A Note About Nikon w/Regard to the 10x42 SE (2 Viewers)

[FieldSurveyor]

I recently sold a pair of Nikon 10x42 SE on eBay only to have the seller email me complaining of fungus. He sent photos of what looked like a haze inside when viewed in bright sun. Being caught off guard since I had never noticed it I of course let him return them. I was able to see what he saw in bright sun and took photos.

I reached out to Sudarth and the price was $215. Then I thought, wait a minute, don't these have a 25 year warranty. So I filled out the online form on Nikon's site and sent the photos and they told me to send them in. I sent them in and soon got a response saying they'd been replaced, but my replacement was on back-order. I was baffled because I know these are out of production. I thought maybe they kept a few units just for warranty purposes.

Then I received a package via UPS from Nikon. I eagerly opened it and to my surprise there was a Nikon Monarch 10x42. What the....they didn't even ask me if I wanted the replacement. I had never looked through an HG and I'm a bit peeved they took my 10x42 SE, which is getting hard to find.

The HG is nice. The views are really great actually. I'm not sure I will keep it as I've always had my eye on an EL.

Anyway, I just wanted to warn anyone thinking of sending in their Nikon binoculars for service. They apparently will not service them unless they are still in production.

 

[dries1]

I am familiar with this also with a 12X50 SE a ways back. I specifically informed Nikon if they would not service them to return them, no exceptions. I received them back and had Cori service them. So the moral of your story and mine is, if you have a SE that needs some internal cleaning, send them to Suddarth Optik or even Baker Marine, both in the US. I am sure they can also be serviced by able optical men in the UK or Germany.

 

[Ted Y.]

The harsh reality of warranty for binoculars no more in production, it seems.
And not only for Nikon.

 

[Binocollector]

It's like sending in a vintage Rolex Submariner in for service and getting a new model back. I wonder what they did with the SE? Just thrown it in the trash? It's a company that don't respect their products nor the customer.
After the disappointing experience with the P7 I think I won't by any current production (cheap) Nikon anymore. All made in China plastic trash. My Svbony SV202 feels like 500€ compared to the 200+ € Nikon plastic bin when in fact the SV202 was 120€.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

I recently sold a pair of Nikon 10x42 SE on eBay only to have the seller email me complaining of fungus. He sent photos of what looked like a haze inside when viewed in bright sun. Being caught off guard since I had never noticed it I of course let him return them. I was able to see what he saw in bright sun and took photos.

I reached out to Sudarth and the price was $215. Then I thought, wait a minute, don't these have a 25 year warranty. So I filled out the online form on Nikon's site and sent the photos and they told me to send them in. I sent them in and soon got a response saying they'd been replaced, but my replacement was on back-order. I was baffled because I know these are out of production. I thought maybe they kept a few units just for warranty purposes.

Then I received a package via UPS from Nikon. I eagerly opened it and to my surprise there was a Nikon Monarch 10x42. What the....they didn't even ask me if I wanted the replacement. I had never looked through an HG and I'm a bit peeved they took my 10x42 SE, which is getting hard to find.

The HG is nice. The views are really great actually. I'm not sure I will keep it as I've always had my eye on an EL.

Anyway, I just wanted to warn anyone thinking of sending in their Nikon binoculars for service. They apparently will not service them unless they are still in production.

Happened to me too. In went the SE, back came an MHG. Turns out, I too really like the MHGs.

 

[A2GG]

Why wouldn't Nikon simply ask the customer if they want it replaced ? I would like that option. I would like to give my OK first.
I guess they don't consider there may be a sentimental attachment to the piece. Could have been handed down by a parent for example.
Is it a nice gesture or is it rude ? I can't decide. The option to say yes or no should be available.

 

[dries1]

Beth it is available, (the option to replace or not), I guess it was overlooked.

 

[A2GG]

Beth it is available, (the option to replace or not), I guess it was overlooked.

Is it on the service form you fill out before mailing the binocular ?

 

[dries1]

Yes it is there on the form.

