Blackouts/Glare with Nikon M7 8x30. Predictor of MHG 8x30 Results? (1 Viewer)

[Big Sky]

Greetings! I am trying to replace my aging and decrepit small inventory of binos by taking advantage of a limited-time Nikon factory discount. I recently acquired an M7 8x30 for travel/hiking/cruise and MHG 10x42 for the open plains/large river, mountain environment that I live in. I do not wear glasses, have deep eye sockets and narrow IPD. I have no problem with blackouts or glare with the 10x42, which I guess is to be expected with greater eye relief (17 mm) and exit pupil. But, I still have to raise the eye cups 1 to 2 clicks. However, I am struggling with the M7 8x30 (15.1 mm eye relief). Although expanding the eye cups helps alleviate blackouts to some degree, I must have perfect pupil alignment and can still easily induce them. But expanding the eyecups introduces more glare. I can barely use the M7 8x3O in the morning due to the low angle of the sun causing a hazy glare in the lower half if my view.

If the M7 8x30 is giving me issues, can I predict the same for the MHG 8x30 with its 16.2 mm eye relief? I cannot try them locally. Is it redundant if I get the Monarch HG 8x42 if I already have the MHG 10x42?

Thanks!

 

[Dennis Mau]

Greetings! I am trying to replace my aging and decrepit small inventory of binos by taking advantage of a limited-time Nikon factory discount. I recently acquired an M7 8x30 for travel/hiking/cruise and MHG 10x42 for the open plains/large river, mountain environment that I live in. I do not wear glasses, have deep eye sockets and narrow IPD. I have no problem with blackouts or glare with the 10x42, which I guess is to be expected with greater eye relief (17 mm) and exit pupil. But, I still have to raise the eye cups 1 to 2 clicks. However, I am struggling with the M7 8x30 (15.1 mm eye relief). Although expanding the eye cups helps alleviate blackouts to some degree, I must have perfect pupil alignment and can still easily induce them. But expanding the eyecups introduces more glare. I can barely use the M7 8x3O in the morning due to the low angle of the sun causing a hazy glare in the lower half if my view.

If the M7 8x30 is giving me issues, can I predict the same for the MHG 8x30 with its 16.2 mm eye relief? I cannot try them locally. Is it redundant if I get the Monarch HG 8x42 if I already have the MHG 10x42?

Thanks!

If you have glare with the M7 8x30, you will probably have glare with the HG 8x30 also, but you could try them to be sure. There are so many variables that cause glare, it is hard to tell if you are going to experience glare with any specific binocular unless you try them. I would recommend you get the MHG 8x42 if you already have the MHG 10x42, and you like them, and you have no glare with them, you most likely will get no glare with the MHG 8x42 because a bigger EP binocular generally has less glare than one with a smaller EP. There is definitely nothing redundant about getting the MHG 8x42 if you have the MHG 10x42. It is nice to have a 8x for closer in birding, say in heavy woods, and a 10x for open plains and coastal areas at longer distances. I have the MHG 8x42 and MHG 10x42 for exactly those reasons. I think they are the best value in binoculars around right now.

 

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In another thread, I mentioned that I will be 3D printing objective sun shades for my Monarch M7 8x30 to see how much they help with glare. Hopefully within about a week or so. I will report back then.

A workaround that I found for the glare was to move my eye position up in relation to the eye cups.

 

[Big Sky]

If you have glare with the M7 8x30, you will probably have glare with the HG 8x30 also, but you could try them to be sure. There are so many variables that cause glare, it is hard to tell if you are going to experience glare with any specific binocular unless you try them. I would recommend you get the MHG 8x42 if you already have the MHG 10x42, and you like them, and you have no glare with them, you most likely will get no glare with the MHG 8x42 because a bigger EP binocular generally has less glare than one with a smaller EP. There is definitely nothing redundant about getting the MHG 8x42 if you have the MHG 10x42. It is nice to have a 8x for closer in birding, say in heavy woods, and a 10x for open plains and coastal areas at longer distances. I have the MHG 8x42 and MHG 10x42 for exactly those reasons. I think they are the best value in binoculars around right now.

I ordered the MHG 8x42. The extra mm of eye relief of the 8x30 gave me little comfort. I still hope to try them some day. Thanks!

 

[Big Sky]

In another thread, I mentioned that I will be 3D printing objective sun shades for my Monarch M7 8x30 to see how much they help with glare. Hopefully within about a week or so. I will report back then.

A workaround that I found for the glare was to move my eye position up in relation to the eye cups.

Thanks for the suggestion of moving the eye position up. Please post a photo of your 3D shades.

 

[ArchStanton]

I ordered and returned a pair of Nikon Monarch M7 8x30’s due to the glare. I wanted to keep them because other than the glare, the view was pretty clear and bright.

 

[Big Sky]

I ordered and returned a pair of Nikon Monarch M7 8x30’s due to the glare. I wanted to keep them because other than the glare, the view was pretty clear and bright.

I agree with you. It is funny that you mentioned how bright the M7 8x30s appear. I have only had the M7 8x30 and the MHG 10x42 for 2 days now and only have had the opportunity to use both of them today during overcast conditions. To my novice and untrained eyes, I am embarrassed to say I thought the M7 was brighter and clearer than the MHG. I thought the larger 42 objective at twice the cost would be brighter and clearer.

 

[ArchStanton]

I agree with you. It is funny that you mentioned how bright the M7 8x30s appear. I have only had the M7 8x30 and the MHG 10x42 for 2 days now and only have had the opportunity to use both of them today during overcast conditions. To my novice and untrained eyes, I am embarrassed to say I thought the M7 was brighter and clearer than the MHG. I thought the larger 42 objective at twice the cost would be brighter and clearer.

I’ve had better luck with 8x binoculars. I also ordered and returned the Nikon MHG 10x42 because they weren’t as clear as expected but that might have more to do with me not being able to hold them as steady as needed for a crisp image.