Hankbrass,
Your experience with the Elite 3200 is unusual. :? I would send it back to Bushnell and see if they can find what's wrong with it.
Of all of the Elites I have used, mainly the more expensive 4200s, the tracking, and resolution, have been fantastic. Still, the 3200s should also have good tracking and resolution.
I too own Nikons, Leupolds, and Burris. I have never had any problems with any of them as well, but I think that the Elite 4200s are the best for the money (leupold Vari-X IIIs, of which I own a few, are great, but in my opinion a bit over priced.)
An a related note, there was an article written a while back and the resolution of the Elite 4200 4x-16x-40mm was the best in the bunch. In fact, it tied with the bigger objective Zeiss Conquest with the 44mm objectives. Granted, the 4200s have better glass than the Elite 3200s, but something must be wrong with your particular 3200.
Again, I would send your Elite 3200 back to Bushnell and let them fix it.
Zachary