably were concerned anyway. Funny thing is, and I think Mule Deer even said this as well, was the Bushnell versions actually got better from a glass standpoint.