So what's the verdict (1 Viewer)

[rfc1]

On the new Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 REFURBISHED direct from Nikon $699, everyone happy with their purchase? Thinking about adding some to the collection but would like a few more opinions before I take the plunge.

 

[Silent Observer]

I am sure you know this, but please check the binoculars thoroughly by handling them and checking how they work for you.
I bought the Nikon MHG 10x42 after checking the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42, Swarovski SLC 10x42, Vortex Razor HD 10x42, Leica Trinovid HD 10x42.

I bought the Nikon after having a play with it at the optics retailer for 30 mins or so. I really liked the optical quality hence I took the plunge. The one thing which I think is hard to asses during a short stint of checking binoculars at the store is the eyecup comfort for your facial features over extended viewing.

I may have chosen a different binocular out of the ones mentioned above if I found a more comfortable fit, but at the time, I did not take this into consideration properly.

Also, the focusser on my unit becomes a little stiff if the hinge is opened and becomes silky smooth if the hinge is closed. I have tested this to be dependant on the direction of motion of the hinge. I will be getting Nikon to take a look at it at some point in the near future...

My 2 cents...

 

[[email protected]]

On the Nikon 10x42HG bin, everyone happy with their purchase? Thinking about adding some to the collection but would like a few more opinions before I take the plunge.

Get the Habicht 10x40 GA it is better for about the same money. If you can afford it get an NL. They are way better. What's another $2K averaged out over a lifetime. Just drink less coffee. I thought the Nikon 10x42 HG was great until I side by sided it with the Habicht and the NL. The Habicht bested it and the NL kills it. I sold the Nikon HG. It seems good by ITSELF but compare it to an alpha, and it falls on its face. Then you see how truly poor it is.

 

[pbjosh]

First off, I assume you're talking about the Monarch HG, and not the now 20 year old HG model?

If so, it's among the best of, if not the best in its class / price range. Lightweight, excellent ergonomics, excellent FOV, excellent focuser, good glare control, and overall optical quality is very good. The Habicht is a much more esoteric choice, with perhaps sharper optics and higher light transmission, but overall a much less useful general purpose instrument. It has its fans, but there is a big reason why millions of birders are wandering around with Zeiss Conquests and Monarch HGs, and not with Habichts.

As well one would hope that the $3000 Swarovski NL would beat the $800 Monarch HG. However, I don't believe the OP's question was "can you suggest the most expensive binocular on the market to me?"

 

[dries1]

Well the Monarch HG is a very good glass, however for a couple of hundred more get one with a Warranty, because if something goes wrong outside of the 90 days, you will have to pay for any repairs or service. And better hope to get a good refurbished sample, if you go that route, as there have been reports of substandard samples.

Andy W.

 

[rfc1]

I wonder if the poor quality samples came from a dealer or direct from Nikon, looks like Nikon would be on top of their game if purchased through them.

 

[dries1]

I would find out if you could return them, (because of any functional issue) before consigning to the purchase. Some have come with some dings, abrasions to the metal surfaces etc.

Andy W.

 

[A2GG]

I bought a refurbished 8x30 HG direct from Nikon and have used it for a couple months now with no operational issues so far. The focuser is one of the best I've used. Nikon inspects and cleans these after collecting them back from dealers so I've heard and I think the odds of getting a lemon would be low.

 

[dries1]

There have been a few reports, not many. However the OP should be aware. I bought my 8X42 new and had to send them in for a drifting diopter, it was replaced with a new one all under warranty at no cost.

Andy W.

 

[rfc1]

That's great to hear, thanks Andy.

 

[[email protected]]

There have been a few reports, not many. However the OP should be aware. I bought my 8X42 new and had to send them in for a drifting diopter, it was replaced with a new one all under warranty at no cost.

Andy W.

I bought a refurbished Nikon MHG 8x42 from Nikon and the right eye cup would not lock into any of the open positions, so you basically had no adjustment on the eye cup that would stay in place. I would NEVER buy another refurbished binocular from Nikon. You get recycled lemons with other peoples problems and a lot of times Nikon never fixes them right. They just try to patch them up, so they are able to sell them. Get a new one if you want a Nikon MHG 8x42.

