Elites vs Monarchs

[ehrodz]

I got a pair of refurbished 8x43 Elites a couple of days ago and have been comparing them with 8x42 Monarchs in my back yard.

I set out a can of insect spray with different sizes and colors of print on it at different distances. At 25 feet I could see smaller print clearer with the Monarchs but could not see this difference at 50 ft or when looking at birds on my feeders. In each instance, the Elites provided a brighter view.

Question: In actual birding situations, does the added brightness provided by the Elites overcome the edge in visual acuity provided by the Monarchs?

Other differences noted: The Monarchs feel lighter, have a closer focus by two feet, and have a smoother and sensitive focus. The Elites have an edge in ergonomics and cosmetic features.

[FrankD]

Question: In actual birding situations, does the added brightness provided by the Elites overcome the edge in visual acuity provided by the Monarchs?

Other differences noted: The Monarchs feel lighter, have a closer focus by two feet, and have a smoother and sensitive focus. The Elites have an edge in ergonomics and cosmetic features.

That depends on your personal preferences. Many folks will take a sharper bin over a brighter one and vice versa. I feel it is much the same argument as a wider field of view at lower magnification versus finer details but a more restricted field of view at higher mags (hand shake aside). Personal preference.

I think your summary of the two bins is perfect. Now I can pose the question to you that you posed to me a week or so ago. Is the Elite worth the extra $200 over the Monarch?

[ehrodz]

That depends on your personal preferences. Many folks will take a sharper bin over a brighter one and vice versa. I feel it is much the same argument as a wider field of view at lower magnification versus finer details but a more restricted field of view at higher mags (hand shake aside). Personal preference.

I think your summary of the two bins is perfect. Now I can pose the question to you that you posed to me a week or so ago. Is the Elite worth the extra $200 over the Monarch?

I've been thinking about that question since I checked out the Elites, Frank, and I am leaning towards a no answer. I expected a bit more from the Elites. I am going to play around with them a few more days before I decide whether to send them back.

[Tero]

Just as I suspected. I would need a significant improvement over Monarchs to be interested.

I genrally get interested in new formats, rather than better 8x42s etc. I found a 10x30 reverse porro. Sounded interesting but optics were very average or even poor, lost interest.

We have a few warblers now, but birding still not great. It will pick up in Sep. I will be equipped with both 8x and 10x. I do have seome cheap 7x in the trunk in case I drag one of my kids along.