Inquisitor
Well-known member
I briefly had a pair of Vipers in 6x but stupidly let them go to help fund something else. Now I am sick of my decision and think I want another small handy pair to use in the neighborhood parks, fitness walks, taking the dogs to the canal, and playing with at lunch.
I enjoyed the heck out of the Vipers but I thought they were a bit bulky for a 32mm, had a touch too small fov for what should be possible with a 6x, and had glare/veiling issues at sunset. It didn't bother me so very badly because I figured I would have to at least triple my money to cure those problems; plus I was super pleased with the sharpness and colors of my copy. The view may have sometimes lacked magnification but I was elated with how pretty and relaxed everything was. It was simply fun to look through them.
But...the Nikon 7 8x30 has less bulk and weight and a larger fov at greater power for less money. It will be less comfortable to use though, I am one of those that does feel a pleasant difference between using a 4mm exit pupil and a 5+ exit pupil.
It seems that if I get a shiny Nikon with poor contrast that the factory has a partial fix for that but what concerns me is that the Nikon 7 8x30 seems to lose every single comparison I can find in regards to sharpness and resolution (a sharp crisp feeling and focus is probably my favorite bino quality).
Just how poor is the acuity in these Monarch 7 30mm models for you all that have one?
I know the best answer is to order them both at the same time and then report my conclusions, but for the sake of discussion, which do you think you would lean towards for a town beater?
ps...I think anything smaller than 25mm would feel gimmicky to my hands and eyes
I enjoyed the heck out of the Vipers but I thought they were a bit bulky for a 32mm, had a touch too small fov for what should be possible with a 6x, and had glare/veiling issues at sunset. It didn't bother me so very badly because I figured I would have to at least triple my money to cure those problems; plus I was super pleased with the sharpness and colors of my copy. The view may have sometimes lacked magnification but I was elated with how pretty and relaxed everything was. It was simply fun to look through them.
But...the Nikon 7 8x30 has less bulk and weight and a larger fov at greater power for less money. It will be less comfortable to use though, I am one of those that does feel a pleasant difference between using a 4mm exit pupil and a 5+ exit pupil.
It seems that if I get a shiny Nikon with poor contrast that the factory has a partial fix for that but what concerns me is that the Nikon 7 8x30 seems to lose every single comparison I can find in regards to sharpness and resolution (a sharp crisp feeling and focus is probably my favorite bino quality).
Just how poor is the acuity in these Monarch 7 30mm models for you all that have one?
I know the best answer is to order them both at the same time and then report my conclusions, but for the sake of discussion, which do you think you would lean towards for a town beater?
ps...I think anything smaller than 25mm would feel gimmicky to my hands and eyes
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