Comments on: Nikon Monarch ATB 10X42 and 8X42 Binocular Review http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/ Digital Camera and Lens Reviews for Enthusiasts Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Diane http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-68622 Diane Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:33:05 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-68622 Looking for a new pair of binoculars and think I've narrowed it down to a Nikon. Can anyone tell me what the REAl difference is between the 8x42 Monarch DCF ($349 in Canada), Monarch ATB, and the Sporter EX 8x42 at $209. Are the extra $$$$ worth it for the Monarch? I tried both the Sporter and the DCF in the store but it was hard to see any difference. My store doesn't carry the ATB. Many thanks. Looking for a new pair of binoculars and think I’ve narrowed it down to a Nikon. Can anyone tell me what the REAl difference is between the 8×42 Monarch DCF ($349 in Canada), Monarch ATB, and the Sporter EX 8×42 at $209. Are the extra $$$$ worth it for the Monarch? I tried both the Sporter and the DCF in the store but it was hard to see any difference. My store doesn’t carry the ATB.
Many thanks.

]]> By: Cesar http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-28963 Cesar Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:37:47 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-28963 Thank you Steve for your post and all the thoughtful comments. I am a Peruvian forester trying to get a new pair of "all terrain" binoculars. Nikon ATM Monarch 10x 42 is my first choice. Your pictures in this post are really great for describing this set. Than you again Thank you Steve for your post and all the thoughtful comments. I am a Peruvian forester trying to get a new pair of “all terrain” binoculars. Nikon ATM Monarch 10x 42 is my first choice. Your pictures in this post are really great for describing this set.

Than you again

]]> By: Ole http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4209 Ole Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:29 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4209 I have tested many binoculars one year ago. There were three high premium brands, that make the finest binoculars. And they were all German manufacturers ;-). It's Leica of course, then the Zeiss Victory line, which in my eyes are a bit better than the Leica and another brand, i'm sure you heard of: Minox. It's a traditional german optic brand, like Leica and Zeiss. They make the BD and HG line, which you can compare with the Trinovid and the Victory. And they make cheaper lines, which are not so good, but i think they can keep up with every Nikon. I have bought a Minox BD 10x42 BR asph. When you look through it, it's blowing your mind. Sharp, clear and bright. And i got it, because there was a new improoved line on the way and i got the "old" one 60% cheaper :-0. I think the price achievement is very good at Minox. Steve you should test one, believe me you wouldn't regret it. If you want to have further informations about Minox, go look at www.minox.com And if you are considering to buy a high priced binocular, look also at the Zeiss Victory. They are pricey but they are the best money can buy. Sorry for my bad english. ;-) Greetings from Optic land No1 I have tested many binoculars one year ago. There were three high premium brands, that make the finest binoculars. And they were all German manufacturers ;-) . It’s Leica of course, then the Zeiss Victory line, which in my eyes are a bit better than the Leica and another brand, i’m sure you heard of: Minox. It’s a traditional german optic brand, like Leica and Zeiss. They make the BD and HG line, which you can compare with the Trinovid and the Victory. And they make cheaper lines, which are not so good, but i think they can keep up with every Nikon. I have bought a Minox BD 10×42 BR asph. When you look through it, it’s blowing your mind. Sharp, clear and bright. And i got it, because there was a new improoved line on the way and i got the “old” one 60% cheaper :-0. I think the price achievement is very good at Minox. Steve you should test one, believe me you wouldn’t regret it. If you want to have further informations about Minox, go look at http://www.minox.com
And if you are considering to buy a high priced binocular, look also at the Zeiss Victory. They are pricey but they are the best money can buy.
Sorry for my bad english. ;-)
Greetings from Optic land No1

]]> By: frank http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4202 frank Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:21:24 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4202 Yes, if I remember right, my Leica 8 x 40 is also a bit sharper than were my Nikon 8 x 40 of comparable vintage. Yes, if I remember right, my Leica 8 x 40 is also a bit sharper than were my Nikon 8 x 40 of comparable vintage.

]]> By: frank http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4201 frank Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:12:58 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4201 Steve, it may be that the Nikon Monarch 8 x 42 is not really sharper. It may just be that you can't hold the 10 x 42 steady enough. That's also certainly why a 12 x 42 should only be used with a tripod. Hey, I've got a rubber-armoured Leica 8 X 42 that's about 25 years old ! Just before that, I had a then quite inexpensive pair of porro prism Nikon 8 X 40. They had a wider field of view, more of a 3D effect, and about the same brightness. But the color-rendering of my Leica is noticeably better. And of course roof prism binoculars are more compact and just naturally are better sealed against the elements. Steve, it may be that the Nikon Monarch 8 x 42 is not really sharper. It may just be that you can’t hold the 10 x 42 steady enough. That’s also certainly why a 12 x 42 should only be used with a tripod.

