The-Wanderer
Well-known member
I am trying to get a handle on the Nikon HG line of binoculars, particularly in the 10x42 format, to which I refer below, but can find few details.
The first of the line in the UK was the HG DCF (this may have been called the Venturer in the US). I cannot find detailed specifications nor any review but I have read that these had lead in the glass. At some stage the bin became eco friendly, with eco-glass and were arsenic free. https://www.nikon.co.uk/customer_services/brochure_request/pdfs/sportoptics_040212.pdf . Important to me was a claimed eye-relief of 18.5 mm.
This was superseded by the HG-L line, labelled Premium in the US. The eco credentials were retained, but they were lighter and had a claimed eye-relief of 18.5 mm.
The new Monarch HG line has a 6.9 degree field of view, a significant increase over the 6 degrees of the previous models but, for me, possibly of no avail because of the significantly reduced eye-relief of only 17mm.
Is this progress?
The Nikon edg was their top of the line and widely regarded as analpha, but I need more information on the earlier models, especially specifications and reviews. Is the Monarch intended to fill a gap by Nikon removing the HG-L from its product range? Would it be better, optically than the HG-L? Did that model have flaws warranting its demise or will it continue (?) to serve as a useful part of the product line?
It was interesting that Typo had to get Nikon staff at Birdfair 2016 to find an EDG model for him to compare. It does not seem as though Nikon is promoting the EDG line any more.
Is the company really interested in premium binoculars or not?
If anyone can provide specifications, reviews or other info, please post here or send me a PM.
Thank you.
The first of the line in the UK was the HG DCF (this may have been called the Venturer in the US). I cannot find detailed specifications nor any review but I have read that these had lead in the glass. At some stage the bin became eco friendly, with eco-glass and were arsenic free. https://www.nikon.co.uk/customer_services/brochure_request/pdfs/sportoptics_040212.pdf . Important to me was a claimed eye-relief of 18.5 mm.
This was superseded by the HG-L line, labelled Premium in the US. The eco credentials were retained, but they were lighter and had a claimed eye-relief of 18.5 mm.
The new Monarch HG line has a 6.9 degree field of view, a significant increase over the 6 degrees of the previous models but, for me, possibly of no avail because of the significantly reduced eye-relief of only 17mm.
Is this progress?
The Nikon edg was their top of the line and widely regarded as analpha, but I need more information on the earlier models, especially specifications and reviews. Is the Monarch intended to fill a gap by Nikon removing the HG-L from its product range? Would it be better, optically than the HG-L? Did that model have flaws warranting its demise or will it continue (?) to serve as a useful part of the product line?
It was interesting that Typo had to get Nikon staff at Birdfair 2016 to find an EDG model for him to compare. It does not seem as though Nikon is promoting the EDG line any more.
Is the company really interested in premium binoculars or not?
If anyone can provide specifications, reviews or other info, please post here or send me a PM.
Thank you.