Awhile back I posted a problem I had with a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 and subsequently sent it in for repairs but after recieving the scope back and reading the service repair ticket and the conversation I had with a "tech" I'm not so sure they did anything to help my problem.
The problem I had was this: rifle was shooting a small group 4" high of the target at 100 yards, I adjusted 8 clicks down then the rifle shoots 2" lower but also 2" right so I adjust 8 clicks left and it goes back to shooting 4" high, at all locations it prints nice small groups. I pull the scope off call Nikon who says to send it in I do so with a note describing the problem in detail and I describe a second nagging problem which is the power adjustment is very hard to turn and way worse in cold weather.
When I recieve the scope back the paperwork says:
Adj Collimation
CKD windage and elevation
General check and clean
SUP nitrogen

Will an adjustment on the collimation fix my wandering windage and elevation adjustments?
I don't see any reference to working on the power adjusting ring.
I call Nikon trying to talk to a "tech" to help me understand. He does nothing but make me feel like I got a "buff and polish" and no real service. When I ask the tough questions he remains silent on the phone instead of answering?( I ask does adjusting the collimation sound like it is an appropriate fix for the problem I described? & did they look at the stiff power adjusting ring?)
Somebody in the know please tell me if adjusting the collimation is an appropriate repair for the problem I described.
I like the optics ( nice clear glass) but I don't like the constricted eye box and HARD power adjustment ring, I want to like this scope but the customer service is killing me.
Whats a guy to do?

Back to the top:
I'd really like to here some expert input to help me out.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
Back to the top:
I'd really like to here some expert input to help me out.

Snellstrom; I m no an expert but I Have 20 years shooting and hunting, with all my respect, this happened to my with all cheap scopes like; Norconia, Hawkeye, Shilba, Tasco (Most manufactured in China) and some USA brand like Bushnnell, Is a problem with the erector lents tube spring and the ajusting turrets (thread s screws) some times 1 click = 1/4" a 100 yards and the next click 10" !!! I think the most decent are the leupolds, the Conquest or the Hight price european made scopes, change to a Leupy or a Zeiss Conquest, you will not be dissapointed;Regards

Not an expert. I do own a few Nikons. The power ring on them is typically fairly stiff, and more so in cold weather. Whether yours is beyond the norm for them is hard to say.

Collimation is aligning of the optical components. On binoculars it usually refers to the two sides looking at the same place. But even a riflescope can have the various lenses and reticule not perpendicular and not on the right axis. I suppose this could cause your problem of windage changing elevation. Though I find it hard to believe it would be out enough to cause the level of change you describe.

Guess I am of no help on this. Gonna have to mount it and try it again. Another alternative would be to get a bore sighter that lets you see the grid as you adjust, and see whether changing elevation effects windage or vice versa. Though it will still require mounting on something even for that.

Yes, the Nikon power rings can be quite stiff. I wouldn't be very concerned with that.

Sounds like you spoke with someone who was as helpful as a medical billing person. He didn't know anything about your specific problem, wasn't helpful, didn't care, and wanted you to think you knew nothing.

This problem sounds more like a mechanical one. ESLDUDE has a good idea with the boresighter. Mount it and watch what happens when you make adjustments. That should tell you all you need to know.

My experience with Nikon scopes has been quite good. But I've never had a warranty issue though. Heck, they might have actually fixed a problem.

LWD

I would think collemation errors would still leave consistent adjustments but that your line of sight would simply be off... The adjustment mechanism sounds more like a logical reason for this...

Ken....