Laughing Kookaburra
Well-known member
I'm evaluating lightweight 8 x 32 and 10 x 32 binoculars for wildlife viewing and route finding while hiking, backpacking, kayaking, skiing, cycling, etc. (have a thread going in the General Bino Forum on Best lightweight 8 x 32), and the Nikon Monarch 7 10 x 30 and 8 x 30 are very attractive given the low 15 oz. weight (the 10x is only 0.2 ounces heavier than the 8x).
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on how these two will compare with each other. I'd love the extra magnification of the 10x, and given the fact that both binos have the same components, glass, build, weight, etc. I'm wondering if the image quality will be the same. A member posted on that thread that he's never seen a 10 x 30 in that price range (roughly $400) with good image quality other than the Zeiss Conquest 10 x 32 sold several years ago for $399. It would seem strange to me that the image quality would degrade that much for the 10x given what appears to be essentially the same binocular (btw that member has been super helpful, I'm just interested in hearing more on this topic from Nikon users).
Which binos from other manufacturers in 8-10 X 30-32 and similar price range do you find offer similar quality, so that I have a reference point?
Unfortunately haven't found a retailer in my area that carries both the 10X and 8 X 30 M7.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on how these two will compare with each other. I'd love the extra magnification of the 10x, and given the fact that both binos have the same components, glass, build, weight, etc. I'm wondering if the image quality will be the same. A member posted on that thread that he's never seen a 10 x 30 in that price range (roughly $400) with good image quality other than the Zeiss Conquest 10 x 32 sold several years ago for $399. It would seem strange to me that the image quality would degrade that much for the 10x given what appears to be essentially the same binocular (btw that member has been super helpful, I'm just interested in hearing more on this topic from Nikon users).
Which binos from other manufacturers in 8-10 X 30-32 and similar price range do you find offer similar quality, so that I have a reference point?
Unfortunately haven't found a retailer in my area that carries both the 10X and 8 X 30 M7.