Rifle Scopes Dissapointed in my Bushnell DMR2!!!

LongRangeJunky

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Feb 19, 2017
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Just got mine in the mail today. VERY dissapointed. It feels as cheap as a $99 Barska from Walmart. The illumination SUCKS. The numbers are partially lit, and a different part of each number lights up. The illumination lights up more than it should and ruins the picture at low magnification. Turrets feel kinda mushy. Maxed out elevation and the eye box gets super tight and sensitive to movement. Paralax knob is really loose and too easy to turn. WTF is this crap? So pissed I just spent $1600 on this cheap Chinese made shit. Do I even take it out and shoot it? Can't comment on the glass as I didn't have time to take it out. Am I missing something here? I thought everyone said these things were the bestest. At least Bushnell promo vids did...
Do I try to get used to it? Maybe return it for the non illuminated model? I know things can grow on you after you get used to it.. :(

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It sounds like you may want to talk to the distributor of Bushnell directly about it. Maybe you're looking at a slight manufacturers defect in the illuminations part of things. The forum is probably not going to get your very far in solving these issues.
 
Just got mine in the mail today. VERY dissapointed. It feels as cheap as a $99 Barska from Walmart. The illumination SUCKS. The numbers are partially lit, and a different part of each number lights up. The illumination lights up more than it should and ruins the picture at low magnification. Turrets feel kinda mushy. Maxed out elevation and the eye box gets super tight and sensitive to movement. Paralax knob is really loose and too easy to turn. WTF is this crap? So pissed I just spent $1600 on this cheap Chinese made shit. Do I even take it out and shoot it? Can't comment on the glass as I didn't have time to take it out. Am I missing something here? I thought everyone said these things were the bestest. At least Bushnell promo vids did...
Do I try to get used to it? Maybe return it for the non illuminated model? I know things can grow on you after you get used to it.. :(

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If you feel it is a $99 Barska, I will gladly give you $100 for the scope if that will make you feel better.
 
I am less concerned with solving these issues here as I am getting some perspective. Am I missing something here? I guess I just expected more. More tactile clicks, more robust adjustments, etc. The illumination knob has almost no resistance between clicks. This thing just does not feel like I envisioned AT ALL.
 
I spent time behind 2 different DMR's this weekend. I have 2 S&B PMII's. So, that's where my perspective comes from. I found the scopes to be very nice. I didn't find them cheap, or at all Bariska like. I'm used to very high end glass, and the Bushnell wasn't at all junk.
I don't know where you purchased it. ANY way that it could be a fake? Just throwing that out there. The ones I've seen (whopping sample of 2) have been nice scopes. I wouldn't compare them to TT, or S&B, but for the price, in that league, very decent.

if you're that unhappy, it send it back. Doubt it will grow on you if your initial impression was that poor.
 
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I spent time behind 2 different DMR's this weekend. I have 2 S&B PMII's. So, that's where my perspective comes from. I found the scopes to be very nice. I didn't find them cheap, or at all Bariska like. I'm used to very high end glass, and the Bushnell wasn't at all junk.
I don't know where you purchased it. ANY way that it could be a fake? Just throwing that out there. The ones I've seen (whopping sample of 2) have been nice scopes. I wouldn't compare them to TT, or S&B, but for the price, in that league, very decent.

if you're that unhappy, it send it back. Doubt it will grow on you if your initial impression was that poor.

I know for certain it is not fake. Purchased from a well known company. I have been playing with it all evening. I admit... it HAS grown on me some, however it is not at all what I expected. Maybe I don't know what I expected? I certainly anticipated higher quality adjustments. I am going to get out there and see how it actually feels in the field before I send it back. If my opinion somehow drastically changes i will be happy to delete this post as to prevent undue harm to Bushnells name. However, at the moment, I am not at all satisfied. I am strongly debating sending it back and waiting a bit longer to get a TT, S&B or something of that quality now.
 
