Handgun Scopes: Bushnell Trophy vs. Elite

[Rog]

What are the differences in the Elite vs. the Trophy Bushnell 2x-6x-32mm scopes?

I've been following the thread regarding a scope for a 7-30 Waters with some interest, since I've got two barrels I need to scope.

Some have said that the Trophy 2x-6x is brighter and clearer than the Burris 2x-7x.  However, that has not been my experience with those two scopes in the past.  The Burris 2x-7x I've owned (I've had 3) have had optical clarity that was as good as the Leupold 2.5-8x I've owned and certainly better than the Bushnell 2x6x Trophy I used to own.   I've owned Leupold 2.5x-8x as well as Burris 3x-12x AO scopes, and have preferred the Burris 2x-7x over all others as an all around general handgun hunting scope for most applications.

However, since I need a couple of scopes now, I have been considering the Bushnell Trophy 2x-6x again for cost reasons.  If I was only needing one scope I'd get a Burris 2x-7x......

My last Bushnell I owned exhibited some distortion of the image at the outer edges of the view.  Something I really didn't like.  I picked up a display model at a local gun dealer the other day, and guess what?  It too had the distortion visible in the outer edges of the view.  None of my Burris or Leupold scopes do/did that.  Makes me feel like I'm looking at/through a very cheap scope....

Which brings me to the Bushnell Elite 3200 2x-6x handgun scope.  I have not had an opportunity to look through one of these.

What's the difference in the Trophy vs. the Elite, besides cost?

Thanks.

[Graybeard]

Put me down in the camp that says the Bushnell scopes both of them are optically superior to the Burris. I've owned several of all three and to a scope the Bushnell was optically superior to the Burris. I can honestly see no difference between the Trophy and Elite and I've compared them side by side on a lot of different guns with several different scopes. No doubt there is some difference but what it is my eyes cannot distiguish.

With both the Trophy and the Elite I can easily see my bullet holes even .22 caliber ones at 100 yards something I've never been able to do clearly with any Burris handgun scope I've owned. Toss in the floaters/trash that almost (but not quite every one) of the Burris scopes I've owned has had and it's a no contest decision for me.

The ONLY advantage the Burris has is wider FOV at lower powers which might be important enough to make the decision or it might not be to you. The Burris is also much heavier than the Bushnell.

Either of them will get the job done and most times quite satisfactorily. I've chosen the Burris some times due to the wider FOV but never for any other feature it has.

[banjoman]

don't forget the Burris lifetime warranty regardless of owner.....Bushnell does not honor that very well if you're not the original owner. In my opinion the elite is as good as the burris but the trophy is a pretty good scope for the money. Try taking them both out at dawn and dusk...noticeable difference.....the Burris is all over the Bushnell in low light cond.  with the Leupold smoking the both of them. just my .02

[Alaska Dave]

What's the difference in the Trophy vs. the Elite, besides cost?
The 3200 Elite has the Rainguard coating on the lens. I first used a 3200 when I was living in Ak and was impressed. If you hunt or shoot in wet weather the 3200 is for you. I own 5 3200's on rifles and a handgun. I've looked through both Trophy and Elite at the same power settings and can tell no real difference with these old eyes. Either will suit your needs. Dave

[Rog]

Thanks for the responses.  Much appreciated!

I've owned both the Burris and Bushnell Trophy in the past.  Never was impressed by the Trophy, but really liked the Burris 2x-7x.

I think I'm gonna hold out for a Burris....  Might consider the Leupold 2.5-8x too, since I've owned that one too.  In the few examples I've owned, I thought the Burris and Leupold were pretty close in low light conditions (dusk).

Thanks again.

[donzov]

    The main difference between the trophy and the elite 3200 is the rainguard coating. It makes a big difference in wet conditions. There's a little more eye relief with the elite 3200, But the biggest reason I choose the elite is that later in the year Bushnell offers a rainguard promotion and gives away some nice jackets and raingear and stuff. I've got 4 elite 3200's and probably will have another later this year when I find out what they're giving away.
    One of my Elites is a 2-6x32 with the firefly reticule on a Taurus Raging Hornet, It never fails under any light conditions, even dropped a Ferrel cat at 120 yards early one morning.
                                                                                     
                                                                                     Donzov
                                                                                               

[henryb]

I have several Burris' on handguns up to a 460 S&W.  They have  great warranty and service.

FWIW

[Gemsbok]

Never have owned a Burris, so I cannot give a comparison report, but I've had several Trophy's and Elite 3200's. Elite's on handgun's and rifle's. They're both the best for the money, IMO.

I remember reading somewhere several yrs ago where JD Jones really praised the Bushnell Trophy saying it was the only scope to hold up without fail to his 375's. He may have changed his opinion by now, but he said it then.

[skarke]

Folks,

I just received a new Bushnell 2x6 elite with the firefly reticle that was on sale at natchez.  The optics are spectacular, as I'd expect.  What I really don't like is the firefly reticle, at least in this scope.  The reticle is absolutely HUGE!!!  Ill give my best impression of the horizontal size ratio in text, the vertical is the same.

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Yes, it is that big.  It blocks a large part of the view.  In essence, it's fine for paper, but its intended purpose, low light hunting, the giant black bars (green when lit) are just that, giant.

Anybody else have one???

[handi243]

I put a trophy on my waters it is as clear as my burris and my leupold. I'm glad i went that route instead of the firefly good luck

[warrior1]

if you check natchez,i believe yoiu can get a 3200 firefly for 150.00. i believe the trophy
will run just about the same. do not forget weaver.

[444eee]

Why not use the scope you already have with QD rings on any number of guns you'd like?

[Alaska Dave]

Why not use the scope you already have with QD rings on any number of guns you'd like?

The problem with that is you'de have to resight the scope for the different barrels that you put it on.