Thoughts on Revised Nikon Scope line

[deerandduck]

Been doing some shopping, and  just noticed that Nikon has changed their scope lineup some.  Still can get the Monarch, but now its called the Monarch 3.  No more BuckMaster mentioned, but now there is a ProStaff 5.    And a regular ProStaff scope with the ProStaff 5 being about $150 more (or so).


Anyone got one yet, especially the Prostaff 5.  I have read all the literature and understand but really want to know the real review.  My guess is the Buckmaster became the Prostaff 5, with some "improvements" as the manufacturer would say.


Any thoughts?


Deerandduck

[Huffmanite]

Only comment I can make is from a fellow range member who'd bought one of the higher power Monarch 3 scopes.....he also owned the same power Monarch scope it replaced.  I happen to be at range the day he came with the Monarch 3 to zero it and use it for the first time.   After zeroing the Monarch 3, he would eventually have his target at 200 yds.  He also had his rifle with the earlier Monarch.  Long story short, when he finished shooting with both Monarchs, he will tell me he did not think his Monarch 3 was as clear a scope as his older Monarch.....he was disappointed.   I never viewed thru each scope to validate what he'd told me.

[Lloyd Smale]

dont know as ive havent seen one to look through but allways saw guys who claimed the original monarchs were better then the second generation scopes and i found that far from correct. Old is good in muscle cars and coins but rarely in optics.

[Huffmanite]

understand your comment Lloyd and have no problem with it.   Have nothing against Nikons scope line, just told of my brief conversation at range I'm a member that occurred  about a month ago.  Gent with the Monarch 3 is an experienced shooter and reloader who prefers Nikon scopes.  Simply repeated what I was told.   

[Lloyd Smale]

like i said im sure no expert as i havent even seen one of the new ones to say. remember though optics are a funny thing. You can take to avid rifleman and get to completely differnt opinions on scopes. Its one place where alot of deap rooted predudices play into opinions. Im guilty of it too. If a scope is a scope i like i tend to want it in my head to be better then another and my eyes tend to follow my brain. Another thing to keep in mind is you can get a bad scope. I can remember a simular thing to what you saw. I was at the range one day years ago. I was shooting a 280 with a first generation monarch on it. in its day it was a VERY good scope. Two guys were there that i knew and that i knew shot alot and had alot of guns. It was close to deer season so we were all sighting in rifles or checking them. they both had two guns and all four had buckmasters on them. Now i sure am not a fan of buckmasters i personaly think the best thing nikon did was discontinueing them. There low light performance is dismal compard to other scopes in that price range and the two i have left out past 400 yards your looking at a blurry deer. Those to guys laughed at me and my monarch and said that there buckmasters were half the price and had better glass. they had some lame excuse like they were a special addition (they were realitively new to the market at that time) I looked through them and there was no trick of the eye. they didnt hold a candle to my monarch but those guys looked through both and told me there buckmasters were better and i think they actually believed it. Bottom line is if its a monarch of any generation your going to get good glass for the money and a good reliable scope.

[tobster]

     I like it when scope manufactures bring out a new, improved model as the leftover "old" models are often deeply discounted and give tightwads like me an opportunity to buy a scope that I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.

[revbc]

Don't know much about the revised Nikon line.  I have an Omega and it's a fine scope, don't really care for it's ballistic reticule.

However, I do know where a great buy on an excellent scope is.....................Nitrex scopes at Natchez shooters have excellent optics.  Bought two, some of the best hunting scopes I have.  I think they are down to the 3x9 matte finish.  Running out fast.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup me too. Ive picked up a couple monarchs at bargin basement prices on natchez and am allway watching camerland for optics buys. Id gladly take a last years design at near half price. there selling buckmasters real cheap at natchez now. I just picked up a set of leupold mckinley binocs at cameraland that are hd and the new one is just a bit more ergonomic and paid about half what youd pay of the new ones. Sure there  not Kahles or swarovskis but  Plenty good for me.

     I like it when scope manufactures bring out a new, improved model as the leftover "old" models are often deeply discounted and give tightwads like me an opportunity to buy a scope that I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford.