How to Choose Binoculars

Compact, lightweight, waterproof and fogproof, the Nikon Monarch M7 8 x 42 binoculars push resolution, brightness and field of view even further so you can take in your surroundings in vivid detail.
$53
10% Reward
on this and every eligible full-price item*
+
$30
Bonus Card
valid for 60 days after joining*
=
$83
Value
Keep shopping
Imported.
View the Nikon Monarch Product LineView all Nikon BinocularsBest Use | Wildlife Viewing Birding |
---|---|
Binocular Size | Full-size |
Magnification | 8x |
Lens Coating | Fully Multicoated |
Added Protection | Rubber Coating |
Weather Resistant | Yes |
Waterproof | Yes |
Fogproof | Yes |
Real Angle of View | 8.3 degrees |
Apparent Angle of View | 60.3 degrees |
Field of View | 435 feet |
Minimum Focus | 8.2 feet |
Relative Brightness | 28.1 |
Exit Pupil | 5.3 millimeters |
Eye Relief | 17.1 millimeters |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 5.1 x 2.2 inches |
Weight | 1 lb. 7.6 oz. |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
These are just the right size for finding feathered friends. At about one-half the price, you get most of the specifications of Nikon's flagship optics. Objective lens covers remain in place solidly and are easier to pull down than to secure. More importantly, they will not get lost. Visually, even near objects (1.8 meters) are clear. The eyepiece covers always fit regardless of pupil-pupil adjustment. Important: make up a small webbing strap to secure them to the body. Their other lug is useless. The split lug could lose them.
Great image quality and low light performance perfect for birding and other general purposes. The field of view on the M7 is among the widest. There is a small amount of chromatic aberration when viewing high contrast objects under bright light, but otherwise not noticeable. Overall great binocular.
I bought these a month ago and don’t regret it. I tried both the M5 and the M7 is superior by far. Excellent choice for birding.
I went from Aculons 10x42 to Prostaff 3s 10x42 to these (M7 8x42) within two years and each upgrade has come with incremental performance that accurately reflects their respective price points. Right away you can tell these have what I would consider "pro glass". The prostaffs have a nice and bright image and its reasonably sharp but these blow the prostaffs out of the water. The image is great, vivid, super bright, extremely clear, and razor sharp. Chromatic abberation/diffraction is well controlled with the m7 because of the ED glass and this was the main reason for my upgrade from the prostaff. The prostaff suffered heavily from this and would distract from the experience with any moderate contrast heavy sceneries. The rubber armor seams to be smooth and less 'grippy' than the prostaff. I dont know how I feel about that. I really liked the grippy soft texture from the Prostaffs so to me this feels like a downgrade. I presume its to make these easier to clean. I wont dock this as a minus in my review because thats a subjective feel. Dont get me wrong. These are incredibly well made and feel like a quality optical instrument still. The hinge to adjust the IPD is really stiff but smooth, and I like that a lot. Once I have them dialed in to my eyes, they stay there. Same thing with the diopter adjustment since it locks. I found it way too easy to change these with the prostaffs. One thing that I didnt really like is you cant adjust the diopter with the eyecups all the way recessed (as you would have them if you were to wear glasses, like I do). So the only way to adjust the diopter is to move the eyecup to the next open setting to be able to unlock the diopter dial and adjust like that. Very minor inconvenience and its only a one time thing so no big deal. Focusing is smooth and relatively fast. You dont have to turn the dial much to move from object to object. The strap sucks, but what optical device comes with a nice strap? None of my cameras came with a nice strap neither. I use the peak design strap lite for mine. The case is nice. It fits snug and feels like quality. I was thinking of investing in a nicer case but with these I think they will do for now until im feeling fancier. I want to go over the image again. The image is fantastic! Another thing is the field of view is over 8 degrees. It comes out to over 400ft wide at a distance of 1000ft. Sorry I dont memorize the specs but this really increases the enjoyment of the bins. Seeing so much of the scenery is fantastic for finding your object (be it a bird or elk). If you are starting out, there is nothing really wrong with getting the prostaffs to start off with. The cheap price is great if you are unsure that you are going to get into using binoculars or if they are going to be for very casual viewing. But, if you know you want to get into birding (for example) or you already have experience with bins and want to upgrade, I would highly recommend these. The next step after these are bins in the $1000 range. For mid range price, these are a great value.
I'm not an expert in optics but can tell you this is a big upgrade from the Celestron Nature DX binoculars I had for several years. These are fantastic in low light and super responsive when focusing. There are three settings on the eye cups which I've found to be a nice upgrade as well. The minimum focus distance is under 6 feet making them great for insects and flowers too. The strap it comes with is a decent flexible neoprene and found them to be comfortable to wear slung over your shoulder for long periods of time.
Fantastic binoculars! Optics are great - like switching to 4k tv after a lifetime of 1970's quality tv. Feel good too - solid but not so heavy you can carry them around on a hike. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to step up their binoculars a notch.
Bought these for a summer of travel and was very impressed with the optics. My issue was with the waterproofness. A day after having them out in light rain I had water inside one of the barrels which then internally fogged the lens. Returned and purchased a different brand. I'm assuming this was a rare manufacturing issue with the seal but was nonetheless very disappointing. The neck strap is also pretty cheap feeling.
I’m a amateur birder. Able to sight the birds easily. Viewing is sharp & clear. Very comfortable to wear.
These are good binocs. No complaints. I don’t have other to compare them too. But grew up looking through various binoculars with a bird watching father. I bought these for viewing small wildlife in my backyard from the window, about 60-100ft away and they work well for that. I haven’t had them out for longer distances. About ¼ mile is my max thus far and they seemed to work good, although I find myself wanting more magnification at that distance. But, not what 8X units were really built for IMO. Quality seems good. Hefty without feeling heavy. Certainly feel solid. I get the impression they could bumped off a pole or dropped from a chair or table and be okay. My only complaint if I had to give one, is for this price, I’d like to see manufacturers including the shoulder harness that keeps the binocs on your chest instead of the standard neck loop. For me, neck loops are uncomfortable after 10-20 minutes, so for the extra few bucks, I’d prefer the shoulder harness. But overall happy with the purchase and feel like I could recommend if you’re looking for zoomers on stuff halfway ‘close’. Optics and view are great. I get enough light through the viewfinder, and I have the eyes of a 60yo at 46. Do with that info what you will. ;)
Best present ever! Our home backs to a national park and these are great for seeing all of the wildlife.