Thread: Nikko Stirling - thoughts

Hi Team,

I am currently reviewing a Nikko scope for an article - as part of it I would like to know what comes to mind when someone mentions using a Nikko Stirling scope?

be honest - I have my thoughts on the brand, however have been very open minded on the review and would just like to gauge perception of the brand.

thanks

Under-rated if you get a good one.

I purchased my first one - a Gold Crown 4x40 about 35 years ago. It has been on a spring powered air rifle ever since and never missed a beat. I've had some other good ones, and some bad ones.

I have a Nikko Stirling Nighteater 3 - 10 x 40 on a. 22 mag and I can't fault it. Very good value for money. I'd definitely buy another.

Sent from my SM-A505GN using Tapatalk

Really depends on the model and intened use, I have had a night eater and they are brilliant rimfire scope.
I currently have a diamond 1-4 on my 30 30 and it too is bloody great glass certainly no issues.
Sure they are not top teir euro glass but then you are not paying top teir euro glass prices either, both Nikko stirling scopes I have owned have punched well above their respective price point and I have never felt the need to upgrade them due to performance.
I would happily have another night eater for my 17hmr and should have never sold it to @gadgetman

the older goldcrown nikko stirling 3x9x40 had the best field of view of any vari Ive ever seen and its twilight abilities werent too shabby either....Ive bent or fogged 4 of them over the years and now all my rifles wear leupolds for the reliability factor...my last nikko striling was on sold with rifle after 20 years of good honest service.

The Jap 'gold crown' scopes are very good optically but the tubes are soft and seem to ding easily.

I’ve got three, the Gold Crown is excellent and all of them have been reliable and faultless.

A ‘good bang for the buck’ product in my estimation.

I've had a couple of Nighteater models (6x36 and 3-9x42). Good value reliable scopes, no complaints for what they cost.

A bit of distortion around the edges and didn't resolve detail like the next price range up the ladder, but at half the cost you wouldn't expect them to.

Heard very good things about the Diamond series but haven't tried one of those myself.

Must have had 15 or so on various rimfires. Good scopes for the dollar - esp for rimfires. Quite clear, hold zero well, very reliable - can't remember one breaking down.

I agree with comments above - Gold Crown, Nighteater and Airking the best of those I've tried, but I'd be happy to buy any rimfire with a Nikko sitting on it.

I've got 6 or 7 of them on various rifles and never had any problems with them latest is a long range diamond and I'm very happy with it you'll never win bragging competition with one tho waiting for someone to jump in saying they are shit compared to their 4k euro scope

I’ve got a new Octa 2-16x, glass good for price, seems solid and well finished but haven’t tested dialling accuracy. Centre dot a bit big for target shooting but fine for field use. Excellent eye box and field of view, well designed.

Im a big fan -any of them ive owned used have "never missed a beat" ,and whats more theyre easy on the wallet if youre limited.

Old man had a Jap made 4x32 gold crown on his 22Hornet, held zero and actually pretty clear for what it is.

I had a new style 4x42 gold crown on my first rifle, it was rubbish, optically very average and didn't last long at all.

Originally Posted by dannyb

Really depends on the model and intened use, I have had a night eater and they are brilliant rimfire scope.
I currently have a diamond 1-4 on my 30 30 and it too is bloody great glass certainly no issues.
Sure they are not top teir euro glass but then you are not paying top teir euro glass prices either, both Nikko stirling scopes I have owned have punched well above their respective price point and I have never felt the need to upgrade them due to performance.
I would happily have another night eater for my 17hmr and should have never sold it to @gadgetman

I had to buy yours because I sold mine to @viper, then slapped some sense into myself.

I've got a couple and have used quite a few. Nothing overly flash but they all work well and are reasonably robust, particularly the Airkings as they are built to cope with springer air rifles. My current air rifle wears one. Extremely good value and they just work. I like their ballistic reticles for pest work where you don't have time to dial.

The brand is a bit of a mixed bag, with low end budget scopes, as well as some nice high end glass - and a lot of middle ground unremarkable models in between. Their FFP, 30mm long range scopes are surprisingly good - especially for the money.