Nikon Monarch

[blue]

Nikon are just about to launch their new Monarch range of riflescopes. The current series are getting on a bit, but in quality optics, this seems to be a positive in favour of the old ones, certainly the B&L 4200 series and old 4000 series seemed to indicate that newer is not necessarily better. Having not seen a new Monarch, I can not comment.

There are two definite areas that Nikon have addressed with the new Monarch, these being side focus PX and better mounting length.
The one I am testing fits well on a Remmy 700 SA, but will not give the correct eye relief on the Weatherby. The front section of the tube is definitely too short given the relatively short eye relief. In most cases this is okay, but could cause mounting issues.

Anyway, comparison test here is against the 6-24 x 50 4200, Zeiss Conquest 6.5 – 20 x 50. The scope tested is the 6.5 – 20 x 44 Illuminated Mildot version.

Pricewise, the Nikon comes in at about $550, so nearly the same as the 4200 and $300 ish less than the Zeiss.

When removed from the box, the Nikon feels very solid and quite heavy (dimensions and weight will be added later). The build quality is better than both the Zeiss and the Bushnell. There is just the right amount of tension on the front PX ring to ensure it will not move, without user intervention. Very slick and precise.
The turrets (1/8” per click) have a very positive adjustment that feels absolutely precise.
Testing on a wall at 50 yards the clicks really to equate to 1/8” and return to zero with no error at all. This was done on a clamp on a bench not a rifle.

PX will come down to 25 yards at full mag and easily down to 8 on 10 mag.

The reticule is true Mildot at 12 mag and though Mildot is not my favourite (so why have the last 6 scopes I have bought all been mildot??), but that is because the Midltot reticules make lamp work very hard. The Nikon being illuminated negates this. The illumination is seamless, there is no flaring at all and the reticule does not develop any fuzziness when illuminated.

Optically this shows it’s pedigree in heaps. The Zeiss gives an absolutely solid and distortion free edge to edge sight picture. The Bushnell does this pretty well too, but the Zeiss beats the 4200 on clarity and contrast all the way up to top mag. The Bushnell starts to loose quality in sight picture above 20 mag. The Nikon sits far closer to the Zeiss than the Bushnell in quality of sight picture. The Nikon is surprisingly similar to the Zeiss and clarity is definitely on a par. It looses to the Zeiss only at above 18 mag and with contrast. The Zeiss manages to generate a 3 dimensional picture where both the Bushnell and Nikon seem to generate very good 2 dimensional pictures. This Nikon is better than the last Monarch I had and ££ beats both the Zeiss and Bushnell. If the Zeiss was $100 more, then I would say it was a better bet, but worth £300 more, not really.
The Zeiss just seems to catch everything required. The Nikon gives everything but that very last bit of performance. The Bushnell is a great scope for the money too, but in this arena takes third place. The Bushnell does offer 30mm tube that is required by me for the high cheek piece on one of my guns.

To be honest, the Zeiss is going to go. This is because I have a requirement for the 1/8th adjustment and the fact that I have enough scopes for twice the number of rifles I have.

[C3PO_1]

Very nice review. I have my eye on a Nikon too.

[Eagleman]

Still no illuminated ladder reticule option from Nikon blue?

A real pity if this is the case.

[blue]

The new range so far has no illuminated reticules at all. As far as I know Mildot is the only available illuinated one they do. Their ballistic reticule is a little too heavy for my liking.

[FlaggingBobby]

I got mine yesterday.It's the same model. I knew they were trying to shift them,& the new model explains this.
There are some good features on this scope,clarity I suppose being the most important.
The things I was looking for were : one piece tube, fully muti coated lenses,95% light transmission & a nice high magnification for "varminting".
The monarch covers all these requirements.
I would have considered the titanium model due to their robustness,however the lesser magnification put me off.
From the box the scope feels pleasantly sturdy & I will get big arms from carrying it around in the field of a day. I like how it has "made in Japan" deeply engraved on the underside,& this is a nice surprise,as a review on the website of a UK distributer indicated they where made in the Phillipines. Not that this stopped me buying the sight,but I'm sure everyone on here knows the confidence Japanese optics give.
The other review detailed all the abuse that the scope had been given in testing & this gives me confidence,as when out hunting all kit takes it's share of bumps & scrapes.

