[Al Catraz]

Should I go for a pair of Monarchs with Dielectric Prism Coatings or
a "standard" pair of Nikon Monarch 8 x 42 ATB WP DCF Binoculars?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[ceasar]

Everything else being equal get the one with the dielectric prisms. They really do make a difference in brightness. I can attest to that. I have the new Nikon 10 x 32 EDG with dielectric prisms and it is much brighter than my older silver coated prism Nikon 10 x 32 LX L which it replaced. You can readily tell the difference in twilight conditions and these binoculars have a small exit pupil compared to the ones you are inquiring about.

Bob

[Al Catraz]

thanks for the advice Bob. Appreciated!

[ingle1970]

Originally Posted by Al Catraz

Should I go for a pair of Monarchs with Dielectric Prism Coatings or
a "standard" pair of Nikon Monarch 8 x 42 ATB WP DCF Binoculars?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Let your own eyes decide whats the best

[mikefreiberg]

Al Catraz,

How are you? Both the Monarch III and the Monarch X have dielectric coatings, but the Monarch X has a larger exit pupil which does bring in more light. I work with Nikon so feel free to ask any other questions. Also, just as an fyi, the dielectric coatings are applied in a gas chamber which helps the coatings reach all of the smaller corners of the prisms. These little corners would otherwise not be reachable by painting the coatings on. If you are interested in a further 10% discount through www.nikonprogear.com please do let me know and I would be happy to provide the promotional code which would gain you access.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[Al Catraz]

thanks Mike - much appreciated.

[John Dracon]

Mike - I went to your web site, but couldn't find the SEs listed. How come?
John

[etudiant]

Click on the Nikon ikon on the upper right for the main site. The SE's are there.

[mikefreiberg]

John,

Also, the SE's are special order items now, so they won't be heavily advertised anywhere. Nevertheless, they are still available!

Cheers,
Mike

[David Swain]

Originally Posted by mikefreiberg

John,

so they won't be heavily advertised anywhere

Cheers,
Mike

Were they ever?

[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by David Swain

Were they ever?

Yes, in the first several years after they were released, in the long hiatus during which Nikon had no phase-coated roof models (and released no new top-end roofs to replaced the by then "obsolete" 8x40 Classic Eagle), the SE were their flagship binoculars, and they were featured in full page adverts in all the birding and other outdoor magazines.

--AP

[marktafler]

I would recommend getting one with di electric coating even if you spend a little extra you wont regret it on the long run . I have one and I really love it, i compared it to the old model with silver coating , But the new one really shines at twilight conditions and for skywatching

[mikefreiberg]

I spoke of the Monarch X earlier in the post when I realized the original question was between the Monarch II and Monarch III. It's a no brainer in my opinion. Since the retail prices are similar it would be wise to go with the dielectric coatings/Monarch III. The images are a bit brighter and all of the other specs remain the same!

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist

[fishinmonkey]

Originally Posted by mikefreiberg

I spoke of the Monarch X earlier in the post when I realized the original question was between the Monarch II and Monarch III. It's a no brainer in my opinion. Since the retail prices are similar it would be wise to go with the dielectric coatings/Monarch III. The images are a bit brighter and all of the other specs remain the same!

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist

Sorry to bump up an old question, but I'm confused. I'm currently looking at picking up a set of 8x42 Monarch ATBs or the new Monarch 3s, which are slightly less costly. Nikon's website lists the ATBs as having a dielectric coating, but the 3s as having a silver coating. Are the Monarch 3s different from the Monarch III you are referring too?

The greater question, in my mind, is which coating is better...a subjective criterion perhaps. I am mostly concerned with clarity and light transmission as I hunt and depend on my binos at dawn and dusk. In my research, I'm coming up with conflicting info. On the one hand, I've read that dielectric coatings provide better light transmission than silver coatings. On the other hand, I've heard that silver coatings are "higher end" and I see that the Nikon Premier binos have a silver coating rather than dielectric.

Help?

[FrankD]

fishinmonkey,

All else being equal dielectric coatings give a higher light transmission value so they should, theoretically, provide a brighter performance.

That comment you referenced about silver prisms being "high end" is probably in comparison to aluminum coatings which are the next quality level down the list from silver.

