Optics are one of those tools that are difficult to get a good read on because there are so many companies that make optics for guns. There are even dozens of companies that sell fake optics and hijack legitimate companies’ technology. One of the reasons I support Bushnell is first, they support the hiring of veterans, and more importantly, Bushnell supports the families of fallen veterans under the Folds of Honor Program. Secondly, Bushnell has been around for just under 70 years and have improved their technology every chance they get to stay competitive. For this blog, I would like to include the top 5 optics that I’d buy right now from Bushnell.
Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 RDS
What I look for in an optic is the magnification, materials used (housing), price, and the technology installed inside. Many of us have bought an optic and it worked great for a season and now it’s in the trash or tucked away in a closet, never to be seen again. The type of metal used for the housing of the optic is vital to the longevity and durability of the scope. The impact of the force from firing a shotgun shell, 9mm, or 5.56mm bullets causes the optic to absorb some of that force. If the optic is made of subpar metals, the optic will be no good after a few hundred rounds.
Bushnell is a great company with even greater history, but I wouldn’t put them up there with Vortex or Leupold. It’s not an insult or bad characteristic because you’ll never find a Vortex or Leupold for the price of a Bushnell. The question is, is a Bushnell scope or optic good enough to last years and give you a good enough chance to be a proficient hunter? The short answer is, yes!
The Aluminum housing offers a lightweight frame that doesn’t add too much weight to your rifle or shotgun. You still get the waterproof construction with a sealed O-ring to keep your lens and optic dry under any weather condition. The Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 is built to be shockproof and withstand any type of bumps on uneven terrain or bangs against a tree as you work your way through the dense forests of our country. To finish off the design, the TRS-25 is nitrogen purged to keep the inside and outside of the optic dry and won’t fog up due to high humidity or temperature changes with high elevations.
Pros
Waterproof
Shockproof
Fogproof
Lightweight
Affordable
5,000 hours of battery life on a medium setting
1 MOA elevation and windage setting for quick and easy adjustments on the fly
11 brightness settings
Cons
As a Red Dot Sight (RDS), I want more out of my optic
I love my optics with the auto-off feature because it really saves dozens of hours on the battery
If I were to choose any RDS from Bushnell, it would be the RXS 250 Reflex sight. I may not be the biggest fan of the 4 MOA, but on an AR or mounted on my Stoeger M3500, it wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for me. For $246.11 on Amazon, this reflex sight is a steal for the extended battery life, alone. 50,000 hours of battery life equates to about 4-8 years based on the amount of use. There are 10 brightness settings with 2 settings being used in conjunction with night vision optics. When we’re talking in the $250 range for optics, this optic compares really well with any other in its class.
As I mentioned above, I really want my optics to come with an auto-off timer to conserve battery power. It took many years for me to learn this because I never had a scope with an auto-off. Since I’ve upgraded to an RDS with an auto-off timer, I’ve arguably saved years of my battery life. Once the auto-ff timer is selected it will turn off once there are no buttons pressed for 12 hours. Using aircraft-grade aluminum for the housing and an ingress rating of IP67, Bushnell created as durable an optic as you could ask for. You’ll also really appreciate the 1 MOA click that allows you rapidly correct for windage and elevation.
For me, the most impressive feature of the Bushnell RXS 250 is the clarity of the lens and the antiglare features built-in. I think one thing no one will argue with me about is the need for a multi-coated lens. You’re going to spend $50 on average more for a multi-coated lens, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost animal harvest opportunities to the glare of the sun, as it reflects off the leaves and through the forest canopy. A multi-coated lens will not always prevent it, but it will make it much more likely you’re not battling the sun while you try to shoot.
Pros
Waterproof
Shockproof
Fogproof
Lightweight
Auto-Shutoff
50, 000 hours of battery life on a medium setting
1 MOA elevation and windage setting for quick and easy adjustments on the fly
10 brightness settings
The added versatility of this optic gives you the ability to use it for most pistols, shotguns, and AR’s
Cons
4 MOA is a big dot and that will substantially decrease your accuracy at most ranges beyond 100 yards
I know the first time I mention the Bushnell Strike, people are going to feel a certain way about it. I get the frustration and disappointment from the First Strike, but the First Strike 2.0 is so much more reliable and easy to use. For starters, Bushnell doesn’t even sell the first edition, showing to us that they recognize when a product is successful and when one is not so much. I love the brightness settings on the front with the left button to brighten and the right button to dim the red dot. It’s very easy to use and you’ll hear an audible click as you push each button. Another great overlooked feature is the battery pack on the side of the housing, instead of being on the bottom. This allows you to change the battery without taking the optic off of your pistol, shotgun, or AR-15.
One of the biggest issues with the original First Strike was an inability to handle the recoil of more powerful guns. The First Strike 2.0 improved the internal components of the aircraft-grade aluminum to ensure the optic can handle the recoil without shutting off. If there was any need to further convince you of the confidence you should have in this optic, professional speed shooter, KC Eusebio used the Bushnell Strike 2.0 optic to win the championship. The clarity and beautifully crafted multi-coated lens prevent any glare from distorting your shot picture. I’d put this Bushnell and the RXS 250 against any other optic on the market for pistols and maybe AR-pistols.
Pros
Waterproof
Shockproof
Fogproof
Lightweight
Auto-Off Timer
50,000 hours of battery life on a medium setting
1 MOA elevation and windage setting for quick and easy adjustments on the fly
12 brightness settings
Best for handguns, but works for almost any gun you could think of
Cons
This optic is incredibly small for a rifle or shotgun and oftentimes makes it difficult to get a proper shooting position with bigger rifles
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