Rifle Scopes New Bushnell Elite LRHS2

[Dobermann]

I hope so ... a few manufacturers have gone away from FDE and CB scopes lately. I get it; all the cool kids are dropping FDE for Ranger Green.

But in the scope world, that leaves us a sea of boring black ...

 

[Schaaf]

Anyone heard a preorder date?

 

[Glassaholic]

Anyone heard a preorder date?

If you mean the LRHS2 it is May 1st on the GAP website

 

[lash]

Anyone heard a preorder date?

GA Precision Presale May 1 - June 1 $879. After June 1st they will be $939 at GA Precision

 

[Schaaf]

If you mean the LRHS2 it is May 1st on the GAP website

Thanks! Looks like I should have looked about 10 posts before

 

[Adkhunter3]

So if the pre order is May 1 then when is @Team RCBS & Bushnell going to release the specs? Or did I miss it? Wasn’t there supposed to be a coupe others scopes as well?

 

[Glassaholic]

So if the pre order is May 1 then when is @Team RCBS & Bushnell going to release the specs? Or did I miss it? Wasn’t there supposed to be a coupe others scopes as well?

I don't know if it has clearly been stated that the LRHS2 will be a universal Bushnell release, it may just be something only GAP will be selling but not other Bushnell dealers. There are other Elite Tactical scopes that are coming out but we don't have any specifics on those.

 

[BoilerUP]

Deets on *all* the new ETs sure would be swell...

 

[lash]

So if the pre order is May 1 then when is @Team RCBS & Bushnell going to release the specs? Or did I miss it? Wasn’t there supposed to be a coupe others scopes as well?

It’s been very specifically stated that this is a GAP only product, made for George at his behest. It’s already been made pretty clear that this is essentially the LRHS 4-18 with updates to the glass, reticle, windage knob, and without illumination. That’s the whole deal. Don’t make it out to be more or less than it is.

As far as further Bushnell releases go, it’s already been stated by Bushnell that they will wait until these are ready for release before they announce them. I think this is a great strategy, especially considering how impatient the shooting community has shown themselves to be.

I fully expect that Bushnell will want to have their own thread and be in charge of their own announcement(s) when the time comes. Instead of them being a secondary post in a thread about a GAP only product.

 

[Adkhunter3]

It’s been very specifically stated that this is a GAP only product, made for George at his behest. It’s already been made pretty clear that this is essentially the LRHS 4-18 with updates to the glass, reticle, windage knob, and without illumination. That’s the whole deal. Don’t make it out to be more or less than it is.

As far as further Bushnell releases go, it’s already been stated by Bushnell that they will wait until these are ready for release before they announce them. I think this is a great strategy, especially considering how impatient the shooting community has shown themselves to be.

I fully expect that Bushnell will want to have their own thread and be in charge of their own announcement(s) when the time comes. Instead of them being a secondary post in a thread about a GAP only product.

I wasn’t aware it was a GAP special only. Also Didn’t know I was making it out to be more or less than it is? I get why Bushnell is waiting but I’d rather see what they have planned so if it’s not the specs I’m looking for I can move on.

 

[lash]

I wasn’t aware it was a GAP special only. Also Didn’t know I was making it out to be more or less than it is? I get why Bushnell is waiting but I’d rather see what they have planned so if it’s not the specs I’m looking for I can move on.

Yeah, I didn’t mean to direct that all at you, but the statements are correct and still stand.

 

[Glassaholic]

so if it’s not the specs I’m looking for I can move on.

 

[beetroot]

I wasn’t aware it was a GAP special only. Also Didn’t know I was making it out to be more or less than it is? I get why Bushnell is waiting but I’d rather see what they have planned so if it’s not the specs I’m looking for I can move on.

I can sympathize with your position but Bushnell are likely wanting to avoid a Burris XTR3 situation.

It's good and well knowing the specs for an upcoming product but it's not fun waiting and half years for a product that still has an unknown due date.

I guess Burris wasn't wrong to do so as here I am (stupidly) still waiting....

 

[Team RCBS & Bushnell]

So if the pre order is May 1 then when is @Team RCBS & Bushnell going to release the specs? Or did I miss it? Wasn’t there supposed to be a coupe others scopes as well?

