Best 2x7 scope for 250.00 or under?

Had a recent deal fall through so I am back on the search for a 2x7 scope looking for something 250.00 or under

current front runners are

used redfield 2x7x33 revolution for 160.00

or bushnell elite 3200 2x7x32 for 175.00

whats your suggestion or what other options should I consider?....Having a hard time deciding as there is a pretty compeitive market now a days........I am looking for something with decent optics, and good eye relief...which between these 2 scopes the redfield has better eye relief, but the elite does have the rainguard.

Redfield by a large margin. It's the one i own and i'd take it again and again over any of the lower budget bushnells.

As i'm aging though and finding my eyes get worse every year i realize i'll be bumping up to a 3x9 w/ a 1" tube soon enough.

I can't tell you what is the best, but I can say that I am happy with both of my Bushnell Elite 3200s. When I bought the first one, I compared the Redfield Revolution and the Elite side by side. The Redfield definitely had clear glass (as did the Bushnell), but I went with the Bushnell for a few reasons - first, the Rainguard; second, the overall quality of the finish was better; third, I know Bushnell's warranty service is excellent, but I was not sure what the case was for Redfield.

You didn't mention if the Bushnell you are interested is new. Since they are almost the same price, I would definitely go with the Bushnell if it's new.

Another option you could consider is the Burris Fullfield. I have not used one, but I've heard good things about them.

The bushnell is used apparently guy got it on a gun 3 yrs ago and took it off and put another scope on....its been just sitting around since......I have another bushnell 3200 on a 243 I use for yotes and a legend on a 30-06....I do like the rainguard feature but the generous eye relief of the redfield has me intrigued...also with redfield now being made by leupold they carry the same lifetime warranty as the leupold and from what I hear are comparable optics at fraction of price cause of the gold ring.

My first choice was a fullfield II but the guy bailed on the deal on me......never had one but was looking forward to trying it out.

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Originally Posted by rf2

I can't tell you what is the best, but I can say that I am happy with both of my Bushnell Elite 3200s. When I bought the first one, I compared the Redfield Revolution and the Elite side by side. The Redfield definitely had clear glass (as did the Bushnell), but I went with the Bushnell for a few reasons - first, the Rainguard; second, the overall quality of the finish was better; third, I know Bushnell's warranty service is excellent, but I was not sure what the case was for Redfield.

You didn't mention if the Bushnell you are interested is new. Since they are almost the same price, I would definitely go with the Bushnell if it's new.

Another option you could consider is the Burris Fullfield. I have not used one, but I've heard good things about them.

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I don't know about the rainguard vs anything else.

My Redfield ONLY gets used in rain or snow or cold weather. Never had an issue and the glass clears very fast if i accidentally fog it. Leupold's customer service and warranty coverage is just as good as Bushnells, but i think i've heard that Leupold is a little slower getting items fixed and returned to you.

Bushnell more often than not simply takes your old one and gives you a new one. As a consumer that's both good and bad. It makes for an easy replacement, but it also speaks volumes as to the fact that a company has so many failed products that it NEEDS to implement a warranty system like that.

Have you looked at Vortex Diamondback? Can give you a link but don't want to be accused of shilling ! lol

Oddmott, have you personally had bad experiences with an Elite 3200? Have you tried one? People like to bash Bushnell, but I sometimes wonder if these people speak from experience. If you've used the really low end Bushnells, then that might explain your views, but the Elites are fairly good scopes for the price.

Don't get me wrong, I'd use a Redfield Revolution, and I almost bought it over the 3200, but the three things I pointed out made me buy the 3200. Maybe Redfield has improved since I did the comparison (2011), but the scope just looked cheap. For example, the exterior finish was rough, it had marks on it even though it was brand new. I didn't compare the turret adjustments though. The optics on the Redfield were surprisingly clear though.

Anyways, you can't go wrong with either of those for $160 or $175, assuming neither has been abused. I'd try to bargain the Elite down a bit though - even a year or two ago, $175 was the price you would pay new if you shopped around.

