The field of view is
exceptionally wide, is 100% waterproof/fogproof and has rubber armoring for those
of us who occasionally bang or drop our bins when we get excited seeing a new
bird!
Can't
beat this one for the price and quality. Well reviewed and a best seller at
Binoculars.com. You can read more about the different sizes and reviews here at
our
Nikon Action Binoculars page.
Here are
current auctions
for the
.
Mid-Price Binoculars ($200-500)
The
Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Binoculars w/ Dielectric Coating actually
came in second place to the Katmai 6x32
in the mid-price class, but Cornell advised that the Monarch's are actually better binoculars
for bird watching.
The low magnification
of the Leupold (6x) is limiting for bird watching, good for butterfly viewing.
The Monarch's are lightweight, waterproof, and
very comfortable. Many of the reviewers thought they were just as good as
binoculars 2-3x more in price.
You can also find some great deals for even brand new bins on ebay - I purchased
my Nikon's from Optics Planet via ebay. Here are the current auctions
for the
Nikon 8x42 Monarch ATB:
Top Affordable Binoculars ($500-$1,000)
Cornell was disappointed
with what was out there in this category. They noted that the binoculars for
bird watching tested
in this group did not rate any higher than the top-ranked, less expensive
models.
You're better off with
the
Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Binocularsthan the Nikon 8x32 HG DCF which was at the top
in this class. The HGs have a slightly wider field of view and closer focus, but
image quality is not any better than the Monarch's.
Top Gun Most Expensive Binoculars
(over $1,000)
The Zeiss Victory 8x42 FL
scored the highest in the "Top Gun", best of the best category. It scored the
highest for overall quality, producing clear, bright, crisp, near perfect
images.
"I have used binoculars for outdoor pursuits for over 50 years now. I
currently own both Leitz and Swarovski binoculars in 7 power and they are
optically superb products.
Long story short, several of (Cornell's) perennial binocular favorites all
earned "excellent" ratings, but the binocular that earned top rating, and was
ostensibly considered the finest binocular they had ever tested, was the Zeiss
8X42 T* FL.
When I had an opportunity to look through them outside of a local sporting
goods store in the rural area where I live, I was immediately taken by their
incredible clarity and image quality. But what really drew me to them was the
absolutely perfect eye relief distance. They simply got it right and I have
never been able to say that about any other brand, regardless of price or
prestige. I bought them on the spot and "have never looked back!" I consider
them one of the finest investments I have ever made. "
Here are current
auctions
for the
.
Binocular Auctions
Take advantage of
auctions for great deals on
binoculars and scopes. Just
remember to check seller's feedback, ask questions, and stick with name brands
for quality.
group.
auctions
for the
very comfortable. Many of the reviewers thought they were just as good as
binoculars 2-3x more in price. 
