I see no quality problems with the Nikon 7 8x30 and I don't see how more money could make it appreciably better quality or otherwise. I can't find one thing on it to fault. It is a very well thought out binocular and could be an emerging trend. In contrast to the Swaro CL the Monarch 7 has the advantage of the bigger FOV. The Swaro has about 370 feet versus the Nikon's 435 feet which is a huge difference in FOV. I loved the Swaro CL but the narrow FOV is what caused me to sell mine. This 8x30 is a small compact binocular weighing only 15 oz. but Nikon has worked their magic on it and made it perform like an excellent quality 8x32. If I see very little difference in optics between a 15 oz. binocular and a 21 oz. binocular I know which one I will carry. This is a very nice size for especially daylight birding for most people. Even at the much lower price of the Nikon I view it as a direct competitor of the Swaro CL.
Since I don't have the Bresser anymore. I sold it to you didn't I. HaHa! I would have to go by memory and I would say Nikon 7 8x30 has a bigger sweetspot than the Bresser. It is quite impressive for a 30mm binocular. I would definitely say ergo wise I like the Nikon better for it's small compact size and quality wise it looks Japanese instead of Chinese. Without seeing the Kite Lynx I can't judge it to render my opinion as far as if it is worth the difference in price but I will say I see no weak points or really any areas where the Monarch 7 needs improvement. It appears to me to be a well thought out binocular for birding.
The biggest difference between the Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD and the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 HD is the Zeiss has a bigger sweetspot BUT the Nikon has a very large sweetpot for it's price point. That is one difference I notice in binoculars as you go up in price the sweetspot gets bigger because usually you need more complex eyepieces hence they are more expensive to give you that optically. Nikon seems to buck that notion in a lot of their binoculars by giving you a bigger than average sweetspot for the dollar and the little 8x30's are exceptional IMO in that area for their price. They might be using some newly designed eyepieces on these because they seem to be going where no binocular has gone before in sweetspot size for their price. The Nikon SE for example has always been an exceptional performer because of it's eyepiece design and in telescopes and astronomy Nikon makes some exceptional eyepiece designs. You know you are talking less than half the price on the Conquest's and these are much smaller binoculars. What is remarkable about these Nikon's is how good they are for as small as they are and as inexpensive as they are. If you can get some QC in China like this maybe the resultant binocular is hard to beat value wise.
That is a good point. I would bet these little Nikon's would outperform the Swaro's 8x25 CL optically in every area. So it just comes down to exactly how much you need that small size. For me I would honestly go with the little Nikon 7. It hangs on your belt and you don't even know that it is there but when you use them they perform like an 8x32. Very impressive.CG
Is the .02 cents you mention coincidental since you are talking about binoculars which have objectives .02mm less than normal .32mm bins?
It could be a trend because it appears they can be made lighter in weight than 32mm binoculars. Otherwise their measurements are very close. Remember the old 8 x 30 SLC? It was as big as most 8 x 32s.
Rather than consider it a niche market I would think of it as a lighter weight alternative to 32mm binoculars. For instance, they can fit easily into the large pockets of a Field Jacket if you would rather carry them that way. The Swarovski 30mm CLs come with an optional wrist strap which can be used instead of a neck strap.
I have experience using both the Swarovski 8 x 30 CL and the 8 x 25 CL. The 5mm difference in their objectives is a big difference and it makes them much different than the 2mm difference between an 8 x 30 and 8 x 32 does. There are more similarities than differences between the 8 x 30 and 8 x 32.
The 8 x 30 is easier and handier to use than the 8 x 25 is. Eyecups are larger on the 8 x 30 and, although the ER is shorter than on the 8 x 25, eye placement is easier. But the 8 x 25 CL is still a much handier binocular to have around. It will fit into the shirt pockets of most flannel shirts and into a woman's purse.
Bob
3 If you NEED and WANT the smaller size of the 8x25 CL this is the size to go with. If you don't get 8x30 CL's. They will outperform the smaller binoculars in every way. The big question is do you REALLY need the smaller size. It can be a difficult decision. I have found 8x30's are as small as I care to go. These new Nikon's give you a new choice in that size range and they perform better than any 8x25mm I have seen.Jerry,
What I meant is that the 8 x 30 CL is easier and handier to use than the 8 x 25 is; once it is out there in your hands to use. The 8 x 25 CL is handier and easier to carry around if you want to carry a first rate binocular with you most anywhere where larger binoculars won't go or are not welcome. In my view they have separate purposes.
I'll see if I can get a picture of both of them together. Maybe tomorrow?
And I'm glad you don't have to put them in your purse. I'd hate to get hit with it with them in it!3
Bob
Good comparison. It is interesting that you find the baby Nikon brighter and had better contrast in low light levels because I agree but I wasn't brave enough to say it. I don't know how the smaller Nikon does it. The baby Nikon 7 has outstanding contrast at low light. I can't see much difference between on-axis resolution between the Conquest and the baby Nikon although it could be there. They are very close. I agree with everything else you said inculding glare handling although I thought the baby Nikon was pretty good for it's smaller aperture. Focus tension is a matter of preference but both work well and both are smooth. You are right the Swaro CL-P is a different class of binocular and it will simply do things that the baby Nikon won't like fit in your front pocket and after having almost every compact binocular available I would agree it is probably the best in it's class. The new Nikon 7 8x30 is a remarkable bargain though especially when they start getting discounted down to $300.00 or so. Good birding binocular for someone on a budget.
I don't know Nikon has been using plastic eyecups, focus wheels and bodies for years on their standard Monarchs and they have held up. The Monarch's are one of the top selling binoculars in the world. In the US Nikon has great after sales service for $19.95 and they fix anything. Kite is not even a commodity in the US anyway so nobody can buy them over here. They would have terrible resale also because nobody even knows what they are over here. Kites are a dead fish in the water in the US compared to Nikon. I know I would never personally pay more money to buy a Kite over a Nikon. Also, using all that metal increases weight. The Kite is heavier than the Nikon by at least an ounce. Even if Kite's were in the US market you would be lucky to sell 1 to the 100 Nikon sells. Sportmans's over here would say "What in the HxdL is a Kite!!!!!" HaHa!
