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Elite 4200 3-9x40 vs. 3200?

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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Elite 4200 3-9x40 vs. 3200?
    Posted: February/22/2009 at 21:50
So I was wondering what exactly the differences are.  I would assume the 4200 probably has better lens coatings and erectors, but what else is there?  They use what appears to be the exact same tube.  Also, I just looked at a brand new 3200 today that says Japan on the underside.  I was thinking the 4200 was made in Japan and that the 3200 probably wasn't; looks like I was wrong. 
 
On a related side note, I had another thread asking about scopes for my grandpa's .338 that I was given.  I think I've narrowed it down to the 3200.  Unless for some reason anyone here thinks it might not stand up to the recoil.  In that case, I'd probably either get a Fullfield II or step up to the 4200. 
 
 
 
Honestly, I wish Bushnell still made the 1.5-6x36 Elite 4200.  They can still be found, but not very cheap.  If only I could find one second-hand...
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rifle looney View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rifle looney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 21:55
The  3200 and the Burris II are about equal the 4200 is a major step up if you can afford it go that route you will be very happy!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:20
I know that the 4200 is a step up.  I just wanted to know specifically what all the differences are.  The 3200 seems like a nice scope, and can be had quite a bit cheaper.  I don't think extra lens coatings are worth the money to me.  However, if a 3200 might not be durable, then I'd be looking at other options; one of which is the 4200.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rifle looney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:27
As for durability they rank very close as for optical better glass and coatings you can get a 3x9x40 4200 for around $289.95 you cant go wrong there.
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:38
jason, check the recoil ratings between the 3200 and 4200 series. The tubes on the 4200 are made from a stronger alloy and they are 1 pc compared to the 3200 which are not. Specifically, if you look at the saddle on the 4200 you can see that it is integral and the 3200 is glued/epoxied to the main tube.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:49
Roy Finn I don't mean to knit pick but the 3200 and 4200 are one piece construction check it out:

http://www.swfa.com/c-184-bushnell-elite-3200-rifle-scopes.aspx
"Get Busy Livin' or get busy dyin'" -Red (Shawshank Redemption)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:55
Take a close look at the saddle on both.


3200

4200

Edited by Roy Finn - February/22/2009 at 22:59
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Monster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 22:59
Yea i see that but they state that they are putting they are a one piece. The 3200s just have the turret housing glued ones apposed to the 4200 that is all one machined piece....


Edited by Monster - February/22/2009 at 23:00
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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:01

I've noticed that about the new 3200's, but the older ones are 1 piece with integral turret housings.  The one I held in my hand today was definitely one piece. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:04
Form the Bushnell website:

************************************************************************

Elite 4200 Riflescopes


Light him up. With the world’s brightest riflescope, you’re equipped to do so in the dimmest conditions. The fully multi-coated optics deliver an amazing 95% light transmission at 550NM. Our Rainguard® anti-fog coating and FireFly™ reticle give you deadly command of your shot through any weather and every minute of legal time. It’s even recoil tested with 10,000 rounds of .375 H&H. Ultra-bright. Clear. Accurate and dependable in extreme conditions. It’s simply the most lethal riflescope ever made.

    *  Features
    * Rainguard®
    * Fully multi-coated optics
    * Magnum recoil-proof construction
    * One-piece hammer-forged tube
    * 100% waterproof/fogproof/
      shockproof construction
    * Dry-nitrogen filled
    * 1/4 M.O.A. or finer fingertip, audible/resettable windage and elevation adjustment
    * Elite® Bullet-Proof Warranty
    * "No Questions Asked" one- year replacement (U.S. only)

***********************************************************************

Elite 3200 Riflescopes


The Elite® 3200 offers multi-coated optics for generous light transmission and crisp image quality. Our exclusive, patented Rainguard® lens coating reduces large drops of water to near-microscopic specks, dramatically increasing light transmission and resulting in a remarkably clear image in wet weather.

The Elite 3200 riflescopes feature a rugged, one-piece aluminum tube. And, like the 4200, this scope is tested to rigorous standards – recoil tested to 1,000 rounds of a .375 H&H magnum. The 3200 offers everything the avid hunter requires.