One criticism I have is that the offer of a free 'Milldot Master' extends only to America,I consider this to be mean given the trans atlantic ties.

The illuminated reticule isn't overpowering on the eye at low levels,& switches off between settings.The green lighting is a very nice touch & I hope this will work towards preserving my eye's natural nightvision in twighlight/darkness.
I am happy with the scope & feel it's worth more than what I paid for it.I hope that on doing me re-zero I'll be able to shoot tighter groups than I have done in the past with cheap optics.

[C3PO_1]

I got mine yesterday.It's the same model. I knew they were trying to shift them,& the new model explains this.
There are some good features on this scope,clarity I suppose being the most important.
The things I was looking for were : one piece tube, fully muti coated lenses,95% light transmission & a nice high magnification for "varminting".
The monarch covers all these requirements.
I would have considered the titanium model due to their robustness,however the lesser magnification put me off.
From the box the scope feels pleasantly sturdy & I will get big arms from carrying it around in the field of a day. I like how it has "made in Japan" deeply engraved on the underside,& this is a nice surprise,as a review on the website of a UK distributer indicated they where made in the Phillipines. Not that this stopped me buying the sight,but I'm sure everyone on here knows the confidence Japanese optics give.
The other review detailed all the abuse that the scope had been given in testing & this gives me confidence,as when out hunting all kit takes it's share of bumps & scrapes.

One criticism I have is that the offer of a free 'Milldot Master' extends only to America,I consider this to be mean given the trans atlantic ties.

The illuminated reticule isn't overpowering on the eye at low levels,& switches off between settings.The green lighting is a very nice touch & I hope this will work towards preserving my eye's natural nightvision in twighlight/darkness.
I am happy with the scope & feel it's worth more than what I paid for it.I hope that on doing me re-zero I'll be able to shoot tighter groups than I have done in the past with cheap optics.

Nice ... what was the model you got and how much was it?

[FlaggingBobby]

The 6.5-20x44. Illuninated milldot model about $600us. with postage & insurance, then was wacked for £80 customs fee & Parcel force's cut. So didn't save a huge amount on the UK cost & I'm wondering if the warranty is transferrable to here! Shouldn't need it though after reading the thread comparing the 'Premier Scopes' it's good to see people doing some real field testing.
I was a bit surprised as to how 'positive' the turret adjustments feel,but then if there was less resistance,people shooting with the target turrets (supplied) would be at a disadvantage.
When I have time to zero the scope I'm hoping for cloverleaf groups,but to be honest,this will depend on my abilitys rather than the kit I'll be using! If I'm getting moa+ then that'll more than likely be down to me!
One remarkable thing I've noticed looking through the scope is how you can see insects flying around,which I havn't noticed before.

[Rapidnick]

Excellent scopes without a doubt. I am gradually changing to Nikon optics when 'mint used' ones come up for sale on here.

[richness]

I'd agree with everything you said, but the Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40 is better than all of them by a mile IME (and for really good money)

.....now what about Lightstreams....intrigued but haven't used one yet.
ATB Richard Utting

[albrown]

I don't think weaver doa mildot though do they? What does it range down to, as the Monarch only parallaxes down to 50 yrds on full mag. Well that what it says on the website. I suppose you guys are using them for FAC?

[richness]

that's right mate - no mildot. i'm not a mildot fan ,luckily, and love the very fine ret they do do....They do a mildot on the V series but the dots are huge and i wouldn't buy, although they're pretty good, a Vseries over these scopes mentioned anyway
The parallax dial on the monarchs goes a good way further back, although unmarked, than 50y....I'd say it prob represents 35y (that applies to all monarchs i've used - which is most of them, i think)
Best of the lot for that is the 4200, which is marked right down...mind you, so is the Grand Slam
I use my scopes for FAC guns but didn't always.