Overrated /over priced rifle scopes

BuzzBee

BuzzBee

New member
I didn't want to highjack scotty’s thread. But, since we are no the subject, I would like to hear every ones opinion on scopes that are overrated.
What are some of the brand/model that just don’t hold-up to their worth they claim to be.
To be fair, lets rate each by their quality, service and resell value.

Buzz
 
I know some that are Underrated: Bushnell Elite 3200 & 4200.

Seems that the German scopes are overrated. They do hold their value but seems like a lot of the price is paying for import tariffs and high priced engineers.
 
I,m just paying the equivalent of $2290 for a nightforce 12-42 x56 nxs, and you think German scopes are overpriced? I,m not happy, i know for a fact the nxs is not as good as german stuff optically, but it is the only scope available with that high mag, i want it for 1000 yards br.Good old rip off Britain.If the germans ever come out with a real high mag scope, nightforce are stuffed.
 
Do any American brand scopes hold their value much? I've had some Burris scopes that seemed to retain about 50% but I've held on to my better scopes - Weavers, Bushnell Elites, a Leupold - always just let the others go with the rifles when I traded.
 
You think Leupold's are over priced. Burris 30 MM is in the same price range, not sure about Nikon 30's. The German scope are twice as much as a Leupold. I would rather pay $100. more and know they would stand behind it forever. Most scope are of excellent quality, but you also get what you pay for most of the time.
 
As far as Nightforce beeing crap, the last time I was huntin' I shined my red spotlight at a feeder 200 yards away. I first looked through a low end bushnell, and it looked like it. I then looked through a 30mm Leupold VXIII, and it was just as clear as could be. Then I looked through my NXS and the difference was almost that much greater again. In my opinion the Nighforce is much, much superior to my VXIIIs, and if they are worth the money, the the NXS is as well.

Just my $0.03 worth.

P.S. Anyone want to buy a Leupold?
 
Scope for Scope yes the Leupolds are overpriced, yeah sure one might be about the same or cheaper than Burris but overall there overpriced. Personally I think Burris puts out a better scope anyway. Plus they both have a Lifetime Warranty, so what are you paying extra money for??
 
Houston let me know what you have for sale?

Soreloser, I have had many Burris and Leupold scopes. I have also had to send both brands back to be repaired. They both come back in a timely manner but, only one seems to be able to repair problems. I'll stay with Leupold for the warranty dept and the extra expense to get back what I paid for in working and satisfactory condition.
 
I think the S&B's are overpriced, I am saving for one right now and wish I didn't have to pay 2500 for it.LOL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
ya want german quality for leupold prices look at the IOR voldatta lineup, the 9x36 is an awesome piece of glass, and its about the price of a mark 4 loopy.
RR
 
Quote:
Scope for Scope yes the Leupolds are overpriced, yeah sure one might be about the same or cheaper than Burris but overall there overpriced. Personally I think Burris puts out a better scope anyway. Plus they both have a Lifetime Warranty, so what are you paying extra money for??



soreloser:

I agree both put out a good scope. However, from my experience with both scopes, maybe you pay a little more for customer service that truly exists with Leupold.

The two experiences I had needing help from Burris were both nightmares. Burris customer service is kinda' like military inteligence or death benefits. The words just don't fit together very well.

JMO - BCB
 
You generally get what you pay for when it comes to optics. Quality glass just costs more. However, they must hold up as well. I have used or tested about every scope made over the last 35 yrs or so and my experience is listed below.

If you want a scope that lasts without problems, get a Leupold.

The lower end Leupolds are not gonna be as good as the upper end models.

Bushnell Elites are excellent optics for the money.

If you want great glass for reasonable price look at IOR as stated by Ridge Runner.

NF seems to be way over-rated and priced compared to others in their price range.

Schmidt & Bender is the best period! They have finally come over to the US market with 1/4 min clicks. They have a new 5-25x56. Their 3-12x50 is the new military optic replacing the Unertl.

Kahales makes a great scope as well.

The 6-24x50 is the only Swaroski to own. Their glass is excellent but they don't have enough click adj.

Zeiss Conquest is a good value for the money.

I have worked with several Nikon's and have had trouble with all of them. Mainly, quality control issues.

Burris is the same way. I do have some Burris pistol scopes that are 25 yrs old that are great!

As far as general use scopes, if they hold zero consistently then they work for the user. Everyone has their own price range.

General rule of thumb is get the best you can afford at the time and work up from there.

In my work as a law enforcement marksman/instructor we can afford to use anything out there. We use 30mm Leupold LR optic's on our work rifles. In addition, 95% of all students in classes use Leupold. I have only seen one problem in 30 yrs.

Companies can fool you with their ads concerning clearness and brightness using len coatings. It is similar to looking through shooting glasses with replaceable lens. You can change the color of the lens to add brightness but you can't see any better.

These are just my experience and not to knock anyones favorite glass. If you have one that works, stay with it!
 
Lets not mistake overpriced with over valued. I don't think giving $1000 for a 4-16x50 S&B is over priced but having to paying $200 for a 4-12 Rifleman is pure rip off.

One that stands out to me as way over valued is the I.O.Rs They are nothing but a Romanian eye piece with copied German glass trying to pawn off as top shelf european product. Their design is only 30 years behind, their main tube is still screwed together, even the Chinese made are one piece these days. As far as I know, they only have a importer not an official U.S headquaters to provide support or service.
 
I have noticed both Burris and Nikon have refurbished scopes for sale through a few online/catalog shops. Now I am asking why do they have refurbished scopes in the quantity that can be advertised in a catalogue?

I have yet to see any Bushnell 3200/4200 or Leupold scopes sold as refurbished.

Doug
 
I have to agreed with BCB. The service dept at Burris is like a one-man-band. The one time I called in for support, this guy had to put me on hold 6 times during the call, each time he returned had to ask about where we left off, needless to say that was very frustrating. I think this guy single handedly handles the call-ins, walk–ins and perform some of the repair duties.
On the other hand, my exprience with Leupold has always been first class, both times my returns was repaired in a timely fashion, each time, they called me to inform that my item was on it's way back.
 
one of the main chararistics I look for is repeatable elevation and windage adjustments, I'll forego a little bit in optics quality for this feature, If I raise it up 35 MOA, I want it to raise 35 MOA, when I return it to "zero" thats where I want it to be, the burris line is a decent scope and I have a few but they don't cut it on the repeatable adjustments. I'll pay the extra for loopy, IOR, and NF. USO is outta my leage as are most of the german optics, Nikon is the best bang for the buck if you throw repeatability into the mix with the optical clarity.
RR
 
nightforce scopes are awesome.try driving a 16 penny nail into a 2x4 with a leupold and see what happens.this was one of many harsh test they did to the night force and it passed with flying colors.
 
Why would any one use a $1200 scope to drive a nail? But I can see if this test was conducted by the government, on 2nd thought, I guess I wouldn't want to put a scratch on those $2000 hammers either : )
 


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