In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

A warning about NIKON riflescopes YMMV

bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
edited December 2017 in General Discussion
I have bought a few the NIKON .223 scopes for the AR platform it is a great scope and really holds zero well.

The 3-9X40 COYOTE SPECIAL, not so much. The BDC reticle has failed yet again, it was just replaced last year. There are supposed to be round circles with the largest your center aiming point and smaller ones down the vertical cross hair.

This scope has failed twice in the same manner. The smaller circles go oblong then the main aiming circle goes football shaped. I will be sending it back again, for 15 bucks shipping, to see if they will fix it right this time or put a different reticle in it.

Don't know if you have had the same experience but I broke my own rule on rifle scopes and am now paying the price. Buy Burris (or Nightforce) and cry once.

Comments

  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,736 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bpost
    I have bought a few the NIKON .223 scopes for the AR platform it is a great scope and really holds zero well.

    The 3-9X40 COYOTE SPECIAL, not so much. The BDC reticle has failed yet again, it was just replaced last year. There are supposed to be round circles with the largest your center aiming point and smaller ones down the vertical cross hair.

    This scope has failed twice in the same manner. The smaller circles go oblong then the main aiming circle goes football shaped. I will be sending it back again, for 15 bucks shipping, to see if they will fix it right this time or put a different reticle in it.

    Don't know if you have had the same experience but I broke my own rule on rifle scopes and am now paying the price. Buy LEUPOLD and cry once.


    I fixed it for you permanently just like Leupold is permanent once you get one. American made and lifetime warranty. None of that LIMITED warranty terms in fine print.

    Let us know how your public relations experience with Nikon Customer Service works out for you???
    I'm not a fan of Nikon CS.

    BE Aware that Nikon CS can leave a bad taste in your mouth that never goes away.
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Okie743
    quote:Originally posted by bpost
    I have bought a few the NIKON .223 scopes for the AR platform it is a great scope and really holds zero well.

    The 3-9X40 COYOTE SPECIAL, not so much. The BDC reticle has failed yet again, it was just replaced last year. There are supposed to be round circles with the largest your center aiming point and smaller ones down the vertical cross hair.

    This scope has failed twice in the same manner. The smaller circles go oblong then the main aiming circle goes football shaped. I will be sending it back again, for 15 bucks shipping, to see if they will fix it right this time or put a different reticle in it.

    Don't know if you have had the same experience but I broke my own rule on rifle scopes and am now paying the price. Buy LEUPOLD and cry once.


    I fixed it for you permanently just like Leupold is permanent once you get one. American made and lifetime warranty. None of that LIMITED warranty terms in fine print.

    Let us know how your public relations experience with Nikon Customer Service works out for you???
    I'm not a fan of Nikon CS.

    BE Aware that Nikon CS can leave a bad taste in your mouth that never goes away.







    Many moons ago while purchasing my BAR MkII .338WM at Boondocks in Eagle River AK I was shown a Leupold scope in a side by side comparison to a 1.5X6 Burris Signature. That demo SOLD me on the quality of Burris optics, it was visibly better than the Leupold.

    I must admit that was 30 years ago and products are not stagnant, many Burris scopes are now made in the Philippines.

    My beef with Leupold is the line is hard to decipher. I don't know what is the top tier scope and the bottom rung products are. Burris is easy there are few lines to figure out.
  • gjshawgjshaw Member Posts: 14,770 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some people like the Nikon but I have had just bad luck with them. The last two I bought both went bad so now it?s Leopold or something better.
  • droptopdroptop Member Posts: 8,363 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Okie743
    quote:Originally posted by bpost
    I have bought a few the NIKON .223 scopes for the AR platform it is a great scope and really holds zero well.

    The 3-9X40 COYOTE SPECIAL, not so much. The BDC reticle has failed yet again, it was just replaced last year. There are supposed to be round circles with the largest your center aiming point and smaller ones down the vertical cross hair.

    This scope has failed twice in the same manner. The smaller circles go oblong then the main aiming circle goes football shaped. I will be sending it back again, for 15 bucks shipping, to see if they will fix it right this time or put a different reticle in it.

    Don't know if you have had the same experience but I broke my own rule on rifle scopes and am now paying the price. Buy LEUPOLD and cry once.


    I fixed it for you permanently just like Leupold is permanent once you get one. American made and lifetime warranty. None of that LIMITED warranty terms in fine print.

    Let us know how your public relations experience with Nikon Customer Service works out for you???
    I'm not a fan of Nikon CS.

    BE Aware that Nikon CS can leave a bad taste in your mouth that never goes away.


    Sony IS NOT THE SAME QUALITY as between 1965 and 95. Still have a WORKING 45 year old Sony "Tummy TV". My Sony LED flat screen quit after 5 years. Japan = High Debt / Offshoring (sound familiar).

    Sonys reputation goes down another notch when people start asking:
    What's better, Monica Lewinsky or a Nikon CS Scope, depends, It's all a matter of taste.
  • chiefrchiefr Member Posts: 14,115 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have yet to see a problem with a Burris scope.
  • KX500KX500 Member Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have yet to own a Nikon scope but do like the Nikon binoculars. I did have a warranty issue (eye cups got stuck/wouldn't screw in/out) & Nikon fixed it quickly & with no issues.

    The issue I have with Burris, is that they built their reputation as being "Made in USA", just like Leupold. Except now that may or may not be true. This seems blatantly dishonest & puts them on my 'do not buy' list.

