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  1. KaterinBortle9

    Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

    Scope body only most likely does not come with the soft case. Nikon Japan website sells the body and eyepieces separately and the soft case is stated clearly to be sold separately. However, if your local dealer offers the default configuration 82mm scope and the 20-60x eyepiece as a set, it...
  2. KaterinBortle9

    Product Review: The Sky Rover Banner Cloud 8 x 42 Binocular

    Appears to be sold out at their english Sky Rover Optics website, even for the 10x42.
  3. KaterinBortle9

    Nikon Monarch Fieldscope vs Celestron Regal M2 80ED vs Vortex Diamondback - tough choice

    The ER is for the nikon monarch's 20-60 zoom eyepiece (MEP 20-60). It's rubber eyecup does not protrude out slightly in the down position which will make the metal around the lenses scratch your glasses while pressing against it to reduce a lot of the wasted AFOV at high magnifications. Can be...
  4. KaterinBortle9

    Nikon Monarch Fieldscope vs Celestron Regal M2 80ED vs Vortex Diamondback - tough choice

    The eye relief of the 20-60x zoom eyepiece contracts significantly as you increase the magnification. It probably will be a deal breaker with the 20-60x eyepiece if you wear spectacles. If you don't wear spectacles, the monarch is a solid choice. Henry Link's eye relief measurements are: 20x -...
  5. KaterinBortle9

    Hello from Singapore, Binocular help

    Welcome, Sharkbait, to BF. The new Sky-Rover APO 8x42 might just be what you are looking for. The local astronomical equipment establishment McGill at Novena now takes pre-orders for it at SGD$700. You can search and check out their website. I've ordered a unit from them for a family member just...
  6. KaterinBortle9

    Optica Exotica - really good youtube channel for binocular reviews

    Not really because I went for the 10x42 first but after a year plus, downgraded to the 8x42 version to better stabilize the image due to hand shake. I also wondered if there is really a "too wide" issue when I first watched Ethan's MHG 8x42 video since at that time 8.3° FOV is just a bit larger...
  7. KaterinBortle9

    Optica Exotica - really good youtube channel for binocular reviews

    Thank you Ethan, for making those videos. I really had fun watching them and based on a few of your videos, settled on to the Nikon MHGs. For those who are familiar with your work, I'm sure you and Optical Exotica will always be a fond memory when thinking of binocular optics. When you shared...
  8. KaterinBortle9

    Monovid minimalist.

    As Ted Y, said. Grasped in the palm and have my other hand as a "C" held together, with the index finger resting on my brow to both help stabilize and create an obstruction so that I do not need to squint one eye. I met an old timer who uses a paper clamp on his svbony monocular since it...
  9. KaterinBortle9

    Monovid minimalist.

    Hi Grandpoli, The focus adjustment is a two hand operation and is quite stiff. There is a monovid thread about better handling the monovid in the Leica section which is very useful to stabilize it. The eyecup seems to be too small for me when I try using it without glasses and note that with my...
  10. KaterinBortle9

    Lee Thickett (Troubador) - R.I.P.

    Rest in peace, Lee Thickett. Condolences to his family.
  11. KaterinBortle9

    Monarch 82 or 60 with fixed 38/30x eyepiece?

    For Dan: The 30-60W has big and spacious eyecup with 42mm internal diameter for your viewing eye. The 38W's internal diameter is smaller at 33mm, but still comfortable to rest my eye on.
  12. KaterinBortle9

    Zeiss CHD 8x32 vs Nikon MHG 8x42

    MHG 8x42 for the night time requirement. Your plan of usage is similar to mine with me having a weight consideration due to going out with a 60mm scope and tripod. Started with MHG 10x42 but downgraded to a MHG 8x42 (local price 740€ equivalent) now. Only briefly handled a CHD 8x32 indoors in a...
  13. KaterinBortle9

    Nikon Monarch Fieldscope 60ED-A + MEP 30-60W Review

    Thank you R-L, for sharing your experience with the 30-60. Also thanks to henry link for his detailed review of the monarch 82 and nicks90's of the 60mm. Here's a flipping and smacking clip as a thank-you: Stork-Billed Kingfisher with unfortunate fish as lunch. Cheers.
  14. KaterinBortle9

