by Mike on August 23, 2011
As good as binoculars go, it could not get better than this, and the best thing is, it does not cost a bomb! The Nikon Monarch ATB certainly got everything packed into that 7.8 x 6 x 3.1 inches, 1.9 pound pair of classy looking binoculars.
Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 X 42mm All Terrain Binoculars
Judging by the brand name of the Monarch, you would know a brand like Nikon strictly mean three things, quality, precision, and more quality.
First of all, the hard rubber coating around the Nikon Monarch ATB not only serves as a protection against impact, but also helps you maintain your grip when it is wet. Speaking of water, the Monarch is 100% waterproof as well as fog proof and shock proof.
Under that layer of protection is the fine and delicate optics of the Monarch. The Multicoated lenses the Monarch uses allows a brighter, and clearer image to be presented. Extended viewing is also aided by the precision aligned optics.
The Monarch doesn’t lose out on comfort either. The long eye relief is also convenient for those who wear glasses. Besides that the central focus feature makes focusing much easier. On top of that, the firm eyecups with a turn and slide capability is also a huge improvement.
Nikon Monarch ATB 8×42 – balance of cost and quality
Excellent for bird watching or nature walks, the Monarch actually performs as well as other brands such as Leica and Opticrons, if not slightly inferiorly, but cost three to four times less, one reviewer pointed out. Unless you are a professional photographer or an avid bird watcher, I think the Monarch gives you the best balance of cost and quality.
Having said that, I am not saying the Monarch is cheap to buy. The Monarch is itself 3 to 4 times more expensive than other models. But as the best pair of binoculars overall, the Monarch ATB 8×42 from Nikon is undisputed.
Update:
Nikon is giving a $50 post-purchase rebate if you get the Nikon Monarch ATB 8×42 now at Amazon, besides the 24% discount and free shipping already given by Amazon. This rebate has an order-by date.
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Olympus Tracker 8×25 Binoculars – Just by looking at it you know this pair of sleekly designed binoculars is going to be a joy to use. Not the cream of the crop, but certainly great for bird watching while you are out in the park, or in concerts and sporting events.
With its low price and small size, the Tracker 8×25 Prism Compact & Lightweight Binoculars is very light too, weighing just a pound. Carrying the 4.9 x 3 x 5 inches binoculars around the park or storing it in your office drawer will not be a hassle.
This unit has a magnification power of 8x and an objective lens of 25mm. Its multi coated lens ensures bright image with contrast, and also protects your eyes from ultraviolet rays.
On top of that, the tracker Porro’s BaK-4 prisms with its high refractive index, gives you a clear image edge-to-edge. A well designed center knob allows you to adjust the focus comfortably. Different people with different eye sights will be able to use it now that the dioptric correction is built-in.
The Tracker seems to be very concerned about the users’ comfort. Not only the eyecups could be adjusted up and down according to your personal preference, the long eye relief also allows those with glasses to comfortably use the Tracker.
With a wide field of view of 315 feet at 1000 yards, you can be sure you do not miss out on any action on the field, even with 8x magnification.
What I Don’t Like About the Olympus Tracker 8×25:
On the other hand, the Olympus Tracker 8×25 binoculars is not waterproof, therefore it is best used in places where you don’t usually get soaking wet, like concerts or watching wildlife in your office. Another issue is, the Tracker does not work well in dim light, one reviewer pointed out.
*Update:At this point, Olympus Tracker 8×25 is selling at 45% discount.
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If you are a budding bird-watching fan, need a good pair of binoculars to hunt or a reliable pair to bring on your road trip, as well as not wanting to spend too much money, the Action 7×35 EX Extreme ATB Binocular by Nikon can fulfill that role.
Nikon Action 7x35 EX Extreme ATB Binoculars
The Nikon Action is perhaps the best value binoculars you can find in the current market! At an affordable price, you can get a well-built, rugged yet highly effective pair of binoculars.
Great for outdoor usage, this ATB is filled with nitrogen and o-ring seals it up for long lasting waterproof, fogproof and also shockproof protection. Protected by an all metal chassis, the Action is a little on the heavy side, weighing around 1.8 pounds. Thankfully a lightweight polycarbonate shell houses its optical instruments, and not to mention its design that distributes its weight evenly, makes it feel much lighter.
