Please Advise: Nikon Monarch for $200, or Bushnell Elite 4200 for $250?

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John C

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I'm looking for a scope. I've found a couple of screaming deals on the 'net, a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 for $199, and a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 for $250. I only have one rifle to scope, so getting both doesn't do me any good.

Is the Bushnell Elite 4200 worth $50 more than the Nikon Monarch? If so, why?

Thanks,

-John
 
No. I'm no expert, but I'd say, et the Monarch at that price. The 4200 is very nice (I have one), but the Monarch is premium. Where is this, by the way?
 
The Bushnell is ABSOLUTELY worth another $50 IMO. The Elite 4200 is better optically and has the hydrophobic lens coating. The Monarch is not a bad deal either but the Monarch got it's reputation from when it used to be built in Japan 10 years ago. Now the Elite's are made in Japan and the Monarch's are made in the Phillipines. Japan has made great scopes for a long time. The Elites are actually the old Bausch and Lomb scopes rebadged and they are still made in the old Bausch & Lomb factory in Japan. Neither company has a great track record as far as warranty.

No question for me. 4200. It is often compared to the Zeiss conquest for optical clarity.
 
Elite 4200 is a better scope than Monarch, for clarity and stability to bad weather. I have 4200 6-24x40 and it compares favorably to Leupold, with the price advantage.
 
Well, I would consider Leupold, but as I shopped around, these are the best deals I've found for this level of optic. Can you point me to some online Leupold sources?

Thanks,

-John
 
The best deals on Luepold is generally found on Ebay. I know it sounds ridiculous but here's why. Leupy's are price protected. Meaning if you're a vendor and you don't sell them for what Leupy says, they won't sell you anymore. You will notice prices on Leupy's don't vary by more than $10 because of this.

On Ebay they have found a way around this. I've seen and bought some really good deals. As always beware of fakes. If you see a good deal look at the feedback right away. Most scope vendors there have thousands of positive feedbacks. Typically you can find a $700 Leupold on Ebay in the low $600's.
 
the Monarch got it's reputation from when it used to be built in Japan 10 years ago.
Click to expand...
All Monarchs were made in Japan until just this year. When they moved to the 4x multiplier and put the side paralax adjustment on them... then they moved the production to the Phillipeans like where the ProStaff and Buckmaster lines are made.
The scope pictured for 199 is an older Monarch. They are great scopes and for two hundred bucks, that's a great deal. If I wanted a 3-9 I'd snap that up. That's the same price as a Buckmaster 3-9.
Nikon earned that reputation the hard way... by consistently making good scopes. They still do, even the new ones not made in Japan. But admittedly I don't like them as much as I liked the old ones.
I'd rather have a cheaper Nikon any of my rifles than any Bushnell.
 
the Monarch got it's reputation from when it used to be built in Japan 10 years ago.

All Monarchs were made in Japan until just this year. When they moved to the 4x multiplier and put the side paralax adjustment on them... then they moved the production to the Phillipeans like where the ProStaff and Buckmaster lines are made.
Click to expand...

George

Monarch's haven't been made in Japan in long time. I own a Monarch I purchased new in 2000. It is made in Thailand. About 10 years ago they moved production from Japan to Thailand. You are correct about the other part though, they just moved to the Phillipines last year. But it was a move from Thailand, not Japan.

They're still good scopes and I've never had a problem with a Monarch. If you want the best optical clearity of the two choices I'd take the Bushnell Elite 4200. THey are priced this way because it's a 3x erector special model. All the others being 4x erectors which of course is why they're called 4200's. Check out opticstalkforum and they have compiled a list of scopes and they rank them by optical clearity and other factors. The 4200 is on par with a Zeiss Conquest and a step above the Monarch IMO.
 
Well, I would consider Leupold, but as I shopped around, these are the best deals I've found for this level of optic. Can you point me to some online Leupold sources?
Click to expand...

I mean for your range they would be the bottom of the line Leupolds but those are still pretty good.
 
I sell the things... All the ones we had were marked Japan on the bottom. Are you sure the parts were not just sourced from Thailand?

Man, I'm so sick of this over eager internationalism in manufacturing.

I just want an American made scope - that isn't crap - on my American rifle. Thats what my customers want too.
Weaver, Redfield, Burris, Leupold, Nightforce... all made outside the US now. If I was a wealthy man, I'd start a company to make them.
 
Hey "Horsemany"...


"Check out opticstalkforum and they have compiled a list of scopes and they rank them by optical clearity and other factors."


OK - I'll plead Ignorance (and not many will argue it) - I looked on that site twice - found the forum but didn't find the list of which you speak. Got any more detailed directions for those of me who have probably looked right passed the list without spotting it ?

Many thanks !
:eek:


P.S. Is the Monarch 3x9x40 worth $50 more than the ProStaff 3x9x40 ? If so, why ?

Gracias !
 
The 4200 is supposed to be a great scope (I've also read the reviews on optics talk forum and 24hourcampfire). However, I personally believe the marketing department at Bushnell must be idiots. They spend 20+ years selling scopes for $39 at Wal-Mart, then they buy Bausch and Lomb. Instead of continuing the B&L name on their high end stuff, they proceed to stick the Bushnell name on $400-$500 scopes. If BSA bought Zeiss tomorrow, do you think they'd put the BSA name on their good scopes????

The reason I bring this up is due to resale value (not that scopes have TONS of resale value, but they can have a little). The average person is going to see that Bushnell name on the scope and think it's a Wal-Mart special. For $50 more, you can get a Leupold Vari X II (no, I'm not a Leupold fan-boy).
 
I own a 3-9x40 Nikon Monarch, bought in the late 90's, which was made in Thailand. I had to go look, because I thought the thing was made in Japan. However, I have no complaint about the Nikon optics, wherever it was made.

I also have a Bushnell 4200 Elite, 6-24x40, that I use on a 22-250 heavy barrel. The 4200 optics are superb.

If the Bushnell in question has a Multi-X reticle, you will find the 4200 cross hairs to be marginally, but noticeably more coarse (at the center) than those of the Monarch. At least the ones in my scope are. Just something to consider.

If I were making the choice, it would be the Bushnell, but it's really very close to a toss-up................

You probably would be pleased with either one..........good luck...........tog
 
"Man, I'm so sick of this over eager internationalism in manufacturing."

A big plus one to that.


"What Leupold models are made outside of the states?"

Unless things have changed,gold ring optics = US and green ring optics = imported from who knows where.



"They spend 20+ years selling scopes for $39 at Wal-Mart, then they buy Bausch and Lomb. Instead of continuing the B&L name on their high end stuff, they proceed to stick the Bushnell name on $400-$500 scopes. "

I believe they stopped using the B&L name due to legal reasons.
 
Be VERY VERY careful about buying Leupolds on Ebay. A great many of them are Chinese counterfeits.

I have Monarchs made two years ago and they were made in Japan. I also have an Elite 3200 and consider the Monarchs better. However, the Elite 4200 is a really nice scope (the 3200 is a great scope) and is well worth the money.

In the end, which one do you like the best? I might pay the extra $50 to get the Elite if it is Japanese versus the newest Monarch. That said, I really like the two Monarchs I currently have and they were most certainly worth the money.

Ash
 
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9913


This is the list.

Ash is right about Ebay. DO NOT forget to check the feedback of the seller. There are many sellers with thousands of positive feedback to chose from though. Or you can spend a little more and buy somewhere else.

Ash it's good to see you back. I thought you disappeared after the picture of groups got posted.

Nothing against the Monarch but the Elite 4200 is one of the best 1" scopes made today IMO.
 
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