Binoculars: Reviews

Updated April 2008

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Best binoculars overall

*Est. $250 Compare Prices

Reviews say the full-sized Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 binoculars are the best choice for most users. The Nikon's optics are nearly as good as those of luxury binoculars like the Zeiss Victory (below), though small details… like lens caps and eyecups are less convenient. With 19.6mm of eye relief, the Nikon Monarch binoculars are comfortable for eyeglass wearers. Its 330-foot field of view and 8.2-foot minimum focus, while inferior to those of the Zeiss, are still very good. The Nikon binoculars weigh 21.3 ounces and are waterproof and fogproof. The 25-year warranty is non-transferable, but it includes lifetime "no-fault" repairs for a flat $10 fee.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

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 ...

Birder's World: Testing eight moderately-priced binoculars for good optics, experienced birdwatcher Pete Dunne recommends the Nikon Monarch: ...

Optics4Birding.com: The editors here give the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 the highest possible scores on all counts, including lens coatings, prism ...

Birdwatching.com: Experienced birders rank mid-priced binoculars here, recommending the Monarch 10x42 but noting the Nikon Monarch 8x42 are very ...

Amazon.com: More than three dozen owners give the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 binoculars the highest possible average rating, praising their ...

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 ...

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Compact binoculars

Pentax Papilio 6.5x21

*Est. $130 Compare Prices

The Pentax Papilio binoculars weigh just 10.2 ounces and are only 2.2 inches thick. They also focus as close as 18 inches (one reviewer says they can double as a field microscope). Because of their small size, the Pentax… binoculars don't have as much light-gathering ability as larger binoculars, so they'll be best in daylight. Still, reviews say the Pentax binoculars are better than other compact models in their price class. They are not waterproof or fogproof, but they do come with a Worry-Free warranty, which includes lifetime $20 repairs.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Outdoor Life: Based on field tests of about 80 binoculars, Outdoor Life magazine gives the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 its Editors Choice award, ...

BetterViewDesired.com: Based on field tests, this detailed single-product review praises the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21, saying it "may be the coolest new ...

Birdwatching.com: This is a single-product review of the Papilio 6.5x21 binoculars, but it's written by two birdwatchers who have supervised ...

Excelsis.com: Though this is a website primarily for stargazers, a handful of owners review the Pentax Papilio here in great detail, ...

Amazon.com: Only a handful of owners review the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 binocular here, but the comments are worth reading because they praise ...

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Best value, mid-sized binoculars

Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB 7x35

*Est. $110 Compare Prices

Reviews recommend the mid-sized, waterproof, fogproof Nikon Action EX 7x35 binoculars as the best value in this price range, with an impressive 489-foot field of view. They focus only as close as 16 feet, and are not as… good for eyeglass wearers as the Zeiss or Monarch binoculars, but are better than most in this price range. They use multicoated eco-friendly glass, and carry the excellent Nikon 25-year "no fault" warranty. The trade-off is weight; the Nikon Action EX binoculars weigh 28.2 ounces, heavier than any other binocular in our ConsumerSearch Fast Answers chart.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Based on exacting tests by teams of experienced birdwatchers, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives top ranking to the Nikon ...

Binoculars.com: A handful of owners give the Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB 7x35 binoculars top ratings here, finding that the balance and strap ...

Amazon.com: There are just a few owner-written reviews of the Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB 7x35 binoculars in this particular size, but ...

OpticsPlanet.net: Less than a handful of owners review the Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB 7x35 binoculars here, praising them for bright images even ...

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B&H Photo Video Pro Audio

for $100.00

Budget binoculars

Nikon Action 7x35

*Est. $60 Compare Prices

Even though they're not waterproof, fogproof or suitable for eyeglass wearers, reviews recommend the Nikon Action 7x35 as good basic binoculars. While the optics aren't nearly as good as the lenses and coating available… on pricier binoculars, reviews say they are as good as you'll get for the money. The Nikon Action binoculars carry the same excellent warranty as the other Nikon binoculars. They weigh 24.3 ounces and do have a very wide 489-foot field of view.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Birder's World: Comparing them with seven other relatively inexpensive binoculars, experienced birder Pete Dunne recommends the Nikon Action 7x35 ...

