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I NEED YOUR OPINION

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bsjohns2 View Drop Down
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    Posted: January/28/2007 at 16:36
 I have been doing some research on the internet and most people think that the Bushnell 4200 Elite scopes have far better resolution than the Nikon Monarch scopes. What's your opinion?
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/28/2007 at 17:06

IMO, the 4200's are a little better optically wise, but not by a large margin.

FAR BETTER???...I don't think so.

 

 



Edited by cheaptrick
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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/28/2007 at 17:28
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sending those two Monarchs I bought back to SWFA
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/28/2007 at 17:52

Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sending those two Monarchs I bought back to SWFA

 

I meant MARGINALLY better.

The 4200's a very nice scope optically.

 

I still think the Monarch's the better scope overall.

I like the eye relief and looks of the Monarch better than the 4200. 

The 4200 is too long.

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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/28/2007 at 18:11

 I'm bummed. Maybe the Dark Lord is correct. I think I'll try an IOR after I break that 2-7 on thumper.

Seriously, though, I think Nikon engineers took a hard look at Leupolds before bringing the Monarch to the designers. The outside dimensions are compact and the scopes just "look right". There is nothing wrong with Leupold in this regard. The optics are better than my VariX-III's.

As for Bushnell, I like my B&L's and I believe their the same which is very good, too. I do think that the Bushnell's are larger and have less eye relief than the comparable Monarchs.

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jonbravado View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonbravado Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 08:02

i have 4200's and monarchs - to be honest, i can't tell a whole lot of difference when comparing in the lowlight.

 

both scopes offer wonderful, bright images.  close your eyes and pick one, you can't go wrong.

 

for the money, the monarch is unbeatable right now (on sale at www.swfa.com )

 

good luck.

 

J

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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 08:15
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sending those two Monarchs I bought back to SWFA

 

I meant MARGINALLY better.

The 4200's a very nice scope optically.

 

I still think the Monarch's the better scope overall.

I like the eye relief and looks of the Monarch better than the 4200. 

The 4200 is too long.

 

Eye relief, looks? What, is the Nikon a nicer shade of black????

 



Edited by Roy Finn
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 09:36

Roy, BEAUTIFUL rig!  Cooper M57M Custom Classic?  The Talley rings add a nice touch as well!

 

What is she chambered in?

 

I'm jealous!

 

Anyway, not to get OT, I personally can't tell a whole lot of difference between the Monarch and the 4200 optically.  My only complaint about the 4200s are that they are generally longer than competing scopes.  Sometimes that's an issue, sometimes not.



Edited by RifleDude
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 09:51
Yes, a Custom Classic in 22lr. I posted a pic of that and the swivel stud install by Griffin & Howe over on the "show off your guns" thread in the firearms section. A friend of mine owned Griffin & Howe about 10 yrs. ago and they did a super job. Thanks for the nice words, RD.
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Trinidad View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 12:23

Originally posted by bsjohns2 bsjohns2 wrote:

 I have been doing some research on the internet and most people think that the Bushnell 4200 Elite scopes have far better resolution than the Nikon Monarch scopes. What's your opinion?

 

The optics are a little better but not by much. To me the 4200 ranks in the middle of Monarch and Conquest optically.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 12:49
I like the Monarch better and I think the glass is so close as to be insignificant. What I dont understand is why someone would think that best glass is the only factor to be considered. To me the reliability of the adjustments and it's ability to hold it's zero and the amount of travel (maximum MOA) of internal adjustment and the exit pupil size are very important factors. I would rather have a scope that had exceptional reliability and good exit eye pupil than one with exceptional glass. Look at the Russian scopes - they were crap glass but they kill reliably.  You are not taking a picture so it doens't need to say Hasselblad.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 13:31

Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

I like the Monarch better and I think the glass is so close as to be insignificant. What I dont understand is why someone would think that best glass is the only factor to be considered. To me the reliability of the adjustments and it's ability to hold it's zero and the amount of travel (maximum MOA) of internal adjustment and the exit pupil size are very important factors. I would rather have a scope that had exceptional reliability and good exit eye pupil than one with exceptional glass. Look at the Russian scopes - they were crap glass but they kill reliably.  You are not taking a picture so it doens't need to say Hasselblad.

 

For all the reasons you have cited, (glass, reliability, adjustments and durability), are the very reasons I believe the 4200 is tops in it's price class. Not just because it has a pretty picture. Of course, the Nikon sale makes choosing between the two more difficult if price is your primary consideration. Optically speaking, alot of folks have a hard time deciding between the 4200 and a Conquest if they can get by the Zeiss name and be objective.



