Nikon 7432 Monarch 10 X 42mm All Terrain Binoculars by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon 7432 Monarch 10 X 42mm All Terrain Binoculars
Digital camera Review: Great mid-range binocs
Summary: 4 Stars
I have really enjoyed these binoculars. We were looking for a good pair for watching the wildlife near our house (not the neighbors). We also wanted a set that was compact enough we could take to theater events if we had cheaper seats. The Nikon Monarchs serve both purposes very well.
The clarity is super close to the much more expensive models and the feel of the binocs and the adjustments are really nice.
Great choice. I dropped a star only because the Amazon price was higher than the price at a local Omah, NE store.
Update -- I recently took my binocs to a Joshua Bell concert and can attest these glasses work very well in low light / theater light.
Digital camera Review: Well-tested... and I haven't found any better.
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had these binoculars for 4 years now, and there is nothing about them that I don't like. I work seasonal bird field jobs in all kinds of places and environments, and these have done very well in all conditions. Most of my employers have offered me a set of binoculars to use, to reduce wear and tear on my personal ones--but after a brief attempt with each model, I've never been able to bring myself to do it. As a result of that wear and tear, I recently sent mine in to Nikon for repairs ($10 to replace all four glass lenses and both plastic eyecups--no complaints there!) and in the meantime I've been attempting to use a loaned pair of Swarovskis. I can't stand them. Granted, they're only 8x30s, but even the optical quality is noticeably worse--which I never would have guessed, given the reputation (and expense) of Swarovski optics, even if it's not one of their higher-end models.
I'm not quite sure what another reviewer means by reds and greens "separating." I have always thought the optical quality, clarity, and color of these binoculars are exceptional. Just like looking at it with my own eyes... but 10x closer! I also like the strap that comes with the binoculars; it's never irritated my neck and I love the length and width of it. And, while I did need to have the eyecups replaced (one had started cracking), bear in mind that this was after 4 years of almost daily use... usually all day long in varied weather conditions. The twist-up style is much easier to use than folding down a rubber cup, as you must with some other models.
The moral of the story is that I don't anticipate ever switching to another model of binoculars. These have passed my test, again and again, with flying colors.
Digital camera Review: Not bad but....
Summary: 3 Stars
These binoculars are decent but don't excel. The optics are quite sharp, but not any better than say the Audubon Equinox HP, which is a tad cheaper. They also show quite a bit of color fringing with the reds and greens separating from objects even with medium contrast. The image is quite sharp in the center, but gets less so as you move closer to the edges. The weight is perfect (i.e. light). The case is adequate, but the straps need replacing... mine started cutting into my neck right away. The eyepiece has a twist eye cups that have only two positions... all the way down or all the way up. They are also a bit flimsy, have a tendency to stick and to accumulate dust easily in the field. The objective eye caps are just simple pieces of plastic that could be better. The Equinox is better on both counts of the eye cups as well as the objective lens caps. I've had the Monarchs for about a month now but am going to be returning them, because it looks like Nikon is trying to coast on it's brand name with this product.
Overall impression is that, it's not a bad set of glasses at all... just that there are better ones at the same price point or slightly cheaper.
Digital camera Review: Price, Function, Form
Summary: 5 Stars
These have all three. I was impressed with these binoculars from Nikon. I've read other reviews on many binoculars from Leica to Sworvski's. At a fraction of the price, these binoculars are simply "great". Rugged, great focus and very good optics for what is really a pretty inexpensive binocular. Light, easy to hold, just all around a great buy. I anxiously awaited the arrival of these binoculars and have not put them down since their arrival.