Kevin Conville
yardbirder
After several weeks of procrastination I find myself in front of the computer on a rainy night with a glass of Balvene 14yr Caribbean Cask ready to compile a review.
I have been intrigued by both the Swaro CL and Nikon's HG in 8x30 flavors lately as the Bino bug is never really gone and with my superb copy of an 8x32 Trinovid BN I haven't seen much value in pursuing the ne plus ultra of 32mm bins as the net gain vs cost isn't very impressive. These two bins are different though in that they have a smaller form, lighter weight, and short bridge along with the promise of the latest optical designs.
They fit the niche I could justify to myself filling.
I decided to buy the Monarchs based on my luck with Nikons, their specifications, and the fact they were 2/3 the price of the Swaro CLs.
Spoiler alert: These are very nice bins. Almost ideal as small birding bins, but alas, the Devil's in the details.
First bit of business. How well can I see with these things? I set up a USAF chart and some cans with various colored text on varying colored backgrounds.
As a control I used the aforementioned Leica BNs and a pair of Vanguard Endeavor EDIIs, also in 8x32. No other reason than these are what I have in this size and many of you are familiar with them. I used a simple platform on a rock solid tripod as a rest. This is what I found.
Results listed are in order of their performance. First listed being best.
*White letters on red background Leica Nikon Endeavor
*White letters on blue background Leica Endeavor Nikon
*Black on yellow Leica Endeavor Nikon
*Black letters on white background Leica (clearly best) Endeavor Nikon
*Leica are easiest to discern detail, Endeavors and Nikons are more or less a tie depending on subject
*False color: Endeavors Nikon Leica
*Focus mechanism: Leica Nikon Endeavor
*Focus past infinity: Nikon and Endeavor tied then Leica
*Distortion: Endeavor Nikon (a close second) then Leica
*Diopter: Leica Nikon Endeavor
*Eyecups: Nikon Leica Endeavor
*Sweet spot: Nikon Endeavor Leica
What I like about the Monarchs:
*Lightweight and small form
*Easy view both with and without glasses
*Wide field
*Low distortion
*Nice color saturation
*Good eyecups
*Excellent focus feel
What I don't like as much:
*Ghost images under certain conditions
*Prone to glare
*Though ultimately sharp, don't get "on" focus very quickly
In the field the Monarchs carry and handle very well. It's remarkable what the 6oz difference from the (heaviest) Leicas feels like after a few hours.
For the $860 I paid for these bins I give them my endorsement and would probably be satisfied with them if they were my only 8x30/32mm bin. They are not however.
Two take aways for me are how good the Leica BNs still are and what a bargain the Vanguard Endeavor EDIIs are at $200.
Stay tuned, the plot thickens
I have been intrigued by both the Swaro CL and Nikon's HG in 8x30 flavors lately as the Bino bug is never really gone and with my superb copy of an 8x32 Trinovid BN I haven't seen much value in pursuing the ne plus ultra of 32mm bins as the net gain vs cost isn't very impressive. These two bins are different though in that they have a smaller form, lighter weight, and short bridge along with the promise of the latest optical designs.
They fit the niche I could justify to myself filling.
I decided to buy the Monarchs based on my luck with Nikons, their specifications, and the fact they were 2/3 the price of the Swaro CLs.
Spoiler alert: These are very nice bins. Almost ideal as small birding bins, but alas, the Devil's in the details.
First bit of business. How well can I see with these things? I set up a USAF chart and some cans with various colored text on varying colored backgrounds.
As a control I used the aforementioned Leica BNs and a pair of Vanguard Endeavor EDIIs, also in 8x32. No other reason than these are what I have in this size and many of you are familiar with them. I used a simple platform on a rock solid tripod as a rest. This is what I found.
Results listed are in order of their performance. First listed being best.
*White letters on red background Leica Nikon Endeavor
*White letters on blue background Leica Endeavor Nikon
*Black on yellow Leica Endeavor Nikon
*Black letters on white background Leica (clearly best) Endeavor Nikon
*Leica are easiest to discern detail, Endeavors and Nikons are more or less a tie depending on subject
*False color: Endeavors Nikon Leica
*Focus mechanism: Leica Nikon Endeavor
*Focus past infinity: Nikon and Endeavor tied then Leica
*Distortion: Endeavor Nikon (a close second) then Leica
*Diopter: Leica Nikon Endeavor
*Eyecups: Nikon Leica Endeavor
*Sweet spot: Nikon Endeavor Leica
What I like about the Monarchs:
*Lightweight and small form
*Easy view both with and without glasses
*Wide field
*Low distortion
*Nice color saturation
*Good eyecups
*Excellent focus feel
What I don't like as much:
*Ghost images under certain conditions
*Prone to glare
*Though ultimately sharp, don't get "on" focus very quickly
In the field the Monarchs carry and handle very well. It's remarkable what the 6oz difference from the (heaviest) Leicas feels like after a few hours.
For the $860 I paid for these bins I give them my endorsement and would probably be satisfied with them if they were my only 8x30/32mm bin. They are not however.
Two take aways for me are how good the Leica BNs still are and what a bargain the Vanguard Endeavor EDIIs are at $200.
Stay tuned, the plot thickens
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