Tvc15_2000
Well-known member
***I need to use these outdoors under several different conditions before I come to any conclusions.
Quick note - Received a pair of Nikon 10X30 Monarch 7 today. All indoor viewing and out the widow viewing on a foggy day.
Sorry this is not the $400 binocular that performs like a $2000 binocular that we are waiting for. I can’t wait to actually get a nice day outside to see if the ED in action.
Nikon 10X30 - Nicely made. It’s a very well built binocular. No fit and finish problems on this binocular. It is what you would expect from a reputable name in optics. Nice skin, nice design (I do not prefer open bridge bins) –Bin alone weighs 1 pound 1 ounce. I see no barrel distortion scanning the he landscape.
Focus speed makes me pleased. Not too fast not to slow. Case is a common sense Nylon padded flip top with a Velcro closure. Case is an appropriate size for the binocular – a slightly loose fit (that’s good no struggle to get it in or out). Thank god Nikon did not put a zipper on the case. Nikon has chosen to stick with what works. Bin fits in the case with eye cups up or down. Case has a belt loop if you prefer to use that.
Objective covers press-fit into the front. Reasonable plastic one piece ocular cover. Strap is nylon with a neoprene neck cushion.
Good feel in my hands. I like the spin up eye cups with slight bumps for various positions.
I am comparing it to a few bins indoors this evening reading small print at an indoor distance with indoor lighting.
Leica Ultravid 10X42 (ED glass) – It does not get any better than this (to my eyes)
Leica 10X32 Ultravid HD (ED glass) I find myself loving this binocular. Superior binocular nice compact size built like a truck and only weighs 9 ounces more than the Nikon 10x30.
Like many outstanding products the focus engineering alone will make these a collectable when compared to the other Uber offerings. Don’t listen to the bloviator's. If you want quality – you will find it here.
Leica 10X25 Superior –A good investment for me. They increased 25% In retail price since I have owned them. Priceless in the usability factor. I have searched for a better binocular in this size at any price and have not found one yet. Slightly less bright than the Nikon
10x30 as you would expect of course.
Nikon LXL Premier 10X25 Superior and not as bright as the 10x30
Pentax DCF ED 8X43 (ED glass)
Nikon 10X30 good value for the money of you don’t want to spend the extra for the above.
Pentax DCF LV 9X28 not as bright or as nice a view as the Nikon 10X30 – but half the price. Not as bright or sharp as any of the above – but a good beginner binocular that is plenty rugged.
Heavy fog today in with rain and snow predicted until next week (no problem - the bins are waterproof) - but no sun. So I won’t have a chance to take advantage of the winter low sun angles that cause so much problems in back light situations. My decision to keep or return the Nikon 10X30 depends a great deal on how this binocular performs in back light situations. If the Nikon 10X30 it is not up to my back lighting standards - I will return it. I have been spoiled by the Leica HDs and even the 10X25 Leica does a good job in backlight situations. I just hate to miss a bird due to back lighting.
From what I am seeing INDOORS so far the 10X30 Nikon Monarch 7 won’t hold back anyone from beginner to intermediate/advanced birder. ***I need to use these outdoors under several different conditions before I come to any conclusions.
Cosmo
Quick note - Received a pair of Nikon 10X30 Monarch 7 today. All indoor viewing and out the widow viewing on a foggy day.
Sorry this is not the $400 binocular that performs like a $2000 binocular that we are waiting for. I can’t wait to actually get a nice day outside to see if the ED in action.
Nikon 10X30 - Nicely made. It’s a very well built binocular. No fit and finish problems on this binocular. It is what you would expect from a reputable name in optics. Nice skin, nice design (I do not prefer open bridge bins) –Bin alone weighs 1 pound 1 ounce. I see no barrel distortion scanning the he landscape.
Focus speed makes me pleased. Not too fast not to slow. Case is a common sense Nylon padded flip top with a Velcro closure. Case is an appropriate size for the binocular – a slightly loose fit (that’s good no struggle to get it in or out). Thank god Nikon did not put a zipper on the case. Nikon has chosen to stick with what works. Bin fits in the case with eye cups up or down. Case has a belt loop if you prefer to use that.
Objective covers press-fit into the front. Reasonable plastic one piece ocular cover. Strap is nylon with a neoprene neck cushion.
Good feel in my hands. I like the spin up eye cups with slight bumps for various positions.
I am comparing it to a few bins indoors this evening reading small print at an indoor distance with indoor lighting.
Leica Ultravid 10X42 (ED glass) – It does not get any better than this (to my eyes)
Leica 10X32 Ultravid HD (ED glass) I find myself loving this binocular. Superior binocular nice compact size built like a truck and only weighs 9 ounces more than the Nikon 10x30.
Like many outstanding products the focus engineering alone will make these a collectable when compared to the other Uber offerings. Don’t listen to the bloviator's. If you want quality – you will find it here.
Leica 10X25 Superior –A good investment for me. They increased 25% In retail price since I have owned them. Priceless in the usability factor. I have searched for a better binocular in this size at any price and have not found one yet. Slightly less bright than the Nikon
10x30 as you would expect of course.
Nikon LXL Premier 10X25 Superior and not as bright as the 10x30
Pentax DCF ED 8X43 (ED glass)
Nikon 10X30 good value for the money of you don’t want to spend the extra for the above.
Pentax DCF LV 9X28 not as bright or as nice a view as the Nikon 10X30 – but half the price. Not as bright or sharp as any of the above – but a good beginner binocular that is plenty rugged.
Heavy fog today in with rain and snow predicted until next week (no problem - the bins are waterproof) - but no sun. So I won’t have a chance to take advantage of the winter low sun angles that cause so much problems in back light situations. My decision to keep or return the Nikon 10X30 depends a great deal on how this binocular performs in back light situations. If the Nikon 10X30 it is not up to my back lighting standards - I will return it. I have been spoiled by the Leica HDs and even the 10X25 Leica does a good job in backlight situations. I just hate to miss a bird due to back lighting.
From what I am seeing INDOORS so far the 10X30 Nikon Monarch 7 won’t hold back anyone from beginner to intermediate/advanced birder. ***I need to use these outdoors under several different conditions before I come to any conclusions.
Cosmo