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Joined: Mar 2010
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 686 |
I want either a 4.5-14 VX3 or a 3-12 or 4-16 monarch
Honest opinions is the leupold worth 200 more?
I like the idea of the side focus on the nikon but love the reliability and reputation of the leupold.
This is for my 257 wby
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,249
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,249 |
On a 257 Wby I'd go Nikon. The Leupold is a tougher scope in my experience, if you were shooting a .338 or .300 Mag, I'd go Leupold.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18,508
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18,508 |
Both good scopes, go with what you like.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,496
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,496 |
Both are great scopes, I own both. The leupold eye piece will be smaller if bolt clearance will be a issue.My Nikon seems a little more clear to my eye,but both are excellent
1 and done
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,679
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,679 |
No, the Leupold is not worth $200 more. The eye relief and eye box is certainly better on the Leupy than the Monarch, but no where close to $200 better.
Buy the Monarch, and don't look back.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,753
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,753 |
If you keep your eye out, there's a few VX-3's hitting the used market with some very nice savings over retail or Cabelas also had them on sale.
Life is just one damned thing after another
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,471
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
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The leupold is probaly not worth the extra $200 in performance but nikon customer service is so [bleep] that I will gladly pay the extra money for the leupold.
Dink
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,116
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,116 |
Never had a problem with Nikon customer service. In fact, they've been better than good the two times I used them.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,069
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,069 |
I have driven nikons for the last 10 years. Always been great scopes. To my eyes they are brighter and clearer than the Leupolds. YMMV
Crossed Arrows Archery LLC Authorized Obsession Bows Dealer Custom Strings/Tuning www.crossedarrowsarcheryllc.comBlack Eagle Arrows Pro Staff, Montana Black Gold Shooting Staff, Dead Center Archery Products Shooting Staff
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,821
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,821 |
My VX3 B&C SF fell apart internally from the beating it takes on my ATV. The Nikon I replaced it with is still going strong. Ken
�Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program." -- Milton Friedman
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 27,692 |
I really like the Nikon Monarch. To my eye its clearer than the Leupold, the eye relief is plenty, and thus far they seem plenty tough.
Member: Clan of the Turdlike People.
Courage is Fear that has said its Prayers
�If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.� Ronald Reagan.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,732
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,732 |
The leupold is probaly not worth the extra $200 in performance but nikon customer service is so [bleep] that I will gladly pay the extra money for the leupold.
Dink My exact experience and feelings on the issue.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,408
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
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I haven't had to use Nikon service in the last 2 or 3 years. When I did, it was the equal of Leupold. Has it changed, or was I lucky?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 710
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 710 |
Never needed Nikon's service work so can't comment on that. Have had several Monarchs and several VXs. Both are great. You get great performance for less money with Nikon. You get a smaller, more compact package with Leupold. Both will get the job done just depends on what you need it for.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881 |
I'd take the Leupold simply to get the super tough Diamond Coat Coatings. That alone is worth it. It has more eye box than the Nikon ? The VXIII Leupold 4.5-14X40's that I've played with certainly didn't have much of that. Which means the Nikon would be unacceptable to me. E
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16
New Member
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New Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16 |
100% agree with Eremicus(fellow Leupold fan). Really take the time to look through the scopes you are comparing. Move your head around at different magifications. When shooting off the bench you can take the extra time to postion your head so the eye refief and box may not seem so critcal. But when you shoulder the rifle in a hunting situation do not want to have to move your head around to find the field of view.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,408
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I own both and love both. I have had no issues with Monarch's eyebox up to 4X12. Anything higher, I can't comment. I will say that I think Leupold wins on edge-to-edge clarity. I do think that Monarchs are as rugged, if not moreso, than any Leupold I own. I have one 2X7 that has been on everything including .375 and up to the worst kicking 12 ga. slug gun ever and its never failed. As for eyebox, the worst eyebox I've ever seen was a late '90s vintage B&L 3200 4X12.
Anyway, I've pretty much gravitated to Conquests. These are an awful lot of scope for the money.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
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I have 2 Leupold 4.5-14's and both work well. I also had a Nikon Monarch on a .375 H&H, and it was a good scope as well, for half the price. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one.
"Give a lazy man the toughest job, and he will find the easiest way to do it"
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