Greetings!
So I've had the Nikon Monarch HG 8X42 for nine days. Out of those days I've used them birding for four trips. I always used the MHG as my primary binoculars but always had another binocular to compare. I got the binocular on a Friday afternoon and went birding the next am. Thanks to Steve at Optics4birding for getting these to me as quickly as possible!
First impressions.....
Firstly....the case is much better than the EDG case. The EDG case looks straight out of the 80s IMO. The MHG case is more modern with a nice snap on the closure.
Weight... The MGH is lightweight binocular. I didn't realize it until just now but it's the lightest 8X42 I own or have ever owned.
Objective covers... Tied with the Leica Noctivid as the best designed objective covers ever. MUCH better design than those on the EDG. These work perfectly and you'll never lose these.
Focus... Seems really nice. Smooth and equal resistance in both directions.
Ocular adjustment... Located on right eyepiece coaxially. This one LOCKS to ones setting.
Day 1
Last Saturday. My friend Doug and I went birding and binocular comparing at Blackwell Swamp. Weather conditions were drizzle/light rain to start out and overcast most of the day. Folks see a lot of bird here....but quite honestly I find it a little slow as far as birding goes. It IS a beautiful area.
Priority one for me was to compare the MHG to the EDG II and to the Zeiss Victory SF. First up...SF vs. MHG, both 8X42. I started off with the new MHG with the SF just along for the ride for now. As mentioned this is one lightweight binocular. Focus is really nice. ZERO slack/slop as it should be. No problem locating and IDing desired bird. One thing I DO notice. The term "field flattener" is used concerning this binocular. It even says it ON the binocular. From my best recollection it IS a flatter field than the Monarch 7 that ever so briefly resided here. Whatever you do, don't compare the MHG to a Zeiss SF. Even though I really like the MHG, it ain't no SF! I really dislike this phrase but If you want to really go WOW, pick up an SF after having used a Maven B1, Leica Trinovid HD, OR a Nikon Monarch HG for a while! THAT'S what a flat field looks like folks! When the FOV is this large and this flat, it's truly the next level. In fact, in every optical category I could compare on this day, the SF rules. Startling reality actually. So this was a quick comparison! No need for more....I took the SF off and handed it to Doug for a while.
NEXT up is the EDG II 8X42. It is obvious the EDG II is a cousin to the MGH. How close is what I'm trying to determine. Even as nice as the MHG focus adjustment IS, the EDG II is even better. IMO, it's THE focus adjustment all others are judged by. I can't imagine one being better. But the MGH is certainly in the top tier. Optically....about the same can be said for the EDG II as was said for the SF, except to a lesser degree. Even though the MGH has "field flattener" written all over it, it just ain't so. I CAN tell the FOV IS larger with the MGH, it's just not flat edge to edge. In fact it's really about a 70% flat field. The EDG II is pretty dang flat edge to edge. Not quite to the level of an SF/SV, but pretty close. Conclusion of EDG II comparison on birding day TWO...
So day one has come to an end... First conclusion....even though the Monarch HG looks to be a fine binocular, it ain't no Zeiss SF at a bargain price.
So I've had the Nikon Monarch HG 8X42 for nine days. Out of those days I've used them birding for four trips. I always used the MHG as my primary binoculars but always had another binocular to compare. I got the binocular on a Friday afternoon and went birding the next am. Thanks to Steve at Optics4birding for getting these to me as quickly as possible!
First impressions.....
Firstly....the case is much better than the EDG case. The EDG case looks straight out of the 80s IMO. The MHG case is more modern with a nice snap on the closure.
Weight... The MGH is lightweight binocular. I didn't realize it until just now but it's the lightest 8X42 I own or have ever owned.
Objective covers... Tied with the Leica Noctivid as the best designed objective covers ever. MUCH better design than those on the EDG. These work perfectly and you'll never lose these.
Focus... Seems really nice. Smooth and equal resistance in both directions.
Ocular adjustment... Located on right eyepiece coaxially. This one LOCKS to ones setting.
Day 1
Last Saturday. My friend Doug and I went birding and binocular comparing at Blackwell Swamp. Weather conditions were drizzle/light rain to start out and overcast most of the day. Folks see a lot of bird here....but quite honestly I find it a little slow as far as birding goes. It IS a beautiful area.
Priority one for me was to compare the MHG to the EDG II and to the Zeiss Victory SF. First up...SF vs. MHG, both 8X42. I started off with the new MHG with the SF just along for the ride for now. As mentioned this is one lightweight binocular. Focus is really nice. ZERO slack/slop as it should be. No problem locating and IDing desired bird. One thing I DO notice. The term "field flattener" is used concerning this binocular. It even says it ON the binocular. From my best recollection it IS a flatter field than the Monarch 7 that ever so briefly resided here. Whatever you do, don't compare the MHG to a Zeiss SF. Even though I really like the MHG, it ain't no SF! I really dislike this phrase but If you want to really go WOW, pick up an SF after having used a Maven B1, Leica Trinovid HD, OR a Nikon Monarch HG for a while! THAT'S what a flat field looks like folks! When the FOV is this large and this flat, it's truly the next level. In fact, in every optical category I could compare on this day, the SF rules. Startling reality actually. So this was a quick comparison! No need for more....I took the SF off and handed it to Doug for a while.
NEXT up is the EDG II 8X42. It is obvious the EDG II is a cousin to the MGH. How close is what I'm trying to determine. Even as nice as the MHG focus adjustment IS, the EDG II is even better. IMO, it's THE focus adjustment all others are judged by. I can't imagine one being better. But the MGH is certainly in the top tier. Optically....about the same can be said for the EDG II as was said for the SF, except to a lesser degree. Even though the MGH has "field flattener" written all over it, it just ain't so. I CAN tell the FOV IS larger with the MGH, it's just not flat edge to edge. In fact it's really about a 70% flat field. The EDG II is pretty dang flat edge to edge. Not quite to the level of an SF/SV, but pretty close. Conclusion of EDG II comparison on birding day TWO...
So day one has come to an end... First conclusion....even though the Monarch HG looks to be a fine binocular, it ain't no Zeiss SF at a bargain price.