I have a non illuminated DMR2, and was pleasantly surprised honestly. Comparing to my Razor Gen 2: yes, the clicks are less tactile, but tracks perfectly. The parallax knob is actually tougher than the Gen2. So is the magnification. I'm not a glass guru but it's clear enough for me, a tick below the Gen2 I'd say. Eye box- never noticed it hindering me, I feel like if it does you've set your system up wrong, especially with this tier of scope. All opinions, take or leave..
 
I have a non illuminated DMR2, and was pleasantly surprised honestly. Comparing to my Razor Gen 2: yes, the clicks are less tactile, but tracks perfectly. The parallax knob is actually tougher than the Gen2. So is the magnification. I'm not a glass guru but it's clear enough for me, a tick below the Gen2 I'd say. Eye box- never noticed it hindering me, I feel like if it does you've set your system up wrong, especially with this tier of scope. All opinions, take or leave..
I appreciate the response. It has been difficult to guage these features with little time to actually hold and feel the other options on the market. I have felt the ATACRs and Razors and looked through them all, hard to tell a difference looking usually. Like I said, I just expected more than what I am holding in my hands right now. I will try to get used to it. The G3 Reticle is confusing to me. Running basic numbers in my ballistic app, a 10mph wind at even 700 yards needs more correction then the reticle offers. I could have done this prior to the purchase but failed to. I would have thought the reticle would be built out enough for more windage holds.

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Not sure what you're shooting, but my 260 requires about 1 mil of windage for 700yds, 10mph 3 o clock wind. You should have 8 mils available either way..
 
Have you mounted it to a rifle yet? To me, it's hard to evaluate a scope unless it's mounted. Eye boxes get way more forgiving on a rifle, and even the turrets feel better to me when mounted to something solid rather than just holding it in your hands.

I have a LRHS and I love it, especially for the price. Glass is comparable to my NXS, and while the turrets don't feel quite as nice, they definitely aren't junk.
 
I feel your pain. Buyers remorse is hard to live with. I would send it back and get a 3-18 Gen2 Razor. It will make you happy again. The controls feel very refined. You won't be disappointed. Go through scopelist. It will only cost a few hundred more than your DMR2.
 
I feel your pain. Buyers remorse is hard to live with. I would send it back and get a 3-18 Gen2 Razor. It will make you happy again. The controls feel very refined. You won't be disappointed. Go through scopelist. It will only cost a few hundred more than your DMR2.
I hear ya! I found the 3-18 for a smoking deal so it wouldn't be too much more. My problem with it is the weight. Its going in a DT SRS A1 and I already think the DMR has some heft to it. The Razor is almost a ppund heavier, and longer by an inch. I went DMR to save a few bucks, weight, and size. I will be hunting with it a lot so that's why I considered the weight like I did.

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Have you mounted it to a rifle yet? To me, it's hard to evaluate a scope unless it's mounted. Eye boxes get way more forgiving on a rifle, and even the turrets feel better to me when mounted to something solid rather than just holding it in your hands.

I have a LRHS and I love it, especially for the price. Glass is comparable to my NXS, and while the turrets don't feel quite as nice, they definitely aren't junk.
Yes it is mounted. I'm just going to give it till this weekend to see if I like it or not. I'll send it back for the gen 2 razor 3-18 if I must. Buyers remorse sucks to live with, especially when spending this much cash.

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I thought the DMR line was made in Japan not China. IIRC the gen I DMR was made in Japan. You must have gotten a lemon. I've read many reviews and all I remember were positive. I'd send it back and get a 3-18 Gen II Razor.
 
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I appreciate the response. It has been difficult to guage these features with little time to actually hold and feel the other options on the market. I have felt the ATACRs and Razors and looked through them all, hard to tell a difference looking usually. Like I said, I just expected more than what I am holding in my hands right now. I will try to get used to it. The G3 Reticle is confusing to me. Running basic numbers in my ballistic app, a 10mph wind at even 700 yards needs more correction then the reticle offers. I could have done this prior to the purchase but failed to. I would have thought the reticle would be built out enough for more windage holds.

