Any other hunters out there turned off of Nikon optics?

G

g-manz35

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Location
NE Sask
As I was browsing for a new pair of Nikon binoculars I got wondering why you don’t see Nikon rifle scopes for sale. Well apparently they have caved to the anti-hunting crowd and no longer want to be associated with the sport of hunting. Of course they really would like the hunters to continue to by their binoculars, spotting scopes and range finders. I for one won’t be purchasing any more Nikon products. After all. I wouldn’t want to drag their hood name name in the mud (sarcasm).
Not to mention that the remaining stock of riflescopes being sold will not have replacement warranty. Oddly enough they aren’t advertising that.
 
Last edited:
When I buy "value priced" optics the warranty is really of no concern.
I got a good price on a monarch 3 , 4-16x42 Nikoplex and while it's not the best scope out there , I think it was for the price point at a hair over 600 after tax.
The first hunt I took it on was -15 days/-28 -30 over night , harvested an elk and since then it's been thru torrential rain and numerous winter hunts and performed well.
Took a nice 4x4 mule deer this past september at 295 yards while zoomed and it was dead before it hit the ground without taking a step.

I think they made a massive mistake when they rolled out the BDC reticle and it cost them.
However when they rolled out the Nikon Spot On app , man that was a useful tool and I found my scope adjustments to the loads as well as trajectories were excellent and matched the app data.
I'm sorry to see Nikon leave the sporting scope market but I'm sure it had way more to do with being more competitive in other markets. Let's face it, there is no shortage of low to mid end optics out there.
Nikon was always known for their cameras and lenses anyways and I don't think they commanded a huge share of the mid to higher end scope market.
While I'm not a "fanboy" for Nikon, they made a great product for the money and I have zero regrets.
 
While I bought the Nikon LaserForce binos and like them (After exchanging them for a second pair on warranty) I don't like the fact they dropped the rifle scope line up and see them as simply caving in to the anti hunting, anti shooting crowd.

I'll buy any future optics from someone else that supports my sport. Too bad Nikon - I did respect you and you did make a decent product.
 
Nikon made a business decision.
I suspect their rifle scopes were not financially rewarding.
Sometimes, a business is wise to focus on their strengths.
 
I had one once. It was a monarch I think. I didn't like it. No comparison to my leupolds so I sold it. Would never buy another even if they were still made at any price.
 
Still using a nikon prostaff, its outlasted any of the vortex Ive bought, clearer, better low light transmission etc. If they still made them Id buy them every time over vortex/leupold .
 
Got a 4-16 black x1000 that is clear and track perfect, too bad they cancelled their scope line, price and quality was very good.
 
Did they cave to the anti-hunting crowd? I don't think so.

Nikon has suffered from pretty poor direction and messy product lines for the last 20 years - leading to some tough financial times for the company. I have a long winded rant about how they messed up their EDG line so bad that they lost their spot as an alpha optics maker. It wasn't an issue with quality, but a fail in direction and marketing.

Pretty sure they were just trying to consolidate product and get rid of unprofitable product lines. Regardless, we probably will never know, Japanese management isn't telling. I would speculate it isn't because of hunting, the big 3 companies in sport optics (Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski) all have rifle scope lines. I am pretty active in photography groups, and have never once heard someone say "don't buy a Nikon because they support hunting."

Another fun fact: Nikon no longer produces cameras in Japan. Even the top of the line, $7000, Z9 is Made in Thailand now. They have outsourced pretty much everything except a couple very high end telephotos.

The EDG line was the last mass production bino/spotting scope line actually made at a Nikon factory. The current Monach HG binos are Made in Japan, by a 3rd party. The Monarch spotting scope line is Made in China. They still make the EII, but that has to be an incredibly small number per year. I'm sure they still make commercial optics at their plant.
 
Last edited:
Quite the conclusion you came up with for their reasonings. I don't own any Nikon, nor would I buy anything of theirs, but years ago when they decided to pull the plug it was due to so much competition in the optics market in North America they didn't find it viable to continue making scopes. Atleast that's what was conveyed through a site sponsor
 
laker415 said:
Quite the conclusion you came up with for their reasonings. I don't own any Nikon, nor would I buy anything of theirs, but years ago when they decided to pull the plug it was due to so much competition in the optics market in North America they didn't find it viable to continue making scopes. Atleast that's what was conveyed through a site sponsor
Click to expand...

I read a couple articles that were very convincing. There’s always the possibility that disgruntled ex-employees are out to make them look bad or someone has something to gain by making them look bad. Like I said. They don’t want to outright say they don’t support hunting. They just pulled their product that is used exclusively for hunting/shooting.

It was obviously an issue for Nikon. It’s not like I made it all up. https://m.dpreview.com/articles/3408229447/nikon-under-fire-for-making-rifle-scopes
 
Last edited:
The majority of my photographic equipment and optics (including binoculars) purchases over the years have been either E.Leitz/Leica or Nikon. I consider Nikon to be excellent products.

A very old (35plus years) 8x,30 Nikon porroprism binocular (precursor to the E, Ell) which performs great and which I purchased used, had a fall which upset the collimation a minuscule amount. I contacted Nikon Canada who initially responded that they were so old they didnt think they could be serviced. I escalated to the service manager who said they 'would have a look at them' for me. The binoculars were returned with collimation corrected and NO CHARGE! A lot of my Nikon equipment is decades old ... because it is very well made and it lasts .... moreover they have maintained high optical standards - a 50 year old F2.8, 55mm micro nikkor is still the equal of many of the sharpest lens available today.

I have been impressed with the quality of their products and the service standards they maintained. Personally -- rather than slagging Nikon -- I hope that they stay in business and prosper rather than join the numerous companies that have allowed quality to be compromised as they pursue the lowest priced/highest margin business model to oblivion.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Like the anti hunters you have the privilege to voice your displeasure with the product.
Crap policy they have on "all sales final" etc, but loosing sleep over it, meh.
Rob
Click to expand...

Never had a problem with their product nor have I lost any sleep over it. Just figured I'd buy a pair of Vortex binos instead of Nikon. If a company is going to cater to the anti crown then I will pull my support because I do have the privilege of doing so. I was simply asking who agrees.
BTW they do not have an "All sale final" policy. They just wont replace the scope. Rather they give you credit towards some other product.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom