My good relationship with the owner allowed me to bring them into the field. It was a very tough decision. They just didn't feel right in my hands. Also, the color and clarity was better in the others. The Nikon Venturers are a beautiful glass but not worth the extra few hundred bucks.
Elites are probably the best value of the bunch.
They are bright and sharp with an awesome close focus of about 5 feet. The Elites were very comfortable to hold and had a sexy look. The rubber eyecups are the only downfall to this binocular. That's why I purchased the Leica 8x42 Ultra Trinovids. I prefer the pull out eyecups.