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Bushnell 4200 vs. Leupold VX-III

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Ramblin Rogue View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ramblin Rogue Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bushnell 4200 vs. Leupold VX-III
    Posted: July/05/2005 at 09:15
I want a comparison in quality, price, clarity and features etc.

Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x40 vs. Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40mm

I am comparing the two because I got in a friendly argument the other day with a friend that said the VX-III was worth the extra 3-4 hundred dollars, but had no reasoning.  I own both and I asked him if he could look through each and honestly tell me the Leupold was $300.00 brighter.  He didn't even look.  He just said there is no comparison.

What about the Leupold makes it worth the extra money to the general population?  I know that years ago Leupold was ahead of the game but that doesn't seem to be anymore.  In my opinion there are as good and better scopes for less money.   Are people just turned off by the name Bushnell?  The B&L's sold like hot cakes and they were more expensive than the same scope with the Bushnell label.  I am getting turned off by Leupold lately, they are pricing themselves out of my market.  However, I admit that until I looked through an Elite 4200 Bushnell, I was a little biased also.

Other than size and slight edge in eye relief to the leupy, Bushnell wins IMHO!

Oh yeah, are the new VX-III's not constructed out of a true single tube?


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/05/2005 at 15:55

I prefer the 4200, it is a brighter, clearer scope of very rugged construction.  Leupold is a good scope, but very over priced in my opinion.

 

ranburr

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stud Duck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2005 at 08:31

One thing that Leupold has in their favor is the weight of their scopes, they're usually a few ounces lighter than the competition in their price range. I don't know about you, but I'm a firm believer that ounces make pounds and I consider this when purchasing my gear, this may or may not matter to you depending on the type of hunting you do and you're rifle/scope set-up. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not paying $300-$400 more for a scope if the optical performance isn't there. Three ounces dosen't bother me that bad.)

 

Leupold is a very solid mid-priced scope. They have a great warranty, but I feel it benefits someone buying a used Leupold more than it does anyone. And, I like being able to send a Leupold back to their shop and having a reticle change done if necessary, not that I make a habit of doing this, it's just nice to know you can. They are American made, if this matters to you at all.

 

I own several Leupolds, but I agree that there is better out there for the money. I feel Leupold is still living on the reputaion that they built several years ago. And I think Leupold is like the almighty Swarovski, they're marketing giants....someone has to pay for the all the advertising .

 

You should read the post titled "Optical rating system" in the rifle scopes forum, it's very enlightening to say the least and will help you get the most bang for your buck on your next scope purchase.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2005 at 09:04

T Bone Rating Scale

 

   10 - Zeiss VM/V, Swarovski PH, Schmidt & Bender

    9  - Swarovski PH, Swarovski A-Line, Schmidt & Bender

    8  - Swarovski A-Line, Kahles, IOR

    7  - Zeiss Conquest, Kahles, Elite 4200, IOR

    6  - Leupold VX III, Weaver Grand Slam, Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Elite 4200, Burris Euro & Black Diamond

    5  - Leupold Vari-X III, Weaver Grand Slam, Nikon Monarch, Burris Signature Select

    4  - Burris Fullfield II, Bushnell Elite 3200, Simmons AETEC, Leupold VX-II, Nikon Buckmaster

    3  - Simmons, Redfield, Rifleman, Leupold VX-I, Nikon Buckmaster

    2  - Simmons, BSA, Tasco

    1  - BSA, Tasco

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Danny Boy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/06/2005 at 15:53

I am new to the Board so be kind to me!

 

One cannot complete a comparison without looking at cost. In my evaluation, cost is an important factor, but not the only factor. 

 

While I can’t tell the difference between the Elite 4200 and VX-III, I looked high and low between the 3200 and VX-II for the last four scopes that I purchased in 2004 & 2005. I suspect the differences are very similar between a 4200 and VX-III.