Edited by Roy Finn
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Trinidad View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trinidad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 14:11

Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

I like the Monarch better and I think the glass is so close as to be insignificant. What I dont understand is why someone would think that best glass is the only factor to be considered. To me the reliability of the adjustments and it's ability to hold it's zero and the amount of travel (maximum MOA) of internal adjustment and the exit pupil size are very important factors. I would rather have a scope that had exceptional reliability and good exit eye pupil than one with exceptional glass. Look at the Russian scopes - they were crap glass but they kill reliably.  You are not taking a picture so it doens't need to say Hasselblad.

 

Construction wise I prefer the 4200 over both the Monarch and Conquest. I would put the construction of the 4200

on a par with Burris Signature Select for scpes in this price range.

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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 14:23

Elite Predator!!!

I give your beloved 4200 some good press and you crack on me?!?!?

 

And yes, the Monarch's particular black matte color matches my barrel on my Remington better.  

Thanks for reminding me..........

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 14:39
The last buck I dropped didn't seem to mind that my rig wasn't color correct.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 15:00

Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

I like the Monarch better and I think the glass is so close as to be insignificant. What I dont understand is why someone would think that best glass is the only factor to be considered. To me the reliability of the adjustments and it's ability to hold it's zero and the amount of travel (maximum MOA) of internal adjustment and the exit pupil size are very important factors. I would rather have a scope that had exceptional reliability and good exit eye pupil than one with exceptional glass. Look at the Russian scopes - they were crap glass but they kill reliably.  You are not taking a picture so it doens't need to say Hasselblad.

 

Excellent point, Urimaginaryfrnd.  I would add to that the physical dimensions of the scope as well.  For example, say you're scoping a rifle with a quarter rib on the barrel.  Even if a scope is optical perfection personified, beyond a certain length, it may not both clear the quarter rib and at the same time put the ocular in position for optimal eye relief.  The same applies for scopes with huge objectives on rifles with quarter ribs or heavy barrel contours and the effects those have on ring height and head position during shooting.  I believe if you have good binoculars, you can get by with less than perfect optics if the scope has other good attributes.  If the scope isn't totally reliable, doesn't fit the rifle well, etc., great optics are useless, as the scope is an aiming device, not a substitute for binos.  I believe optical performance is certainly important, especially for low light, but it is only one of several factors to consider when selecting the right scope for the job.

Ted


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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 15:10

Excellent posts, RD and Ufriend.

 

We, myself included, get wrapped up around the axle worrying about "optical performance" on these hunting scopes. 

Where I hunt, an Eotech mounted on a 12 guage would be (is) ideal.

 

Deer in my part of NC are in darndest thickets I have ever seen! The big boys anyway.

90% of all hunters (that I know) here have never shot a deer at over 100 yards either.

 

Powerline shooters around here may need the extra resolution, focus and optical clarity that the top shelf scopes offer though. 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thinkingman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 16:54

Timely post.

I was in a Sportsmans Warehouse over the weekend and did some simultesting with the Bush 4200, Nikon Monarch, Zeiss conquest, Burris Sig, and Leupy VXII.

I wanted the Elite 4200 to WOW me.....

I kept going back and forth looking and looking.

The Leupy was the lightest and the worst optics....out.

The Bushy was nice and good feel to the AO.

The Zeiss with sf was difficult to focus.

The Burris was good.

The Nikon was excellent.

Clear and bigger eyebox (all scopes were 4-14X)

I kept going back to the Nikon.

I didn't expect it to win, but it did.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 17:43
Could you tell me what an "eyebox" is?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ceylonc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/29/2007 at 20:09
Originally posted by thinkingman thinkingman wrote:

Timely post.

I was in a Sportsmans Warehouse over the weekend and did some simultesting with the Bush 4200, Nikon Monarch, Zeiss conquest, Burris Sig, and Leupy VXII.

I wanted the Elite 4200 to WOW me.....

I kept going back and forth looking and looking.

The Leupy was the lightest and the worst optics....out.

The Bushy was nice and good feel to the AO.

The Zeiss with sf was difficult to focus.

The Burris was good.

The Nikon was excellent.

Clear and bigger eyebox (all scopes were 4-14X)

I kept going back to the Nikon.

I didn't expect it to win, but it did.

 

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.  Nikon makes an outstanding scope!  I'm sure you'll find it's perfect for your usage.

 

There's one thing about rifle optics that makes this debate all the more interesting: ALL OF US "SEE" DIFFERENTLY.  What appears the best to me may not stand out to, say, SVD666 or RifleDude's eyes.  We're fortunate to have so many choices

 

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