Leuopold VX-2 vs. Nikon Monarch 3

[Captains1911]

I'm considering either a Leuplod VX-2 (2-7x33) or Nikon Monarch 3 (2-8x32) for my Ruger GSR. Most of my shooting will be at ranges less than 300 yards and probably even closer. I seem to find mixed reviews regarding both of these. The Leupold is 3.5 oz. lighter and made in USA, which is a plus. Anybody have experience with these and care to comment? Thanks.

 

[Outlaw Man]

While I am a Leupold dealer, I don't think many people will argue when I say the Leupold is a better scope.

Nikon makes decent products, with some of the better glass in their price range. They/ll hold up to moderate use, and will work ok out to the range you mentioned.

The Leupold will have better lens coatings, as good or better tracking in the turrets, and an unbeatable warranty. 300 yards is really stretching the legs of any 7x scope, but you'll very likely notice the improvement of the Leupold at that distance.

 

[Jackal]

Honestly, most any $150+ scope from a major/reputable manufacturer will do the job that 95% of shooters will require from their optics.

 

[Unlicensed Dremel]

I don't think either one will have enough eye relief to use on that rifle - must be missing something.

 

[Captains1911]

I don't think either one will have enough eye relief to use on that rifle - must be missing something.

I'm mounting it conventionally, not using as a long eye-relief scout scope.

 

[Furncliff]

I like my Nikons well enough, but I prefer my Leupolds, I have used their guarantee (pawn shop purchase) and was very pleased.

 

[jmr40]

I own both. In all honesty the Nikon has better, sharper, clearer glass. But has some negatives that make me prefer the Leupold.

Nikons have a thick black ring around the edges which blocks part of the view. All scopes do this, but Leupold is a very thin line compared to Nikon.

As you noted Leupold is much lighter in weight.

Leupold has much more eye relief. Most people discount the importance of this. Shooting from a bench it is not a factor. You have time to set up right, but in the field you often have to shoot from unconventional positions making it impossible to get behind the scope properly. More eye relief is much more forgiving and helps you find the target faster, especially on fast snap shots or odd angles.

Had this point driven home coyote hunting a couple of months ago using my 2-8X32 Nikon on an AR. Coyote came in to the call from behind me to my right. As a right handed shooter it is the hardest position to shoot. The coyote was only 20 yards away and directly to my right. I had to quietly twist and nearly missed an opportunity because I struggled to find him in the scope. From that position my eye was not directly behind the scope, and much too far away. More eye relief would have helped.

If interested in a long range reticle I prefer Leupolds design. The Nikon is too cluttered. Duplex reticles are the same.

 

[Ks5shooter]

All I have ever owned is Leupold and have NEVER been disappointed!

 

[back40]

Nikon makes a nice scope with nice glass, but I prefer my Leupolds for the features. Eye relief, lower weight, reticles, and made in the USA.

If you wanted to move up a notch, I have a vx-3 2.5-8x32 that is wonderful. Plenty for shots to 300.

 

[CaliCoastie]

leupold, had nikon with poor results. then terrible customer support. when i finaly got the scope back i sold it on the spot to someone else, after letting them know why. and since i have looked through more models( i started with the prostaff, have had eyes through the line up to the monarchs and well.... i havent bought another.

fyi the nikon failed where the cheap knockaround bushnell have lived for a year, the nikon? i had probably less then 40rounds on it.

 

[Lone Star]

I have used Leupold (Vari-X III 2.5-8X) and Zeiss and Swarovski. All were excellent and all offer good customer support. Leupold is not as bright and sharp as the Euro brands, but is very good and dollar value is high for quality received. Leupold's customer support is probably the best in the industry, although Zeiss has also treated me very well when a used monocular needed cleaning. They also replaced the objective ring on a 6X20B mono that I'd dropped, denting that part. No other damage occurred, although I dropped it on a brick driveway. Never dealt with Swarovski's repair people, although I'd be amazed if they aren't excellent to deal with.

I have heard good reports from Nikon owners, but my overall feeling is that you should buy the Leupold of the brands that you're considering.

I doubt that most people should be taking a shot at game animals beyond the range that 7X or 8X magnification allows. And don't neglect to set the 'scope at 2X or 3X for a great deal of hunting, especially where a close shot is apt to be the case, as with the coyote hunt described above. The wide field of view will be vital. This is especially so if you may encounter dangerous animals, whether you are hunting them or not.

Now that I think about it, I read almost everything that the late Jack O'Connor wrote about guns and hunting from the late 1960's-on until his death in 1978, including his books as well as his columns in, "Outdoor Life" and in, "Petersen's Hunting". I don't recall him ever using over a 6X 'scope. Ditto for Warren Page and John Wootters, to name two other major writers. I can't recall any famous gun writers who've used high power scopes on hunting rifles. And O'Connor shot one elk at 600 yards. Even he, a superb marksman, felt that was stretching things, and he rested his .270 on a coat or something and fired from the prone position.