    Nikon Monarch Fieldscope 60ED-A + MEP 30-60W Review

    Though the 60mm Nikon Monarch Fieldscope had been officially discontinued at Nikon Japan's website and B&H photo in 2022, they are still available at various dealers in Europe and USA. Sold out at Kyoei-Osaka. It seems appropriate to add my humble review of the fine 60mm scope after using it for...
  15. KaterinBortle9

    Celestron Regal M2 vs Svbony SV406P

    The little friends and the fries can be seen in your unboxing photo! :) More reviews of scopes are always good. I might do a review of the discontinued nikon monarch 60 eda with the wide angle zoom, which I am using for 2 years, when I can find the time.
  16. KaterinBortle9

    Have you compared the best Kowa (Genesis Prominar XD) side by side against the best Nikon (Monarch HG)?

    From where I live, a new MHG 8x42 (standard 1yr international warranty) can be ordered for about US$820 at a local camera store. I will have to fork out close to 3.5x that price for a leica noctivid or zeiss sf 8x42. I've also noted local price increases for leica and zeiss sports optics recently.
  17. KaterinBortle9

    Birding without a camera, forever?

    hi horukuru, its a nikon monarch 60 eda.
  18. KaterinBortle9

    New ATC/ STC 17-40x56 Telescope

    Hi gastonbe, is your gitzo traveler 1545 the 1545T version with a hole to attach a strap at the leg hinges? If it is, you can try using that to hook and/or tie your bag, instead of getting the hook for the central column. An old pro recently taught me that tying/strapping your bag higher up...
  19. KaterinBortle9

    Birding without a camera, forever?

    Bird watchers with optics only are a minority in where I live. I'm not into cameras and photography but the the bird photographers I did chat with are certainly passionate with their hobby. If the bird or creature is stationary, I do capture short videos of them and sometimes you get to record...
  20. KaterinBortle9

    Magnification differences?

    The Regal M2 65ED has a stated scope focal length of 382mm, so a 8mm eyepiece would give 382/8=48x. 48x is the top of the magnification range of the default 8-24mm zoom eyepiece. To get 60x you need an eyepiece with focal length of about 382/60=6.37mm.
  21. KaterinBortle9

    Help me choose binoculars for my son

    Do check out the recent monocular thread on BF: Monocular recommendations A 20mm monocular with a ~60cm or less close focus can also be a handy instrument in school in his pocket all the way to college/university and beyond.
  22. KaterinBortle9

    Swarovski ATS 65HD vs Leica APO 65 vs Kowa 773

    Do test the fine and coarse focus wheels thoroughly and make sure both are smooth to operate when they arrive. Glass quality should be excellent. I tried a demo 82 televid at a local leica shop a few days ago and found the fine focus wheel somewhat stiff and the coarse focus extremely stiff. Not...
  23. KaterinBortle9

    Nikon ED82A scope v Smaller Scopes eg Swarovski 65 HD or others

    I had a short hands on session with an ATM 65 HD (magnesium body variant of the ATS) at my local shop and the nearly 300g lesser weight to my monarch 60 was immediately noticeable. It was a demo unit on sale for ~US$2100 with a 20-60x eyepiece with full swarovski warranty. Very tempting but I'll...
  24. KaterinBortle9

    A question about the Swarovski ATC

    There is the purple loctite 222 series that does not require heat to disassemble. ICYMI: One question for ATC users: Does the focuser feel plasticky and slow? I've recently briefly handled one in my local shop while in the area, built quality all seems very good except for the focuser. Might...
  25. KaterinBortle9

    Errant high mag rumblings.

    The stay-on case came together with scope and 20-60 eyepiece FOC but I deem it effectively useless for an angled scope due to the frequent need to use the rotating collar. Definitely not worth that money. Adhere a sticker to your own eyepiece for identification and swap eyepieces in the shop...
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