Ya thats what I thought as well 175 for a 2x7 seemed borderline on a fair price.....and I just found a guy who has a brand new redfield for 185 in the box......maybe I research things to death lol but I would like to put a good scope on to me a deserving gun lol.

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Originally Posted by rf2

Oddmott, have you personally had bad experiences with an Elite 3200? Have you tried one? People like to bash Bushnell, but I sometimes wonder if these people speak from experience. If you've used the really low end Bushnells, then that might explain your views, but the Elites are fairly good scopes for the price.

Don't get me wrong, I'd use a Redfield Revolution, and I almost bought it over the 3200, but the three things I pointed out made me buy the 3200. Maybe Redfield has improved since I did the comparison (2011), but the scope just looked cheap. For example, the exterior finish was rough, it had marks on it even though it was brand new. I didn't compare the turret adjustments though. The optics on the Redfield were surprisingly clear though.

Anyways, you can't go wrong with either of those for $160 or $175, assuming neither has been abused. I'd try to bargain the Elite down a bit though - even a year or two ago, $175 was the price you would pay new if you shopped around.

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I have heard decent reviews on nikon buckmaster and monarch as well ...but never really considered them in my top 3..........I did look at the vortex diamondback but I believe it was a 3x9x40 which i dont need 2x7 is plenty

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Originally Posted by rf2

Oddmott, have you personally had bad experiences with an Elite 3200? Have you tried one? People like to bash Bushnell, but I sometimes wonder if these people speak from experience. If you've used the really low end Bushnells, then that might explain your views, but the Elites are fairly good scopes for the price.

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Tried just about everything except truly high-end $5000+ scopes.

Bushnell simply has the worst glass of any of the competition within its price point (including Nikon, Redfield, Leupold, Vortex, Scorpion, Bushnell, etc).

Yes, Bushnell provides good no questions asked warranties, sturdy construction, solid features like rain guard, etc. It is a true work horse or everyman of the rifle scopes world. I don't think anyone can go "wrong" by choosing a 3200 Elite. But - FOR ME - the most important part of optics... are the optics.

The Redfield glass is superior... so it's the one i went with. Redfields do still have the matte finish. Some folks love it, some hate it and most don't care either way. I actually was drawn to that as it matched the matte finish of the Tikka it's mounted to... but it wasn't a significant factor in my decision.

I have the advantage of having worked in hunting retail. So i got to spend hours comparing all sorts of scopes. Bushnells are "okay". Most other makes are simply better.

Just did a search on the 2x7 diamondback.....its got great FOV......less eyerelief then the redfield...little heavier of a scope but reviews etc were all pretty positive......do you have personal experience with this scope?

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Originally Posted by Angus

Have you looked at Vortex Diamondback? Can give you a link but don't want to be accused of shilling ! lol

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For most people "glass" should be down the list in priority not first. That is, if you buy a scope to use it as a scope. If you are buying it only to see thru glass buy an EoTech or Red Dot.

Repeatability and accuracy of the erector is more price-important than pretty glass. Like I said, if you never crank the knobs save the money, buy a red dot.
Most all Nikon, Bushnell, Vortex, Burris glass quality are close below about 250 and again to about 500 bucks then it improves and again at about 1000 bucks and again at about 2200 bucks. Different eyes see glass quality differently. It's one reason why Police DM team members have their own individual precision bolt gun setup.

I would look at used Leupold Vari X ll, Burris Signature Safari.

Are you close to Port Perry?

I bought a brand new Leupold ultimate slam 2x7 and after a few days of hunting it fogged up from the inside (must have had the gas leak out) anyways shipped it to Leupold and they did not want to honour the warranty. The retailer pulled thru for me but I wasn't impressed at all.
also, it had to ship out to Alberta so it took forever, whereas if you buy Nikon or bushnell they have warranty centres in the GTA.
i know guys swear by Leups but this is my 2 cents...