monarch 5 or vanguard ed? (1 Viewer)

Hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked before. I have had a quick look but dont see a comparison anywhere. I am going to buy some new binoculars and I am struggling to choose between the Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 and the vanguard ed 8x42.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanguard-Endeavor-ED-8420-Binoculars-Black/dp/B008AUQQ28

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Monar...qid=1411208163&sr=1-1&keywords=monarch+5+8x42

I think this is the older vanguard version that doesnt have the new Hoya ED glass. So, the vanguards are £40 cheaper which is obviously better, but is it worth paying the extra for the monarchs? My eyes are bleeding from reading countless reviews of both so I thought I would ask those that use binoculars rather than try to sell them!

Any advice is appreciated

Dave

I suppose there is also this option. The new Hoya glass in the 8x32. £244 in sterling but there would be the postage to pay...

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vanguard/vanguard-endeavor-ed-ii-8x32-binocular

Sorted :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-8x42-7576-Monarch-5-Waterproof-Binocular-Black-/171361740025?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item27e5f4a4f9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t10bjC4CxpA

I've owned the NM5 8x42 and would buy one again if I wanted a mid-mkt 8x42. The Vanguard is also very good at it's price point. For me it's a balance of ergos rather than optics. Six or one and half a dozen of the other.

Good luck with your chocie !

Samandag said:

Sorted :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-8x42-7576-Monarch-5-Waterproof-Binocular-Black-/171361740025?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item27e5f4a4f9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t10bjC4CxpA

I've owned the NM5 8x42 and would buy one again if I wanted a mid-mkt 8x42. The Vanguard is also very good at it's price point. For me it's a balance of ergos rather than optics. Six or one and half a dozen of the other.

Good luck with your chocie !

Click to expand...

Thanks Samandag, it looks like I will need to make a quick decision if I want in on that deal. Things have reversed now, the Monarchs are cheaper! I am still not sure as the opinions are so mixed. I have read that some had bothersome CA with the vanguards but then I have read elswhere that the optics of the vanguards are superior to the Nikons! I very often drive myself mad with these decisions. As you say there probably isnt much between them, the vanguards look sturdier and I like the open bridge design but Nikon is obviously a more familar name to me. Does anyone else have anything to add before I decide? I appreciate the best way to make a decision is to actually experience the binoculars hands on but I dont know of a dealer near to me in Devon that would have both in stock.
Thanks again Samandag, I wasnt going to buy any chocie's but I might when I finally make my mind up!

Best to way up the pros and cons.

The Vanguard has the wider field of view, the Nikon has (for me) the better edge to edge definition, is sharper centre field and gives greater control of CA (to which I am very sensitive).

The Vanguard is much heavier and has the much better eye-piece cover, the Nikon has a better bino strap, very good fitting objective covers (these put Zeiss to shame and some) and higher quality tactile body armor.

Both offer good eye relief and the close focus is about the same.

Both are known brands and will sell all day long if and when you come to upgrade.

You may be lucky with this thread and avoid any input from those who 'haven't seen it but ...'

If you can buy one at a price which gives you high perceived value spend the 'discount' on ordering and bearing the cost of return of the second pair so that you can try them both side by side.

Best of luck !

daveyboy, one other note about the Nikon M5. My M5's rubber armor does pick up perspiration rather quickly. If you like a "clean" look, then you may not want to consider the M5. The original Nikon ATB and M7 do a better job with this...

I think the Vanguard might be the better value there but the ED2 is quite good if you can spring for the higher cost.

Hi all,
I bought the Nikons from here as Samandag suggested-

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/dealriders/

I made an offer of £209 which was accepted. They were delivered on time and I am pleased with them. The ebay seller was very good and we exchanged a few emails, very good customer service. The binoculars are grey imports though, legit box and instruction manual etc. but no warranty card in the box. I discussed this with the seller and he was quite happy to accept a return because of this, I didnt bother though. The binoculars are good and I am always careful with my stuff but I probably wouldnt buy a more expensive item if it was a grey import. All in all I went into the deal with my eyes open and I am very pleased with the outcome. Thanks for all for the advice.