The Monarch Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF BDC Monarch Series of Riflescopes

The test was carried out on the Monarchfour inches of eye relief and 4x power
Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF with BDC reticule that ismagnification. What that means is that you can
top of the range in Nikon's Monarch range, comingaim with your eye 4 inches from the eyepiece -
in the shops at around $700 - $800 against a listthis offers at least four inches recoil before the
price of $980. You might be able to get iteyepiece hits your eyebrow. When I tested the
cheaper than $700 but I haven't found it.scope the 4" was OK at 32x power, but al lower
It is certainly a beautiful-looking instrument, andpower you could take your eye even further
was crystal clear all the way down to the x32away, but only by about an inch or so. The Nikon
zoom. However, let's start with a discussion aboutMonarch riflescope 8-32x50ED is better than
the company itself, because if you are going tomany variable power scopes where the optimum
purchase a Nikon riflescope you want to knoweye relief varies considerably with power. It is
the background. This instrument has to be reliablebetter to be fairly constant so you can get used
under all conditions, so how does Nikon stand into a certain stance in shooting - you don't want
the riflescope market.to be switching too much between powers with a
The company is well known for its opticalvariable power riflescope.
products, most people being familiar with theOptical Properties
Nikon camera range. Over the past few years,The Monarch 8-32x50ED was particularly clear and
the firm has being trying to make a name forbright, even for the 50 objective lens. The ED
itself in the hunting scope market, and now offersglass has been explained, but it sure makes a
a range of hunting optical equipment includingdifference to the clarity, particularly at higher
binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes andmagnifications. Apparently this ED glass has been
now riflescopes particularly designed for the higherused on Nikon's telephoto lenses as standard, and
end of the hunting market. So the Monarch hashas been applied to the Monarch riflescope - but
not just appeared from nowhere, but has a goodonly to the 8-32x50 as far as I can ascertain. It
pedigree.also offers excellent color compensation.
The riflescope range offered by Nikon is theNikon also have what they refer to as an 'Ultra
Prostaff, the Buckmaster and the Monarch, in thatClear Coat' on their lenses, claiming it to boost the
order. The Prostaff are the entry level products,transmission of light through them to 95% as
intended predominantly for amateurs seeking acompared to the 90% of the lower-priced basic
telescopic sight for their rifle, but not wanting toProstaff range. This really is excellent, particularly
pay too much. However, they are good quality,in low light conditions.
and you get a lot for what you pay. It's a pityThe SF in the model name we tested means that
that the quality of the other two ranges does notit is fitted with a side parallax adjustment, SF
increase proportionate to their price, but thatstanding for Side Focus. This works as normal,
would likely be impossible to achieve.only it has a locking device whereby you pull out a
While the Prostaff range offers a good qualitylocking ring to free the adjustment, make your
basic scope, the Buckmasters are better in thatadjustment, and then push the ring in to lock it in
they offer a wider range of magnifications andplace. The adjustment then can't be moved by
objective dimensions, and also better lightaccident. The adjustment moves in 1/8 MOA
transmission. These are three very importantclicks offering precise parallax adjustment at
properties in a riflescope, and while they areranges from 50 yards to infinity. The same 1/8
important improvements, the jump in price fromMOA adjustment is available on the accessory
that of the Prostaff is a bit too steep to warranttarget-style windage and elevation adjustment
just these differences. And then we come to theknobs and caps.
Monarch, and it is that on which we will focusBullet Drop Compensation
(sorry!).Nikon's Monarch BDC models offer BDC reticules
This is Nikons best, beating the other two handswhich possess four circles on the bottom half of
down in all features. The problem with thethe vertical reticule axis, corresponding to 200,
Monarch is that that there is too many of them:300, 400 and 500 yard holdovers for standard
they are subdivided into a range of differentcartridges. For magnum cartridges, with higher
products and it is not easy for the uneducated tomuzzle velocities of about 300 fps, they are each
know which is best for their needs. For example,100 yards higher.
you can choose from the Monarch original UCCSimply target using the appropriate circle for the
3-9x40, the African, the Gold, the X series or justappropriate range and cartridge type. This is a
the plain Monarch, which I shall refer to as thefairly simple no-frills BDC system that still requires
standard. So what's the difference betweena bit of skill and know-how to use accurately. BDC
these?does not come as standard, but each scope can
It would take too long a review to explain thebe configured using the system, so if you want it
differences between all the Monarch models, so Iyou have to specify.
shall stick to the standard 17" long MonarchUnexpected Extras
Riflescope 8-32x50ED SF with BDC which isThe model we tested came with a couple of
excellent for serious hunters.useful accessories: a sunshade and two flip-up lens
Magnificationcaps. That makes sure you can't lose your lens
The entire range offers the 1" main tube thatcaps. Apparently they are only available with this
Americans prefer, and 4x magnification range.scope model, although they can be ordered as
The starting power options start at 2 andafter sales accessories from Nikon for lower
increase to a total of 7 possible starting points topriced models such as the Prostaff and
8, thru 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6. With these magnificationBuckmaster range.
ranges come the objectives: 2-8x32; 2.5-10x42;Conclusions
3-12x42; 4-16x42; 4-16x50; 5-20x44; 6-24x50;This is a good riflescope with some very useful
8-32x50. With various other options, you canfeatures. The standard book price tag is possibly
purchase 24 different scopes in the standarda bit high but you can it for over $200 less online,
Monarch range.so in that respect it is very well priced for what
Of these, this review is of the last in that line-up,you get. The glass is very clear with excellent
the 8-32x50 with ED labeled glass, standing forcolor and the extra features are worth having,
Extra-low Dispersion that offers improvedparticularly the side parallax locking ring that helps
sharpness and color-correction, particularly atmaintain the setting even when knocked.
higher powers (20x or over). Our scope also hadPerhaps the 32 power magnification is a bit high
a BDC - bullet drop correction - reticule thatfor this scope, unless you have a rest or bipod
compensates for bullet drop over specifiedwhen using it, and the 20 MOA internal
distances on the reticule. The actual modeladjustment is perhaps not quite enough for longer
number we tested was Nikon #8480, the pinnacledistances. Nevertheless, for its intended use it is a
of the Monarch series.magnificent riflescope and you will have to look
Eye Relieffar and wide to get better value for money (at
Anybody familiar with Nikon Monarch scopes willthe online price) than the Nikon Monarch
know about the Eye Box technology that offers8-32x50ED SF BDC.