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What are shooting a 22LR?
 
Honestly I feel there are better scopes out there and this product is artifically hyped under "What the Pros Use"

Because Team GAP is the one using it, and Team GAP tends to do better than most, (Not to mention it's a big team) it gets added to the list as a popular scope.

But they have a financial interest in this product, so of course they use it. Nothing wrong with that, beyond the artifical inflation part.

In my opinion, the Bushnell is an $800 hiding under a $1600 price tag, where a lot of these other companies in that same space tend to put an $1800 scope in a $1500 box.

More than likely it's a batch thing, they didn't batch test this shipment, and a lemon got through.
 
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Buyers remorse is the worst! In my experience it sticks around until you sell the scope and buy a different one that you think you'll be happy with. There's no perfect scope (except the Nightforce Beast with the Mil-C reticle), but some are closer to what you want than others... If it were me, I would send it back and buy something else. Just my .02

 
Honestly I feel there are better scopes out there and this product is artifically hyped under "What the Pros Use"

Because Team GAP is the one using it, and Team GAP tends to do better than most, (Not to mention it's a big team) it gets added to the list as a popular scope.

But they have a financial interest in this product, so of course they use it. Nothing wrong with that, beyond the artifical inflation part.

In my opinion, the Bushnell is an $800 hiding under a $1600 price tag, where a lot of these other companies in that same space tend to put an $1800 scope in a $1500 box.

More than likely it's a batch thing, they didn't batch test this shipment, and a lemon got through.
So glad you chimed in! It truly does feel like an $800 optic. So cheap. I should have just listened to you in the Vortex Razor Video and went with that :(

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You need to figure what you have entered wrong in your ballistic calculator. The Bushnell is right on par with everything in its class. The only one I can't speak for is the Cronus.

I might. The reticle is the least of my issues. Overall this is one of the cheapest buys and biggest scams I have been apart of. $1,600 should get a guy a whole lot more than this. Going to try and send it back for a Razor HD 3-18 or something like it. Not sure if I can though. Bought from a place with a huge restocking fee and didn't notice until it was too late :'(
 
I might. The reticle is the least of my issues. Overall this is one of the cheapest buys and biggest scams I have been apart of. $1,600 should get a guy a whole lot more than this. Going to try and send it back for a Razor HD 3-18 or something like it. Not sure if I can though. Bought from a place with a huge restocking fee and didn't notice until it was too late :'(

Talk to Bushnell. They used to guarantee satisfaction or give you your money back. I can't imagine what is up with yours. I like mine, and wish i didn't have to sell it.
 
Honestly I feel there are better scopes out there and this product is artifically hyped under "What the Pros Use"

Because Team GAP is the one using it, and Team GAP tends to do better than most, (Not to mention it's a big team) it gets added to the list as a popular scope.

But they have a financial interest in this product, so of course they use it. Nothing wrong with that, beyond the artifical inflation part.

In my opinion, the Bushnell is an $800 hiding under a $1600 price tag, where a lot of these other companies in that same space tend to put an $1800 scope in a $1500 box.

More than likely it's a batch thing, they didn't batch test this shipment, and a lemon got through.

Little off topic but will you be reviewing the XRS II Frank? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts i only briefly looked through one but thought the glass was a noticeable improvement over my ERS. Of which i thought the DMR II was supposed to be an improvement as well.

As to the topic at hand idk. I never felt my ERS or my LRHS were that cheaply built. Granted i got my LRHS for 800$, i did think the glass was a noticeable improvement over my ERS. Can't comment on illumination as i've never seen Bushy's illum. I did like both elevation knobs, didn't really have a problem with them on either. Weren't the most crisp and tactile but that's to be expected considering the price.

I will say in the 1500-1800$ category the best glass i've seen has been the Cronus.
 
