OT - Binoculars

[bigman]

Want to pick up a pair in the $300 range. Used a friend's pair of Nikon Monarch 5 - maybe 5 or 6 years old. Something for general use - 8x42.
Any reason to look any further for any thing else.

Don't have time to shop for them - just want to push a button and have them magically show up at my door.
Thx

[Frankwurst]

Want to pick up a pair in the $300 range. Used a friend's pair of Nikon Monarch 5 - maybe 5 or 6 years old. Something for general use - 8x42.
Any reason to look any further for any thing else.

Don't have time to shop for them - just want to push a button and have them magically show up at my door.
Thx

Go with Nikons, great optics, good warranty and dollar for dollar as good as you'll probably find. Just my opinion but I sure like mine and I've had others. :beer:

[Bruce in VA]

Maybe consider a Swift Audubon model...such as the 820?

[Ken Robb]

Here's an idea you might not think to try: West Marine sells a lot of binos and their house brand can be surprisingly good. At full retail they are pretty good value but a couple of times a year they go on sale with big discounts. My local store has a nice display with demo models you can try. I was surprised how obvious I found performance/quality differences during back-to-back comparisons.
In general I think 7 power is plenty because the higher the power the harder it is for me to hold them steady. I was really dazzled by self-stabilizing models but they are a bit bulky for general use and carrying.

[bikinchris]

Get the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5.

[NHAero]

I've been very pleased with my Eagle Optics Ranger.

[parris]

The website swfa carries most brands at decent prices. I can't remember but I think they also post reviews. Another place to check out is b&h photo.

[jmoore]

Get the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5.

this.


There are lots of good binocs in the $300 price range, but the Monarch's will always be high on the list.

When your order, get a set of these straps as well. WAY more comfortable and secure.

http://www.hisltd.co.uk/images/SeelandStrap-super.jpg

[Jeff N.]

I've got some Leupold (more famous for rifle scopes) 10x50's. Fantastic pair of glasses.

[gomango]

I've been very pleased with my Eagle Optics Ranger.

Yes, an incredible value.

That's what I use as well.

My wife is a birder and I bought her Zeiss Victories.

A truly exceptional set of binoculars.

[bigman]

Thanks for all the responses - going to get the Nikon Monarch 5's.

[bikinchris]

IMO the only better optics than the Nikon binocs are twice the price or more. Names like Leitz, Zeiss, Swarovski etc. But even those are not a whole lot better than the top models if Nikon. The EDG models are that good. The Monarch 7's are only a small step down and the Monarch 5's are good enough for almost anyone.

[parris]

Jmoore what's the strap model and brand? It looks like it would keep things from swinging around but still be useful.

[shamsixnine]

I'm on my second pair of Monarchs (5). My first pair was the older version of Monarch 3. they started to disintegrate after 2 1/2 years. Nikon replaced with the upgraded Monarch 5's no questions asked. Just keep all paperwork. The new 5s are definite upgrade. Better construction. Still has chromatic aberrations-which is somewhat expected at this price range. One thing that still really stinks are the lens caps. Utterly useless. they improved the front caps but they still suck. Otherwise for around $300, vey good...

[jmoore]

Jmoore what's the strap model and brand? It looks like it would keep things from swinging around but still be useful.

Just Google binocular harness. There are a bunch of different ones that come up. I have a set on all my binocs and they are all essentially the same. You can get them at Cabelas or Bass Pro or Academy. Anywhere that carries binocs should have them.

Here's a good set at Cabela's:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Optics/Optics-Accessories/Optics-Harnesses%7C/pc/104791680/c/104752080/sc/104466780/i/104013180/Cabelas-Pro-Binocular-Harness/748422.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN %3D1100070%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd748422&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd748422%3Bcat104013180

[MRB]

You might want to look into Vortex. They have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. My local Army Navy store sells a lot of them.

[Frankwurst]

Thanks for all the responses - going to get the Nikon Monarch 5's.

Good call. :beer:

[pbarry]

Slight thread drift: Anyone here use the Fuji Techno Stabi binocs? There up there on my wish list, along with a Bedford, a Kirk, and a Spectrum track...

[benb]

You can often get the Nikon ones super cheap for some reason they show up in "Shop with points" things on say the Amex store a lot.

I have a set of 10x50 Nikons I got free that way.. 10x is a bit too much for a lot of handheld usage, but they are still really nice, and they do have a tripod mount.