Author Topic: Choices just not narrow enough yet . . . help me out! (Read 1329 times)

Ranger413 · « **on:** March 18, 2003, 03:46:49 PM »

Got an Encore with 24" .223 Rem barrel and looking to scope it. I want to stay in the 4-12 to 4-16X range. Rig will mainly be used for coyotes, groundhogs, and crows. I already have the Warne Maxima base and medium rings to mount it. Here's what I'm looking at.

Burris Fullfield II
Burris Signature
Leupold Vari-X II
Nikon Monarch
Bushnell Elite 4200

I was set on the Fullfield II for awhile, but I'm like a kid in a candy store. I'd also like to develop some brand loyalty so I'd like a scope that has good customer service and staying power. Any help, comments, suggestions, or experiences are welcome. Thanks!

Ranger413

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2003, 04:20:36 PM »

Ranger,

If you want good customer service, I would go with the Leupold VX-II. They have one of the better ones out there. Don't get me wrong have not had problems with Bushnell or Nikon, but Leupold is well known for their customer service.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2003, 06:02:41 PM »

No argument with the Leupold as a choice BUT Bushnell warranty is IDENTICAL to Leupold on the Elite 3200 and 4200s.

GB

Howler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2003, 06:48:45 PM »

Just bought the 4-16x40 bushnell elite & replaced a leupold tactical 4.5-14x40 with no regrets at all. I think leupold is a good scope,but the bushnell 4200 are brighter & probably as well made. I believe you would have to go top of the line leupold to match the brightness & clarity of the elites.I.M.O

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2003, 02:43:10 AM »

I have no arguments that the Bushnell is just as bright or brighter. I was just making the point that Leupold is known for there customer service. Bushnell & Nikon have lifetime warranty, but a lot of people don't really know it.

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2003, 05:05:26 AM »

And acutally, the Nikon Monarchs, in my experience, are also brighter than my Vari-X IIIs.

Zachary

Ranger413 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2003, 12:15:33 PM »

Here we go . . .

Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16X40 $330
Leupold Vari-X II 4-12X40 $370
Nikon Monarch 4-12X40 $335
Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14X42 $354

Not so interested in the Leupold anymore. Anyone that can help me further narrow this down with experiences . . . good or bad.

Thanks again,

Ranger413

Howler · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2003, 01:07:05 PM »

Id buy the Elite 4200! dont think you would be sorry but i have never owned a Nikon. I Have owned Burris & My opinion is, forget it!! I think they are over priced & to heavy.

Ranger413 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2003, 01:39:41 PM »

Here are some of the things floating around in my head about the 4 scopes on my list.

1. I have a Bushnell Sportview mounted on my .308. It's been there for about 18 or so years. It's been back to the factory for internal lenses that have come loose. Granted this scope was only about $50 when purchased new, but it just left a bad tasted in my mouth about Bushnell. However, I see many here on this forum raving about the Elite 3200's and even more so about the 4200's. I'm starting to be swayed toward the 4200.

2. I like the Leupold name cause it's made in the USA and I've heard they have an outstanding customer service division. But, I hear quite a bit that they're not as bright as some of my other choices and are often over priced. I'm starting to think that I need to remove the Leupold from my list.

3. Nikon also apparently has a pretty good customer service reputation with their lifetime warranty. I also understand, from a lot of replies, that they are bright and well built. When the Monarch is compared to the Burris Fullfiled II they are apparently on par in terms of brightness. At least from what Burris has to say (95% light transmission). The Monarch is still on the list.

4. The Burris line gets a lot of good marks as well from what I've read. Although their Fullfield II line isn't their top of the line it is apparently "haging" with the Monarchs. On the other hand I have read a few horror stories about their customer service - even though they have the "Forever Warranty". What good is a "Forever Warranty" if your scope keeps comming back unfixed? I had a Burris handgun scope for awhile on my .44 Mag. It held up just fine and I never had to use the warranty department. I think the Burris line is fading a little in my eyes.

Here's how my list looks in terms of Best to Worst. Do have to admit thought, I'd probably be happy with any of them.

1. Nikon Monarch
2. Bushnell Elite 4200
3. Burris Fullfield II
4. Leupold Vari-X II

Keep the comments comming folks!

Ranger413

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2003, 02:40:02 PM »

I personally like the Nikon Monarch!!

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2003, 03:32:21 PM »

Do not judge how the top of any manufacturer's line might perform based on how something from the bottom of their line performed. You are comparing apples to oranges.

I have no experience with the Nikon Monarchs but those who do seem to praise them. The Elite 4200s are as good as anything you can buy within $200 or so of their price range. The Leupold Vari-X IIIs are outstanding optics also. I just personally DO NOT put any of the Burris rifle scopes in the same classs as those two and for sure the Full Field line is NOT their top of the line model. Once again to compare the fullfield or full field II line to the 4200s and Vari-X IIIs is comparing apples to oranges.

I have an almost new in box Burris Signature scope now I'm trying to sell at $280 which is a huge discount from what they sell for and haven't even had a nibble. It it were a Leupold Vari-X III or Bushnell Elite 4200 I was selling at that price someone would have fallen all over themselves to buy it.

GB

GB

Zachary · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2003, 02:53:23 AM »

First of all, I just want to say that the prices that you listed previously are VERY LOW PRICES. Where did you get them from?

Like I said I own both Nikon Monarchs and Bushnell Elites (4200s). I love both. Both have 95% light transmission. I think that the only noticeable difference is that the Elite 4200 has the rainguard system. Also, the new Elite 4200s have 30% titanium tubes. (Then again, I NEVER had any problems with my Nikon tubes either.)

An article was written fairly recently about the Elite 4200 4x-16x-40mm. The test showed that it was tied with the bigger objective Zeiss Conquest 44mm for having the best and sharpest resolution. In fact, the authors were surprised that the smaller objective 4200 had such fantastic resolution.

I would urge you to get the Elite 4200 4x-16x-40mm first, and the Nikon Monarch 4x-12-40mm a VERY close second.

Zachary

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2003, 03:55:32 AM »

Hey Zachary,

It looks like he got the prices for "The Optic Zone". :wink:

Zachary · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2003, 04:13:32 AM »

Wow Jon, you have some super low prices!! That's great!! :-D

:-D

Zachary

Ranger413 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2003, 06:33:46 PM »

Yes Jon the prices came from the Optic Zone

Zachary,

I appreciate your reccomendation. Do you have a link to, or idea where I can find the review on the Bushnell 4200 you mentioned? Those two, the Bushnell and Nikon, are kinda the two I'm looking at and with all the support from Bushnell around here that's probably where I'm going to end up. I'm also looking at the Elite 3200 3-9 to top my Encore 209X50 muzzleloader.

All,

Now, if I can just get my Ruger 77/22 Mag with Simmons 3-9AO sold I can buy my scope. Anyone interested? More detail in the classifieds!

Thanks again,

Ranger413