I'm torn between a Bushnell 3200 Elite and a Nikon Prostaff for my AR.

[btefft]

I'm torn between a Bushnell 3200 Elite and a Nikon Prostaff for my AR.

Both are 3-9x40 scopes.

Called two local gun shops. One said they like the Nikon a tad better and the other said they were about the same in quality, both were good.

On the forums, I heard more folks recommending the Bushnell 3200 Elite, by name. But a lot said a NIkon is a good scope, too.

One did say he thought the Bushnell may be a little on the heavy side for an AR.

As for as prices go, online, I've seen the Bushnell 3200 Elite for 199.00 (free shipping)

I've seen the Nikon Prostaff online for 179.95 (shipping included in price)

Here in Columbus, Ga, the local gun shop has the Nikon for 149.00.

I'm going to get up from here and go eat dinner. Then come back here and see what you all say. Then, I'll go over there to look at it. May even buy it.

Hack

 

[gotime242]

I was in the same market for a while. I think if i were to choose a 3-9 power i would definetly go with the nikon. I think it might have slightly better glass, and a little cheaper.

But i went with the fixed 10x power 3200, because i hear its super durable and it has mildots and target turets. Because i wanted those features it was the bushnell hands down.

http://www.swfa.com/p-8352-bushnell-10x40-elite-3200-rifle-scope.aspx

 

[Olympus]

I think I'd go with the Elite 3200. I've seen tons and tons of great reviews for that scope. I'm a Nikon man myself, but I'd like to give one of those a try.

 

[lipadj46]

I think the 3200 is a better scope than the prostaff. It is more on the line of the buckmaster if you were comparing it t a Nikon. If you want a 309x40 scope skip both and get the Nikon Team Primos. It is a Monarch for $220. Buy it before they raise the price again:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-9244-2119-nikon-3-9x40-team-primos-riflescope.aspx

You would have to be crazy to buy a 3-9x40 Nikon or Bushnell and not get the Team Primos.

 

[JR47]

The Elite 3200 is closer to the Monarch line than the Prostaff.

 

[lipadj46]

I'm saying though you can get a Nikon Team Primos, which is a Monarch, for $40 more than the Prostaff and $20 more than the 3200. It is a no brainer.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I have and like them both, and the Prostaff is very good, so if it's less, I'd go with the Prostaff.

The Team Primos is good, but the Nikon Omega is even better than the Team Primos, and the same price. If you can up your budget, definitely go Nikon Omega!

 

[BigNYMini]

Was in the same market also. I think application would determine your decision. The thing to consider which was key for me were the reticles. Prostaff has their proprietary BDC reticle while the Elite 3200 has the Mil-dot reticle. I read hundreds of reviews on each and the Elite 3200 was given a slightly higher rating overall. The Mil-dot sealed it for me. Wasnt too keen on the Nikon BDC as many have said the open circles were large, took some getting used to and has no hold-under. The Elite 3200 also has target turrets. If variable is a deal maker then I would suggest as others have said prior and go with the Team Primos. Its a step up with better glass/quality for only a litte extra.

 

[lipadj46]

The Primos has a BDC reticle. I have used and don't find the holdover points too large but it was being used as a hunting scope so the circles instead of say a dot were helpful.

 

[lipadj46]

The Team Primos is good, but the Nikon Omega is even better than the Team Primos, and the same price. If you can up your budget, definitely go Nikon Omega!

The Team Primos is a Monarch. I have never heard anyone claim the Nikon Omegas are better scopes than the Monarchs.

 

[JDGray]

Maybe this will help


With the 3.5# lead weight in the butt stock, I hardly notice the weight of the scope. Very nice scope for 170.00

 

[SwampWolf]

A little off subject but does anybody know if the Prostaff has a one-piece tube?

 

[btefft]

I took a ride over to my local gun shop, but the cops politely turned me away. A shooter inside, at the indoor range, apparently took his own life (shot himself in the head). It was not his first attempt to take his life - just the first time he succeeded.