With its body covered with rubber the Nikon Action never slips from your grip, wet or dry, as well as providing limited protecting from impact. This 7.9 x 7.2 x 3.3 inches, mid-sized binoculars is also fitted with the Eco-Glass lens system which gives you a bright and clear view, even in poorly lit places.
The power of this unit is at a formidable 7x, with 35mm objective lens. The central focus and left/right eye difference focus adjustment is also fairly quick.
Limitations of the Nikon Action 7×35 EX Extreme
But one review found that the eye piece adjustment range is 56 – 74mm. This causes a double vision problem for those with different facial ratios. Those wearing glasses too might find that the rubber eye cup that curls back cracks after a year or two.
Well these minor problems aside, the Action 7×35 EX Extreme is an affordable yet a reasonably high quality product. In short, this is the best value product.
*Update: Being inexpensive as it is, now the Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB 7×35 is selling at near half-price at Amazon.
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by Mike on April 16, 2011
I think the only difference between the Powerview 8×21 and the Powerview 12×25 is, yup you guessed it, the power of magnification and the objective lens diameter. But of course there are some other minor details but the main thing between the two is probably the power.
Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binoculars
First of all, the Powerview 8×21 houses a 21mm objective lens, and they are roof prism binoculars. The optics used are also multi-coated to ensure great light transmission as well as a bright image.
Just like the 12×25, this model is great for watching birds in your office, watching your favorite celebrity on stage or to bring to a sporting event. And with the user friendly center focusing system, keeping track of moving targets are much easier.
Being a product from Bushnell means it is a really tough nut to crack. On top of that the rubber armor around it also helps lessen the impact upon knocks, while keeping your grip strong at the same time. On the other hand, one user claimed that he found fault in his, with the rubber armor getting unstuck and bits and pieces broken off.
What is better about the Powerview 8×21
Well, one thing about the Powerview 8×21 is that it has a larger field of vision, but I mostly attribute it to the fact that it has lesser power than the Powerview 12×25. With 778 feet at 1000 yards you get 150 feet wider than the 12×25. Another thing is that this model has a shorter close focusing distance of 21 feet, as well as being 4 ounces lighter, which makes it 7 ounces. Last but not least, the Powerview 8×21 is cheaper than the 12×25. Well, not by a lot but its still money right?
Powerview 8×21 Summary
Personally its all about preferences: You want a higher powered with less field of vision or lower power with wider field of vision. I think that the field of vision for both isn’t good anyway, but still great for beginners and casual users.
Further information:
Click here to read more about the Powerview 8×21
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by Mike on April 13, 2011
Size does not matter. Or does it? Well measuring at 4.5 x 4.3 inches and 2.2 inches thick, this wallet-sized binoculars is all about compactness. The 10.2 ounce 2.2 Pentax Papilio 6.5×21 Porro Prism Binoculars is easy to carry about and packed in your bag.
This is perhaps the best choice for those museum and gallery lovers. Besides its small size for easy carrying, its high quality Bak4 prisms allow better viewing in dimly lit interiors, such as museums. Its compactness doesn’t seem to hamper its capabilities.
The CLOSE feature, which stands for Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering, enables this unit to focus down to 1.6 feet. Focusing the Papilio would not be a hassle with this feature.
Pentax Papilio 6.5×21 for Butterfly Lovers
Since it is named after a butterfly, the Papilio is great to work with on the field. Ultraviolet rays that are harmful are filtered out with its fully multi-coated optics, in the mean time improving light transmission. At 100 yard you can get a reasonable 393-foot field of vision. The 6x magnification shows that this little device is able to help you get up close and personal with a pretty butterfly without scaring it away.
Putting the tech stuff aside, the Papilio is also comfortable to use with the Hellicoid eyepiece rings. Wearing spectacles will not hinder your viewing too! The price of this pair of binoculars might be a bit steep, but the quality is assured, with a life time guaranty to back it up. Plus it comes it eyepiece lens caps, a case and a neck strap.
Well if size DOES matter to you, the Pentax Papilio 6.5×21 Porro Prism Binoculars is your choice.
It’s not expensive too, only about $100 right now at Amazon. To make it easy for you, here’s the link to go to Pentax Papilio 6.5×21 at Amazon.
