BruceH
Avatar: Harris Hawk
In early 2014 Nikon USA made changes to their warranties on the purchase of new Nikon binoculars. This was brought up in the Nikon Resale thread where it was suggested the topic deserved its own thread.
Nikon Resale thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=292470
Prior to 2014:
Binoculars refurbished by Nikon came with a 90 limited warranty that covers defects in workmanship and materials. It applies only to the original purchaser and can not be transferred. It does not cover misuse. According to comments made on this Forum by a Nikon rep (Mike F.), there is no more coverage on refurbs after the 90 day period. As far as I know, the 2014 changes only impact new binoculars, not refurbs. The above coverage for refurbs appears to still be the same.
New Binocular purchases: Prior to the change, Nikon had two forms of coverage. One was a 25 Year Limited Warranty. It covered defects in workmanship and materials. It applied only to the original purchaser and could not be transferred. It did not cover misuse. Additionally, Nikon had a No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy with implied lifetime coverage. Basically it covered everything not covered by the 25 Year Limited Warranty for the cost of $10 per incident. It was transferable to subsequent owners.
The following links are examples of the two documents:
Prior 25 Year Limited Life Warrany:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=379736&d=1334946180
Prior No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=379737&d=1334946190
2014 New Binocular Changes
Sometime in early 2014 Nikon made changes. First, The 25 Year Limited Warranty was replaced with the Limited Lifetime Warranty. It appears to be the basically the same coverage, just the time period has changed and it is somewhat more specific on documenting proof of purchase. It covers defects in workmanship and materials but not misuse. It applies only to the original owner and can not be transferred to a subsequent owner.
The other big change is the Nikon No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy has been discontinued. That means there is no longer coverage for accidental damage or coverage for subsequent owners. The only coverage is what is now documented in the new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Here is an example of the new Limited Lifetime Warranty:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=517358&d=1412952362
Impact on New Binocular Purchases Prior to the Change
As documented in the Nikon Resale thread, a Nikon customer service rep stated that all optics are now covered only by the new Limted Lifetime Warranty.
Per the Nikon rep:
The new Limited Lifetime warranty policy would apply to all of your sport optics products. Basically, as long as your products don't sustain any damage to misuse (impact), sand, or liquid damage (if they are non-waterproof), your products would be covered under the lifetime warranty.
Summary
Binoculars purchased new either pre or post change are only covered by the Limted Lifetime Warranty. That means there is now lifetime coverage for defects without charge but there is no longer coverage for accidental damage and there is no longer any coverage for a used Nikon.
Nikon Resale thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=292470
Prior to 2014:
Binoculars refurbished by Nikon came with a 90 limited warranty that covers defects in workmanship and materials. It applies only to the original purchaser and can not be transferred. It does not cover misuse. According to comments made on this Forum by a Nikon rep (Mike F.), there is no more coverage on refurbs after the 90 day period. As far as I know, the 2014 changes only impact new binoculars, not refurbs. The above coverage for refurbs appears to still be the same.
New Binocular purchases: Prior to the change, Nikon had two forms of coverage. One was a 25 Year Limited Warranty. It covered defects in workmanship and materials. It applied only to the original purchaser and could not be transferred. It did not cover misuse. Additionally, Nikon had a No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy with implied lifetime coverage. Basically it covered everything not covered by the 25 Year Limited Warranty for the cost of $10 per incident. It was transferable to subsequent owners.
The following links are examples of the two documents:
Prior 25 Year Limited Life Warrany:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=379736&d=1334946180
Prior No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=379737&d=1334946190
2014 New Binocular Changes
Sometime in early 2014 Nikon made changes. First, The 25 Year Limited Warranty was replaced with the Limited Lifetime Warranty. It appears to be the basically the same coverage, just the time period has changed and it is somewhat more specific on documenting proof of purchase. It covers defects in workmanship and materials but not misuse. It applies only to the original owner and can not be transferred to a subsequent owner.
The other big change is the Nikon No Fault Repair/Replacement Policy has been discontinued. That means there is no longer coverage for accidental damage or coverage for subsequent owners. The only coverage is what is now documented in the new Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Here is an example of the new Limited Lifetime Warranty:
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=517358&d=1412952362
Impact on New Binocular Purchases Prior to the Change
As documented in the Nikon Resale thread, a Nikon customer service rep stated that all optics are now covered only by the new Limted Lifetime Warranty.
Per the Nikon rep:
The new Limited Lifetime warranty policy would apply to all of your sport optics products. Basically, as long as your products don't sustain any damage to misuse (impact), sand, or liquid damage (if they are non-waterproof), your products would be covered under the lifetime warranty.
Summary
Binoculars purchased new either pre or post change are only covered by the Limted Lifetime Warranty. That means there is now lifetime coverage for defects without charge but there is no longer coverage for accidental damage and there is no longer any coverage for a used Nikon.