Here's the article from the newspaper.
Ledger-Enquirer.com | 03/23/2009 | Update: Police say gunman at Shooters has died

Well, with Shooter's closed I took off and rode (the Harley) over to Butler, Ga where Barrow's gun shop is.

I examined the Bushnell Elite 3200 and Nikon Prostaff, both were 3-9X40. The Elite was 209.00 and the Nikon was 149.99. I took my time and examined both. Looked through them and really couldn't tell a difference. Both have Life-time warranties

I picked the NIkon because

1- it was a little lighter than the Bushnell
2- they didn't have the Bushnell in Matte, only gloss and I didn't want that
3- and it was about 60 bux less, now I can buy to more reloading supplies.

Thanks for helping me decide.

Best Wishes
Hack

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The Team Primos is a Monarch. I have never heard anyone claim the Nikon Omegas are better scopes than the Monarchs.

I don't know what the Team Primos is, but I DO KNOW that it's definitely inferior to the Omega. I compared them side by side. Both excellent glass, but the Omega has better eye relief.

 

[benzy2]

The Primos is a Monarch. I didn't think there was a line above Monarch that Nikon made.

 

[lipadj46]

I don't know what the Team Primos is, but I DO KNOW that it's definitely inferior to the Omega. I compared them side by side. Both excellent glass, but the Omega has better eye relief

The Omega is a muzzle loading scope with a BDC reticle specifically for black powder rifles and it has more eye relief than the rifle scopes. The Team Primos is the 3-9x40 Monarch UCC model that was discontinued when they went to the 2.5-10x erector. Like I said I don't think anyone (else) is claiming that the Omega line is better optically than the Monarch line. I have not compared the Omega to the Team Primos but I did compare the Primos (my Father's) to my 4200 Elite and my father's friends VX-III. I was out at dusk this past weekend shooting and I will tell you there is no discernible difference that I could tell as far as clarity and low light performance between the 3 scopes. I looked at them all the way until could see no longer and all three performed similarly. I am going back out this weekend with my father's 336 with a 3-9x40 ProStaff just to see how it compares.

The Primos is a Monarch. I didn't think there was a line above Monarch that Nikon made

Yep, it actually a Monarch UCC (the previous monarch tube and erector set), the new monarchs have a 42mm objective. The primos has the same monarch optics and same monarch warranty though.

 

[t165]

Almost all of my big game rifles have Leupolds...I love these scopes. I have a Nikon Monarch on my 340 Weatherby MarkV and I do not like it. I used to have a Nikon Buckmaster and I did not like it because of the same reason I do not like the Monarch...it seems to be a bulky scope and the edge to edge clarity is just lacking. I bought a Nikon Prostaff for my Remington 5mm rimfire magnum and I really like this scope...it actually has really nice edge to edge clarity. I have 5 Bushnell 3200's I bought NIB for $125.00 apiece from a liquidation sale. Nice scopes and nothing to complain about. Three of them have the Rainguard feature I haven't had a chance to try out yet. Scopes like rifles are an individual thing and I know people who hate Leupolds and love Nikons. Go to a store like gander mountain and you can actually look through and handle the various scopes before you make up your mind.

OOPS! Looks like I was a bit late responding btefft. I hope the Prostaff serves you well.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The Team Primos is the 3-9x40 Monarch UCC model that was discontinued when they went to the 2.5-10x erector. Like I said I don't think anyone (else) is claiming that the Omega line is better optically than the Monarch line.

Well, I AM most definitely saying (as I said) that it's every bit as good as the Monarch / Team Primos optically!!!!!! No difference whatsover. If the TP is a Monarch, then the Omega must be too. If no one else is claiming it, it's simply because they don't know what I do. And also, as it happens, the Omega has more eye relief, which is never a downside (because you can also shoot it close in if you need to), so that makes it superior to the Team Primos, overall. For the same or less money by the way. There's never a reason to buy the Team Primos over the Omega, unless you have to have a thinner reticle (target rifle). Or unless you like the name brand "Team Primos" - maybe it gives you braggin rights?