The Premier HG/LXL/LX/Venturers utilize(d) silver prism coatings because silver was the highest grade option at the time. Since then dielectric coatings were introduced. Instead of updating the Premiers with dielectric coating Nikon chose to introduced an entirely new bino (EDG series) with dielectric coatings.

[ceasar]

I got a Cabela's Door Buster Flyer with a 6 page Nikon ad in it yesterday.

The Monarch X 8.5 x 45 and 10.5 x 45 Have Dielectric Prisms. $479.99 and $499.99 (Sale Prices) Save $100.00.

The new for 2012 Monarch 3 has Silver Alloy Prisms and Long Eye Relief and ATB performance. 8 x 42 and 10 x42 $229.99 and $249.99. (These are NOT sale prices.)

The prices for the NEW PROSTAFF 7 8 x 42 and 10 x 42 are $189.99 and $199.99. It does not say wht kind of prisms they have.

Apparently all of these binoculars plus the Trailblazers at $149.00 for 8x42 and 10x 42 and $179.99 for 10 x 50-- (None are on sale) are considered "All Terrain" binoculars too.

Also:

The Monarch ATB 42mm binoculars have Dielectric Prism Coatings. 8X, 10X and 12X--$249.00, $269.00, and $299.00. (Sale Prices.) Save $50.00.

Also sales on all the Actions and Action Extremes and all inexpensive compacts. $10.00 to $40.00 off.

Bob

[fishinmonkey]

Ya, I got the new add too, just after trying out the ATBs on the last day of an elk hunt, hence the research and questions.

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by ceasar

I got a Cabela's Door Buster Flyer with a 6 page Nikon ad in it yesterday.

The Monarch X 8.5 x 45 and 10.5 x 45 Have Dielectric Prisms. $479.99 and $499.99 (Sale Prices) Save $100.00.

The new for 2012 Monarch 3 has Silver Alloy Prisms and Long Eye Relief and ATB performance. 8 x 42 and 10 x42 $229.99 and $249.99. (These are NOT sale prices.)

The prices for the NEW PROSTAFF 7 8 x 42 and 10 x 42 are $189.99 and $199.99. It does not say wht kind of prisms they have.

Apparently all of these binoculars plus the Trailblazers at $149.00 for 8x42 and 10x 42 and $179.99 for 10 x 50-- (None are on sale) are considered "All Terrain" binoculars too.

Also:

The Monarch ATB 42mm binoculars have Dielectric Prism Coatings. 8X, 10X and 12X--$249.00, $269.00, and $299.00. (Sale Prices.) Save $50.00.

Also sales on all the Actions and Action Extremes and all inexpensive compacts. $10.00 to $40.00 off.

Bob

Bob,

What does "ATB performance" mean? I know that ATB = All Terrain Binoculars but does that have any standardization attached to it such as operating over a certain range of temperatures (from Arctic to desert conditions) or WP down to 1 fathom or it can be tossed so many meters before breaking or is it merely marketing jargon?

I noticed that Nikon is now attaching this "ATB" moniker to the Monarch X and the Action EX series too.

In fact, Nikon is calling the "new" Monarch X ATB with "Extreme ATB Technology" "a binocular line that demonstrates the next level of Nikon ATB performance."

I'm still trying to figure out what does it mean to have the original level of "ATB performance"??? Unless I'm missing it, I don't see this term explained on their sports optics site.

Just found this on binoculars.com's Customer Q & A.

Q4: What does ATB mean?

A: ATB is Nikon's series of rugged binoculars. They would be a higher quality, more durable binocular.

What? The Trailblazer is a higher quality more durable binocular than the javelin toss proven EDG or the Hitchcock-wished-this-bin Venturer LX had been around in the 60s so he could have used it as a murder weapon in one of his films?

Higher quality than the SE? What's left in the Nikon line up that isn't ATB?

Sounds like marketing jargon.

Brock

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by brocknroller

Bob,

What does "ATB performance" mean? I know that ATB = All Terrain Binoculars but does that have any standardization attached to it such as operating over a certain range of temperatures (from Arctic to desert conditions) or WP down to 1 fathom or it can be tossed so many meters before breaking or is it merely marketing jargon?

I noticed that Nikon is now attaching this "ATB" moniker to the Monarch X and the Action EX series too.