Like others have said, this is GAP/George's project and Bushnell.com is staying out of it other than giving him website page/product support, when the timing is right. We're letting him run the show on releasing specs and any other details. GA Precision will be pretty autonomous on the LRHS2 in that they're the only ones selling it - Even Bushnell.com won't be selling it. This means if you thought you were going to get it on VIP, you won't. The price/promotion of it will be at GAP's discretion. If I were trying to get one I'd think very hard about getting in on the pre-sale. It's hard to say if he'll ever put it on a sale again or not - With it being what it is and at that every day price, I doubt he'll have to.

 

[DanGroves]

Has anybody heard the ETA on these bad boys?

 

[Nikon147]

Has anybody heard the ETA on these bad boys?

I put in a Pre-Order early May. The website says they're expected June 1.

I have not received a shipping notification yet.

 

[david walter]

I was on the site for an hour on the 31st trying to find a way to order one. Never did and decided to pass until there are actual field reports available from users that I trust.

 

[BoilerUP]

You don’t trust George Gardner?

 

[chevy327]

What's not to trust ? Non sponsor , no major discounts ,no freebies. What's to be gained by lying?

 

[david walter]

I trust George. But one data point is one data point.

One is none applies to reviews and T&E as well.

 

[BadDogPSD]

Shipments (in general, not speaking specifically about the new Bushnell) from Asia are delayed about 8 weeks currently, and that is likely to increase.

 

[aard3]

Guys -- I work in engineering for a major manufacturer... I can attest to the fact that EVERYTHING in supply chain is taking longer than normal. It's impacting every thing from silicon to optics... expect anything like this to take a little bit longer... I have an original LRHS... it's a great scope... Honestly I would buy another one... The chance to get one that is slightly upgraded is even better... hang in there.

 

[wind gypsy]

Anyone heard an updated timeline on these?

 

[lash]

Anyone heard an updated timeline on these?

I haven’t heard. I do know that I ordered one in May with the special advanced deal and will wait for it to show. I’m in no hurry and learned long ago not to order a brand new product if it’s not actually in stock and I have a drop dead need for it. That’s always a recipe for stress and agita.

 

[Nikon147]

Anyone heard an updated timeline on these?

I ordered one in May. I'm not in a hurry, but the website still says they're expected June 1.

I emailed them for an update.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

While we're on the subject - can someone please measure the outside diameter of the objective and ocular lens on a Gen1 LRHS 4.5-18 down to the .000" --- I'm trying to order an ARD and ocular lens cap from MK Machining and they need the value for proper fitment. My digital calipers shit the bed .

Thanks in advance

~ TP

 

[schmi015]

@TacticalPlinker
Obj: 2.050
Ocular: 1.605
There’s a slight gap between the ocular ring and the body there so maybe go 1.6145.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

@TacticalPlinker
Obj: 2.050
Ocular: 1.605
There’s a slight gap between the ocular ring and the body there so maybe go 1.6145.

Thank you Sir ! Greatly appreciated

 

[Schaaf]

I ordered one in May. I'm not in a hurry, but the website still says they're expected June 1.

I emailed them for an update.

Did you get a response?

 

[Nikon147]

Did you get a response?

I did.

The scopes are in the States, but currently waiting in Customs. GA Precision was actually really upfront about it. I imagine it's not an uncommon thing right now in general.

 

[Moose]

Im really looking forward for the hands on reviews of this scope.

 

[Glassaholic]

And now Bushnell is announcing an Elite Tactical 3. I'm guessing because the LRHS2 isn't even out yet there is not going to be a LRHS3 so soon, but hoping maybe a redesigned LRTS that is shorter and has a 5x erector

 

[Hickswr]

Im really looking forward for the hands on reviews of this scope.

I’ll admit to not following theses scopes very close but other than “better” glass, what are you expecting to be different from the previous versions?

I still have a LRHSi which in my opinion is a superb scope with excellent glass. The glass is so good I wouldn’t pay anymore for “better” glass. And definitely wouldn’t trade it for a non-illuminated version with even better glass.


Is the hype surrounding these scopes simply due to folks with sellers remorse of the LRHS and LRST scopes?