    When Leupold decided to sell scopes made somewhere beside the USA, at least they had the good sense to buy another scope brand name (Redfield) and not tarnish the Leupold brand.
  • neacpaneacpa Member Posts: 2,711 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have 3 Nikon Monarchs on various guns and have used the 10x42 Monarch binoculars for couple of years not and am very pleased with them. But never owning a Burris, I cannot compare the Monarchs to a Burris. Have thought of getting a Burris sometime but when I go to purchase one, I always wind up keeping with a proven to me scope in the Monarch.
  • WarbirdsWarbirds Member Posts: 16,938 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Zeiss- unquestioned lifetime warranty- that you will never need.

    The Warranty transfers even if you bought the scope used.
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,233 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Warbirds
    Zeiss- unquestioned lifetime warranty- that you will never need.

    The Warranty transfers even if you bought the scope used.
    As is Leupold's warranty.
  • wpageabcwpageabc Member Posts: 8,760 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    For the cost of Zeis they should be good...
    "What is truth?'
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I called them. They are going to send me shipping labels and see if they can install standard a reticule for me. I always believe in "hold on fur", elevation corrections. If it looks a long way hold a bit higher on the fur.
  • gunnut505gunnut505 Member Posts: 10,290
    edited November -1
    Nikon's largest claim to fame is the lenses they used in their cameras. They've put those lenses into lotsa stuff; some work & some don't.
    They made very clear lenses in their surveying levels & the pricier theodolites. But the crosshairs in a level are usually etched in the lens, and most Nikons used wire or hair in a cradle instead.
    I'll bet the designers didn't figure on vertical stress stretching the reticle material.
    Like I said; lenses.

    Burris, Leupold, Swarovski, even Sheppard use good glass; Nightforce makes it grunt-resistant.
  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,736 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lots of mumbo jumbo in some of them Lifetime transferable warranty.

    such as

    (1) Warranty coverage begins on the date of purchase. In order to make it easier to provide you with warranty service, Zeiss strongly suggests that you send us the completed warranty registration card within 60 days of purchase.

    from this link
    https://www.astronomics.com/zeiss-warranty-information_t.aspx


    You ever notice also that some of them phone numbers for warranty service or customer service is like waiting on Xmas for a real person to come to the phone.
    Next thing to Microsoft customer service in Pakistan.[;)] Savage arms for example is one that immediately comes to the top of the list.
  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,225 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a fan of Leupold scopes, too. But, having said that, the last Leupold I ordered, a VX-III 1.5-5X, was shipped to me directly from China!
  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,233 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
    I am a fan of Leupold scopes, too. But, having said that, the last Leupold I ordered, a VX-III 1.5-5X, was shipped to me directly from China!
    Well according to Leupold's website you bought a counterfeit scope.

    From the link below:

    Leupold riflescopes are all designed, machined, and assembled in our Beaverton Oregon manufacturing facility. We do not have any other riflescope manufacturing facilities or offices anywhere in the world. So if you come across a Leupold riflescope being shipped into the United States from China, it is a very likely a counterfeit

    https://www.leupold.com/service-support/resources/counterfeit-warning
  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,984 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not sure why some think Redfield scopes are made off shores? They might have been at one point when the name changed ownership. Once Leupold bought them it seems the entire revolution line is good quality.

    My scope literally says designed, machined and assembled in the USA on the side. The box says it was made in the USA. I had heard that the lenses might come from Japan, but that even then it still has a enough domestically produced parts that it qualifies to be a USA made product. Even if the lenses are from Japan, that is not a bad thing.

    I have a Redfield Revolution that has stood up very well to terrible weather (temps from 8*F-112*F), snow, sleet, and rain, decent recoil (30-06 loads).

    I suppose my Redfield and the one talked about in the earlier post may have been made under the same name in different times/places?

    Either way, good luck to the OP with getting a new scope that you like!
  • KX500KX500 Member Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Love the Redfield Revolutions scopes, have several. They were made in the USA in the Leupold plant. However, I'm pretty sure this is the only Redfield that Leupold made in the USA. The other Redfield models are made elsewhere and I'm afraid the Revolutions are now made in the Philippines.
  • Bottom GunBottom Gun Member Posts: 232 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My experience with Nikon has been positive. I use two of their cameras, a Monarch binocular and an XL Spotting scope. I have also used their riflescopes for years on everything from .22LR to .338 Win Mag and have never had an issue with any of them.
    Their customer service is great. A few years ago I bought a used 4-12 Nikon scope on eBay. It worked OK but the image wasn?t quite as crisp as my other Nikon scopes or my Leupolds so I sent it to Nikon to see if they could adjust it for me. I was prepared to pay for their service. However, a week went by and I received a package from Nikon that contained a brand new 4-12 Monarch. You can?t beat that kind of product warranty or customer service.
    Mechanical engineers have their moments.
  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,736 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
    I am a fan of Leupold scopes, too. But, having said that, the last Leupold I ordered, a VX-III 1.5-5X, was shipped to me directly from China!


    You probably got a China clone. Leupold sent out warning about such few years ago, like maybe 4 years ago and how to ID a clone scope with their name attached.

    You can do a search for such on-line.
    Here is one link with warnings about such.
    https://www.leupold.com/service-support/resources/counterfeit-warning
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
    I am a fan of Leupold scopes, too. But, having said that, the last Leupold I ordered, a VX-III 1.5-5X, was shipped to me directly from China!


    NOT a Leupold! And don't ask me about a Trijicon laser I bought, LOOKED real all around until it wasn't. Buy only from real dealers.
Sign In or Register to comment.