Experience with Nikon binoculars

biederboat · 12-16-2002, 06:09 PM

Man I am so cheezed I can hardly see straight. Last year I ask for new binos for Xmas and get a decent Nikon 10x50 Lookout IV. I use them very infrequently and then this fall while using them in the coast range they fog-up. I send them in for warranty repair and they send me a notice today saying it's $20 to fix them for "alignment damage"!!! They are "supposed" to have a 25 year warranty. What I don't get is, if they claim I broke them, why are they charging only $20 ($10 each for repair and s&h)? There is no way anyone can "fix" those (even at their break-even cost) on a repair basis for that low of a price. I think this is some rip-off, cheap excuse in order to get back part of their warranty cost. Has anyone every had this kind of experience with Nikon? These were not super expensive, $100 on sale, made in Japan (not China, like many others). I was really pleased with them until this. I haven't contacted them yet, I'm too mad.

I had another incident with some Nikon compacts that kept coming out of alignment. Sent them in once, they fixed them. Happened again, they wanted money. I raised h*** and I think they fixed them for n/c but this is getting disappointing. Am I wasting my money? I have been pretty happy with my Nikon FM2 SLR but this is ridiculous. I have an old pair of German binos that my dad gave me that has been abused in every way imaginable and they still work great albeit not very clear.

I'd just like to know what experience others have had and maybe what recommendations you have for other brands. Maybe it's time to fork over and pay for Leupold "Gold Rings". I bought a Leupold scope at a garage sale that they fixed for n/c for cryin' out loud!

Thanks,
Biederboat

Rip'N'Lips · 12-16-2002, 08:45 PM

I think that the terms fogproof and waterproof are grossly over used. I had a pair of $100 Nikons that I took deer hunting. They were full of water at the end of the day. I took them back to Bi-Mart even though it had been a year and they gave me a refund. I then upgraded to the Monach series, $250 for a pair... they fog up too... what can you do? I expect that the $1000 Swarovski's don't but I can's see paying that kind of money....

Rip'N'Lips

1pump · 12-16-2002, 09:01 PM

I guess it pays to check warranties out. I noticed that not all binoculars are waterproof/shockproof/fogproof. The ones that are cost more $$$. It doesn't matter if those terms are overused. They say it, you pay for it, you should get it. Otherwise it's false advertising.

crabbait · 12-16-2002, 10:53 PM

Are these foggy binocs fogging up on the inside or on the outside of the eyepieces?

May be a dumb question but all binocs will fog up on the outside or the lens when you put cold binocs against a warm eye. I always carry my binocs inside my jacket when the weather is cold so they are warm and do not fog up when use.

Water on the inside is a different story. Minew are Leopold Windrivers and i like them a lot.

Myles · 12-17-2002, 07:57 AM

I have a pair of compact Nikons. I did have to send them back, with a check to get them re-aligned but I am pretty hard on equipment.

myles

outdoor.spec.ops · 12-17-2002, 08:38 AM

I havent had to send a pair in for atleast 4 years, but then again I havent used Nikons in 4 years due to their crappy service on repairs. I sent in a pair for fogging up one time, came back with a scratched lense, they said I would fit the bill. A month latter after this problem, I sent them in again for fogging up, and ended up having them keep them after requesting that I pay 65 bucks to have them repaired, and 20 bucks shipping. They worked great until they fogged up. Dont have that problem now with my other brands.

biederboat · 12-18-2002, 04:56 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Mine definitely fogged up on the inside. From what I see here, I think my expectations for $100 binos are too high. None the less, I think I will tell Nikon where their repair charge.

Biederboat

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 12-19-2002, 07:09 AM

Nikons are the most susceptible to fogging and prism misalignment of all the optics I sell. They have a pain in the backside repair policy and smug tecks who border on stupid. Because they build fine optical instruments (like cameras) they expect you to treat their sport optics the same. �do not get them wet, do not bounce them around, and if it is a scope, do not attach to a rifle and pull the trigger�

For future reference buy the Leupold Wind Rivers. Same price. Water proof to 33 feet under water not water resistant. And the best warranty policy (but keep your receipt)

Bill Monroe · 12-19-2002, 07:43 AM

I'm kind of with *** on this...I've just sent back some armored mountaineers for the third time and while they were nice about it (I dealt with the local PR firm), I was a bit put out they didn't keep their alignment and clarity. I love the camera gear, though...