 

[[email protected]]

First off, I assume you're talking about the Monarch HG, and not the now 20 year old HG model?

If so, it's among the best of, if not the best in its class / price range. Lightweight, excellent ergonomics, excellent FOV, excellent focuser, good glare control, and overall optical quality is very good. The Habicht is a much more esoteric choice, with perhaps sharper optics and higher light transmission, but overall a much less useful general purpose instrument. It has its fans, but there is a big reason why millions of birders are wandering around with Zeiss Conquests and Monarch HGs, and not with Habichts.

As well one would hope that the $3000 Swarovski NL would beat the $800 Monarch HG. However, I don't believe the OP's question was "can you suggest the most expensive binocular on the market to me?"

"The Habicht is a much more esoteric choice, with perhaps sharper optics and higher light transmission, but overall a much less useful general purpose instrument. It has its fans, but there is a big reason why millions of birders are wandering around with Zeiss Conquests and Monarch HGs, and not with Habichts."

That is because they most likely have never even seen or tried a Habicht. The masses just buy what they can find at Sportman's Warehouse or at B&H. The Habicht is just as useful as the MHG and way better built and will outperform it in almost every way except FOV but you have to seek them out.

 

[dries1]

I would think that if Nikon is selling a refurbished glass, that they should do a better job with inspection. I would think in Japan this would not happen, (if Nikon in japan sold refurbished binoculars). The personnel here in the US, (though there are good techs at Nikon) is questionable since many do not even know what a diopter is. I really have no confidence in the younger work force here in the US.

Andy W.

 

[[email protected]]

" I really have no confidence in the younger work force here in the US." Neither do I. They don't have any pride in the quality of the product like they used to. It is a big part why the US has lost ground in a lot of areas.

 

[pbjosh]

"The Habicht is a much more esoteric choice, with perhaps sharper optics and higher light transmission, but overall a much less useful general purpose instrument. It has its fans, but there is a big reason why millions of birders are wandering around with Zeiss Conquests and Monarch HGs, and not with Habichts."

That is because they most likely have never even seen or tried a Habicht. The masses just buy what they can find at Sportman's Warehouse or at B&H. The Habicht is just as useful as the MHG and way better built and will outperform it in almost every way except FOV but you have to seek them out.

I know a very large number of very active dedicated birders and guides around the world. I know of absolutely none who use or which they had a Habicht. I'm not trying to say that you couldn't successfully use one, but I'll stand by the assertion that there are very good reasons why birders choose a modern binocular over a Habicht the majority of the time, and it's not lack of stock at major retailers. The 10x40 Habicht has a so-so FOV, not terrible but not amazing. It has reputedly great optics (I've not seen the 10x40, only the 8x30), but has poor eye cups, poor eye relief, poor close focus, and a slow, stiff focuser. It is reported to have much better glare control than the 8x30 Habicht. In the meanwhile, the Monarch HG might be slightly less sharp but is still excellent in this regard. However, it has better eye cups, eye relief, focuser, focus speed, close focus, and has overall very good glare control, color, and contrast. The slightly lesser transmission is basically nullified by the slightly larger objective. Essentially the Monarch HG is a very good birding binocular and is excellent for its price. The Habicht is potentially, from a purely optical standpoint, slightly better. But it is a lesser tool if you're interested in birding. If your interest in the binocular is greater than in the birds, then the Habicht (and Nikon EII) are bins you should definitely look into.

 

[pbjosh]

I agree with the general consensus that they're a great buy at that price and you'll probably get a good unit. You have 90 days to inspect and send back if necessary. If a longer warranty is important, it's available for a few hundred more. Personally I would take advantage of one of these offers if I didn't already have a pair of 8x30 MHG already.

 

[rfc1]

Is the glass in the Monarch HG the same as the EDG ?

