The Nikon Monarch.

[RidgeRunner]

Ok, lets have the skinny on the Monarch line of Nikons. I have been looking to pick up a couple more VXIIs. Then I noticed the Monarch line parallels the VXII for price. So,how are the Monarch holding up? What is the warranty like? How do they track? You know, the shinny. I don't have a problem buying a couple more Leupys. Just wanted to get some input on the Monarchs. Thanks, Ridge Runner.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I would take the Monarch OVER the VX-II. My experiences with Nikon has been all positive. They track well,the glass is great and the service and warranty are what you would expect from a high quality scope manufacturer. I feel they are a better value all the way around. This is MHO and I am not knocking the Leupold, I just feel the Nikon is better than the VX-II. The VX-III is a better comparing scope to the Monarch---Mike

 

[pintopete]

I love my 6.5-20x Monarch it works very well on my 700V. The only thing that makes me cringe is the "MADE IN THE PHILLIPINES" stamped under the turrets. I have not done the box test, but it has not failed or been anything short of a very fine rifle scope. I like the target turrets. They are not as tall as the Leupolds. I think to possibly get anything finer you would be considering a VX III. Have you looked at Sightron's? Good luck, Peter.

 

[RidgeRunner]

Yes,I shot BR with a Sightron 36X. Completely satisfied with it's performance. But, I must say I'm not in love with the over all fit finish and feel of the more hunting applicable Sightrons. I was pretty excited when the Big Sky hit the market. Upon my first inspection of them, I was a little disappointed. Not what I expected for the money. I am a Leupy man at heart. I have both the VXII and VXIII models. They aren't perfect, but I guess I am old fashioned.The Monarchs have caught my eye of late. I have to admit the Philippine thing has me in a holding pattern. I know it doesn't really matter in the function of the product. Just old time thinking on my part.

 

[pintopete]

I agree with pretty much all your observations. My Sightron is a regular SII, not the Big Sky. It is a 24x. The Leupold's do have a smoother more refined feel to them. The Sightron is a more utility oriented scope. The Big Sky scopes are quite a bit more expensive than the previous SII scopes. The issue for me is being able to afford a VXIII. Leupold says that the tracking mechanism is different in the VXII and VXIII. They do provide outstanding support and customer service. A friend recently bought their range finding binoculars and when you open them inside it says Made In China. When buying a scope I will always look at the Leupold products and depending on my financial position at the time I may buy one. My favorite scope of all time was a Leupold. It sold with the rifle it was attached to. Good luck, Peter.

 

[ThadJB]

I had this conversation with a long time gunsmith here in Albuquerque. I have a Zeiss, a few Burris, and after speaking with him I now have a Monarch 2.5 X 10. When I asked his opinion on scopes; his response was that Nikon are very clear, hold their position, and it is the only brand he has owned that he has never had a problem with. I shoot weddings part time and own Nikon equipment, 2- D2X bodies and a bunch of 2.8 glass.) Nikon optics are terrific, trouble free, and clear. There are a a bunch of great scopes out there but for my money, I am impressed with Nikon. Good luck.

 

[wfeher]

I agree nikon makes a great quality scope, my monarch is clear as hell and hold zero very well, i have three nikon monarchs and never had any problems of any kind. Now for my leupold i cant say the same for it because i have a VX3 8.5-25x50 and had canted crosshairs in it that leupold said we allow a 4 degree cant before we repair them so now i still have a canted hair,also i had lash problems with side focus that leupold really never fixed it completely either,its better but still a little lash. I have a burris signature and an XTR tactical xtreme scope made by burris and,WOW)is all i can say.They track like no other and the glass is crystal clear just as clear and maybe a bit clearer than my leupold.Never had any problems with my burris either only my leupolds, all im sorry i lied i had problems with my old tasco and simmons scopes that went into the creek or rapped against the telephone pole.I like all scopes and dont take anything i say personally because it's only my opinion and have had experience with the mentioned scopes above. Now for my all time favorite scope would be sightron, boy have they came along way and make one hell of a scope that competes with the best of them. My dad has a 6-24 s111 and his buddy has a nightforce nxs 5.5-22 and they compared the two one day. The conclusion was "Quote" from dads buddy was if i knew that i could have bought two of them for the price of one nightforce, i would have bought the two sightron instead.Dont take this the wrong way by all means nightforce are top of the line, but sightron has one quality scope, they sure know how to built a bullet proof scope.For the money and quality as far as im concerned sightron has the best scope, warranty, customer service out there. Beleive me you will not be dissapointed with sightron. in no way am i a rep or selling scopes, im just an experienced outdoors men that loves to shoot and hunt.

 

[Gaillo]

Hi!
I have a Nikon 4-16x44 Monarch mounted on top of my Sako 85 .260 Rem. bolt gun. I went to a local sporting goods store with cash in hand to buy a Zeiss Conquest for that rifle, but after comparing the two side-by-side in the parking lot of the store,with salesman standing nearby!) I decided on the Nikon instead. The field of view on the Zeiss was better than the Nikon, but the Nikon just seemed "crisper" and brought out more detail - especially in the shadows where a bunch of bushes were growing at the edge of the parking lot. What really settled it for me, though, was when I glassed a cat that was slinking around near some rocks about 200 yds. away... I imagined "taking the shot" at it as I looked back and forth between the two scopes... the Nikon just brought out the animal and made it "stand out" apart from the rocks better than the Zeiss. I know this is probably blasphemy here to say the Nikon Monarch is better than the Zeiss Conquest, but in my case it clearly was the better scope. I was happy to have the extra $300 in my wallet after I left too!
I also like Sightron, I have an S1 3-9 Mildot mounted on my .223 varminter - VERY clean and crisp image and tracking for the price.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I keep an eye out for scopes on Ebay. prices are getting nuts. there was a super condition steel T16 Weaver that went for approx $400 just a few days ago. So looking at other decent scopes/makes. What is opinion, good and bad on Nikon Monarch scopes. They are getting pretty pricey too.

 

[7887mm08]

13 year old post!

 

[Adam in WI]

I shoot weddings part time

This sentence made me slow down and actually read...

 

[Outrider27]

Not only is it a 13 year old post, but, in my opinion, any Nikon scope purchased now would have to be at a really bargain price, as, within the last few months, Nikon has gotten out of the business of manufacturing and selling telescopic sights, so we're talking no warranty support or anything else related to the Monarch line or any other Nikon rifle scopes.

My choice would be a brand still in the business. Buy at your own risk.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Yep, agree 100%. Thinking about putting a Nikon Monarch 6.5x20 on a 22-250. I think there were some changes during the production period. Opinions?

 

[annanikolson]

My father has a Nikon FX 1000 on his Remington 700P and he recommended that I buy the same one. But they went out of production and now I'm thinking of buying a Nikon scope for a high price, or is it better to save money and buy something like the Vortex 6-24x50? Yes, I understand that it is not the best example to compare, but I am not a professional shooter, I am just learning.

 

[FNSafari]

Don’t buy a scope if it’s not supported by a manufacturers warranty.

 

[philip brousseau]

As I understand it if you don't have the nikon bill of sale for it you don't have a warranty. Is this true?

 

[6MMsteve]

Ghost Post

 

[Outrider27]

As I understand it if you don't have the nikon bill of sale for it you don't have a warranty. Is this true?

Since they are no longer manufactured, whether or not you have a bill of sale for your Nikon isn't relevant, unfortunately.

 

[Old Tanker]

Nikon is still in business, they just stopped making scopes. They will service what they sold within limits. Just no replacements.