Hey, I’ve got a rubber-armoured Leica 8 X 42 that’s about 25 years old !

Just before that, I had a then quite inexpensive pair of porro prism Nikon 8 X 40. They had a wider field of view, more of a 3D effect, and about the same brightness. But the color-rendering of my Leica is noticeably better. And of course roof prism binoculars are more compact and just naturally are better sealed against the elements.

]]> By: Peter G http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4197 Peter G Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:02:18 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4197 I think Nikon binoculars has some good qualities. I traided a new pair of Swarovskis for Nikon ED-binoculars. The Swaros (their mid range, heavy model) had better contrast but they strained my eyes. The Nikons are easier to use for a longer time, very little eye-strain. I'm not totally happy with the Nikons at infinity though. Perhaps Nikons new top model is better at infinity, watching ships at sea etc. Boat binoculars would be better for me (I'm not a bird watcher), they have better depth of field and are better corrected for infinity. I think Nikon binoculars has some good qualities. I traided a new pair of Swarovskis for Nikon ED-binoculars. The Swaros (their mid range, heavy model) had better contrast but they strained my eyes. The Nikons are easier to use for a longer time, very little eye-strain. I’m not totally happy with the Nikons at infinity though. Perhaps Nikons new top model is better at infinity, watching ships at sea etc. Boat binoculars would be better for me (I’m not a bird watcher), they have better depth of field and are better corrected for infinity.

]]> By: Randy Anderson http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4192 Randy Anderson Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:57:45 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4192 When I was in College I worked at a camera store that sold both the Nikons and the Leica Trinovids. The Nikons are excellent for the price point, but the Trinovids would just blow your mind they were so good. No surprise, I guess, but they were really great. When I was in College I worked at a camera store that sold both the Nikons and the Leica Trinovids. The Nikons are excellent for the price point, but the Trinovids would just blow your mind they were so good. No surprise, I guess, but they were really great.

]]> By: Dwight http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4190 Dwight Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:38:57 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4190 The 8x42 are as good as you say. I consider them to be high end binoculars at a mid range price. People who wear glasses will find that the bayonet eye cups are *so* much nicer then the roll-ups found on other binoculars in this price range. The weatherproofing is almost a necessity for those who go birding in wet weather. Get the 8x10 for general use or for use in dense forest. Consider the 10x42 as a second pair for use in open areas such as lakes and prairie. The 8×42 are as good as you say. I consider them to be high end binoculars at a mid range price. People who wear glasses will find that the bayonet eye cups are *so* much nicer then the roll-ups found on other binoculars in this price range. The weatherproofing is almost a necessity for those who go birding in wet weather.

Get the 8×10 for general use or for use in dense forest. Consider the 10×42 as a second pair for use in open areas such as lakes and prairie.

]]> By: Steve Huff http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4189 Steve Huff Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:32:43 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4189 Hi Jonathan! We used these for a night looking at stars and were pretty amazed at the clarity and sharpness. Honestly, we enjoyed looking through these more than my sons big telescope. Better clarity, contrast and sharpness. Not as much magnification but a beautiful view. Hi Jonathan!

We used these for a night looking at stars and were pretty amazed at the clarity and sharpness. Honestly, we enjoyed looking through these more than my sons big telescope. Better clarity, contrast and sharpness. Not as much magnification but a beautiful view.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/03/16/nikon-monarch-atb-10x42-and-8x42-binocular-review/#comment-4188 Jonathan Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:30:39 +0000 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/?p=6677#comment-4188 Fully appreciate your love for binoculars, and love how your mum and son enjoyed them for a full hour :) I bought a Meade 9x63 for my wife many years ago and we were simply stunned by how many stars we could see through them that weren't visible to the naked eye. Unfortunately during a holiday someone bumped/dropped them so they are now in need of a very expensive alignment repair! (~70% of the purchase price =*{ ) How are these for stargazing? Fully appreciate your love for binoculars, and love how your mum and son enjoyed them for a full hour :)

I bought a Meade 9×63 for my wife many years ago and we were simply stunned by how many stars we could see through them that weren’t visible to the naked eye. Unfortunately during a holiday someone bumped/dropped them so they are now in need of a very expensive alignment repair! (~70% of the purchase price =*{ )

How are these for stargazing?

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