I just got my scope back from Bushnell this morning. This about ten days after I sent it to them. The scope would not adjust up and down. They cleaned and adjusted the Paralax and fixed a loose erector. The total cost to me was ten dollars for shipping and handling. This may not be unussual for some scopes but this scope was a 65.00 Sprtview with range finder. I bought this scope about thirty years ago and its been on at least ten high powered rifles including a 338 Win Mag. I think this is pretty good service for a cheaper scope thirty years old. This is one of the reasons that I have never found it necessary to lay out big money to get good optics. This is what I have always expected and recieved form Bushnell. I have several other Bushnells in this age range. This is the first one I have ever had to send in for service. This old scope was never babyed around either. Thanks Bushnell. With these repairs I now have about three dollars a year invested in this scope. Looks like this scope will out last me.
The only reason i don't buy cheap scopes any longer is, if i'm on a hunt out in the bush, i can't walk or drive back home to get another rifle or scope when the cheapo scope fogs, or breaks! Because of the weight when flying or packing into the bush, i never carry a second rifle, but i do carry a S&W 44 mag..
I've had cheaper scopes (brand) have problems, but i've never trusted one on a hunt, so it wasn't a huge deal. I have been on hunts where "other" guys have had fogged scopes, and binoculars because they wouldn't pay for quality! Thing is, once back home from a nearly ruined hunt, they thought the better quality was worth the extra $$ then!!
I've NEVER had a Zeiss or Leupold fail to perforn in the bush! I also have an "old" Williams scope, and a B&L that's been perfectly reliable. Non of these were cheap scopes to buy new though.
I finally started carrying a second pair of binoc's to camp, because i was sick of guys always saying "here let me see" when there binoc's took a crap on them!
My two pair of good binoc's are, Zeiss mini's, and a pair of Swarovski 8x30WB's.
in all my years I've only required service from scope companys three times.....Bushnell (for a scope I banged on a rock), Weaver (for a scope I let the nitrogen out of) and a Leupold that was defective.
Bushnell was the fastest return repairing the eyepiece and refilling the scope absolutely free, Weaver was next rebluing the scope and refilling it with nitrogen at no charge and Leupold last.....and their repair was not adequate even though it was free.
Well thankfully I have never had to use a warranty on any scope that I have owned.
What I do want to add is yeaterday I went looking at scopes for my rifle I just finished. I looked at the Bushnell 4400, Leupold VX-III, Nicon Monarch, Zeiss conquest, Burris fullfield II and signature, Sightron II. The Bushnell 4200 was the brightest and clearest by far. I don't mean by a little, I mean a blind man could have seen the differance.
The Bushnell 4200 will absolutly be the scope topping my new rifle. Super scope. IMO they make excelent scopes that cost up to hundreds less than comparable quality optics.
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I just never had a problem with a scope or Field glasses. Even this old scope that I sent in was still useable in a pinch. It would come down to where it was still about three inches high at 100 yards. I could have slipped a shim under it but I thought I just as well send it in and get another 15 years os so out of it. I carry a peep sight that is pre sighted and clamps on the rear scope base. This is for an emergency if a scope gets dropped or something. It shoots real well. When I sold guns and scopes, I did have to send back two VX-ll scopes for serve. Both for the same guy They just were not clear enough to satisfy the guy. The replacements they sent were not much better and for many years I was sour on them. the last two I have had were pretty good. A VX-l and a M8 straight four power.
I got to thinkink last night that this old Bushnell was not really a real cheap scope back when I got it. Back then the Sporview was toward the top of the line. It was 65 or 70 dollars and that was back in the early 1970's. I dont remember what a Luepold or Redfield sold for back then. Anyway I sure got my moneys worth out of it. It went on many a hunting trip to Canada and Wyoming. I have not had a chance to try it out since I got it back but I might put it on the new 260 Ruger.
I really like the elite series and think it is one of the best bangs on the market today. although I have heard a lot about sightron on this site as a great value scope but haven't ever peered through one...so I may be a little hampered in my view as the elite being the best bang for sure. I have had a number and still have 3 topping rifles in my cabinet they have been just fine, wouldn't hesitate in suggesting or buying another depending on the application.
Bigbulls, are you sure you compared a VX III(new model) to the 4200 b/c I never found the same thing as you when comparing the 2. Even my 4200 vs my old Vari x III the loopy wins under field conditions. Of course brightness and clarity can be subjective as well. The 4200 is no slouch for sure but I really don't think it compares to the VX III with the likes of clarity, fits and features. A huge knock on the elite line is the eye relief they tend to be the lowest in their class, which may or may not be an issue to some. Again this is not to bash Bushnell b/c I have used and will continue to use a number of their products, although I certainly won't class them in the same category as some other higher end products.
I have had to use their CS on one occasion and I was very pleased I must say unlike a few unnamed others over the years.
To be completely honest I don't have any Bushnell scopes on any of my rifles right now. I have Leupold and Nikon's and 1 Simmons ATV on a .17. But that being said I have used Bushnell scopes over the years and I too let the nitrogen out of one and sent it in and remember getting it refilled at not cost except shipping. I would not hesitate next time when looking at scopes to check out a Bushnell. My father and grandfather have had Bushnell scope on their 30-30 Marlin deer guns for well over 30 years with no problems. They hunt in brush country in Pa and those scopes can get banged around quite a bit.
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Simmons also stand behind their products. I had a 10yr old 44mag scope. I started having problems with clarity when I looked through it. I called Simmons and they said to ship it back to them. It cost me $7.00 to ship it. Instead of repairing it they sent me a brand new scope. How's that for customer service.
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