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    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    Brock: I strongly agree. I do not understand why a millimeter can not remain a millimeter? Why it should suddenly become 0.9 mm or 1.1 mm? There needs to be common agreement on the starting and ending points; thus defining eye relief. bearclawthedonut
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    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    elkclub: Nonsense! Of course when you look through a pipe - you have a restricted FOV. Just like when you look through any optical device - you have a restricted FOV. However, if you place your eye beyond the focal point/plane, then you see less of the image (loosing a portion of the image...
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    Why exactly do most binoculars feel like "tunnel vision", but some don't?

    tilling: Tunnel vision has nothing to do with FOV. Your FOV is your FOV. Big, small or indifferent your FOV is your FOV for that particular binocular. More is not better. More is just more. Tunnel vision is when your eyes are placed beyond your binocular's focal point. If the eye relief...
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    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    Brock: Yes I found my Monarch 5 10x42's "3D effect" to be surprising. I had not experienced this since owning a Pentax 10x40WP porro many years ago. That was a very frustrating binocular for me as I could not hold it steady enough for effective use. Also it was pretty dim. Perhaps the 3D...
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    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    cnick6: As I have never looked through a Vortex Viper HD 10x42, I have no concept, whatsoever, as to the quality of the image it presents. I have looked through the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 on several occasions, twice for extended (one to two hour time frames) views. I feel very comfortable with...
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    Nikon 8x42 Monarch 5..?

    I purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 10x42 a few months back and I was so pleased with it that I ordered the 8x42 version when Nikon recently reoffered their $50 rebate. I received the Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 and after a couple of weeks of use, I can offer the following initial impressions: It is...
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    Plastic body vs Metal

    elkcub: I whole heartedly agree with you. The current Swaro 8x30 is a dream to hold. But its 15mm of eye relief is perhaps the shortest 15mm that I've encountered. In front of my eyeglasses it presents a little tiny image. It looks sharp as a tack (?), but its like looking through a...
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    Plastic body vs Metal

    Binastro: My first binocular was a made in Japan, Sears 7x35 wide angle, aluminum framed porro with black "leatherette" glued to the frame. I kept it on my boat, 23' Chris Craft Lancer, continuously for two years and then off and on for another two years. It was covered in pits and had...
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    Plastic body vs Metal

    Annabeth2: There are a number of reasons that Alpha binoculars are mainly made with magnesium frames, but the foremost reason is consumer expectation. Swaro was the first to use magnesium frames and all the other Alpha manufacturers followed in order to stay at Swaro's "quality level". This...
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    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    NDhunter: Unfortunately, there is very little connection between light weight and quality in binoculars, particularly image quality. The connection is between light weight and excellent handling. The Vortex Razor HD 8x42 ($1200+/-) is a very, very good handling binocular, most particularly as...
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    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    rdpx: Handling is very important! The M7 8x30 is small, but at 4.75" - it SHOULD offer a comfortable grip, but unfortunately, Nikon has misplaced the strap attachment location. It's positioned about 0.5" below the eyepiece, instead of being directly below the eyepiece. Thus, its length (for...
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    Further confusion over Monarch 5 & 7

    rdpx: Unfortunately, these Nikon instant rebates, see below, will probably lapse by "next month". The present selling price for the Monarch 5 and 7 8x30/42 is and will again be $50 above the rebated prices below. Perhaps you could email opticsplanet.com or adorama.com and ask them how long...
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    Nikon Monarch 7 vs Alpen Teton HD?

    raptorbfl: Just purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 (ED-7576) 8x42 from opticsplanet.com for $225. Presently, I do not know how long it will last, Nikon is once again OFFERING A $50.00 INSTANT REBATE. It does npt appear (?) that all retail outlets are offering this rebate. It is being offered at...
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    Nikon Monarch 5 or Vortex Diamondback??

    raptorbfl: Just purchased a Nikon Monarch 5 (ED-7576) 8x42 from opticsplanet.com for $225. Presently, I do not know how long it will last, Nikon is once again OFFERING A $50.00 INSTANT REBATE. It does not appear (?) that all retail outlets are offering this rebate. It is being offered at...
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    Nikon Monarch 5 or Vortex Diamondback??

    raptorbfl: My Nikon Monarch 5(ED) 10x42 is an exceptional binocular presenting excellent image quality combined with outstanding handling. Its a far better value (price x quality) than the underperforming Monarch 7 with its small sweet spot and poor edges, thus negating its very wide FOV...
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    Impressed with Nikon Monarch 5 8X42

    I read a long time ago that 10x lenses need to be ground to a higher level of quality then 8x as greater magnification also magnifies faults/irregularities in the lenses? I do not know if that is accurate as the same lens system can be used to produce both 8x and 10x images. Of course fixed...
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    Impressed with Nikon Monarch 5 8X42

    tomander: I've had an old Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 for over fives years and while the eyecups are a bit of a pain and the "accessories" on the old Monarchs were junk, it was and still is a great binocular. It has never given me any functional problems, the hinge, focus mechanism and the optics...
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    Conquest 32 mm owners thread / reliability, durablity

    jremmons: In Zeiss you can trust, in regard to eye relief anyway. I too wear eyeglasses. Zeiss's 16 mm is the longest, most comfortable 16 mm that I've ever encountered. Unless your eyeglasses are thicker then the olde time Coke-a-Cola glass bottle bottoms, Zeiss's 16 mm of eye relief should...
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    Random: eyeglasses, advice

    Annabeth2: I've worn eyeglasses for a long time and often good optics do not present adequate eye relief (ER). When I tried the newish Swaro CL 8x30 the image was small and far away; like looking through a pipe. Generally Zeiss, Nikon (but not the new NM7 8x30) and Zen-Ray offer acceptable ER...
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    Small Binoculars for general use

    Jerry: Although I have no experience with them, perhaps the Vortex Vanquish 8x26's will work for you? They are $119 at opticsplanet.com. Vortex has very good quality control, even on their lesser expensive binoculars. However, if they do not work for you (for any reason), then return them...
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    Small Binoculars for general use

    Jerry: As I get older, I'm 67, I find that exit pupil size is becoming more and more important to me. Not so much in regard to brightness, but more so in regard to eye placement within any binoculars exit pupils. My 8x42s have an exit pupil of 5.25 mm and that makes for quick, easy and...
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    Monarch 8 x 42s

    Eitan: As I recall, Cornell's Ornithology Lab also liked the old Monarch ATB 8x42. I did not see/notice any improved build quality in the Monarch 7 over my old ATB. The Monarch 7 is very much a Monarch line binocular. It is worth noting that I'm eagerly awaiting the "new" Monarch 5 10x42...
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    Monarch 8 x 42s

    Gerrib: Only you can determine if the Monarch 7's are worth $200 more than the Monarch 5's. That's why it is so very important for you to try each out for yourself. That said, sometimes it's difficult or impossible to locate binoculars to examine. So what is important to you? The Monarch 7...
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    Monarch 8 x 42s

    Ceasar: As I recall, The CF in "DCF" means Center-Focus. I do not remember what the D means. Perhaps its Nikons designation for roof binoculars? bearclawthdonut
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    Monarch 8 x 42s

    Gerrib: Nikon designations are a bit silly. The Monarchs started out as ATB's (All Terrain Binoculars). I have a pair of these about 4 years old and they are excellent. They have silver coated prisms. Nikon upgrated these binoculars by giving the ATBs di-electric prism coatings which provide...
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