 

[[email protected]]

I know a very large number of very active dedicated birders and guides around the world. I know of absolutely none who use or which they had a Habicht. I'm not trying to say that you couldn't successfully use one, but I'll stand by the assertion that there are very good reasons why birders choose a modern binocular over a Habicht the majority of the time, and it's not lack of stock at major retailers. The 10x40 Habicht has a so-so FOV, not terrible but not amazing. It has reputedly great optics (I've not seen the 10x40, only the 8x30), but has poor eye cups, poor eye relief, poor close focus, and a slow, stiff focuser. It is reported to have much better glare control than the 8x30 Habicht. In the meanwhile, the Monarch HG might be slightly less sharp but is still excellent in this regard. However, it has better eye cups, eye relief, focuser, focus speed, close focus, and has overall very good glare control, color, and contrast. The slightly lesser transmission is basically nullified by the slightly larger objective. Essentially the Monarch HG is a very good birding binocular and is excellent for its price. The Habicht is potentially, from a purely optical standpoint, slightly better. But it is a lesser tool if you're interested in birding. If your interest in the binocular is greater than in the birds, then the Habicht (and Nikon EII) are bins you should definitely look into.

I don't know. When I see a bird through the Habicht 10x40 GA it looks WAY better than it did through the Nikon 10x42 MHG. For the view through a Habicht you will put up with some of its shortcomings. I think the stunning optics of the Habicht is a combination of the 3D effect of the porro, the high transmission and the on-axis resolution. If you have never tried a Habicht 10x40 GA you should, you might change your mind. I have an NL 8x42 and I don't feel under gunned when I take the Habicht out birding. I did with the MHG. If you haven't used both the Habicht and the MHG like I HAVE your opinion doesn't mean much because it is not based on actual experience with the binoculars. Rather it is just hear say or what some other birder told you.

 

[rfc1]

I don't know. When I see a bird through the Habicht 10x40 GA it looks WAY better than it did through the Nikon 10x42 MHG. For the view through a Habicht you will put up with some of its shortcomings. I think the stunning optics of the Habicht is a combination of the 3D effect of the porro, the high transmission and the on-axis resolution. If you have never tried a Habicht 10x40 GA you should, you might change your mind. I have an NL 8x42 and I don't feel under gunned when I take the Habicht out birding. I did with the MHG. If you haven't used both the Habicht and the MHG like I HAVE your opinion doesn't mean much because it is not based on actual experience with the binoculars. Rather it is just hear say or what some other birder told you.

How bout the Nikon 8x30 e2 vs the Habicht 10x40 GA?

 

[[email protected]]

Is the glass in the Monarch HG the same as the EDG ?

I asked Nikon that once, and they said the EDG was a higher grade of glass and I think that would be logical because the EDG is twice the price of the MHG.

How bout the Nikon 8x30 e2 vs the Habicht 10x40 GA?

I have had both the Nikon 8x30 E2 and the Habicht 10x40 GA and the Habicht without a doubt is on another level. The Habicht has higher transmission, and it is sharper on-axis, has better contrast, and it has a more neutral cleaner color profile. Don't get me wrong for $500 the Nikon 8x30 E2 is an excellent value, but it seems darker and has some red bias in its color profile, and it does not have the contrast or the sparkle of the Habicht. The Habicht has Swarovskis best EL glass and coatings and combined with the efficiency of the porro design it makes for a killer view. The Habicht is an alpha porro. Yes, it could be improved user-friendly wise with an easier focuser, more eye relief and perhaps better eye cups although the GA eye cups are quite good but these things would not improve the superb optics it has. If you don't wear glasses, and you can tolerate a tight focuser for less than $1K you're getting an alpha view for 1/3 the cost of an NL. The reason I prefer the Habicht 10x40 GA over the Nikon MHG 10x42 is the MHG does everything pretty good but nothing really exceptional outside of maybe the FOV. The Habicht has some weaknesses like any binocular even the NL but in many areas it is truly exceptional. I just bought a Fujinon FMTR-SX 10x50 for astronomy, and it is similar to a Habicht being a porro with 95% transmission and having huge prisms. After using it on the night sky and terrestrially I can see why it is ranked above the Swarovski EL 10x50 on Albinos, and it is a 1/3 the cost of the EL also. It is one of the best views I have seen day or night. I am not sure even my Swarovski NL can equal it. With good glass and coatings a porro is still hard to beat.