Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Looking for a scope for my .243win. considering.... setup for antelope....

Main question is does anyone like nikon rifle scopes, particularly their Monarch series? not Monarch Gold series. I notice its certainly priced lower than the vx-III's.

Leupold vx-iii 3.5-10x40 B&C reticle $560
4.5-14x40 AO(adj.obj.) B&C reticle $610
4.5-14x40 LR(30mm tube) B&C reticle $680

Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 SF(side focus) BDC reticle $430


The price isn't a deciding factor, but quality certainly is. I like the 3-12x range, not sure I like the BDC circles rather than crosshairs. Already have a vx-iii with the B&C and I like it, but I do like 3-12 better than I like 4.5-14, or 3.5-10 I'm thinking.

Any help?....

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Nikon is good, between the two you mentioned, I would go with the Leupold hands down. I have Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 on most of my rifles, muzzleloaders and slug shotguns, and a VX-III on my .300 win mag

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I don't have any experience with the new Monarchs or the VX-III's, other than in the showroom where they all look great, but I do have a 2006 Nikon Monarch(3-9x40) and a Leupold VX-II(3-9x40). The Nikon is noticeably brighter and clearer to my eyes butseems to have a more narrow eye box. If I were buying a 3-9x power scope now I would pick up a Zeiss Conquest over the VX-III and save myself some money to boot.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I prefer the Nikon's myself. I think quality wise Nikon matches up very well with Leupold and is always a little less expensive. IMO similar quality, less money equals better value.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Pretty much have the same feeling about those 2. BTW there is an optics forum

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Posted my reply in the optic forum thread[8D]

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I like them both but to answer your question.If you ask me to to pick I would take the nikon!

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Have heard all good about Monarch. I am looking at a Votex 3.5 - 10 x 40 or 50. Have not used Vortex scope but have two pair of binos and spotting scope. All feedback is excellent. They have an excellent warranty also and excellent dollar value

M30

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

4.5-14x40 LR(30mm tube) B&C reticle $680

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I'd go with the Nikon but that is only personal preference and not to say anything bad about the Leupold. For the prices you have quoted I would also check out the Zeiss Conquest for it is also in that price range and an excellent scope.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

hello, i have all nikon scopes on my rifles i thank they are some of the best scopes out there, they are rugged, clear, justed mounted a titanium 5.5x16.5x44 on my LTR 308 just love it, you cant go wrong with nikon,

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

i have 4 nikon scopes, only they are all the buckmaster line. but the are in my eyes better than the leupold in both clarity and in price.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Both are very good scope lines. I think you get a little more for the money with the Nikon. They also make a Monarch in 4-14x42mm. The Burris Signature Select 4-16x44mm is also a good one in this same price range.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Seems like all of the scopes in that price range are of comparable quality/clarity/light gathering. I would try to get to a store right at dusk and go outside and look through them. That's really the only way that you can be sure you are getting the one that fits you the best.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

For that kind of money get a Ziess.

Do some low light comparisions and I think you'll agree that Leupolds are over rated.

Tom

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

That was the best suggestion so far


The new VX-III's are equal or maybe a tad better then the Nikon.. I think the NIkon has better w/E adjustments. The Leupold has a better eyebox.
You can order a mulitcolored Leupoldscope thru the custom shop:Dthat would make my day

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I agree that Nikon is a good quality opitc...and they dohave a lifetime warranty; however,

I have a friendthat hada gun cabinetthat was submerged in saltwater for 2 weeks duringthe 2002 hurricanes. The guns didn't make it. He had 2 Leupold scopes in that gun cabinet. One (the newer model) had no leakage, the other (very old model) had water inside the scope. He sent it off to be repaired.....Leupold sent him a brand new VXIIscope - no charge except shipping.

American Companies help American citizens. For that kind of service, I'll gladly pay an extra $60.....even if I never require it.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Sounds like the story that made Leupold famous about the hunters rifle that fell in a river and was recovered a few years later with no water leak or should I say air leak. Maybe Leupold finally saw what it's competitors are doing in the CS department and came around. Nikon, Sightron and many others replace scopes . I will say this about Leupolds and that is if you have an old one they won't replace it or fix it without a substantial charge.

I despise Chinese products and would rather go with iron sights then with a chinese scope but Leupolds scopetubes are made here everything else is imported. Their rangefinders are made in China.Zeiss conquests are assembled here and the parts come from overseas. WHat is the difference?

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Yep..pretty hard to find anything all-American now..nearly impossible. Shepherd (?) the only all America scope? So with all things being equal CS will put one company over the top.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Ignore the name on the scope and the price.
Sounds to me like you've already picked the Nikon for it's features. (3 - 12X)

A short story: I went to Cabellas a few years ago to buy a Leupold for my new .300 Win Mag. Leupold because "it's simply the best!".
Wrong. Cabelas has a rifle stock that allows you to put 2 scopes on it at once so you can A/B 2 together for accurate comparison. The Nikon blew me away. Much clearer, sharper, BRIGHTER imsage than the Leupold. Was shocking and really no comparison. Only question was, "How will the Nikon hold up on a shoulder buster like the .300?"
Still on the gun with ZERO problems since.
And I saved some money too. So go with the Nikon, you won't be dissapointed.
I was so impressed that I have a nikon spoting scope, binoc's and range finder!

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Looked at the zeiss, they too make a 3.5-10 and a 4.5-14, yet their z600 reticle which would work for the .243, doesnt come on the 4.5-14, the z800 does, yet that's for rounds like the .300RUM, ie flatter shooting than the .243, not sure the 3.5-10x has enough on the top end for me, the 3-12 would, as would the 4.5-14, kinda wish that zeiss conquest had a 4.5-14 with the z600.

so now I can get a zeiss 3.5-10x44 z600 reticle
or a Nikon 3-12x BDC reticle (cricles which I'm not sure about)
or a leupold vx-iii 4.5-14 B&C reticle.

seems like they're always coming out with what I want/need after I buy something else.

Swarovski makes a 4-12x50 with the TDS reticle, though I really dont want a 50mm objective.

As of right now I think I'm leaning towards the Leupold, though if Zeiss made that 4.5-14 with a z600 I think that would be the scope I'd buy.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

get the leupy. there is something about there eye relief and glass. when you put it up to your eye its like an old good friend.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

I just bought a Leupold VX III, in 2.5-8x. I did a great deal of shopping and comparisons. I liked Leupold for tradition (I already owned an older scope) and rugged feel. I liked the Nikon Monarch for easy click adjustments, it felt really precise and easy. I liked the Zeiss Conquest for optical clarity.

Somewhat off the main topic, but I hated the Svaroski! It finished dead last in every category I could think to apply in the stores.I also hate their binoculars, a family member owns a pair and I honestly wouldn't give $200 for them. Usually you get what you pay for, but I don't see it with Svaroski.

RE: Nikon Monarch vs. Leupold VX-III?
 

Quite surprised with your Swarovski comment.....I only own 1 swarovski item.....a 3-12x50 PH tds rifle scope, and its very sweet! everything about it is awesome....maybe from model to model they vary?

I'm definitely leaning towards the vx-iii with the B&C reticle, has windage markings.....the zeiss z800 would work with a .240wby quite well, but I'm quite set on the .243 win, so only option would be the zeiss 3.5-10 with the z600 or the Nikon, I may checkout the nikon, see what I think of those circles.....