 

[FieldSurveyor]

Yes it is there on the form.

It is not on the form. I wanted it repaired.

 

[dries1]

I have sent multiple glass to Nikon in the past and I remember Nikon providing the choice of replacement/ or to be contacted prior to the item being replaced.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

I have sent multiple glass to Nikon in the past and I remember Nikon providing the choice of replacement/ or to be contacted prior to the item being replaced.

Maybe it depends on when and where you send. I've never seen that option when sending to Nikon USA west coast center.

 

[dries1]

That is where I have sent my Nikon glass, to the West Coast.

 

[FieldSurveyor]

Beth it is available, (the option to replace or not), I guess it was overlooked.

I’ve sent two pair to Nikon’s west coast “service” center in the past two years. Neither time was I given the option to have them repaired.

This is what Nikon says regarding their lifetime warranty:

"Lifetime Warranty

Nikon Binocular/Fieldscope/Riflescope (Non-Electronic Components)

This is your Nikon Inc. Limited Lifetime Warranty (valid in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) for the non-electronic components of new Nikon binoculars, fieldscopes and riflescopes that contain electronic components. The non-electronic components of this Nikon product are warranted by Nikon Inc. to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product from the date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser. During this period if the non-electronic components of this product are found to have defects in material or workmanship, Nikon Inc. will at its option and without charge, either repair the non-electronic components or replace this product with the same product, or if unavailable, a product of comparable specifications and value. This warranty extends to the original consumer purchaser only and is not assignable or transferable."

The red is mine....in case you overlook it.

Anyway, the purpose of my post is to help other binocular owners, not to bicker with you.

 

[b-lilja]

Huh, interesting. A couple years ago I sent my 8x32SEs in for a hinge tightening - they came back optically better than ever - not sure what they did, but it was great (they did note a cleaning and service). The form (which I still have) just says covered under warranty, a bit vague about what they would do.

I would be extremely unhappy to send my SEs in and get something else in return, considering the SEs in some ways are my best bins. It would be sad indeed if Nikon just decided it would be cheaper to replace than service. Sounds like FieldSurveyor's SEs just needed a cleaning.

Certainly will be more careful with Nikon service - in fact I am going to send in some Gold Sentinels shortly and will be very careful to specify repair and not replace.

 

[dries1]

I’ve sent two pair to Nikon’s west coast “service” center in the past two years. Neither time was I given the option to have them repaired.

This is what Nikon says regarding their lifetime warranty:

"Lifetime Warranty

Nikon Binocular/Fieldscope/Riflescope (Non-Electronic Components)

This is your Nikon Inc. Limited Lifetime Warranty (valid in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) for the non-electronic components of new Nikon binoculars, fieldscopes and riflescopes that contain electronic components. The non-electronic components of this Nikon product are warranted by Nikon Inc. to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product from the date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser. During this period if the non-electronic components of this product are found to have defects in material or workmanship, Nikon Inc. will at its option and without charge, either repair the non-electronic components or replace this product with the same product, or if unavailable, a product of comparable specifications and value. This warranty extends to the original consumer purchaser only and is not assignable or transferable."

The red is mine....in case you overlook it.

Anyway, the purpose of my post is to help other binocular owners, not to bicker with you.

I have never had a problem with Nikon returning my optic (upon request) if they would not repair it, period. I have always had the option to replace or return. This is to let others know that they do have that option.

 

[dries1]

Huh, interesting. A couple years ago I sent my 8x32SEs in for a hinge tightening - they came back optically better than ever - not sure what they did, but it was great (they did note a cleaning and service). The form (which I still have) just says covered under warranty, a bit vague about what they would do.

I would be extremely unhappy to send my SEs in and get something else in return, considering the SEs in some ways are my best bins. It would be sad indeed if Nikon just decided it would be cheaper to replace than service. Sounds like FieldSurveyor's SEs just needed a cleaning.

Certainly will be more careful with Nikon service - in fact I am going to send in some Gold Sentinels shortly and will be very careful to specify repair and not replace.

