What about the Monarch ED 60? Any opinions or experience, especially comparing it with the equivalent Kowa or Opticron?
For anyone who might encounter this older thread, I can add some impressions.
I recently (November 2022) tried out the Kowa 773, Kowa 663, Swarovski ATS65 and Nikon Monarch 60ED, having come from an Opticron MM4 60.
I've yet to decide between a
used Kowa 773 and a new Nikon 60ED. Apples and oranges, possibly, but roughly the same price* and weight; I didn't want a heavy scope. *Obviously, a
new 773 is more than the Nikon - and Kowa prices are due to rise even further, so mine is something of a one-off comparison.
I find the Kowa almost perfect optically - sharp to the edges and with almost imperceivable colour fringing only at the extreme edges and in the worst possible light. The EP is 25-60x. My only 'complaint' is that 25x is a little long for immersive garden viewing... maybe I need a bigger garden.
The Nikon is not far behind the Kowa in all respects and has the advantage (to me, for garden birding) of a wider EP, starting at 20x. Having tried them both this evening, I'm not even sure the Nikon is any less bright at dusk, although it ought to be. If I hadn't found a used Kowa 773 I'd be perfectly happy with the Nikon for my budget of £1200-1300. My quandary is to balance the faultless Kowa IQ against the slightly better viewing experience of the Nikon eyepiece.
The Swarovski ATS had more visible colour fringing than the Nikon, and was worse in low light. My view is that it's simply not worth the extra money.
The Kowa 663 had noticeable colour fringing across the 'frame' with backlit subjects. I'd say it compares to the Opticron MM4 60mm, but is more expensive. For just a couple of hundred more £s the Nikon knocks spot off the Kowa 663 and the MM4 Opticron.
In summary, I'm no expert, but I'd say the Nikon was the best 60mm scope available, so much so that I might end up keeping it and sending the Kowa 773 back.
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