I wouldn't think twice about buying a monarch if I found one somewhere regardless if they don't still produce them. Liked everything about the nikons except the BDC reticle. With companies adding unwanted features and busy reticles and focusing on big magnification on their products to jack up prices, its harder to find scopes with great glass, simple reticles and less magnification. I'd rather spend the money on glass quality for a hunting scope than the rest of the doodads they put on optics. I no longer have a go to scope anymore as I have no interest in the new models that bushnell and zeiss are producing either. Burris may still be an option however. JMO
Any other hunters out there turned off of Nikon optics?
- Thread starter g-manz35
- Start date
So, your basing your displeasure with Nikon over an old article written by an idiot? - dan
- Location
- Kamloops, B.C.
I have had a similar dilemma. I currently shoot Nikon cameras as a hobby and side job (Plenty of reference photos posted) An have a friend who has shot Nikon cameras for years who is also an avid firearms and hunting enthusiast. I am big on supporting brands that support the community and currently don't own any nikon glass for hunting. However they do produce nice glass I must admit that quality glass is quality. Yes warranties are nice and new features are nice but I wouldn't pass on some nice glass if it came up at a decent price.
Although most of the newer stuff is outsourced (still half decent quality) But if you can get stuff that is made in Japan it tends to lean towards the excellent side of things.
Just my thoughts.
Although most of the newer stuff is outsourced (still half decent quality) But if you can get stuff that is made in Japan it tends to lean towards the excellent side of things.
Just my thoughts.
No. I’m basing my displeasure on a few different articles that seem pretty convincing to me. I’m not here to prove that Nikon catered to antis. I’m simply stating that it is my belief that they did and asked if others feel the same.
Last edited:
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Turned off by Nikon? Nope, I have a bunch and they all have been flawless. I wish I could still get my hands on them.
I was told by a industry Rep that they got out of the scope business because of usual U.S. you can be sued for anything. The Las Vegas concert shooter used Nikon optics. Nikon stepped away from that part of their business shortly after. Can’t 100% verify that though.
I have a prostaff 7 scope 2.5-10x50 (30mm tube) and some prostaff 7 binos..
Both are really great glass quality for the costs, the glass easily outperforms vortex product that would be over 150-200% the cost, and their prostaff 7 and monarch line equivalent line were great quality. Have a good look at their bino's if they're still making them.
Nikon made hunting scopes in a time where the tactical scope demand was booming, they were too far behind in following consumer wants as the scope industry was exploding every other day with a new cool company with zero lock and FFP mil rad reticles and turrets with the right click noise and perfect grip/knurling.
They just couldn't compete with market shift or need for evolution, or actually they didn't prioritize putting any resources to that and their hunting scope line became a slow seller, and their target style scopes weren't competitive with features, though the much of the upper tier models had quality glass.
Perhaps we should support brands like Leica and Minox more that have overlap in the camera industry.
Both are really great glass quality for the costs, the glass easily outperforms vortex product that would be over 150-200% the cost, and their prostaff 7 and monarch line equivalent line were great quality. Have a good look at their bino's if they're still making them.
Nikon made hunting scopes in a time where the tactical scope demand was booming, they were too far behind in following consumer wants as the scope industry was exploding every other day with a new cool company with zero lock and FFP mil rad reticles and turrets with the right click noise and perfect grip/knurling.
They just couldn't compete with market shift or need for evolution, or actually they didn't prioritize putting any resources to that and their hunting scope line became a slow seller, and their target style scopes weren't competitive with features, though the much of the upper tier models had quality glass.
Perhaps we should support brands like Leica and Minox more that have overlap in the camera industry.
There were a few bargains to be had on discontinued scopes as they exited, but the fact of their exit makes it far less likely that I would ever buy from their other product lines in future. Far better to buy binoculars or spotting scopes or cameras from companies that are supporting the rifle scope industry too.
