Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Nikon Monarch 5 vs Leupold VX3

I’m looking to put a new scope on my .308 deer rifle. Most shots inside 250 yds. Possibly elk hunt with it as well. Lookin at Leupold VX3 3.5-10 or can also get a left over Nikon Monarch 5 2-10. I have owned several Nikons but no Leupold. Looking for opinions.

Nikon's scope warranty is awesome! <grin

I have a Monarch 5 and have had VX3s. Glass is comparable with a slight nod to Nikn. Leupold wins in eye relief and eye box. I don't dial my Nikon, but it adjusts as it should and stays when set. The VX3s could be a bit mysterious in adjusting, but stayed once set (full disclosure...through limited use.)

If you know where I can pick up some Monarch 5s, shoot me a PM.

I won’t dial either. It does have BDC reticle which is a plus to me. Mostly concerned with glass quality and low light conditions

I can't give one a nod over the other in low light, as I simply didn't use them enough to be able to answer definitively. Neither stood out over the other.

Nikon Monarch’s always dialed as described and had glass comparable to the Leupolds. After a couple dozen, leupolds, mostly vari-X-III and successors, I can it say it was rare for Leupolds to dial as advertised. If they still sold and warrantied the Monarchs, it would be an easy decision for me.

I love my Nikon scopes and have several including the Monarch 5.
I hate Nikon’s BDC reticle with the circles rather than simple hash marks.
I have never had a problem with a Nikon scope and have never needed to use the warranty so many seem worried about.
With the deals you can get on used or NOS Nikon scopes, the warranty isn’t really much of a risk.
I don’t buy warranties, I buy scopes.

The BDC reticle on the Monarch 5 is a more conventional BDC. Not that horrible circle BDC.

Then that’s even better!

I called Nikon, they still warranty all scopes

I just did a little poking around. It seems that scope was offered with both a conventional BDC and the circle BDC. Mine has the conventional.

Unfortunately, this one has circles. Not real sure how much that bothers me. They also have a 3-12 with a basic Plex reticle, but I would rather have BDC. That’s my biggest issue with Leupold VX3

I have several Monarch 5 2-10’s and one 3-15. They all dial accurately and have held zero thus far. One of them is on a .300 Weatherby and has been fine. If you can get one NOS at a good price then I wouldn’t hesitate.

That is very interesting! Thank you!

Yes it is. Someone posted on here awhile back that rather than fixing scopes Nikon was offering credit on other Nikon products.

In the sense that they will replace your scope with a current model (not an option) or repair it (unlikely), or simply give you credit towards a Nikon spotting scope, camera, or binoculars?

I was just going to point this out that Nikon is out of the rifle scope business. now the question remains how are they doing the warranty thing?

I was told by the rep that if the issue is fixable, they will repair it. If it isn't, they offer credit toward another product.

As Nikon is out of the scope business since 2019 I'd buy with the knowledge that if it fails their warranty will most likely be a partial credit towards another Nikon product.

Glad to assist you with a Leupold, give a call 516-217-1000

I bet they do until the parts dry up.