best scope in the 650.00 range
- Thread starter 257WM_CDL-SF
- Start date
- Status
I tend to think it is the case that one person posted a "review" on a forum and then other people went around parrotting it. I don't know from what I hear they are nice and they use the same glass as the 4200 with a different erector set. At least that is what the knowledgeable people I know over at optics talk tend to say. Personally I looked through one in a shop but obviously that does not mean squat. I would buy one if I had the dough especially the new "tactical" models.
257WM_CDL-SF
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 379
I admit ive looked at the 6500 not saw in real but sure sounds nice.If i knew it had good optics
The Bushnell 6500's are supposed to have the same glass as the 4200 and are equal optically to the 4200s (which is a good thing). They have a different erector setup so the zoom range is wider. I am not sure what forum is knocking them, maybe someone got a bad one it happens, but they are great scopes by every first hand account that I have heard. If you go to opticstalk.com there are a couple optical engineers that speak highly of them.
257WM_CDL-SF
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 379
Kahles i just found a good deal on a Kahles 3x9x42 is that enough magnification and how good are Kahles
257WM;
Kahles is either Schmidt & Bender's or Swarovski's second line, can't remember which at the moment. In any case it's very good glass, but unless you could get it at a price that's under Leupold's, personally I'd go the Zeiss or Leupold. After all, not too awfully long ago, it was possible to pick up the basic Zeiss Conquest 3-9X for just (barely) under $400.00. I don't know if that's still possible, but something close to it should be.
900F
Kahles is either Schmidt & Bender's or Swarovski's second line, can't remember which at the moment. In any case it's very good glass, but unless you could get it at a price that's under Leupold's, personally I'd go the Zeiss or Leupold. After all, not too awfully long ago, it was possible to pick up the basic Zeiss Conquest 3-9X for just (barely) under $400.00. I don't know if that's still possible, but something close to it should be.
900F
BENELLIMONTE
member
I am not sure what they cost now, but many years ago I picked up a display case Swarovski Habicht 3x9x36 A model at Intermountain Arms (Boise, ID) for $525.I would say that is by far the best scope I have purchased for under 650.00.
Swarovski owns them but really but does not really know what to do with them so they are languishing with poor US support. Rumor is that Leica will buy them to put out another Leica scope line with Leica glass and probably some odd not so useful design/features.
Also just remember most optic forums are a front for someone's business. So for instance over at opticstalk.com they love the Super Sniper but that is to be expected because the site belongs to SWFA. Some companies don't have as much to gain by selling a Bushnell scope that is superior to many of their "bread and butter" sellers that they get a high profit margin on. So it makes sense for them to perpetuate some rumors or reviews of a defective product.
If you think about it it would not make sense for Bushnell to put out a 6500 scope that is more expensive but optically inferior to the lesser model. They would never sell plus it would tarnish the good reputation they have built up. Plus people I trust say otherwise. Just a thought.
Last edited:
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 13,146
Got to admit I'm reaaaaaal interested in the 4.5-30 Bushnell Elite 6500 for [something???]. Also quite interested in the 2-16 for my DPMS LR 260L.
deerhunter61
Member
I have not had experience with the Bushnell 6500 but I have owned Bausch and Lomb 4400 and I will tell you they are not anywhere near Zeiss Conquest. I also own a Leupy and it DOES NOT stand up to the Zeiss either. I simply have not seen any American made scopes that stand up to the euro scopes. Granted the Euros generally cost more but I have always been told you get what you pay for and I cna attest based on my experience with scopes it holds true.
If you are going to be shooting out to 500 yards I would recommend you get Target turrents on your scope...they are a little bulky but man do they help when shooting at distance.
If you are going to be shooting out to 500 yards I would recommend you get Target turrents on your scope...they are a little bulky but man do they help when shooting at distance.
The Bushnell 4200 glass is actually very close to the Conquest glass as is the VX-3 glass. Zeiss Conquests are actually American made scopes with glass from different sources but not the same glass as the Euro Zeiss models. Still great glass for the money but the 4200 hangs right up there with it.
deerhunter61
Member
Sorry lipadj46 but I must disagree with you. I have compared each side by side in low light and at least in those conditions neither of the scopes I mentioned compares to the Conquest.
I will say that over the last couple of years Zeiss seems to have REALLY raised the price on the Conquests and I will be looking around the next time I purchase a scope to make sure they are still the better scope for the money. I am actually looking at the Swaro American for my next purchase.
I will say that over the last couple of years Zeiss seems to have REALLY raised the price on the Conquests and I will be looking around the next time I purchase a scope to make sure they are still the better scope for the money. I am actually looking at the Swaro American for my next purchase.
Well the Bushnell 4200 and the Bausch and Lomb 4000 scopes are not the same glass so maybe you are correct. The Bushnell 4200's are very close to the Zeiss Conquest glass. The new VX-3s are very close also as are the Nikon Monarchs.
There have been side by side comparisons written up over at optics talk comparing the Conquest, 4200 and Team Primos 3-9x40's and they came out pretty close with the Zeiss being the best. These tests included tests for resolution, color and low light. The zeiss should be better as it costs over $200 more but the 4200 and Team Primos offer 90% of the Zeiss performance IMO and you pay for it.
There have been side by side comparisons written up over at optics talk comparing the Conquest, 4200 and Team Primos 3-9x40's and they came out pretty close with the Zeiss being the best. These tests included tests for resolution, color and low light. The zeiss should be better as it costs over $200 more but the 4200 and Team Primos offer 90% of the Zeiss performance IMO and you pay for it.
- Status
