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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Monarch ATB / DCF 8x42 ?? (1 Viewer)

g8ina

g8ina

He's pining for the Fjords !
I'm considering getting the Monarchs (or still maybe the Swift 828HHS 8.5x44), but have noticed a good price differential between the USA and UK.

From the USA, they may be had, as the model 8x42 ATB for a total inc shipping of GBP155 (US$333).

In UK, as model 8x42 DCF, they are a LOT more at GBP349 PLUS shipping.

Question : is there any difference between ATB and DCF ?

(ps - the Swift can be had for GBP229 + shipping from UK, but GBP212 from USA - a much smaller differential which would make a UK purchase preferable.... in fact, the prices are the other way around UK/USA - in UK Swift are cheaper, in USA Monarchs are cheaper)
 
ATB= All Terrain Binocular meaning it is waterproof/nitrogen purged

DCF= Dual Center Focus....or something center focus.

They are the same binocular and both descriptions are accurate.
 
Thanks both, all I need to do now is check warranty staus with Nikon and then save myself about GBP156 !

Warehouse Express UK : £336 inc post
Adorama USA : £180 inc post to UK.

wow !
 
FrankD said:
ATB= All Terrain Binocular meaning it is waterproof/nitrogen purged

DCF= Dual Center Focus....or something center focus.

They are the same binocular and both descriptions are accurate.
Click to expand...
DCF= Dach Center Focus
Dach is German for roof.

ZCF = Z shape (porro) center focus

CF = Center Focus
IF = Individual Focus

Swift produced a Sea King 7X50 porro with a BIF designation. I assume the B meant bearing because of the integrated compass.
 
hehehe, just found them at only GBP189 in UK ! Looks like I'll have the benefit of UK warranty after all....
 
Good job you found the £189 site as your original import figures are highly optomistic. Remember 1.1 factor for import duty, then 1.175 extra on top of that for VAT and then a further £8 for customs clearance. Given all the import factors I multiply the US price by 0.75 to give a reasonable estimate of import cost. Then I look at the warranty risk and the risk of the item being for practical purposes impossible to send back. Plus the loss of the different uk sales acts, put this all together the item has to be considerably cheaper before I order from the US.
 
I've recently compared Nikon Monarch 8x42 to my Swift 828 HHS 8.5x44. Price is comparable both binoculars are roofs.

I would not change Swift for Monarch. Swift workmanship is far beyond Nikon. I didn't belive before buying Swift's that there could be difference between "made in China" and "made in Japan" at this price level but there is. Take those binoculars and you'll just feel it. Optical performance of Monarch isn't better then Nikon Action EX 8x40 (witch I also own). Swift's performance is better. Monarch has sweet spot size of no more then 2/3 of FOV (witch is 110/1000m). Swift's sweet spot is more then 3/4 (FOV 112/1000m). Image resolution is slightly better in Swift (comparing center only). In Monarch I got some reflexes from sun. Swift has better darkening and I don't get any. I didn't find significant difference in colors. Monarch is smaller and more handy then Swift.

Only thing that Swift lacks comparing to some big names (like Zeiss) is image brigthness and FOV size. Some part of light is leaking by the side of a prism but this not cause light reflexes even while looking close to street lamps or sun. In Monarch comparable amount of light is lost in reflexes which occurs at certain position to light source.

As you can see I hardly encourage you to consider buying Swift instead of Monarch. At least try to compare them at some shop.
 
Thanks Peter and kmiernik !

Peter - Yes, I *had* forgotten about damn import duty !!

kmiernik - thanks, a nice comparison, I think I must therefore, try both before finally deciding.

I can get the Swift for £229 + post from Warehouse Express, still within my budget, but I will do another search just in case.....

It still boils down to "get yer hands on em first" ;)
 
g8ina said:
Thanks Peter and kmiernik !

Peter - Yes, I *had* forgotten about damn import duty !!

kmiernik - thanks, a nice comparison, I think I must therefore, try both before finally deciding.

I can get the Swift for £229 + post from Warehouse Express, still within my budget, but I will do another search just in case.....

It still boils down to "get yer hands on em first" ;)
Click to expand...

I'm in a similar quandry. I've boiled down my choices to:-
Swift HHS
Nikon Monarchs
Opticron Verano
I fancy the 8.5 magnification on the Swifts, the close focus on the Veranos and the weight /styling of the Monarchs.
I can't see or try any of them, and it's doing my head in trying to decide. I guess if there's not much to chose between them optically I'll have to go with the cheapest (Monarch surprisingly).
Pity they don't do a Nifticron Honarano.
 
Scooby - I went for the Swift 8.5x44 - fantastic.

In UK I paid £229 inc post.

Yes, the Monarchs were £30 cheaper, but Im now so delighted with the Swifts, Im really glad I took that path.

Good Luck whatever you decide
 
I would not let the 8.5x be too much of a factor, it is very similar to 8x. If you get a decent FOV with 8.5x, then it should not be worse either. Also, they are very similar to hold, 8x, and 8.5x, as far as shakyness go. The problems some people have come more at 10x.

I seem to see a difference between 8x and 9x. But even that is difficult to judge, as other factors in models and brands come into play. There are not enough 9x models out there to make it a good option for most.
 
Tero said:
I would not let the 8.5x be too much of a factor, it is very similar to 8x.
Click to expand...

Maybe it is hard to belive but there is a noticable difference between 8.5x and 8x. I can see it! I own 8x32 roof, 8x40 Porro and 8.5x44 roof.

I tought before that 8.5 is just a marketing - to sell something different then others - but it isn't only that. Now I belive that 8.5 is best magification number for me. Although I have to admit I have never tried any 9x binoculars. I dislike 10 and more because at long distance I can't hold them firmly enough to get clear image.
 
Sure, it can be that way too. But the feel of 8.5x is closer to 8 than anything else we are familiar with. And 10x is too much for many.

I was looking at probably a Starling taking a bath a long distance away, and could not make it out at 8x. I feel 8.5x would have been the same. 9x possibly would have IDd it.
 
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