Nikon 8x42 Monarch ATB Binocular

Good Birding Choice

Strengths: light weight, quick focus, good resolution, sufficient light, and rugged

Weakness: somewhat limited field of view for spotting moving birds, inadequate lense covers

Purchased these because I needed something that would hold up to the conditions of the rain and cloud forests of Ecuador. They were great, even in the rain. The one significant problem with the product isn't the binoculars but the lense covers. The rubber cover for the viewing lenses is apparently made in two different ways. I have an older set that is fine, but the one just purchased will not...
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Purchased these because I needed something that would hold up to the conditions of the rain and cloud forests of Ecuador. They were great, even in the rain. The one significant problem with the product isn't the binoculars but the lense covers. The rubber cover for the viewing lenses is apparently made in two different ways. I have an older set that is fine, but the one just purchased will not stay on the binoculars. Simply a poor fit and therefore a problem in the rain.

By uglibird - Dec 4, 2007

Nikon Monarch 8x42 - mighty fine binoculars for the price

Strengths: Sharp over most of the FOV. No false color noticed. Very comfortable to use. Superior color saturation.

Weakness: As everyone says: Really bad objective covers plus I don't like the bulky one-piece ocular covers.

I have been using some Nikon 8x36 Sporters which seemed to be very good binoculars - especially for the price. I thought I'd see what the Monarch ATB was like. On inspecton, you can see that the objective lenses of Monarchs have a noticeble green tinge from the anti-reflective coatings. The Sporters do not. I believe this is the reason for the slightly better sharpness and color intensity in the...
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I have been using some Nikon 8x36 Sporters which seemed to be very good binoculars - especially for the price. I thought I'd see what the Monarch ATB was like. On inspecton, you can see that the objective lenses of Monarchs have a noticeble green tinge from the anti-reflective coatings. The Sporters do not. I believe this is the reason for the slightly better sharpness and color intensity in the Monarchs. If you don't feel you can afford the Monarchs, the Sporters are very similar, overall, and less than half the price. You'll be pleased with either.

By jston - Apr 20, 2006

Clear, no distortion, feels right

Strengths: Brightness, clarity, weight, size, lack of distortion, feel of the rubber coating, twist-up eyecups, price.

Weakness: eyecups for the objective lens suck. Buy a set of objective lens covers from Eagle Optics,Size-6, inexpensive.

These glasses provide a reasonable angle of view, are among the lightest for the 8x42 pack and offer the clarity, freedom of optical distortion, and brightness on even par to binos costing 5 times the price. Very good bargain. I use them for birding and could see the red irridescense on the top of the heads of a flock of sand cranes at 200 yards with the sun low in the sky about an hour from...
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These glasses provide a reasonable angle of view, are among the lightest for the 8x42 pack and offer the clarity, freedom of optical distortion, and brightness on even par to binos costing 5 times the price. Very good bargain. I use them for birding and could see the red irridescense on the top of the heads of a flock of sand cranes at 200 yards with the sun low in the sky about an hour from darkness. My wife's Barska 8x42 could not. With the Nikons we were able to make a positive ID. Waterproof, fogproof, low cost, 25 year warranty, yada yada yada...Good Buy........

By tnttaxi - Feb 17, 2006

Descibes the item well

Strengths: very clear for a mid to low price range binocular.

Weakness: The objective lens cap could be a little better

While i was shopping for a decent pair of binoculars i went to a large sporting goods store who sold everything from Bushnells up through the Zeiss.For this price & quality , i couldn't see paying any more for the really expensive ones.These are very clear,not too heavy and the protective coating is a plus i had not considered.

By Tamdar - Nov 3, 2005

I like these binoculars

I use these mainly for birding.

By Al the Birder on Adorama - Jul 12, 2009