Took back Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 got Vortex Raptor 6.5x32 (1 Viewer)

sarge1967

Well-known member

• Aug 6, 2014

• #1

I had purchased a pair of Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 bins this past weekend. Tried to use them birding and the FOV just stinks.
So today I took them back to Cabela's and looked at some other bins. I tried quite a few different brands out and ended up going with Vortex Raptor 6.5x32s.
They fit all my requirements.
Waterproof
Good eye relief
Wide FOV
compact
Lightweight

Best of all they cost me $80.00 out the door. They were on sale, I had a 10% coupon and had a Cabela's bucks card for $10.00. I think I did good! :t:

 

perterra

Well-known member

• Aug 6, 2014

• #2

What changed? I was under the impression they were too dim from your previous post?

Anyway, glad you got a pair you like. Great warranty, should last many many years

 

sarge1967

Well-known member

• Aug 6, 2014

• #3

Well honestly they seemed the same as the Monarchs. Not as bright as the Nikon 7x35's but at the price I got them at I could not pass them up.

 

perterra

Well-known member

• Aug 7, 2014

• #4

sarge1967 said:

Well honestly they seemed the same as the Monarchs. Not as bright as the Nikon 7x35's but at the price I got them at I could not pass them up.

Click to expand...

They will probably last a lifetime. Good brand, little far on the close focus but the ones I tried I was impressed with.

 

sarge1967

Well-known member

• Aug 7, 2014

• #5

Yea the close focus is 15 ft. I think. The Nikon 7x35s are no better though.
I used them a bit this evening watching some Finches at the feeders in our yard. They are a lot better than the Monarch 5 are in the FOV dept. Not quite as wide as the Nikon Action 7x35s my wife uses but still great for tracking birds.

 

brocknroller

porromaniac

• Aug 7, 2014

• #6

Sarge,

As the famous French tight rope walker used to say: WIDER IS BEDDER.

I find 6.4-6.5* for an 8x bin too tight for birding. It's hard enough to see with the brim of my patrol hat hanging down past my eyebrows to protect my nose from getting sunburn (now that we are no longer required to wear those silly berets), but then to have my view restricted further by a narrowish FOV bin adds insult to injury.

The 6.5x will also be easier for Otto to hold steady.

Enjoy!

Beetle