I just received a HDMR Gen II. No illumination to compare, but first impressions are good. Solid clicks, firm parallax and magnification adjustment. Eyebox seemed good. I hope to get out and shoot it this weekend.

Maybe you got a bad one? I don't have any experience with $2,500+ optics, so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing?

I'm not sure I'd call it an $800 scope, it's far better than a Vortex PST Gen II and you're getting 21x and a 34mm in a shorter package. You'd have to spend another $500+ to get anything else with comparable features.

The illumination seems to be a common complaint.

http://www.savageshooters.com/conten...-Review/view/2
 
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So glad you chimed in! It truly does feel like an $800 optic. So cheap. I should have just listened to you in the Vortex Razor Video and went with that :(

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Dude, your already at the 1600 mark, why don't you get a refund and save about 650 more bucks and snag a new Razor AMG.. The weight is about what your looking for and its a 6-24x50. I just snagged mine up from CameralandNY.com for 2250 shipped, I would think the turrets will be better.. Mine ships this week, can't wait to get my hands on it. Then I'll be selling my gen2...
 
I second the AMG idea...again. Deja vu? With my SRS, weight > size.

I truly believe the price tag is partly due to the physical size. I don't know of too many 34mm scopes in the 13" range with a max power of 20+ in its general price range. NF 4-16 is shorter but without the mag range, Athlon Ares is supposedly 13.8" but 30mm tube. Everything else is longer and heavier or the price jacks way up.
 
I second the AMG idea...again. Deja vu? With my SRS, weight > size.

I truly believe the price tag is partly due to the physical size. I don't know of too many 34mm scopes in the 13" range with a max power of 20+ in its general price range. NF 4-16 is shorter but without the mag range, Athlon Ares is supposedly 13.8" but 30mm tube. Everything else is longer and heavier or the price jacks way up.
I like the AMG idea also. I am becoming less concerned with weight though as one person I spoke to mentioned "whats another pound on a 15 pound setup anyways"... good point I think. I started looking at the USO B17 series. I desire compact size over weight savings. Hence why I picked the DMR2. I love its profile. Everything out there is so damn big now. I want to kill deer and steel targets, not star gaze with a mini hubble telescope!

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It isn't so much how much weight, but where the weight is at. That is why our bullpups do "feel" lighter than they are. Ounces = Pain when you start walking/hiking. It honestly sounds like your best bet is picking up a S&B Ultra Short or giving up top end magnification and running the NF 4-16 or USO B17. You might be able to find some sales popping up in the next few months.
 
It isn't so much how much weight, but where the weight is at. That is why our bullpups do "feel" lighter than they are. Ounces = Pain when you start walking/hiking. It honestly sounds like your best bet is picking up a S&B Ultra Short or giving up top end magnification and running the NF 4-16 or USO B17. You might be able to find some sales popping up in the next few months.

Along with the AMG, I will also second this as far as the NF 4-16. They are great little scopes, I really like mine, I have no experience with the USO B-17...
 
Along with the AMG, I will also second this as far as the NF 4-16. They are great little scopes, I really like mine, I have no experience with the USO B-17...

The NF ATACR 4-16x42 F1 was one of my top 3 choices. I could not get passed the Mil-R reticle. I couldn't help but feel like the additional milling reticle would annoy the hell out of me so I passed on it. I still keep looking at it though and am considering it again.
The USO B-17 is probably #2 behind the Razor 3-18 right now. I really like the features and reticle options on the B-17 but I cannot really find too much info on it!!
 
Slightly different application, but I keeping thinking about what I want on my AR-15 and it always comes back to NF ATACR 4-16x F1 and Razor HD2 3-18x in the 34mm category (though perhaps a Minox 3-15x could be added as well). The weight of the razor is offputting, especially on a small-frame semi. In the 30mm category I'm much more conflicted as the cost is far lower and scopes seem more competitive (NF SHV F1, PST Gen2, etc.).
 
