I too was in the market for a scope and like you haven't had a nikon scope before, I had posted a similar post in the optics forum. Just going to let you know I wound up ordering the Monarch 5-20X44 after much thought and I was comparing it to either a Leupold or Burris. The Leupold was much more expensive and I have a pair of Burris binoc's that are mid grade and they have been sent in for repair twice in 5 years, however they replaced them no questions asked. I have looked at all the reviews that I could find and of course here and nobody seems to have anything consistantly bad about the Nikon Monarch, therefore thats what I ordered. I wound up ordering mine off of Ebay for 430.00 with insurance, they will arrive Saturday and I will let you know how it turns out. Good Luck With It!!!