Nikon Monarch: upgrade over VX-II?

[fireroad]

Longtime Leupold fan. Would like to upgrade the recticle on my VX-II 4x12x40 AO to a recticle I can use for holdover, like the mil dot. While the vx-ii is a decent scope, I don't think it is good enough to warrant the $150 upgrade from the Leupold Custom Shop. Antoher Mark 4 or or VX-3 is not in my budget right now. I have read in a few places that the Nikon Monarch 4x16x42SF is a step up from the VX-II in terms of clarity and low light performance, is cheaper, and still has the lifetime warranty. Have folks found this to be true (that the Nikon is an upgrade) and is the Nikon worth it...or should I just save up for a VX-3? Another Mark 4 or VX-3 would be a year out, and Icould sell the VX-II for the cost of a new Monarch. Rifle is a 243 used for medium (400 yds) range varmit and range practice.

 

[fireroad]

What...nobody owns a Monarch?

 

[RJ338]

Monarch's are, IMHO optically better than the VX II though they are 2-4 oz heavier. Their BDO isn't to my liking though as I fully believe in the KISS theory. Check them out and pick the one that fits your needs, then save up and only pay once!

 

[DropDead]

I have an older monarch 6.5x20x42 with ao. It is decent quite clear and low light performance is very good. My main gripes are crank it up past 16 and quality starts going down fast, just not very clear at 20 imo. The mildot reticle is nice for ranging and holdover but it is quite thick on my monarch. Very low amount of elevation and windage adjustment, i think the new ones are even worse, not sure exactly but i think less than 40 moa. I would definately look into how much it has and how much you need. It has never failed me tho, and low light performance is a very good.

 

[Jon Jackoviak]

In my opinion, I would take a Nikon Monarch over a Leupold VX-II.

 

[fireroad]

In my opinion, I would take a Nikon Monarch over a Leupold VX-II.

Good to know, thanks! How does the Monarch compare to the VX-III/VX-3?

dropdead - I hear that the mil dot on the new Monarchs is thinner....

 

[stonepony]

I have the 4-16x50 tactical and really like it! The mildot reticle is not big at all and is very thin compared to the older ones! I was a leupold man for years and have owned every style out. I can say that the nikon glass wins hands down and is has very repeatableadjustments!

 

[fireroad]

I really wanted the tactical scope you have but with 40-44 mm objective as I like to keep my scopes low. Who's mounts did you use,and how tall are they?

 

[fireroad]

Also, how does the Monarch comnpare to the Bushnell Elite 4200? Ihear that they are pretty close...unfortunbatley Bushnell does not put mil-dots in the 4-16x40 ...

 

[RJ338]

Big difference between the Bushnell and the Nikon is eye relief, I have a Bushnell 4200 in 3-9 on a 300 Mag and a Monarch 3-12 on a 338 RUM and I keep getting reminded of the relief on the bench with the Bushnell.

 

[fireroad]

Last question...how is the resolution at 14x? Good enough for a coyote at 400 yds? 60yds? I would go with the 5-20x44SF, but Nikon doesn't offer it with a mil dot reticle.

 

[rdmega]

I have a couple nikons, I really like them. I have even found that my buckmaster which is a step down from the monarchs is just as clear as my VX-II. The Monarch is better for sure IMHO. I only wonder, my monarch is a 1" tube and most VX models are 30mm arent they? does this make a big difference?


Best of luck, and the mildot on my monarch is awesome for hold over at the 16X

 

[fireroad]

The VX-II models all have 1" tubes and only the VX-3 LR models have 30mm tubes. Benefit to 30mm tube is greater range of wind and elv adjustment. 30mm tubes are not any stronger, nor do they gather more light.

How is the resolution on your Monarch at 16x?

 

[rdmega]

I dont have a lot of experince with anything else but the resolution seems fine for me. It is a little clearer at 16X than my buckmaster was at the same.

In fact the VX-II is actually my shooting buddies, I think the Nikon is a little clearer on the high power with sharper images and less mirage. I believe mine was cheaper than the LP too.