Like it or not, they also have to compete with the Tract Toric, Vortex Razor HD, Maven, and GPO's new stuff evidently. $1000 is a really tough price point.
Understand Jerry, and agree on all the good choices thing. I don't have as much faith in Nikon as you do, especially the CS and warranty part, but they do have a few serviceable products and a couple of outstanding ones (EDG, SE, Premier). They are pretty clueless on marketing them though IMO.
Is not $1000 is $500 more at recent prices SF has been selling.
SF has been selling at $1500 lately. That model is plenty alpha for me.
SF has been selling at $1500 lately. That model is plenty alpha for me.
SF has been selling at $1500 lately. That model is plenty alpha for me.
SF has been selling at $1500 lately. That model is plenty alpha for me.
As Bob said you better grab one quick at that price. The gray models are discounted and going quick. The cheapest I see is 1700 at Cabela's and they only have the 10x42 left. I don't see any new gray for 1500.
The rest are going for 2k.
The new black model is going for 2800-2900.
The problems with the gray ones are bubbling armor and sticking and/or noisy focus wheel. It's a crap shoot as to whether you'll get one with problems.
This sounds like hyperbole to me - how many units actually had these problems? From the ownership cohort, the numbers of actual problems seem to have been very few and confined, mostly, to early production, with later production improved as you would expect with any new product.
James:
I agree with you, my gray version has been perfect, I think Steve here
has not been fair with his evaluation.
Jerry