 

[Glassaholic]

I’ll admit to not following theses scopes very close but other than “better” glass, what are you expecting to be different from the previous versions?

At first we thought they were going to introduce a G3H reticle, but appears to just be the G2H reticle, so I think it is only a glass upgrade.

I still have a LRHSi which in my opinion is a superb scope with excellent glass. The glass is so good I wouldn’t pay anymore for “better” glass. And definitely wouldn’t trade it for a non-illuminated version with even better glass.

I agree on everything except for the CA, the LRHS/LRTS line does show a bit more CA than I like, but for the price it doesn't bother me at all. ED Prime will help correct CA and may provide slightly better pop, but like you said, the LRHS is already pretty amazing.

Is the hype surrounding these scopes simply due to folks with sellers remorse of the LRHS and LRST scopes?

Yes, I think this is the biggest reason right there. Both sellers remorse and folks who never bought one but can't find one now... I keep thinking of selling my LRHSi but for the price would rather keep it around for the kids or another build I may do down the road. There is a scope I like "better" but can't talk about right now, but the G2H reticle is so unique I'll keep it around for just that.

 

[lash]

I never seem to have enough scopes with just what I need for a particular application.

I have found the the Bushy scopes fill a lot of niches at the right prices.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Per Ken at GAP, the scopes have cleared customs finally and are at the Bushnell warehouse. Since said warehouse is only a short drive away from GAP, they should be ready to ship soon.

 

[supercorndogs]

I had one of these in my cart about to push order at least 4 or 5 times. I would be interested to see one with my LRHS and LRTSi and XTRIII's. Hopefully they come up used more than a 3-12 LRHS does.

 

[Nikon147]

Per Ken at GAP, the scopes have cleared customs finally and are at the Bushnell warehouse. Since said warehouse is only a short drive away from GAP, they should be ready to ship soon.

Yahtzee!

 

[Nikon147]

Looks like GA Precision updated the Website.

"as of 7/1/21, the first batch of scopes has been processed through US customs and is having spot checks done for quality assurance @ Bushnell"

 

[beetroot]

The XTR II line isn't exactly world class when it comes to FOV, the Mark 5hd is also rubbish.
The LRTS/LRHS lags noticeably in FOV vs a lot of newer gen scopes, and as Will said the DMR line is even worse.
I have a spread sheet I made at work that I'll share (had a lot of free time over Covid) that shows the LRTS being pretty poor.
Compared to the likes of Vortex offerings, the 4.5-18 is more like a 5-18 PST/Razor offering the worst of both models.

Admittedly the LRHS2 scope will be a offering that has no direct competition so still has appeal, but for my uses the combination of FOV and mag ranges makes it unappealing for me.

That is not true of the LRTS line. The 3-12 and 4.5-18 both have about the same FOV of other scopes in the same power range. The 3-12 is right in line with others like the Burris or Weaver 3-15, and the 4.5-18 FOV is right between the XTRII 4-20 and 5-25, and SWFA 5-20.

LRTS 4.5-18 23.5
SWFA 5-20 20.1
XTRII 5-25 18
XTRii 4-20 28.5
MK5 3.6-18 28.3 but 5.8 at 18 vs 6 at 18 for the Bushnell

@supercorndogs

So last year as Covid was raging I had A LOT of spare time at work so made a spread sheet of scope data, which I've attached.
It's a random array of all the scopes I was interested in one way or another and found it a good way to compare optics, which I had plenty of time to do. Basically I calculated the effective FOV of all scopes at 10x based on the max and minimum specs, there is most definitely some errors but it's still the best way to compare to FOV across different scopes and mag ranges.
I arranged it by FOV @10x based on the maximum mag spec as to avoid errors from tunneling but both sets of data are there.
Other than the XRS II other Bushnell scopes definitely have a narrower FOV than average.

I'll be the first person to admit I spend too much time looking at this crap but I have had plenty of free time.
Like some people are sensitive to CA it seems I'm sensitive to FOV, I've had a few scopes that have very good FOVs and grown very fond of it.
Ultimately it doesn't really matter, if you are happy with your Bushnell scopes then that's great, but if a new line of scopes is coming out it's very hard to argue a wide FOV is a bad thing and that is not a desirable feature/spec to have in a brand new offering.

