BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="bearclawthedonut" data-source="post: 2035028" data-attributes="member: 73224">johnnymg:I also own both.  Both are excellent.  The 8x42 ZRS is the equal of the Monarch 8x42 in resolution, contrast and in standard daylight - brightness.  That's very high praise coming from me.  I've compared my Monarch's to many other binoculars including the 7x36 ZR ED2's and Vortex Viper 8x42's, both are a good bit more expensive than the $250 that I paid for my Monarch's.  My Monarch's equaled both of those binoculars in performance both in the field and in my very primitive optical testing (tape a draft quality printout of an email on the wall in low light and back away from it; the winner being able to read the email from furthest away).  The ZRS 8x42 with its D-E coated prisms is unquestionably brighter in very low light levels; however, that does not translate to being able to see deeper into shade on sunny days.  The big advantage that the Monarch has over the ZRS is in handling.  The 8x42 Monarch is lighter and has smaller diameter barrels at the grip point.  Accordingly, I can easily use my Monarch's with one hand.  My Monarch's are the old ones without the D-E coated prisms.  I've briefly compared them to the new Monarch's with D-E coatings and I could see no discernable difference.  My Monarch's are my primary full size binoculars and my ZRS's are my back-ups and/or for use in very low light.  The ZRS 8x42's are perhaps the best optical value available today.  However, if handling is important to you then check out the Monarch's.bearclawthedonut</blockquote>

Verification