Status of Nikon Scopes?

[SwampWolf]

For the last couple of years or so, I've read many claims that Nikon has ceased making rifle scopes; yet the February 2021 issue of the Natchez Shooting Supplies catalog lists an entire page featuring Nikon scopes. Anybody know for sure if Nikon is still making/marketing rifle scopes or not?

 

[Varminterror]

Nikon ceased production of riflescopes earlier than Nov of 2019.

 

[Varminterror]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...op-selling-scopes.859048/page-2#post-11295218

 

[I6turbo]

For the last couple of years or so, I've read many claims that Nikon has ceased making rifle scopes; yet the February 2021 issue of the Natchez Shooting Supplies catalog lists an entire page featuring Nikon scopes. Anybody know for sure if Nikon is still making/marketing rifle scopes or not?

Natchez often buys a ton of discontinued scopes when the manufacturer ceases production, then sells them over the coming months until they exhaust the supply that they purchased. They've done this with Weavers, Leupolds, Burris, and Nikon that I know of, probably others. There are other sellers who do this as well, such as Sportsman's Supply (the one in Butler, PA).

 

[Nature Boy]

Recent reports have indicated that Nikon isn't servicing any returns. Alternatively, they are offering a credit toward purchases of other Nikon products like their camera gear.

Therefore, if you really want a Nikon scope, and you find a really good close out deal, consider them disposable items and pick up 2 just in case.

Personally, I gave up on them a while ago due to quality and reliability issues so I'm not lamenting their exit from the market or jonesing for a killer deal on Nikon scope.

 

[army_eod]

My only Nikon is prolly 10 years old. A Monarch 3 scope 1-4x20. You know. The original LPVO. Excellent optic. But Nikon is out of the rifle scope biz.

 

[Thomasss]

Nikon said they have gotten out of the scope market because of too much competition with cheaper products, however, they will continue to honor their warranties and do repairs.

 

[gotboostvr]

Nikon said they have gotten out of the scope market because of too much competition with cheaper products, however, they will continue to honor their warranties and do repairs.

They're not doing repairs from what I've seen. They offer a discount on binoculars or the like.

 

[army_eod]

Nikon is just virtue signaling. The are anti 2a

 

[3Crows]

Nikon is no longer manufacturing rifle scopes. The big three Japanese optics companies, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, have been on the brink of bankruptcy for some time now. Their consumer photography business/products are and have been their core along with other imaging product lines. Nikon has regrouped and is concentrating on core product lines which does not include rifle scopes. It is not due to any political stance. These companies are fighting to stay afloat. If you want to include Sony, they are the only consumer camera company that is actually experiencing growth and profits in consumer photography products, but unlike Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony has a much more diverse portfolio and resources. Nikon, as was stated, due to a flood of cheap rifle optics in the market was not making any money in that category and while rifle scopes are important to us, to Nikon, it was a minor and distracting product line to keep updated and relevant and they did not have the resources to support it. I have bought four Nikon scopes on closeout but henceforth I will be going with Leopold or Burris. If Nikon survives and renters the market I will give them a look. That is unlikely to happen.

 

[Laphroaig]

Therefore, if you really want a Nikon scope, and you find a really good close out deal, consider them disposable items and pick up 2 just in case.

Essentially you are buying a scope without a solid warranty, and will be self insured. The price should be appropriately reduced for you to assume that risk. If you like Nikon scopes, that might not be a bad deal. Of all the scopes that I've owned only a few have ever required any attention by the manufacturer. I only own one Nikon, and so far so good.

 

[SwampWolf]

Their consumer photography business/products are and have been their core along with other imaging product lines.

I'm guessing that "smart" phones that take pretty decent photos have put a big dent into the conventional camera industry. Most of us used to use a camera to take a picture; not so much anymore.

 

[3Crows]

I'm guessing that "smart" phones that take pretty decent photos have put a big dent into the conventional camera industry. Most of us used to use a camera to take a picture; not so much anymore.

Yes, smart phones have been a hard hit. Pros and serious amateurs still shoot dSLR or are going mirrorless. I do (until the Wuhan Virus) a good deal of UW photography and travel and the choices for housed cameras has really been hit hard. My Sony mirrorless rig:



That is about $7,000, just as a frame of reference. I have fooled around with photography and UW photography since I was a teenager, so, yes, I watch the "camera" companies closely.

 

[rbernie]

Funny you should mention - I was fondling my Pentax 67 just the other day, debating a return to silver emulsion.... Dunno that will help Pentax today, since they discontinued any new product sales for bodies / glass for the platform more than a decade ago.

 

[nipprdog]

https://riflescope-review.com/do-nikon-scopes-have-a-lifetime-warranty/

 

[Nature Boy]

https://riflescope-review.com/do-nikon-scopes-have-a-lifetime-warranty/

limited lifetime warranty, with emphasis on “limited”

 

[ojibweindian]

I bought a Nikon Monarch 3 from Natchez several months back; knowing full well it wasn't going to be backed by any warranty. I'm good with that, and the scope's pretty good.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Recent reports have indicated that Nikon isn't servicing any returns. Alternatively, they are offering a credit toward purchases of other Nikon products like their camera gear.

Therefore, if you really want a Nikon scope, and you find a really good close out deal, consider them disposable items and pick up 2 just in case.

Personally, I gave up on them a while ago due to quality and reliability issues so I'm not lamenting their exit from the market or jonesing for a killer deal on Nikon scope.

Not True. I just sent, and got back, A Nikon scope just last month

 

[cdb1]

Not True. I just sent, and got back, A Nikon scope just last month

I’d think you are the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Megawatt maker]

I’d think you are the exception rather than the rule.

I dont think. They have a facility in New York that does the service for all their products. I have not heard of anyone not getting warranty work done...but alas

 

[cdb1]

I could be wrong.

 

[rbernie]

There was another thread here recently in which a member stated that Nikon was unable to repair their optic due to lack of parts and offered them something other than a rifle scope in compensation.

 

[Megawatt maker]

There was another thread here recently in which a member stated that Nikon was unable to repair their optic due to lack of parts and offered them something other than a rifle scope in compensation.

I was told that if they were unable to repair it, they would replace it with an equivalent model. I assume that means another brand, but in my dealing with them, no mention was made of any other product besides a rifle scope.

They did repair my scope however, so for me it was a mute issue

 

[Walkalong]

At some point in time it will get to where they don’t have parts, period, then we’ll see what they do. I assume at some point in time they will offer very little in return for busted scopes, maybe a coupon for money off Nikon products. Time will tell.

 

[Megawatt maker]

At some point in time it will get to where they don’t have parts, period, then we’ll see what they do. I assume at some point in time they will offer very little in return for busted scopes, maybe a coupon for money off Nikon products. Time will tell.

I had a run in with Springfield Armory with one of their scopes. After a bit a hassle about not having proof of purchase (which was almost 20 years before), they agreed to take the scope back and they sent me a Vortex to replace it. I suspect Nikon would do the same.