Think the next stuff will be Wind River or outright (and even better) Leupolds...can't go wrong with local...

BlindSquirrel · 12-19-2002, 10:18 AM

Nikon bashing?

I'll have to second (or third) the disillusion with Nikon optics. I bought a high-end Nikon Monarch UCC 3x9x40 scope basically on the Nikon reputation for great optics -- and it was cheaper than the equivalent Leupold Vari-X III. The optics clarity and brightness are quite nice. In the first season of its use, I shot a nice big cow elk, and set the rifle butt down against a tree (with scope objective pointing skyward). While taking care of the elk, a major snowstorm hit, and dumped about 2" of snow. After gutting/quartering the elk, I picked up the rifle and cleaned the snow out of the scope. Then I noticed the scope hissing and water bubbling near the objective lens! :shocked: The scope had never been bumped/dropped, and shot less than 20 rounds (7 mm Rem Mag). Water had gotten inside and it fogged big time. Luckily, it only happened after the elk was down. We also bring an extra rifle -- every group needs a backup rifle for many reasons.

I sent the scope back through GI Joes, and got a brand new replacement without any problems/questions. In hindsight, I should have spent the bigger $ for the VariX-III, or now with the VX-II for equivalent $.

For waterproof binoculars in the low to mid price range (<$250), I think that the Nikon Monarch 10x40's are nice optically, but from all I have seen and heard, I would also go with the Wind River line instead.

Binoculars are so important to me while hunting, I bought the best one I could afford -- Swarovski 10X42. While quite expensive, I will never feel that I should have bought something better.

Blind Squirrel

nerta · 12-19-2002, 04:06 PM

:depressed: My experience they suck for after purchase service.

biederboat · 12-19-2002, 04:13 PM

Wow!!! That second group of responses drove the point home even further. This is EXACTLY why I like internet discussion forums. There is no way I could have acquired this knowledge in the past. Thanks for everyone's honest opinion.

Biederboat

WaterDog · 12-20-2002, 07:05 AM

Well I guess I�m the exception. I have the 8x40 Egret(I think) that are rubber coated. I leave them in the boat to bounce all round in the tackle tray while trailering and on the water. I take them hunting and let them bounce on the dash of the truck.

They have gotten wet but never had water on the inside. I�ve had them for three years. Optics seem fine to me. Go figure. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

wetaline · 12-20-2002, 08:40 AM

I'll have to go against the standard opinion as well... I purchased my Nikon Bino's about 2.5 years ago.. They're the 8x40 - not sure what the model name is... .Maybe Monarch but i'm not sure. However they were in the $350 range...

I've been very happy with them ... had them in some pretty heavy rains etc.. no moisture inside.... the only fogging has been on the outside using in cold weather and some heavy breathing....

Anyways - no complaints from me.

Mojo · 12-20-2002, 09:56 AM

I have had 3 pairs of Nikon binoculars. All three have gone out of alignment after a year or 2 I bought the first pair 8 years ago. When they "improved" their design, I bought another pair, they went bad on me on the first hunting trip I took them on. The third pair was a gift, and they shelled out in a year. I'll never buy Nikon binoculars again.

*** is right the Wind Rivers are awesome!

[ 12-20-2002, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: Mojo ]

Gus Orviston · 12-20-2002, 10:35 AM

Not sure about Awesome!...But darn good none the less. I had the prior Leupold porro prism...they got stolen...replaced them with the Leupold Windriver porro prism. No difference in my opinion. All my hunting parties and friend have had these, they are good for nearly every situation; carry, long hours of looking, and they take a good amount of abuse...Leupold is local and they can fix them with short notice if an incident happens during your hunt. For the money you can't go wrong...you might find something near the quality, but you will be hard pressed to find any fault with them. They are still my primary glass.

willametteriveroutlaw · 12-21-2002, 12:11 PM

I had a 2x7 monarch leak out on me to, after less thaan 50 shells. Sent it back, it happened again, so i traded it for a Burris, No complaints there.

12-21-2002, 07:45 PM

I bought a Nikon Monarch 4 x 12 A.O. rifle scope and I have had a fog up problem with them as well. The small O ring near the objective failed and the gas in the tube leaked out. It was repaired for a "charge" but continues to to fog up on a regular basis. I also had a pair of 12 x 50 binocs and the went out of parallax right after I bought them. I now use Burris and Leupold optics. Much better in my opinion than Nikon.