Bushnell Sentry 2"/50mm Spotting Scope Kit (Black)

Comments about Bushnell Sentry 2.0"/50mm Spotting Scope Kit (Black):

Nice bright screen for shooting sports

Comments about Bushnell Sentry 2.0"/50mm Spotting Scope Kit (Black):

very nice case scope easy to focus and use

Comments about Bushnell Sentry 2.0"/50mm Spotting Scope Kit (Black):

First let me point out that I bought this scope from a local retailer and not B&H. I have bought many products from B&H over the years and I am a very satisfied long time customer. I am a professional photographer and guide at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I purchased this scope as an inexpensive aid to help people on the tour get a better look at California Condors and other wildlife as well as many of the details of the canyon. I did not want to spend a lot of money on a scope because with canyon crowds there is always a possibility of damage due to tourists knocking it over or possible theft issues. I do all of the preliminary set up and focusing. I have never dropped or mishandled this scope. I always kept the scope in my travel pack when not in use. The scope was used approximately 1 hour per day 3 days a week. I was very satisfied with the overall build quality, tightness of the controls, sharpness and easy focusing for the money. I almost always left it on the widest zoom because it is rather narrow for my needs. My clients often commented on the sharpness and how powerful it was. Then after a few months of use, I took out my scope, mounted it on my tripod and I had no image. After closer inspection I found that a little plastic ring that holds a lens in the eye piece came loose allowing the lens to flop around inside. Because I did not have a backup scope, I did not send it in for warranty repair. I took the eyepiece apart and put the plastic ring in place but it would fall off as soon as I adjusted the zoom or even if I shook the scope. I feel that this is a very poor design and a poor choice for my needs. I am currently shopping B&H for a replacement scope of higher quality but I am reluctant to purchase another Bushnell (even a more expensive version) because of the poor design. When I bought a scope in this price range, I expected moderate image quality but I was expecting to get more than a few months of use out of it. I did write Bushnell about purchasing an eyepiece since I clearly voided the warranty by disassembling it. I am waiting for a response.