Monarch HG now made in China? (1 Viewer)

[holografix]

After much research and several email exchanges with my dad who’s a certified bino fanatic I decided to purchase the HG 10x42. Much to the old man’s annoyance he reckons I should get something more affordable like an Olympus Pro or a Vanguard.

I was chasing around for a Monarch HG 10x42 for two days in Australia. No one has one it’s outta stock everywhere.

Contacted Nikon and they told me the new versions are shipping out early September and are now made in China. Super disappointing in my opinion.

Any thoughts?

Those listings on eBay from Japan just started looking much more interesting!

 

[A2GG]

wow.
"new version": are there any differences besides where they are manufactured ?

 

[A2GG]

I called Nikon US and asked about this. The guy I spoke to said this info is false and they no longer manufacture in China.
This doesn't quite sound right since their affordable binocular models are made in China.
He said he couldn't comment further. I'm not sure what to believe now.

I guess we'll find out when the new bulk shipment arrives in Sept.
It should say made in China on the bins if this is the case.

 

[holografix]

I got tired of looking around and waiting and pulled the trigger on a eBay listing from a Japanese seller.

Not ideal not to have the Nikon 10 year warranty but I really don’t want one made in China. I think once the news gets out the Japanese made version might get hard to find.

Maybe the Nikon person here is Aus is getting her/his wires crossed… I replied asking for confirmation that it is the case but haven’t heard back.

 

[dries1]

Both statements from Nikon are contradictory, it is a bit odd indeed. Although much like customer service these days, plenty of misinformation.

 

[Conndomat]

I was chasing around for a Monarch HG 10x42 for two days in Australia. No one has one it’s outta stock everywhere.

Contacted Nikon and they told me the new versions are shipping out early September and are now made in China.

Hi,

could it just be a misunderstanding?

The Monarch are produced in China, but the Monarch HG in Japan ?!

No idea, if the HG are now being produced in China, many will be a bit more critical with the purchase, as your case clearly shows.

Andreas

 

[holografix]

I'm not getting any response via email from Nikon here in Australia. If anyone could confirm, perhaps from somewhere else in the world, that would be awesome.

 

[AlphaFan]

It’s certainly true that 42mm MHGs are sold out virtually everywhere in the USA.

Know that there is confusion over where the “Monarch” line of binoculars were manufactured - primarily due to the HG model being manufactured in Japan and the remainder of the Monarch line manufactured in China. Personally think it was a huge marketing mistake to make the HGs part of the Monarch badge as it impacts the image quality of that product.

However, source of optic device manufacture is likely some of the heaviest traffic of misinformation on the internet. It usually starts with someone making a claim they heard something from a manufacturer’s rep (sometimes 2nd or 3rd hand), which then spreads like wildfire across the blogs without much further validation.

A couple of years back I read online-banter over the manufacturing source of a binocular I was interested in. After researching and directly consulting with numerous reps from that company it became clear that some parts of the binocular were outsourced. However, according to multiple manufacturer reps, the vast majority of the optical system, components, lenses, coatings, etc were manufactured and all of the assembly / QA was done in house. This was very contrary to the online narrative of complete outsourcing of that particular binocular.

Probably already known to many lurking here - quality OEM integration is a 21st Century reality that must at least be a consideration if companies want to remain price-competitive in the global market. It is a bit hush-hush and likely far more widespread than most realize. Don’t know how that directly effects making true premium-alpha grade optics, but it certainly impacts the increasingly competitive sub-alpha market (~$1k). Today when someone says they are using “Schott Glass” - it doesn’t necessarily mean it came from Germany. Schott has plants in Europe, across Asia, or even Duryea, Pennsylvania. Also, what it takes to make a high-quality optic hasn’t been a trade secret for a long time now, and the quality of Asian manufacture has dramatically increased during the past decade.

 

[NDhunter]

I have an idea the Monarch HG is made in Japan, just as it has always been. The talk of any changes is not confirmed.
So lets not continue any rumors to change that.
Supply disruptions are common now with the current situation.

Jerry

 

[holografix]

Just to clarify my intention is not to start any rumours. Just asking for confirmation about what a Nikon rep told me directly via email.

Seems like no one on this forum has been able to confirm it which is fine I just thought maybe someone from Nikon kept an eye on the forums or someone with a commercial relationship with them could confirm it. Doesn’t seem so.

I think it is relevant where the bino is made though. If I get more info I’ll share it here.

ps: I should receive the HG I purchased on eBay from a Japanese seller today. He confirmed it’s made in Japan but I’ll let you know either way!

 

[AlphaFan]

My MHG is only a few years old and was made in Japan.

Manufacturing sources do change and the impact of COVID certainly disrupted many supply lines and agreements. So, who knows what the future holds for any brand.

However, the recent increase in the use of OEM components and improvements in non-Japanese Asian manufacture are beginning to change opinions about the criticality of claimed place of manufacture.

 

[Borjam]

Just to clarify my intention is not to start any rumours. Just asking for confirmation about what a Nikon rep told me directly via email.

In these times you can't even believe actual employees from any company. I have seen it countless times at work, even being a small company. After some problem ask 5 people what happened; despite having explained to them what was the problem, root cause, etc, everyone will give a different answer.

A rep?

 

[dries1]

My MHG is only a few years old and was made in Japan.

Manufacturing sources do change and the impact of COVID certainly disrupted many supply lines and agreements. So, who knows what the future holds for any brand.

However, the recent increase in the use of OEM components and improvements in non-Japanese Asian manufacture are beginning to change opinions about the criticality of claimed place of manufacture.

View attachment 1401124

Nikon is not well from a fiscal standpoint, so it could be that the production of more of their products will go to that other Asian country for manufacture. Either way, I feel glad that I have some of the premium glass they made in their heyday - in Japan.

 

[holografix]

Just received my HG yesterday, like I mentioned purchased from an eBay Japanese seller.

Who knows if it’s really new given that the box was opened but it certainly looks and operates as if it is brand new.

Clearly marked “made in Japan” on both the box and the bino itself. Neck strap has made in China on it.

I’m delighted with it. Beautiful bino, shockingly bright even at night.

 

[Ontario]

Contacted Nikon and they told me the new versions are shipping out early September and are now made in China. Super disappointing in my opinion.

Any thoughts?

See 1st photo the new version is still made in Japan and comes with revised focus knob that has raised lettering like the older models EDG and HG

2nd photo shows the 1st revision with a cheap looking focus knob similar to the made in China Monarch lines

 

[dries1]

Not a very serious upgrade IMO. Additionally, they will likely charge more for that minor upgrade.

 

[jgraider]

Is it any real surprise that Nikon's customer service has absolutely no clue what's going on? That's been my experience with them over the course of several years.

 

[Ontario]

Not a very serious upgrade IMO. Additionally, they will likely charge more for that minor upgrade.

Maybe Nikon tweaked the field flattener and improved the optics a just acquired 10x30 is a gem vs the two 10x42s I previously owned. I found each of the 10x42s when compared side by side with the Meostar HD to be a little soft it’s image looked artificially flat displayed more CA and panning behaviour exhibited rolling ball.

Speculation

My 1st 10x42 developed a drifting diopter so it’s possible Nikon made a mechanical improvement and not just a cosmetic one.

Preference

Made in China model with EDG optics in a Monarch 7 chassis for $1000

 

[dries1]

I have the first iteration of the MHG, one also had the drifting diopter, it was replaced, the other is still good today. I have never experienced rolling ball. The EDG is however in the most relaxing flat field glass I own to pan with, at least to my eyes.

 

[dries1]

JG,

Yes it has been non existent as of late.