JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Any of you Bushnell fans?
I recall years ago when Bushnell was right along side off brand names on the shelf.
They have come a long way since they acquired B&L. They had grown leaps and bounds in technology. I won't say they were cutting edge or anything. But they always seemed to come up with something new and useful for the shooter or hunter every year. Then taking the feedback and tweaking it even more to be a better product.
Well from what I have seen happen they have thrown all but their top line ,Elite 6500, in the toilet. The 6500 is quality stuff, I own a couple and have had more. It is just not an ideal platform for a hunting rig for the most part. Not an optic I would put on a rifle for packing around the country on my shoulder.
The 4500 and under, have been replaced with the "engage" line. I pushed for them to put a better reticle or offer something different for years. They made an attempt with their DOA, I wasn't a fan but some were.
Their "new" reticle looks like you gave an elementary kid a ruler and a square. No points of reference, to use at a glance, you are going to have to count marks.
The turrets on these I found on all of them I handled to be rubbery or springy feeling. Turn one and it feels as if it should have put several clicks in, yet there was no movement or feel of a detent. A little more twisting and then you feel the detent, click. Reminds me a lot of how a tight bolt feels, it moves a little right before you twist it off.
Here is the kicker and what scares me. Got an issue with a 4500 or other, and send it in for warranty work. You may receive a new lesser product in exchange, rather than a repair.
If their are any industry folks here in the know, I am all ears if I am wrong.
I have heard more on the subject but was told this in confidence, so I will not post on that as it could cause my friends issues.
It just suprised me that Bushnell would jump and go backwards as Vortex and Sightron were right on their heels. I guess maybe there is only so much room for this type of market. This kind of move will let the competition go past you like your standing still.
A quote of sorts from a man I shook hands with one time and am proud to work for, "you are either going forward or backward, there is no standing still because as you stand still your competition is passing you".
Jeff
I recall years ago when Bushnell was right along side off brand names on the shelf.
They have come a long way since they acquired B&L. They had grown leaps and bounds in technology. I won't say they were cutting edge or anything. But they always seemed to come up with something new and useful for the shooter or hunter every year. Then taking the feedback and tweaking it even more to be a better product.
Well from what I have seen happen they have thrown all but their top line ,Elite 6500, in the toilet. The 6500 is quality stuff, I own a couple and have had more. It is just not an ideal platform for a hunting rig for the most part. Not an optic I would put on a rifle for packing around the country on my shoulder.
The 4500 and under, have been replaced with the "engage" line. I pushed for them to put a better reticle or offer something different for years. They made an attempt with their DOA, I wasn't a fan but some were.
Their "new" reticle looks like you gave an elementary kid a ruler and a square. No points of reference, to use at a glance, you are going to have to count marks.
The turrets on these I found on all of them I handled to be rubbery or springy feeling. Turn one and it feels as if it should have put several clicks in, yet there was no movement or feel of a detent. A little more twisting and then you feel the detent, click. Reminds me a lot of how a tight bolt feels, it moves a little right before you twist it off.
Here is the kicker and what scares me. Got an issue with a 4500 or other, and send it in for warranty work. You may receive a new lesser product in exchange, rather than a repair.
If their are any industry folks here in the know, I am all ears if I am wrong.
I have heard more on the subject but was told this in confidence, so I will not post on that as it could cause my friends issues.
It just suprised me that Bushnell would jump and go backwards as Vortex and Sightron were right on their heels. I guess maybe there is only so much room for this type of market. This kind of move will let the competition go past you like your standing still.
A quote of sorts from a man I shook hands with one time and am proud to work for, "you are either going forward or backward, there is no standing still because as you stand still your competition is passing you".
Jeff
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