In fact, Nikon is calling the "new" Monarch X ATB with "Extreme ATB Technology" "a binocular line that demonstrates the next level of Nikon ATB performance."

I'm still trying to figure out what does it mean to have the original level of "ATB performance"??? Unless I'm missing it, I don't see this term explained on their sports optics site.

Just found this on binoculars.com's Customer Q & A.

Q4: What does ATB mean?

A: ATB is Nikon's series of rugged binoculars. They would be a higher quality, more durable binocular.

What? The Trailblazer is a higher quality more durable binocular than the javelin toss proven EDG or the Hitchcock-wished-this-bin Venturer LX had been around in the 60s so he could have used it as a murder weapon in one of his films?

Higher quality than the SE? What's left in the Nikon line up that isn't ATB?

Sounds like marketing jargon.

Brock

Brock: Bingo, its marketing, I would not try to find too much in the use, of ATB.

Jerry

[RJM]

fishinmonkey,

End the confusion by getting the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD for under US$200 after rebate. You'll have a better optic than any of these sub-$1000 Nikons.

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by RJM

fishinmonkey,

End the confusion by getting the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD for under US$200 after rebate. You'll have a better optic than any of these sub-$1000 Nikons.

Rick:

Always the pusher for the Bushnell, I have been looking for a binocular
in this price range for some time, and have looked at the Legend, but every
time I have tried it in the store, I just cannot get to liking it, although
with discount pricing these are tempting.

You need to get out more, Nikon sub $1,000. you can get the Premiere, very much the superior to the Legend Ultra.
And I found the Prostaff 7, to be better.

Jerry

[fishinmonkey]

Originally Posted by RJM

fishinmonkey,

End the confusion by getting the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD for under US$200 after rebate. You'll have a better optic than any of these sub-$1000 Nikons.

That's a curve-ball. Any other opinions on this?

[RJM]

Jerry, I am one of the few here that actually do objective measuring and testing of my optics. Eyeballing it in the store is really not a test other than to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Easy to see differences between poor and good optics, but impossible when looking thru optics of similar quality without measuring.

I KNOW the measurements I have for the 8x42 Legend Ultra HD puts it in the top tier optically and absolute optical quality is my primary concern. Ergonomics and build quality are secondary and I am willing to work around if the price is right. In this scenario, the Nikon Premier and Monarch flavor of the day are inferior.

fishinmonkey, not only does the Bushnell have a $50 rebate, if you buy before the end of 2011 you have a year to try them and if you are not impressed Bushnell will buy them back.

[jaymoynihan]

Originally Posted by RJM

fishinmonkey,

End the confusion by getting the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD for under US$200 after rebate. You'll have a better optic than any of these sub-$1000 Nikons.

I assume you are referring to roofs. The Nikon SE line of porros is in a whole other league.
I have not had an opportunity to look through all the variety of Nikon / Chinese manufacture roofs. But i did have an opportunity to compare you apparent glass of choice to its competing Monarch model.
The resolution was a tad higher in the very center than the Monarch. But the rest of the field of view was to my eye was better corrected in the Monarch. I think the Bushnell was slightly brighter. But despite its HD moniker, the CA at the edge (probably due to the generally poor edge correction) was notable. Wide, blurred green/lavender edges.

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by RJM

Jerry, I am one of the few here that actually do objective measuring and testing of my optics. Eyeballing it in the store is really not a test other than to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Easy to see differences between poor and good optics, but impossible when looking thru optics of similar quality without measuring.

I KNOW the measurements I have for the 8x42 Legend Ultra HD puts it in the top tier optically and absolute optical quality is my primary concern. Ergonomics and build quality are secondary and I am willing to work around if the price is right. In this scenario, the Nikon Premier are inferior.

fishinmonkey, not only does the Bushnell have a $50 rebate, if you buy before the end of 2011 you have a year to try them and if you are not impressed Bushnell will buy them back.

Rick:

I would like to see the "measurements" that you "know", and what models
you can compare to. The top tier is well known, and I am interested in how they compare. I suppose resolution and transmission are important here. Test results can be found for many of the mid to top rated binoculars.
However, I have not yet seen much on the Legend Ultra.

Let us "know" ?

Personal opinion is important with any binocular preference, and I have a
feeling that is mostly about which you are talking.

Jerry