Is it still smart to buy a Nikon scope

[rebs]

I wouldnt even consider buying a nikon in the first place. Sightron SIII is way better

+1

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I have had several and they all functioned flawlessly, decent glass and awesome turrets. If the price is right go for it odds are good you wont need warranty or parts,...they are really good scopes. I think if Nikon would have stepped up their game and moved beyond their flagship 24 power they would still be in it. I had a 30 power Monarch 7 that had ED glass in it and it was incredibly clear but the reticle sucked, clearly it was for hunting and not bench rest.
I have sold all my Sightrons and moved on...

 

[Gman]

I have had several and they all functioned flawlessly, decent glass and awesome turrets. If the price is right go for it odds are good you wont need warranty or parts,...they are really good scopes. I think if Nikon would have stepped up their game and moved beyond their flagship 24 power they would still be in it. I had a 30 power Monarch 7 that had ED glass in it and it was incredibly clear but the reticle sucked, clearly it was for hunting and not bench rest.
I have sold all my Sightrons and moved on...

Just out of curiousity, what didn't you like about the Sightrons ? I only have 1, an S III 8-32x 56mm with the fine crosshair (for live ground-hog hunting) & it has been flawless tracking wise. Plus the glass is pretty darn clear. Maybe not NF Comp or March Highmaster clear, but clear non the less.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Just out of curiousity, what didn't you like about the Sightrons ? I only have 1, an S III 8-32x 56mm with the fine crosshair (for live ground-hog hunting) & it has been flawless tracking wise. Plus the glass is pretty darn clear. Maybe not NF Comp or March Highmaster clear, but clear non the less.

With my aging eyesight I find I can do better for less money. I recently purchased a Meopta Optica6 5-30x56 with ED glass and I can get a clearer sight picture on setting 18 vs the Sightron on 30 and at 2/3 the cost.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

I am very surprised Nikon Scopes have not come down in price more than they have. I see 20 to 30% off of MSR at a few big catalog companies but I was expecting at least 50% -70% off. I have not seen 1 deal since they announced no more scopes. MD

 

[Gman]

With my aging eyesight I find I can do better for less money. I recently purchased a Meopta Optica6 5-30x56 with ED glass and I can get a clearer sight picture on setting 18 vs the Sightron on 30 and at 2/3 the cost.

Thanks for the input !

 

[wkdickinson]

I will tell you up front I have a number of higher-end Nikon scopes and am very pleased with them, for there application. I think it really comes down to the "value proposition". Yes, Nikon has decided to leave the rifle scope business. Many jump to the conclusion they are abandoning the shooting community because of political pressure - maybe so, but I doubt it. In my experience, seriously big companies are only motivated by one thing, $'s. They are a huge optics company, my guess is their camera business blows away the their sporting optics business, revenue-wise.

The "mid-range" rifle scope business has become VERY competitive in the last 5-10 years. I think probably the margins are not so good anymore. Big companies put the R&D dollars into areas they can make the most return from. Given the competitive environment of the rifle scope business, at the price point they played in, I think they made a business decision to pursue businesses with better returns.

All that said, I think being concerned about potential warranty issue is ridiculous. Nikon is a "blue chip" company, I would be shocked, if in the future you have trouble that they will not make it right. Maybe they won't be able to replace your scope, but I bet they will offer something of similar value (i.e., a pair of binoculars or something else).

Again though, it comes back to the value-proposition", being able to buy the scope at a price to that makes the risk worth taking.

 

[Nature Boy]

I wouldn’t buy another Nikon, the status of their scope business notwithstanding. I’ve had too many problems with them

 

[mtnman31]

I recently bought one of their inexpensive scopes for a plinking .22. I wouldn't buy anything else Nikon other than a scope that's cheap and more or less disposable.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

I would only buy new in the box at 50% off of the regular new price . It is very interesting we are not seeing these brand new scopes discounted in price. I think the retailers were really caught off guard when Nikon said no more rifle scopes. Retailers don’t want loose their their shirt on them. It will take a long time for Nikon scopes to be Absorbed in the market place since retailers will not discount them. You will have many years to still buy a new in the box Nikon scope from Natchez catalog. MD