I would send them to Suddarth Optic, if you wanted to get them serviced. They serviced my 10X50 Gold Sentinels, so you would pay for that service. Nikon will not service them, but replace them if not specified. Save your postage and time.

 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

I would expect that all manufacturers have a timeline for continued support of discontinued models. However, I would expect that availability of replacement parts would determine how long support would last. If a binocular needs a cleaning or collimation, I would have thought that support could last a long time. In the case of the OP, it is Nikon, USA, which determined the length of support. It might differ in other markets.

Both Zeiss and that Austrian brand have serviced discontinued binoculars for me. Three years ago, Zeiss did look over an 8x30 ClassicC for me. That binocular would have been out of production for around fifteen years. The Austrian Porro, a 7x50, was probably discontinued at least as long.

Stay safe,
Arthur

 

[Paultricounty]

I’ve sent two pair to Nikon’s west coast “service” center in the past two years. Neither time was I given the option to have them repaired.

This is what Nikon says regarding their lifetime warranty:

"Lifetime Warranty

Nikon Binocular/Fieldscope/Riflescope (Non-Electronic Components)

This is your Nikon Inc. Limited Lifetime Warranty (valid in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) for the non-electronic components of new Nikon binoculars, fieldscopes and riflescopes that contain electronic components. The non-electronic components of this Nikon product are warranted by Nikon Inc. to be free from defects in material and workmanship for the lifetime of the product from the date of purchase by the original consumer purchaser. During this period if the non-electronic components of this product are found to have defects in material or workmanship, Nikon Inc. will at its option and without charge, either repair the non-electronic components or replace this product with the same product, or if unavailable, a product of comparable specifications and value. This warranty extends to the original consumer purchaser only and is not assignable or transferable."

The red is mine....in case you overlook it.

Anyway, the purpose of my post is to help other binocular owners, not to bicker with you.

Fieldsurveyor ,

Not trying to be a schooch here , but that highlighted section doesn’t specify that they will make the decision and send out a replacement of a different product. It just states that it is their option to make the choice what they could do. Of course it would always be safer to include a detailed note, as well as make comments on the repair form. I would think that Nikon would generally contact the owner as a practice before replacing an item, but let’s keep in mind we’re talking about Nikon. Although it’s a good company, they do have many issues with communication and procedure consistency. Let’s not even get into trying to get accurate information from representatives on the phone, most of them don’t even seem to know about the products they sell.

Paul

 

[LittleBrownCreeper]

I recently sold a pair of Nikon 10x42 SE on eBay only to have the seller email me complaining of fungus. He sent photos of what looked like a haze inside when viewed in bright sun. Being caught off guard since I had never noticed it I of course let him return them. I was able to see what he saw in bright sun and took photos.

I reached out to Sudarth and the price was $215. Then I thought, wait a minute, don't these have a 25 year warranty. So I filled out the online form on Nikon's site and sent the photos and they told me to send them in. I sent them in and soon got a response saying they'd been replaced, but my replacement was on back-order. I was baffled because I know these are out of production. I thought maybe they kept a few units just for warranty purposes.

Then I received a package via UPS from Nikon. I eagerly opened it and to my surprise there was a Nikon Monarch 10x42. What the....they didn't even ask me if I wanted the replacement. I had never looked through an HG and I'm a bit peeved they took my 10x42 SE, which is getting hard to find.

The HG is nice. The views are really great actually. I'm not sure I will keep it as I've always had my eye on an EL.

Anyway, I just wanted to warn anyone thinking of sending in their Nikon binoculars for service. They apparently will not service them unless they are still in production.

That is where I have sent my Nikon glass, to the West Coast.

I sent my compact 9x30s for repair through Seattle Audubon. Nikon told neither me nor Audubon--just replaced them with M7 10x30s. I was peeved until I realized the M7s we're better. Also, Seattle Audubon is letting me trade them towards either 10x42 HGs or Zeiss Conquests.