Nikon Optics

GlenGill

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Wanting to know anyone's experience with Nikon rifle scopes especially the warranty. Our local shop has some of the monarchs (old stock) for a decent price. Looking for opinions as I have never owned a Nikon scope. I looked at the vortex diamondback and liked them. Have heard the warranty is very good as well.

Still undecided so looking for feedback. Any help is appreciated.
 
Nikon Monarchs have a good reputation. Their warranty is improved to lifetime, (I think). If you don't buy an old stock scope at the old stock price you can look forward to paying almost double.
 
I looked at a couple in-store and was surprised at how noticeable the lack of resolution was compared to other scopes of similar price. I expected nikon to have good glass ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
I have Nikon Monarch 3's in various magnifications. Quality of glass is excellent. I haven't had to use their warranty services yet though. I have Leupold VXIII's and Zeiss HD5's and the quality of optics is negligible. Zeiss has the edge in zoom ratio 5x compared to 4x for the Leup's & Nikons. Zeiss also has slightly better light retention during dusk.
 
I've had a couple, a 4x12x40 on a 223 and a fixed 6x40 on a Kimber 308.

Both were good, much preferred the Fixed 6x40.

Never had to use the warranty.
 
Maybe Nikon Travis can weigh in here. I am curious about the warranty being nontransferable (as was mentioned by a previous poster)? If this is true, then buying a used one would be stupid and buying new would mean limited resale value should you decide to upgrade. 3 of my last 4 scope purchases have been nikons and I like them but not sure buying any more is a good idea now.
 
Maybe Nikon Travis can weigh in here. I am curious about the warranty being nontransferable (as was mentioned by a previous poster)? If this is true, then buying a used one would be stupid and buying new would mean limited resale value should you decide to upgrade. 3 of my last 4 scope purchases have been nikons and I like them but not sure buying any more is a good idea now.
Sorry,first link I posted wasn't the right one,this is the Canadian warranty.You also need the proof of purchase to use warranty. I actually liked the Nikons I looked at but this warranty thing doesn't jive with me, I change scopes and rifles like underwear it seems so having a transferable warranty is a must for me and it helps save some money buying used scopes without worry. I would have to double check but I also remembered the Nikons being heavier than other comparable scopes,this may or may not be of concern to some though.

https://help.nikon.ca/app/answers/detail/a_id/19244
 
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Nikon "added" to their warranty for 2016.

This is the "new statement" that wasn't included in the other link:

"Nikon Canada is dedicated to quality, performance and total customer satisfaction. If your Nikon Binocular, Riflescope or Fieldscope requires service or repair not covered by our Limited Lifetime Warranty, just send it to us and Nikon Canada will repair or replace it."

(and that one requires "no receipt", "no warranty card")

This brings Nikon in line with Steiner and Burris which will replace your scope even if you "drop it and break it". Nikon was making a big deal about this change back in December at the buyers show that I was at.

Their Monarch line is their "better" line and the glass is fine. You will NOT find a Leupold "AT THE SAME PRICE POINT" with anywhere near the same features. So you really need to compare apples to apples - a 2-10X42 with BDC reticle Monarch 3 lists for $480 CDN, you are not going to get any of it's competitors "better" scopes for anywhere near that money.

I don't like Nikon's BDC reticles (and I like to use BDC's) so that is the single reason I don't have a Nikon mounted. Aside from that they are a "good value for the money" scope and unlike some other brands, you don't pay a "name premium" that adds "nothing" to the quality or function of the scope.
 
I have some older Nikon optics that were civered by a 25 year warranty. Now I'm pretty organized, but I don't think I have a proof of purchase from 1995. I do think Nikon makes some of the best optics going, but similar to their higher end camera lenses, there are differences through the range, and the higher end is that much better.
 
I bought a Monarch 3 for my hunting rifle when my Zeiss broke and I haven't mounted the Zeiss since. Bought another rifle and mounted another Monarch 3. I do like the BDC reticle, quite easy to use for hunting holdover. Also, I had my rifle fall out of my gun boot on my quad and despite getting scratched, my Nikon held zero and no worse than wear. Great light, smooth controls, No Fault Warranty - I'm drinking the Kool Aid.
 
I've used their warranty for a p-series scope, it had a bad reticle that wouldn't hold zero. Turn around time for a replacement was 3 weeks and I had to provide a receipt for proof of purchase back in 2014. I would buy another Nikon
 
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