Binoculars.com: Nearly a dozen owners give the Nikon Action 7x35 binoculars rave reviews here. One collector of over 100 pairs of binoculars ...

OpticsPlanet.net: Staff at this retail site give their "Best" rating to the Nikon Action 7x35 binoculars, and a handful of satisfied owners also ...

Epinions.com: The Nikon Action 7x35 binoculars earn high praise as a great budget choice from a handful of owners reviewing them here, ...

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Luxury birding binoculars

Zeiss Victory T*FL 8x42

*Est. $1,800 Compare Prices

The best binocular reviews cite the high-end Zeiss Victory T* FL binoculars as the best you can buy. Images are superb, bright and clear, and the Zeiss are so comfortable that reviewers say they almost become part of your… face. The Zeiss lenses are made of fluorite prism glass, designed to enhance light transmission and color accuracy. At 405 feet, field of view is excellent, and the Zeiss binoculars can focus as close as six feet -- good for watching bird feeders and butterflies. The Zeiss binoculars weigh 27.3 ounces. They are waterproof, fogproof and guaranteed for life.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Based on extremely thorough objective tests, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology gives top ranking to the Zeiss Victory T* FL 8x42 in ...

Birdwatching.com: Based on comparison tests by a panel of birdwatchers, this review praises the Zeiss Victory T* FL 8x42 binoculars on all counts, ...

BetterViewDesired.com: This detailed single-product review is noteworthy because the reviewer includes tests for color accuracy at various times of day, ...

24HourCampfire.com: Based on objective tests by multiple reviewers, the Zeiss Victory T* FL 8x42 earns top ranking in this comparison review of eight ...

Outdoor Life: Based on field tests of about 80 binoculars, Outdoor Life magazine gives the Zeiss Victory T* FL 8x42 a rating of "very good," ...

Outside Magazine: Calling the fluorite lens a "miracle lens," Michael Roberts says the Zeiss Victory 8x42 T* FL "barrels seduce with stunningly ...

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Swarovski EL series *Est. $1,700 to $1,900

6 picks by top review sites.

Leica Ultravid series *Est. $700 to $2,100

5 picks by top review sites.

Leupold Golden Ring series *Est. $650 to $900

4 picks by top review sites.

Nikon Premier LX L 8x42 *Est. $1,000

4 picks by top review sites.

Brunton Epoch series *Est. $550 to $1,750

4 picks by top review sites.

Bushnell Legend series *Est. $80 to $240

4 picks by top review sites.

Nikon Monarch 10x42 *Est. $300

2 picks by top review sites.

Leupold Wind River Katmai 6x32 *Est. $300

2 picks by top review sites.

Nikon Premier LX L 8x20 *Est. $430

2 picks by top review sites.

Bushnell Elite series *Est. $800 to $900

2 picks by top review sites.

Pentax DCF MP 8x28 *Est. $540

2 picks by top review sites.

Celestron Noble series *Est. $165 to $300

2 picks by top review sites.

Pentax DCF HR II 10x42 *Est. $360

2 picks by top review sites.


	Leupold Golden Ring Binocular With Switch/Power Md: 62715 from Amazon.com New: $1,149.99 $998.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Nikon Premier LX-L 8x42 Binoculars from Amazon.com New: $1,898.95 Average Customer Review:


	Brunton Epoch Full Size Binocular 7.5X43 from Amazon.com New: $2,039.00 $1,092.69 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Nikon Monarch 10x42 Binoculars - Black from Amazon.com New: $329.99 $269.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Leupold 6 x 32 Wind River Katmai, Water Proof & Fog Proof Roof Prism Binocular with 8.1 Degree Angle of View, U.S.A from Amazon.com New: $479.99 $359.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars from Amazon.com New: $618.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Pentax DCF HR II 10x42 Fullsize Binocular from Amazon.com New: $389.00 Average Customer Review:

Binoculars: Reviews

Best binoculars overall

Compact binoculars

Best value, mid-sized binoculars

Budget binoculars

Luxury birding binoculars

Binoculars by Price Range