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Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42

*Est. $250

Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42

Best binoculars overall

pros
  • Outstanding optics
  • Waterproof, fogproof
  • Comfortable, even with eyeglasses
  • Lightweight (21.3 oz.)
cons
  • Inconvenient lens caps
  • Rare quality-control problems
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 
5 star:
(76)
4 star:
(22)
3 star:
(1)
2 star:
(0)
1 star:
(0)

Average Customer Review

(99 customer reviews)

Search Reviews

Very Nice, November 17, 2009

Recently, my father let me borrow a pair of his VERY expensive Swarvoski binoculars. I was extremely impressed and decided to buy a nice pair for myself. Not wanting to spend $1,800+ on binoculars unless absolutely necessary, I did a fair amount of research and settled on these, with the idea that I could send them back if necessary. I'm not sending them back. I'm not sure they have quite the "wow" factor as my fathers, but they're pretty darn close. I was extremely impressed with the quality of the image and the brightness. The images are extremely crisp, the binoculars feel very good in my hand and are extremely comfortable to use and are worth every penny. I agree with other reviewers regarding the lens cap covers -- they're cheap and fairly useless. But they stay on in the case and serve their purpose. No big deal. I very highly recommend these binoculars for anyone wanting a very nice quality pair of binoculars without breaking the bank.

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Yes You Need These!, November 12, 2009

After thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail this year I decided I wanted to stay close to nature and began searching for a good set of binoculars that wouldn't break my bank account (as always, Amazon had the best price!). I wanted a set mainly for birding and nature spotting. The decision to purchase the Nikon Monarch 8x42mm All-Terrain model was a good one. No wonder they won best mid-priced bino as rated by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These are lightweight, solid, water and fogproof, and provide good eye relief fro eyeglass wearers. The first time I took them out on a local bird walk I was amazed at the image quality. Now they're my favorite "go to" binoculars. They'll be yours too.

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Great glass, November 11, 2009
First rate glasses with second class accessories. Wonderfully clear and sharp to the edges. The case and caps are another story. The rear lens cap really is pretty terrible.
Great set of binoc's, November 9, 2009
Incredibly bright and amazing contrast make these binoc's a pleasure to use under any field lighting condition. These are an outstanding set of binoculars.

Bowhunter Approved, November 4, 2009

I purchased this from Amazon and got a great price and read many reviews on the web. I received them 3 days after I ordered. It was in time for my deer hunting trip over a bean field in driving rain. They performed very well considering it was a hard rain for 3 hours. As stated in other reviews the rain guard caps do suck but it certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. My eyes aren't as good as they use to be being just south of forty but I could easily see spike horns at 200 yards in the last hour of daylight so to me thats worth the price alone and ofcourse it can't fog up. It doesn't matter what magnification or how bright it is if they are fogged up.

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Where To Buy
 
 

Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42mm All-Terrain Binoculars

 (99 customer reviews)
Buy new: $299.95 Too low to display   73 Used from $229.97

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology ranks the Nikon Monarch the best 8x42 binocular in the $200-500 "sweet spot" price range, noting that they're "lightweight, waterproof, and very comfortable," with "an image and feel that surpasses many models costing two or three times more." Scores are very high for image quality and close focus, but especially high for overall feel and eye comfort.

Review: The Age of Binoculars, Kenneth V. Rosenberg, Winter 2005

2. Birder's World

Testing eight moderately-priced binoculars for good optics, experienced birdwatcher Pete Dunne recommends the Nikon Monarch: "There are others in this price range that are comparable, but for some reason, after an hour of testing and comparing, this is the glass buyers walk up to the counter with."

Review: Out with the Old, In with the New, Pete Dunne, Feb. 2005

3. Optics4Birding.com

The editors here give the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 the highest possible scores on all counts, including lens coatings, prism material, weatherproofing, field of view, weight and more. The more detailed review at this site covers the Monarch 10x42, but the criticism of the inconvenient lens-cap bracket probably applies to the 8x42 as well.

Review: Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars, Editors of Optics4Birding.com

4. Birdwatching.com

Experienced birders rank mid-priced binoculars here, recommending the Monarch 10x42 but noting the Nikon Monarch 8x42 are very comfortable for eyeglass wearers.

Review: Nikon Monarch Binocular 8x42, Michael and Diane Porter, Nov. 2007

5. Amazon.com

More than three dozen owners give the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 binoculars the highest possible average rating, praising their bright clarity and comfort. Minor complaints involve inconvenient lens covers, and one owner reports a quality-control problem.

Review: Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Waterproof Binocular, Contributors to Amazon.com

6. Hunting and Fishing Gear Review.com

A handful of outdoor sportsmen review the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 here, with praise and minor complaints that mirror those articulated by Amazon.com contributors.

Review: Binoculars Reviews, Contributors to Hunting and Fishing Gear Review

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