The Omega is a muzzle loading scope with a BDC reticle specifically for black powder rifles and it has more eye relief than the rifle scopes.

Right. What it's marketed as is irrelevant to actual performance. What matters is its actual features and benefits, and whether they are what you want and need. Which as you point out, include superior eye relief. Try them side by side and you'll see that the Omega is optically the exact same scope (incredibly good), except for the better eye relief, which as mentioned, cannot possibly be a downside; upside only. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

 

[lipadj46]

Well, I AM most definitely saying (as I said) that it's every bit as good as the Monarch / Team Primos optically!!!!!! No difference whatsover. If the TP is a Monarch, then the Omega must be too.

I think you are misunderstanding me when I say the Team Primos is a Monarch. It is not like a Monarch it is the discontinued Monarch UCC 3-9x40 with a different name painted on it and a BDC reticle, if do not care to believe that fact than that is fine. The Omega is not a monarch. Go on any optics boards and make the same claim and the answer will be the same.

For one the Omega is not the same optically as the Team Primos the Omega is Multicoated while the Team Primos is fully multicoated, big difference in the optics world. The Omega advertises 92% light transmission while the Team Primos has the Monarch 95%. The Omega is a 2 piece heavier shorter case while the Team Primos has the one piece lighter Monarch case. The Primos also has better turrets than the Omega. I am not sure how you can say they are the same scope optically. But we can agree to disagree.

Edit: Also forgot to add the Team Primos has a wider field of view also than the Omega at all zoom settings. Like I said the Team Primos is a Monarch with a different name so as not to undercut the newer Monarch models. Nikon does not even list it on their website because a quick comparison of the specs and anyone with half a brain would realize it is a monarch. Bushnell also does this with the 3-9x40 4200 Elite you will not find that model on the Bushnell website because the price seriously undercuts the more expensive models.

 

[yoshi76]

If the TP is a Monarch

Yes if you go over the Optics Talk forum Chris Farris from SWFA confirmed a while ago that the Team Primos is the Monarch UCC with a BDC reticle. If you go there and search for Team Primos you will find the thread.

The Omega is not a Monarch it looks to be the same as the Slughunter shotgun scope.

 

[lipadj46]

Yes if you go over the Optics Talk forum Chris Farris from SWFA confirmed a while ago that the Team Primos is the Monarch UCC with a BDC reticle.

Yes the Team Primos is a popular recommendation over at optics talk. The 4200 Elite 3-9x40 used to be also when it was $250. Now at $300 it is still a good deal but not a smoking deal like it was. They recently raised the price of the Team Primos but it is still a good deal for $220. Like I said if you are looking for a 3-9x40 and are thinking Nikon or Bushnell the Team Primos is the best bargain around.

 

[btefft]

Here's my black rifle.

Olympic Arms K3B, 5.56, 16 inch stainless steel barrel - with its new Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 scope on top.



Hack

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I highly recommend the Bushnell Elite 3200. I have the 10x40mm mil-dot version, and it is a very nice scope, clear optics, repeatable adjustments, and is built very sturdy. I actually purchased it as a temporary scope for my Kar 98K but I like it so much I may just leave it on, however I don't like the large turret knobs for this style of rifle.

 

[btefft]

I took it to my hunting property yesterday, what a difference over the BSA 3-9x40.

Had to put the target out about about 30 yds to get the bullets on paper. Then I moved it out to about 75 yds.

I zeroed it at high mag, don't know why, but someone recommended doing it that way - so I did.

Then cranked it down to low mag and was still dead on.

Moved the target nearer to me and still was dead on.

I'm happy, now.

Hack

 

[30mag]

+1 for Nikon.