No offense to anyone on this board, but why do people insist on asking internet forums for advice or answers to questions on products they've bought instead of calling either the manufacturer or the vendor they bought it from?!?!!?

Call Bushnell or your dealer and talk it through. That should have been step #1. Then report back.
 
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The Mil-R does take some getting used to. The additional milling reticle is non-existent to me when I look through both my Mil-R and Mil-C scope. Figure out what is up with your DMR and return it if it doesn't satisfy you. Try something else and go from there.
 
No offense to anyone on this board, but why do people insist on asking internet forums for advice or answers to questions on products they've bought instead of calling either the manufacturer or the vendor they bought it from?!?!!?

Call Bushnell or your dealer and talk it through. That should have been step #1. Then report back.

We use the internet and forums because we can. Sometimes solutions are found that even the manufacturer doesn't know or won't share with the general public. Also it is a way to find out if others are plagued with the same issues before we call the manufacturer.
 
No offense to anyone on this board, but why do people insist on asking internet forums for advice or answers to questions on products they've bought instead of calling either the manufacturer or the vendor they bought it from?!?!!?

Call Bushnell or your dealer and talk it through. That should have been step #1. Then report back.

Because people are more worried about getting attention and participating in the group than they are fixing their problem.

Also sounds like a newer shooter without much experience looking for some validation of his expectations and opinions. The fact he used the word "scam" to describe his experience is pretty ridiculous. Bushnell has been a solid company in my experience and its pretty shitty to come throwing that word around without contacting them about any issues.
 
The HMFIC had a strong opinion on the Bushy. I don't know what to make of it.

I think he calls it like he sees it.

I had an opportunity to spend some time behind these scopes at a match a couple months ago. Savage Arms had a bunch of their new guns out for people to shoot, and they had a variety of <2k scopes mounted on them, including this Bushnell.

I liked the scope, I think it's another great offering from Bushnell, which is a brand I have always liked. But I will admit to being surprised by the price.
 
Because people are more worried about getting attention and participating in the group than they are fixing their problem.

Also sounds like a newer shooter without much experience looking for some validation of his expectations and opinions. The fact he used the word "scam" to describe his experience is pretty ridiculous. Bushnell has been a solid company in my experience and its pretty shitty to come throwing that word around without contacting them about any issues.

I am a "newer" shooter in the sense that I have not owned countless high end optics to do a true comparison. But I have been shooting and hunting since I was in diapers. I have competed on the state level in shotgun shooting sports, and have killed elk in Colorado to mule deer in Wyoming to whitetail in Virginia. I am not that new. I really got into long range shooting when the RPR came out. I got one of those and a Vortex PST and have had a ton of fun, making it out to 900yards with great success on a few occasions and killing many whitetail around 300-400 yards with it.

I have been saving my pennies for this day for almost 6 years to get my dream rifles and optic. I just spent $5,650 cash for my dream DT SRS A1 with a custom 6.5CM barrel. I paid $1,600 cash for the Bushnell DMR2 I THOUGHT would be a great value given all the marketing material and information I have found.
I have had my hands on NF ATACRs and Vortex RZR Gen 2s. I KNOW how they look, feel and what kind of clarity I get with them. The DMR2 caught my eye as a more affordable but still excellent option. This thing is ABSOLUTELY NOT worth $1,600. Period. You can bitch all you want about a "new" shooter who doesn't know anything not being able to fix their own problems.
How about the problem of false advertising? You cant trust a single F*ing review around here because I bet 99% of these guys are paid to do their stupid biased reviews. The only way I know how to generate some actual real world honest responses is by posting a thread like this. Every review of every damn optic out there says "Its the best I have ever used in this price range". Now I have no glass, my rifle will be here any day.

I took the DMR2 out to a field last night. Spotted some deer and cows about 4-500 yards out. I could not at all see myself taking a shot at that distance with the dmr2 because the deer was so poorly defined! I know for a fact my PST would let me take the shot because I have done it about five times at that distance! Either something is wrong with this thing, or it is exactly as Lowlight said... "An $800 optic with a $1,600 price tag".
 