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The Image Stabilization from Canon introduces the technology from camcorders into the world of binoculars. The Image Stabilization is made for those spectators who enjoy parades, sports events, air shows, nature walks or even bird watching, with a steady view.
Canon 10x30 Image Stabilization Binocular Review w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries
About Image Stabilization I and II
As I write this article the Image Stabilization II is already out and so I can say that this is the little brother of the Image Stabilization II. Image Stabilization is cheaper than the Image Stabilization II but of course it doesn’t measure up to the newer model.
But anyway, the Image Stabilization has a magnification power of 10x, and with the doublet field flattener, the image is much sharper and distortion free. The Super Spectra lenses too are multi-coated, giving you a highly contrasted image, not to mention the fact that the lenses are lead free.
What This Canon 10X30 Binocular Can Do For You:
The Canon 10X30 Image Stabilization‘s long eye relief of 14.5 mm ensures that people with glasses can comfortably use them. Protected by a coat of water resistant rubber, the Image Stabilization does not slip from your hand easily.
Having said that, it is important to note that, like its older brother, the Image Stabilization is water resistant, not waterproof. This is a major drawback for such a well design pair of binoculars.
Speaking of the Image Stabilization II, the Image Stabilization actually share many of the same features. However, Canon managed to lighten the Image Stabilization II, despite it being slightly bigger!! The Image Stabilization measures 8.6 x 6.1 x 4.1 inches, weighing 4.4 pounds, while the Image Stabilization II measures 9 x 7 x 4 inches but only weigh 1 pound!
Canon 10X30 Image Stabilization Summary
In my opinion, if you are interested in the Image Stabilization series or this model – Canon 10X30 Image Stabilization, I strongly recommend you get yourself an Image Stabilization II, unless you are not willing to spend that little extra, the Image Stabilization is a great product itself.
Update:
I prefer to get my binoculars at Amazon because they often have discounts when the stock is getting scarce. Right now there are two left in stock so Amazon is giving a 37% discount for Canon 10×30.
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by Mike on March 26, 2011
The Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars is one of those products with high end technology and mid range price. Significantly cheaper than the Zeiss’ Victory FL T, the IS 2 offers similar, if not better features for at least half the price.
Weighing just 1 pound, the Image Stabilization II, as its name suggest, incorporates the technology first used in Canon camcorders. Now, the Vari-Angle Prism helps continuously adjust the prism with the help of vertical and horizontal sensors and a microchip, to give a clear image. Now bird watching or enjoying a football match would be much much more comfortable.
Canon 12x36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars
The power of the IS 2 is formidable too. Boasting a 12x magnification power, it also offers you a wide range of view. Besides that it has long-eye relief and the extra-bright image produced make bird watching in dim light possible. The Multi-coated lens not only filters out the harmful ultraviolet rays, but the Doublet Field Flattener included increases the sharpness and the contrast of the image as well.
Protected by a layer of rubber coating, losing your grip may not be that much of a problem. Not just that, with just 2 AA-size alkaline batteries, the IS 2 can function till up to 4 hours of continuous use. On top of that, this product comes with a case, a neck strap and also batteries.
What I don’t like about Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization II
Just when you think the IS 2 is too good to be true – you are right; it really is too good to be true – the one major drawback is that the IS 2 is NOT waterproof. Yup, you might be wondering why such a feature is left out. Well, I do not know. But it seems that if you want to go bird watching, you better bring along an umbrella.
A decent product, great for nature lovers, but the non-waterproof thing is one disadvantage I don’t fancy.
If you still want to check out Canon 12×36 Image Stabilization II Binoculars, Amazon is giving Big discount at this point of writing.
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by Mike on March 25, 2011
For the bird and insect enthusiast who requires the best of the best to fulfill the addiction, only the Zeiss Victory FL T can fill that role. Certainly the Cadillac of all binoculars, this pair provides the luxurious feel as well as top of the line performance.
Zeiss Victory 8x42 T FL Binocular Review
It has a power of 8x magnification, but there are other models that also provide 10x magnification. With its wide field of view, the Zeiss Victory FL T is also terrific under conditions with lower light intensity, such as dawn or day break.
The excellent close distance focusing is also very convenient. A review pointed out that with just one and a half turn of the wheel the focus goes from infinity to about 6 feet, and without color aberration or compromise of the sharp, high quality image. By pulling the focusing ring you can also adjust the diopter, and with a click the adjustment can be locked. These features make viewing of insects particularly easy.
