Functionally it's the same tool with a few modifications/changes:

1. The Elite Scandi Body portion of the kit is different in a few ways.

a) It's made with RIO's latest Slickcast coating
b) the back loop is now blue
c) previous versions were all 23' long. Now they range from 20' to around 30' depending on grain weight

2. The "replacement tips" portion of the kit is different and called MDC tips.

a) It's made with RIO's latest Slickcast coating
b) the sinking ones are now multi-density vs. single density
c) the tips are now 12' and 18' in length vs. the previous 10' and 15' lenghts
d) the tips are now offered in weights 5/6, 7/8 and 9+ vs. #5, #6, #7, #8, etc. weights previously. I like this better personally... having only a 10 grain difference between previous replacement tips wasn't necessary IMO

In addition to the above, for those of us who enjoyed the 15' replacement tips of old, they repackaged those 15' replacement tips now called "Classic Sink Tip 15ft". They are made with RIO's newest Slickcast coating and offered in those more consolidated 5/6, 7/8 and 9+ weights.

I was a long time user of the previous Scand Short Versitip and Scandi Versitip. If you like that one, you're gonna enjoy this. Personally, I like the longer tips of the new version and they help (in the lighter grain weight ones) to compensate for the shorter body.

 

Oh, one other detail I noticed. With the floating tip attached to the new Elite Scandi Body you end up with a full floating Scandi more similar in taper to the old RIO Scandi and RIO Scandi Short lines now DQ'd. For those of you who prefer those lines and their taper to RIO's newer Scandi Launch, it's a nice alternative.

 

Very cool. Thanks for the detailed information. I really enjoy the older version and I cut back my 15’ tips to 12’, so it will be nice to have factory made tips in the length I prefer, with dual density. I will have to give the MDC kit a try.

 

Has anyone tried the new tips on the old body, as of yet?
Tom

 

Yep, they work great. The taper of the new body is not much different than the previous one - matches up well regardless of whether you're using new tips on old body or old tips on new body.

 

Wonder what makes it "elite".

 

Profits

 

The MDC tips are legit! I really love them. The length and grain weights are unique as well. Slightly less grains then the replacements with a few more grains than poly leaders. You can get the tips though in 2 different grains, one set is lighter and closer to a poly (though not as light) and the other set has more grains yet is still less than the replacement tips.
I find them extremely useful myself! They cast brilliantly off of the scandi bodies or Gamechamger bodies!
They also fly off of scandi and Spey lines as well with more oomph than a poly leader. I cast them off of the Gaelforce line range, specifically:
•ESH
•54'
•15m
•63'

they also are perfect on the end of the Nextcast undertaker and pretty much anything else
You can imagine! The only line I don't like them off is a true Skagit. They are too light for that IMO. But everything else they are great.

 

I just purchased the Elite Scandi body and all 5 12’ MDC tips. I’m looking forward to getting this out on the water and reporting back.