I own 2- DMR first models, 1- DMRlli and a LRHS 4.5-18. I do not have the disappointments you have. The original DMR has a bit of CA. The DMRll is better.

So, get ahold of Bushnell and either send it in with a list of your issues to see if there is a flaw and / or see if you can get your money back. It seems to me you won't ever be happy with this optic. Get your money back and move on to something else and get over it.
 
The G3 Reticle is confusing to me. Running basic numbers in my ballistic app, a 10mph wind at even 700 yards needs more correction then the reticle offers. I could have done this prior to the purchase but failed to. I would have thought the reticle would be built out enough for more windage holds.

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I don't get this at all. Even if you're shooting a .308, you shouldn't need more than about 1.4 mils of correction at 700 yards for a full value 10mph wind. The reticle has waaay more than 1.4 mils available. Something doesn't sound right...

John
 
How about the problem of false advertising? You cant trust a single F*ing review around here because I bet 99% of these guys are paid to do their stupid biased reviews.

Im not aware of anyone on here paid to support bushnell.
Sounds like you got a lemon if you cant see 500 yards with it or you dont know how to set it up.
 
I am a "newer" shooter in the sense that I have not owned countless high end optics to do a true comparison. But I have been shooting and hunting since I was in diapers. I have competed on the state level in shotgun shooting sports, and have killed elk in Colorado to mule deer in Wyoming to whitetail in Virginia. I am not that new. I really got into long range shooting when the RPR came out. I got one of those and a Vortex PST and have had a ton of fun, making it out to 900yards with great success on a few occasions and killing many whitetail around 300-400 yards with it.

I have been saving my pennies for this day for almost 6 years to get my dream rifles and optic. I just spent $5,650 cash for my dream DT SRS A1 with a custom 6.5CM barrel. I paid $1,600 cash for the Bushnell DMR2 I THOUGHT would be a great value given all the marketing material and information I have found.
I have had my hands on NF ATACRs and Vortex RZR Gen 2s. I KNOW how they look, feel and what kind of clarity I get with them. The DMR2 caught my eye as a more affordable but still excellent option. This thing is ABSOLUTELY NOT worth $1,600. Period. You can bitch all you want about a "new" shooter who doesn't know anything not being able to fix their own problems.
How about the problem of false advertising? You cant trust a single F*ing review around here because I bet 99% of these guys are paid to do their stupid biased reviews. The only way I know how to generate some actual real world honest responses is by posting a thread like this. Every review of every damn optic out there says "Its the best I have ever used in this price range". Now I have no glass, my rifle will be here any day.

I took the DMR2 out to a field last night. Spotted some deer and cows about 4-500 yards out. I could not at all see myself taking a shot at that distance with the dmr2 because the deer was so poorly defined! I know for a fact my PST would let me take the shot because I have done it about five times at that distance! Either something is wrong with this thing, or it is exactly as Lowlight said... "An $800 optic with a $1,600 price tag".

You might want to tune down the big stories, when earlier in this thread you claimed the reticle [which has 8 mils of windage] was not enough for a 10 mph wind at 700 yards with your 6.5 creed.

There is an obviously problems here with your scope. You could very easily send it to Bushnell and have it fixed, and find out it demonstrates a great value. Good tracking, good glass, good feature set.

I can't imagine the DMRII should be priced for less than the TX5i, after running them side by side this year. I would like to see this 800 dollar optic that compares with the DMRII or the TX5i.





 
I have a list, and can answer this ^^^^ in a very pointed way, however, lately people like to "Rat" me out to companies when I drop some fact bombs that don't align with marketing.

So I will not post my list, but it's out there, go to SWFA and cruise the listing you can find them.

You can realistically spent about $250 less and get more in a lot of these cases. The $999 to $1250 price range has some nice options hanging around.

So don't ask because I am not opening myself up for back door attacks sent to these companies.