As you can expect from a pair of top notch binoculars, the Victory FL T is sealed with nitrogen protecting it from water and fog.
This pair also doesn’t cause any problems to those with glasses, for the eyecups curls in as the glasses are pressed onto it. Another distinctive feature is that the Victory allows you to set intermediate settings for the eye relief to the exact level you desire.
Zeiss Victory 8×42 T FL Binocular Review Summary
Well, having said that, the Zeiss Victory FL T binocular does not come cheap. And I again stress that this is best suited for those with serious interest in binoculars. Weighing at 4 pounds, this unit will not let you down, providing you are willing to spill the cash…
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by Mike on October 31, 2009
Unlike most gadgets, the accessories made for binoculars are more of a necessity rather than serving as fancy add ons.
When it comes to binoculars, there is an adage that holds true: “Take care of the tool and the tool will take care of you”. It is not only important to invest in a good pair but also in the purchase of the accessories that will prolong its life.
Lens Caps
The functions of the lenses are not only to allow you to see through them but also to receive light reflected off and also magnifying the observed subject. It is therefore important to protect the lenses.
A quality pair of lens caps will protect the lenses from scratches and other irreversible damages. So find a pair that will fit nicely over the lens of the binoculars.
If you also loosing things, find a tethered pair of lens caps so that you will not forget or misplace them. Plus, having it dangling around will also serve as a reminder for you to replace them back on the lenses.
Service Kit
Having a good service kit is useful when you want to clean and maintain your binoculars. By keeping your supplies in one place, you are sure to have them whenever you need them. Other than the main kit, make one that you can carry around with you so that you can keep your lenses clean when you’re out in the field.
The kit should contain lens cleaning solution and a lint-free or anti-static cloth. Do not substitute the specialized cleaning solution with any other commercial products (like laundry detergent or hand soap) as they can be harsh for the lenses. The lint-free or anti-static cloth should also be soft enough to prevent scratching the lenses when cleaning it.
When using your binoculars, you may occasionally set them down on the ground. This may cause dirt and sand to accumulate on the lens area. Never shake them off as this will mess with the alignment of the lenses.
Have a set of plastic tweezers in your kit so that you can pick off a large chunk of dirt and sand without damaging and misaligning the lenses.
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by Mike on October 29, 2009
If you want to get the best use and longest life out of your binoculars, keep good care and maintenance for them. Always check its manual for any specific care and maintenance instructions. If there aren’t any special needs for your binoculars, here are some tips to care for your binoculars.
Do remember not to clean your binoculars while you are out in the field. Clean them in a clean environment where there is minimal exposure to dirt and dust. Also, make sure there are enough white or natural light.
Follow the steps below to clean your binoculars:
1. Before attempting to clean the lenses, remove any dust, dirt or sand off the lenses with a soft lens brush or a can of compressed air. If there is residue, use a soft lens cleaning tissue, lint free cloth or cotton swab.
2. To clean grease, use a lens cleaning solution and a lens cloth. With a soft touch, remove any foreign substance with light pressured circular motions to avoid any damages onto the lenses’ coating.
3. Once the surfaces of the lenses are clean, breathe on the lenses to create a vapor coating on each lens. Before it evaporates, polish the lenses with a lens cleaning cloth.
4. For a more thorough cleaning, clean the entire body of the binoculars. With a soft bristle toothbrush, scrub the crevices of the casing. Top it off by wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Remember, don’t pour the cleaning solution directly on the lenses’ surfaces as it may seep into the barrel of the binocular. Also avoid harsh cleaners and cloths as it may scratch the surface of the lenses.
And here are some tips to prolong the use of your binoculars:
- Keep the lenses free from dirt and moisture.
- When unused for a long while, make sure that they are not exposed to direct sunlight (such as on your car’s dashboard).
- Remember to handle them with care. To avoid misalignment of the lenses, try not to drop, shake and bump your binoculars. This will make your binoculars unusable until repaired. Collimation problems are not covered by warranties and need to be rectified by a trained technician.
- Keep your binoculars in their cases. Make sure that the rubber eyecups are on the top. Make sure they are stored in a cool, dry place.
Go to my Best Binoculars main page or blog for more tips and recommendations on binoculars.
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