How to Choose Binoculars

Making objects appear 10 times closer than they actually are and featuring renowned Nikon optics, the full-size Nikon Monarch M5 10 x 42 binoculars give you a close, vivid view of your surroundings.
$29
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 60 days after joining*
=
$59
Value
Keep shopping
Imported.
View the Nikon Monarch Product LineView all Nikon BinocularsBest Use | Wildlife Viewing |
---|---|
Binocular Size | Full-size |
Magnification | 10x |
Lens Coating | Fully Multicoated |
Added Protection | Rubber Coating |
Weather Resistant | Yes |
Waterproof | Yes |
Fogproof | Yes |
Real Angle of View | 5.6 degrees |
Apparent Angle of View | 52.1 degrees |
Field of View | 293 feet |
Minimum Focus | 8.2 feet |
Relative Brightness | 17.6 |
Exit Pupil | 4.2 millimeters |
Eye Relief | 18.4 millimeters |
Dimensions | 5.7 x 5.1 x 2.1 inches |
Weight | 1 lb. 6.6 oz. |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Visited REI to shop Binoculars, with my research I was already leaning towards Nikon (being a photography nut for lens quality). I selected the M5 10 x 42 Nikon Binoculars over the M5 8 x 42 for a trip to see the Marfa Lights and to use out at Big Bend National and State Park while hiking. These Binoculars were perfect for sight seeing the Marfa Lights (and yeas we did see them) and were perfect on our hikes in the Big Bend Parks. They are not heavy a lens and light quality are outstanding for the price. At REI the sales person was very helpful in explaining Big Bend Parks (highlighting places to see, hikes and thing to do) while helping use select the right Binoculars.
I must first begin that we purchased these binoculars at the Fairbanks REI when our old and heavy binoculars prisms somehow went out of alignment. That said the Nikon binoculars are light weight and compact. It is easy to hold steady and use the focus control. The eye cups are easy to adjust if you wear glasses and the individual adjuster for the right eye is very stiff at first but became easier to rotate with use. The optical clarity is excellent with great low light detail.
Absolutely in love with these binoculars! x10 was the way to go for looking out over long distances in the Sonoran desert! Focus wheel brings everything in so amazingly sharp! Grip is comfortable and light enough that makes it easy enough to hike with for many miles! Did a ton of research before purchasing. These are universally good for birding as well as all other wildlife!
TLDR, I ended up returning these, but not because they were bad. I found the optical quality on these to be excellent for the money. I already had a pair of entry-/mid-level 8x42 binocs to use for general birding and closer-range trail walking but wanted a 10x pair for sweeping high desert/coastal views. Pros: Excellent optical quality for the price Excellent build quality - they do feel like a 'premium' build in the hands, and the focus knob is butter smooth, and not twitchy or touchy. Nice, well-padded quality case Great neck strap Cons: Narrower field of view compared to other models in its price range (one of the biggest reasons I returned). Doesn't come with a glasspak (small chest backpack for the binos), as the other model I went with included. These really are great binoculars. I just went with a competitor's model in the same class/price range that was on sale at a steep discount at the time. I weighed both and these came in 2 oz heavier. To the Monarch's credit, in addition to slightly better optical quality it also had better depth of focus, meaning you don't need to adjust as frequently. These also have far superior eye relief, for those that wear glasses. I do wear glasses and often feel the need to take them off to get the full benefit from the wider FOV that the model I ended up choosing has to offer. I'd have kept these if weight and money were not a factor for me. Part of me wanted to keep them since they did just feel better overall.
I love these binoculars!! The wide field of view and clarity make looking through them a joy. In retrospect, I have had at least Two pair of compact binoculars, but I rarely used them cause I didn’t like the field of view that I got looking through them. These are well worth the money to me.
Bought this for a trip to Africa. Have not traveled yet, but have looked through them and they are comfortable with a bright, sharp image and good field of view. A bit heavier than I would have liked but appear rugged and are supposedly water proof for use when it is raining. Will update after my trip in August.
I really like my binoculars for viewing birds at a distance.
A stellar performer !!! For the sky as well as in the field !!!
Great binoc. Sharp and bright. 10 power. Comfortable in the hand.
These are a great upgrade from beginner binoculars for birding. Very quick to focus and the image is crisp all the way to the edges of the field of view. Also very easy to get the diopter adjusted to the right setting. The only downside is they’re not quite as good in low light conditions as other binoculars in this price range that I’ve tried but these make up for it with all the pros.