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older vs new Nikon Monarch 5 binoculars (1 Viewer)

N

new_mexico_birder

Member
I have the chance to pick up some Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars for what sounds like a fair price. They are older - they look like this. I believe this model had dielectric coatings but not ED glass.

Are these binoculars a good value for under $150 USD? How much of an improvement was the updated model with ED glass? These binoculars seem to have been well reviewed when they first came out.

Thanks for your advice!
 
CO_west said:
I have the chance to pick up some Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars for what sounds like a fair price. They are older - they look like this. I believe this model had dielectric coatings but not ED glass. Are these binoculars a good value for under $150 USD? How much of an improvement was the updated model with ED glass? These binoculars seem to have been well reviewed when they first came out. Thanks for your advice!
Click to expand...

That photo looks like a new, unused binocular right out of the box. So the first question: Is it a stock photo, or a photo of the actual item?
 
CO_west said:
I have the chance to pick up some Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars for what sounds like a fair price. They are older - they look like this. I believe this model had dielectric coatings but not ED glass.

Are these binoculars a good value for under $150 USD? How much of an improvement was the updated model with ED glass? These binoculars seem to have been well reviewed when they first came out.

Thanks for your advice!
Click to expand...

I have the same or very similar pair (there's no 5 or whatever it is on the badge after MONARCH). For me they have a better external build quality than the M7 I had, a very nice focus, narrow FOV by spec but not a big drama in use.
Overall I really like them, still look new. For the money in good condition I'd say they're a bargain (paid around the AUD500 or so mark when I bought mine years ago).
Of course you can always get better but I don't mind looking through them at all (I have since gifted them to family) and I have quite a few top level bins.
My opinion, go for it. Particularly if they are NIB.
 
There is a new Monarch 5 8X42 not on Cloudy nights - my mistake,Astromart for $165.00

Andy W.
 
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