 

From what I can see the 3200 is a little bit brighter and sharper. The 3200 has the Rainguard which I think is an advantage. But I never compare an Elite against a Leupold in wet and/or foggy conditions. Technically, the 3200 is slightly heavier and larger. The 3200 cost is 1/3 cheaper – yes it is 33% cheaper to buy the Elites in Canada.

 

One important consideration is eye relief – 3200 has a shorter eye relief. One has to make sure the scope is mounted in the correct position to avoid any eye injury. In my case, I have 3200s mounted on my 300 WM and 45/70 and they never give me any problem.

 

Service and warranty is not a factor as they all have life time transferable warranties. In my case, Bushnell HO is 30 minutes drive from my home.

 

The only way to come to a conclusion is to do the side-by-side comparison and ask yourself is the extra money is worth your while.

 

Danny Boy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/08/2005 at 21:45
What ranburr said!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tactical_308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 11:59

I must agree with Danny Boy, I have owned several Leupold scopes and to name a few 2 -Leupold VX-III 8.5-25x50, 2 - Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40, 3 - Leupold Mark 4 PR 4.5-14x40 Mil Dot, and a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40. Additionally I have owned 4 - Elite 4200 8-32x40mm, 2 - Elite 4200 6-24x40 Mil Dot, 1 - Elite 4200 4-16x50mm, and 1 Elite 3200 5-15x40mm. All of the scopes are in the mid priced range. I have used them for the target and hunting applications. However, in my opinion the best scope of the ones I tested is the Elite 4200 8-32x40 because you can adjust the parallax and see clearly as close as 10 yards which I was not able to do with the Leupold VX-III 8.5-25x50 LRT. I think the clarity and brightness of the Elite 4200 8-32x40 is better than the Leupold. The only place where the Leupold has an edge is eye relief but I have never had any problems shooting my 300 WM rifles with it.

Rom 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;"
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 15:45
I think it really comes down to what is important to you.

Elite 4200 has better glass and, IMO, is a bit tougher (Leupoldophiles are beginning to prepare tar and feathers at this point)

VX-III is a little lighter and has longer eye relief.

Pick what is more important to you.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 17:39
Kosh, someone was fishing on this one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ceylonc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 21:13

I'll be brief...

 

Leupold VX-II = good

Bushnell 4200 = better

 

Go with the 4200 based on your criteria.  Everybody else who responded pretty much describe my opinions.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gozarian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 21:20

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gozarian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 21:24
The 4200 is better if your putting it on something with a long action and want to avoid using extension rings like you would have to if you were mounting a Leupold.  I USED TO own Leupolds but I have a hard time anymore because I to think they are over priced.  As far as optical quality goes, I think the 4200 is clearer.  As far as toughness is concerned, the 4200 is the clear winner.  Remember, you can buy a light weight scope but can it take some hard knocks?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote skeetlee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 18:28
Why are the same scopes mentioned in the ratings list on different rating numbers. they have the 4200 on line 6 and 7. I dont understand?  Along with a few other scopes done the same way????  Lee
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 18:43
I don't think you can go wrong with a Leupold.  It's like buying a Ford.  They work.  They're not the best.  They're not the King; like some people think they are.  But they are good.  They cost too much.  They're pretty.  They're lightweight.  You have to be down the street to be able to see out of them.  Bucky   I need my scopes on top of the receiver. 
 
Lots of good scopes out there.  I wish I could afford an IOR.  Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ti-force Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 18:46
 I can't really answer your question, but I do know that, that is an older version of the riflescope scale. This thread was started in 2005, so it's kinda old. Here is the new riflescope rating scale:

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16515&KW=riflescope+rating+scale
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 19:02
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ti-force Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 19:50
 Thanks for that Tahqua. When I use Firefox sometimes, instead of Internet Explorer, the links and other things don't work just right.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 20:13
You can use the reply editor for posting a hyper-link. Click on the and that will steer you in the right direction.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ti-force Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 20:24
 
Thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike G Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/15/2009 at 03:35
Lots of bushnellophiles here.  I'm not as impressed with the Bushnells and most of it is that they are big and ugly.
 
Some like warmth in the winter and shade in the summer.
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