Reliability of Nikon Monarch (1 Viewer)

[SteveClark]

G'day all

I have a pair of Nikon Monarch 10x42 binoculars. I realise there are better binoculars on the market but hands-on in stores these were the best I could find for my budget. I've been happy with them since purchase nearly 2 years ago - optically happy in any case. About 6 months ago they developed a fault and they were repaired under warranty. Within two days of getting them back they developed an unrelated fault. I now have my money back from the vendor and have to decide what to buy.

So, my issue is - have I been unlucky with my Nikons or have others had fault/warranty issues? I'd appreciate positive and negative replies so I can judge the likelihood of getting a reliable unit.

Just a quick reply to this question is all I need:

Should I buy another pair of Monarch 10x42 bins based solely on the criteria of build quality - yay or nay?

I don't want prolonged discussion of the optical or other qualities of various brands/models - there is plenty of this alrerady in the forums.

Many thanks
Steve

 

[Kevin Purcell]

To avoid your question completely: shouldn't you be considering what is the best bin I can buy with $xxx (and perhaps is the Monarch 10x42 that one?). I suspect after two years that the answer may be some other bin.

BTW, which dealer gave you your money back on the twice faulty two year old bins? They sound like quality folks!

 

[Tero]

You can look at Pentax, Vortex etc. Some of them are better built externally. My Monarchs behaved for 3-4 years. I am selling them as I have two 10x pairs.

I really can't tell about the inner workings and their reliablility, I only had the Pentax 10x43 about 4 months.

 

[Dave B Smith]

We have a pair of Monarch 8X42 and have used them for 4 years with no issues to date. Quite happy with them.

 

[SteveClark]

G'day all

A bit of clarification might be in order.

I live in rural Australia. There is no way I can try many binoculars before I buy and I'm not buying before trying. When I purchased the Monarchs I went to the main shops in Melbourne and spent a day doing nothing else but trying binoculars. There were only two models that felt right and one of these was way outside my budget. From memory I tried similar priced Pentax and Steiners for instance but they didn't feel right. In the year and a half that I had the Monarchs I was perfectly happy with them. They fit me and the optics were fine. Many of the brands mentioned here and elsewhere are not marketed in Australia (e.g. Audubon, Opticron) except occasionally via mail order dealers and you don't get to try before you buy.

So, unless I get a lot of feedback to say that the Monarchs regularly fall apart I will probably buy another pair and assume I was just unlucky the first time.

As an aside - my faulty pair were sent back in July to the dealer (in Melbourne) who told me they would be sent to Nikon Japan for assessment. They were eventually repaired and returned to me but this took 4 months. The dealer loaned me a pair of Steiner Skyhawk 10x42s for a month or so. These were possibly better optically but didn't feel right. When my returned Monarchs broke again last weekend (after 3 days!) the dealer agreed to refund my original purchase price. There are some aspects of the experience with the dealer that I am not happy with but I won't be naming the dealer (or buying from them again).

Cheers
Steve

 

[Steve C]

I've had 8x42 Monarch since 2002. They have not been used real hard, but they have been used, although slightly in the last year. I can see no particular build issue except for perhaps the eyecup construction.

It appears that in your situation you are sort of stuck with them. You know you like the optics and have some experience with them. Unless you want to do the whole selection dance again, I'd tell you to get another Monarch.

 

[ceasar]

Just out of curiosity, how did they break? Based on your location, it looks like you got excellent service from Nikon, if not your dealer. Albeit he did return your money.

I have a friend who has used the same 10 x 42 Monarch for years. The right eyecup keeps collapsing when I use it and it drives me nuts, but he wears glasses when he uses it and it is of no consequence to him. He's very happy with them. The collapsing eyecups seem to be a chronic problem with the Monarch.

If you liked the first one I'd recommend you get another one. Go back to any Nikon dealer and see if they have several that you can try. "Cherry pick" the one you like best.

Bob

 

[SteveClark]

1a and 1b are the original fault

1c is the screw-up eye piece that came off on Sunday

I have no proof they were ever sent to Nikon by the way.

Steve

 

[ceasar]

The problem in 1a and 1b is unusual to say the least. I wonder what caused it? In that price range, some companies would likely have given you a new binocular rather than fix it. As I noted above, the eyepiece problem doesn't surprise me.
Bob

 

[Tero]

Aha, you have found the weak spot of the Monarchs.

Always keep the eye cups screwed in when not using, that way there is no damage while stored.

 

[Steve C]

I did self caused damage to my Monarch that looked just like your pictures. I sent it to Nikon, not expecting warranty coverage, and it was not. They charged me the minimum service fee of $20. I sent the money, they e-mailed me that the eye cup was not in stock and the repair would take several weeks. Three days later, UPS showed up with a sealed in the box brand new binocular.

Get another Nikon since the optics seem to suit you. If they go haywire again, don't even bother with the dealer. Send it to Nikon. There is a reason they provide a warranty. Since you have it, use it. Even a minimum fee saves at least that much money in hassle. Any dealer when looking at that sort of damage will wonder what your motive is, since they will rightly, IMO, have doubts that with anything like that , they should not be held accountable. If the dealer gave you back the money, as far as I'm concerned, that says a lot about them.

As Tero points out, the eye cups seem to be the Achilles heel of the Monarch.

 

[borealowl47]

reliability

Hi,
Not very reliable,especially when you lose them off
the top of your car:eek!:

Darrell

With my new Nikons!

 

[SteveClark]

G'day Darrell

Is that covered by the warranty? I know a bloke who mounted his very expensive and brand new racing bicycle on his car roof then drove into the garage when he got it home...

I've just ordered a pair of Monarchs from B&H photo and will deal direct with Nikon if they ever need attention. With a bit of luck I should have them to use over christmas.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Atter Hughes]

I got mine about 2 years ago - no problems to date I would still recommend them. Good Value - reasonable quality - and it's not the end of the world if they are damaged..

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Loss and thefts are not covered by the nofault $20 warrenty. But if you can find the bits ...

 

[Kumlieni]

The problem 1c is definitely a problem that I've see occur in older Monarchs. A little over a year ago, though, Nikon updated the Monarchs by improving the eyecup design and adding objective lens covers that lock to the body of the binocular. Since the update I have not seen any eyecup issues on the newer Monarchs. I'm not saying that it cannot happen, but there certainly seems to be a big improvement.

Cheers,
Cameron Cox
Nikon Birding Specialist

 

[SteveClark]

G'day Cameron

That's encouraging news. My new Monarchs are winging their way to me across the Pacific - just left Hawaii. Hopefully they are the new version.

Cheers
Steve

 

[borealowl47]

Nikon monarchs

Hi,

A local birder did find a pair of binoculars in the same area this
year.But if I claimed them they were a step down from Monarchs,and
I do not think that's how warranties work..By the way where me
and whoever the other birder was that lost their binocs, is a tricky place.
A sharp turn between two great birding spots!:-O

Darrell

Further note;A farmer was checking out his field across the road,spring runoff,at the same
time.He now has a way to see his field without getting out of his house!:t:

 

[SteveClark]

G'day all

Just to close this thread - my new Nikon Monarchs arrived yesterday - only 5 days from New York! They are indeed the new model with the eyecup and objective lense cap design changes.

Now - where are the birds?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Tero]

Good luck. I have the most lifers with my Monarchs.