    *  Features
    * Rainguard®
    * Multi-coated optics
    * Magnum recoil-proof construction
    * One-piece hammer-forged tube
    * 100% waterproof/fogproof
      /shockproof construction
    * Dry-nitrogen filled
    * 1/4 M.O.A. or finer fingertip, audible/resettable windage and elevation adjustment
    * Elite® Bullet-Proof Warranty
    * "No Questions Asked" one- year replacement (U.S. only)
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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jason miller View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:05
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:06
Thanks Mike, but I've already read that.  Several times.  I've already spent hours reading about scopes, I was just hoping that someone with more knowlege than most, like Koshkin, could give some more in depth information.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:15
I believe you are correct about the 3200 in the picture. Definitely looks different from what they are using now. In reality, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference. I tried to quiz a Bushnell CS rep a while back and the main difference was what the tubes were made of. When I tried to press them about internal construction, I got the feeling that the person just wasn't exactly sure, but as you can see, they rate the 3200 for 1000 rds of 375 H&H recoil testing and the 4200 is rated at 10,000 etc..... That's not even close. When these scope were first introduced, they stated that the 4200 used a titanium/aluminum alloy construction and the 3200 was straight aluminum. Yea, I know, don't jump down my throat, I'm just relaying what was stated in the past. The main thing I would concentrate on is why there is such a vast difference in their recoil ratings. I don't think that anyone here is privy to manufacturing details which is what this will boil down to.

Edited by Roy Finn - February/22/2009 at 23:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:21
Originally posted by jason miller jason miller wrote:

Thanks Mike, but I've already read that.  Several times.  I've already spent hours reading about scopes, I was just hoping that someone with more knowlege than most, like Koshkin, could give some more in depth information.


uhhh...Roy is one of those guys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:21
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

I believe you are correct about the 3200 in the picture. Definitely looks different from what they are using now. In reality, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference. I tried to quiz a Bushnell CS rep a while back and the main difference was what the tubes were made of. When I tried to press them about internal construction, I got the feeling that the person just wasn't exactly sure, but as you can see, they rate the 3200 for 1000 rds of 375 H&H recoil testing and the 4200 is rated at 10,000 etc..... That's not even close.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:23
Thank you mike.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2009 at 23:40
jason, just one more thing to keep you guessing is that the 3-9 4200 is somewhat of a different animal from the rest of the 4200 line in that it is the only one that uses a 3x zoom magnification range and the rest of the 4200 line uses a 4x zoom range. Bushnell introduced this scope so that they would have a "competitive" 3-9 scope in their top of the line scopes. They wanted a 3-9 that would compete with other manufacturers top of the line 3-9's such as the Conquest, Swarovski A line, Kahles AH/KX series when comparisons were conducted. It became somewhat of a red headed stepchild because they (Bushnell) didn't foresee that this scope would take sales away from their 2.5-10x40 4200 series. Folks were quick to see that they could get 4200 performance from a scope that was priced anywhere from 100-150 dollars less than what the 2.5-10 was selling for at the time it was introduced.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason miller Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2009 at 00:07
Thanks for all the tips, Roy.  I was wondering exactly what lead them to the recoil ratings, too.  That's basically why I was posting, to see if anyone knew the differences that may lead to the ratings.  I guess maybe we'll never know... 
 
And I didn't mean to jump down anyone's throat, sorry if it came off that way.  I just had noticed that Bushnell's newer pictures show the turret housing being two pieces glued onto the tube, while most actual scopes and pictures of actual scopes I've seen have a solid, integral housing.  I thought it would be best to provide evidence.
 
Also, I was unaware of any affiliation or occupation Roy might have within the optics industry.  I just knew Koshkin usually has the inside scoop on lots of things.
 
Finally, I think I remember the original lineup of 4200 scopes.  Wasn't it 1.5-6x36, 3-9x40, 4-16x40, and 6-24x40?  I was thinking the 2.5-10x40 came out later; like within the last few years.  Is that wrong?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE44 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2009 at 02:24
I remember last year I looked at a 3200 Elite and it did indeed have a one piece tube and saddle. The earlier version had top and side adjstment turrets that had a glossy silicone looking sealant across the base of the top turret. I think the only difference between the two is in the glass and number of coatings on the lenses. I bet they are the same scope with the upgraded glass which will make them a hair brighter and handle glare and internal reflections better. If you dont hunt in low light much then I would think the 3200 would do you just fine but the 4200 will give you several minutes more in the dusk and dawn.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2009 at 08:57
Old Style -- I have a few 3200 2-7's on 12 ga slug guns and they have been plenty rugged . I currently have an old style 3x9 on a back up T/C 50 cal Diamond BP and no worries .
New Style -- about 2 yr.s now.. I believe the internals are still the same, but the scope body on this one is certainly a better looking item than previously,and is now indiscernable from the 4200 (except the model logo) ..

Edited by martin3175 - February/23/2009 at 09:01
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