I don't want to come across like I'm shitting on Bushnell scopes but as I value as wide FOV as possible I personally am not looking at any of the current Bushnell offerings.

 

[supercorndogs]

How are you getting 3 different values for FOV at 10x? Some scopes have a top end of 10x you listed a greater value for their 10x FOV then their max FOV spec listed. I am not sure your spread sheet is reliable for 10x FOV, but its nice reference FOV specs. Its funny what people do when they are board at work. I look at public land on the colorado hunting atlas maps.

The 4.5-18 comes to mind also when having this conversation. People say it has a narrow field of view, or "tight eye box." It does not, it has a somewhat small apparent FOV. The smaller eye piece also has some advantages when mounting. My bolt lift hit the eye piece on my Tango 6 and had to be removed. With the PSTII, I could barley get the eye relief I wanted because the eye piece would hit my base.

Someone had a spread sheet here once that also had AFOV specs listed.

 

[Glassaholic]

Someone had a spread sheet here once that also had AFOV specs listed.

That might have been @spife7980, I think I saved it somewhere.

 

[spife7980]

That might have been @spife7980, I think I saved it somewhere.

Can’t find the original post but here’s another post of it

JP Tank Brake (Recoil Eliminator) for PRS Tactical .308

Muzzle Brakes: Ability To Stay On Target I have the JP on the LR-308, Tubb on the 37XC and the new Gen 3 APA on the 6XC. No complaints. I recall back when PRS was in diapers that people didn't call the JP a Recoil Eliminator but a Competitor Eliminator as many stages where run with two...

www.snipershide.com

 

[beetroot]

How are you getting 3 different values for FOV at 10x? Some scopes have a top end of 10x you listed a greater value for their 10x FOV then their max FOV spec listed. I am not sure your spread sheet is reliable for 10x FOV, but its nice reference FOV specs. Its funny what people do when they are board at work. I look at public land on the colorado hunting atlas maps.

The different values are, FOV@ 10x:
Based on minimum specs (this is dramatically effected by tunneling as indicated by scopes knowing to tunnel)
Based on maximum specs (prone to rounding errors)
Average of both (will reduce rounding error but unreliable if scope tunnels)

The 4.5-18 comes to mind also when having this conversation. People say it has a narrow field of view, or "tight eye box." It does not, it has a somewhat small apparent FOV. The smaller eye piece also has some advantages when mounting. My bolt lift hit the eye piece on my Tango 6 and had to be removed. With the PSTII, I could barley get the eye relief I wanted because the eye piece would hit my base.

I also agree than the wide eyepiece can cause issues in some mounting situations, I've not had any issues other than on my CZ rimfire rifles when trying to mount super low but I've since overcome that issue.

You are right about apparent FOV, the video Ilya did on the subject is very good but unfortunately there is no way to know what the image will look like based on specs alone. I agree that the way the image presents itself has an effect of whether or not the image looks like looking through a cardboard tube vs a Heads Up Display but an actual wide FOV still offers a significant advantage over a narrow one.

I do think there is a fair bit on nuance involved when comparing rifle scopes but when all else is equal I'm taking the widest FOV possible.
So far that means I'm stuck finding a replacement for my 3-15x44 PST until something that's better in every way comes along.

I've been waiting since November 2018 for an illuminated Burris XTR3 3.3-18 due to the super wide FOV, if Bushnell comes out with an offering equal to the XTR3 with a reticle I like then I'll be jumping on that.

 

[lash]

I just received an email notice that my LRHS2 just shipped.

 

[screaminweasil]

Buddy of mine got a shipping confirmation this morning as well..........Fedex

 

[Nikon147]

I also got a shipment notification today.

Arrives Friday.

Range trip planned for Saturday.

 

[Team RCBS & Bushnell]

Hope to see some pictures here from those that receive theirs.

 

[AK Hobie]

I just got a shipping notification along with a tracking number so it’ll be here soon.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I just received an email notice that my LRHS2 just shipped.

Are you gonna bring it over to JTAC next week and try it out?
Inquiring minds wanna know...