Flip ups don't work well on a/o scopes, at least for me. In some hunting situations they are a nuisance. Rainguard always is there and isn't noticed (a good thing in this case).
I have been down the elites and weaver's and rifleman's roads. The elites stand out above the weavers and way above the riflemans for optical quality. LOW, Hakko, etc. makes scopes for lots of folks according to specs. Just like different weaver lines have different glass qualities made to spec. which are obvious in comparison. If I were to pick up a scope from a pile of the 3 listed, I would get the elite. Unless I was concerned about resale, then it would be the rifleman. However, I wouldn't be sad if a weaver was the only one left and I got it.
Just my thoughts.