Military snipers kill people at extreme ranges, but few have their skills in both shooting and in range estimation. It is simply inhumane to fire at game at long range, over 400 yards for all but the very best shots, who can estimate range and wind drift very well, indeed.

 

[Haxby]

Leuplod VX-2 (2-7x33) or Nikon Monarch 3 (2-8x32)... I seem to find mixed reviews regarding both of these.

I don't think I've ever read anything bad about either of these scopes. The VX2 line is only a few years old. The Monarch 3 is newer than that.
Smaller scopes like this tend to work pretty well, and these aren't entry-level product lines.

 

[witchhunter]

I love Leupold. Lifetime warranty. I own one for every rifle I have, plus all of my contenders, I have never said, "boy, I wish I would have bought a better scope." I have one Weaver T24 that I use for load workups just because I got a deal on it, it is clear and has positive tracking, but it ain't a Leupold.

 

[elkhunterCO]

I put a VX-2 3x9x40 on a 300 win mag a few months ago. It replaced a Nikon Buckmaster that saw about 50 rounds and got shook around inside and knocked the parallax setting out. What sold me on the Leupold was the weight for a hunting rifle about 11 oz. and the eye relief. Very good eye relief. I won't buy any more Nikons, although their Monarchs are supposed to be better than the Buckmaster. Sighting in the Leupold was a breeze, the clicks corresponded well with shots on paper. About a hundred rounds now and has held zero. I took it outside the other night under a full moon and could see the treeline of the yard pretty clearly, light transmission was excellent.

 

[ms6852]

In the same price range it will be difficult to discern the variances from one scope or the other. For me, when it is difficult to decide I like to try them in very low light conditions and truly see which of the scopes have the better light gathering qualities. During hunting, this is when many shots are going to be taken, early morning or late evening.

 

[HexHead]

Every time I buy a scope I've always considered a Nikon Monarch and always ended up with something else. Well, except for my .22, I knew I was putting a Zeiss Conquest on it.

I've got two VX-2 4-12 and a VX-3 3.5-10. Each was far superior to the Nikon I compared it to. The newer VX-2, from late 2012 on, is comparable to the older VX-III. You won't be disappointed.

All that said, for just a little bit more, get a Zeiss. Either a Conquest or the Terra that replaced it. They're a lot brighter in dim light, have very generous eye relief and it doesn't change as you zoom. Same warranty as Leupold too.

 

[Sniper66]

I had the Leupold you mention on a Ruger 10/22. Sold the rifle with the scope. It was a great little scope...clear as could be. I have not had the Nikon you listed, but do have a Prostaff 3-9X. It's a very good scope, for my Ruger 77/17. I've owned many scopes and like my Leupolds the best. Had trouble with only one and they replaced it quickly with no questions asked. Recently bought 3 Bushnell Elites for 3 different rifles to save some money. Good scopes, but no match for my Leupolds.

 

[bman940]

Nikon

I have used 100's of Nikon scopes over the last 5 years with not one failure. I'm talking over 400,000 rounds at different shooting/PR events that I have participated in. I do not work directly for Nikon but do some freelance PR work for them so to see someone say the Nikon's,"They/ll hold up to moderate use, and will work ok out to the range you mentioned" is a little off base. The Nikon scopes will take whatever you dish out and Nikon's outstanding Lifetime Warranty reinforces that.
I haven't used the MONARCH 3 2-8 but I have used the MONARCH 3 4-16 and it has excellent glass. I used it to shoot at a 500 yard range and had no trouble making accurate hits on a 10 inch steel plate with a borrowed AI rifle. I can't imagine the 2-8 being any less clear for you. Another option to consider is Nikon's M-223 2-8 x32 BDC 600. While it is designed around a .223, the BDC and Nikon's SPot On Program will let you dial it in for the ammo you are using. This scope is also currently under a Nikon PROMO giving you $70 off at checkout when you buy from an Authorized Nikon Dealer. Pretty good saving's on a very nice scope with MONARCH glass.

Here's a pic of the MONARCH 3 I was using. I would have preferred to have different rings for this application but it was all I had that day.

 

[CaliCoastie]

bman940, sounds as though you havent had the pleasure of dealing with nikons customer service. i can tell you its far from outstanding.... glad you have had luck with them, mine didnt like my 300wm.

origional poster, put your eyes through as much glass as you can in your price point and then? go for it!

 

[bman940]

Scope

Cali, Sorry to hear you were not taken care of the way you hoped. Nikon CS has moved their CS offices and reworked the entire department over the last year. I have heard that service is a lot smoother. In the future if anyone on THR need's Nikon CS, I would be happy to do my best to help you out. Again, while I do not work directly for Nikon, I know enough folks who do that I can probably help you out.