Brief comparison berween MHG VS EDG '8X42' (1 Viewer)

[Scott98]

SF 8x42 is especially famouse for high CA on the edge of the fov.
if you consider CA only in the edge, EDG has much less CA then SF. but at the center of the view, EDG has bit more CA then 8(8.5)x42 SF, EL, NL.
those 3 bino has very large gap of CA between edge and center.
what I mean is, if you number binocular's total CA '10' there are some bino that have '2' on center and '8' in the edge and other bino that have '4' on center and '6' in the edge.
SF is former, EDG is latter.

yes, what's happening is that I'm conflating lateral (edge) CA and longitudinal (center) CA. The 8x42 SF's are outstanding at CA except for the periphery of the field. And the 8x32 is better than the 8x42 in that regard.

In my head I don't see the same hierarchy as most, with one binocular winning or being "alpha". It's a blend of different binos being better at different activites or used in different settings. For example I would rate

Astronomy
SF 8x42 10/10
EDG 8x42 7/10

Birding
SF 8x42 5/10
EDG 8x42 9/10

 

[[email protected]]

An excellent review that covers a lot of bases, thank you. Having both these binoculars for the last few years , and the pleasure of having multiple examples in both 8x and 10 for extended periods , I’d like to add some more subjective opinions that some may agree with. The last couple of days I’ve put the 8’s together with a few other observers.

The first thing that pops out to me in the MHG in comparison to the EDG , is that whites seem to be washed out, too bright, harder to see detail, this is something that I mentioned a while back when I compared the HG to the Ultravid 8x42 and a 7x35 Trinovid. The EDG handles whites in a superior way, fine detail can be seen without the washout. Another thing that pops out is the EDG snaps into focus (like a true high-end alpha), whereas the HG seems to need a little more finesse to get it right all the time. I agree under lower light conditions the HG seems brighter, but I think it has more to do with color palette than light transmission or coating improvements.

That being said the EDG may not check all the boxes of the true so called alphas the NL, EL’s, SF’s, Noctivids, when it comes to sharpness or brightness, but each one of those have some issue of complaint that the EDG’s don’t seem to have, things like globe effect in the Swaro with its field flattener design, Noctivid with more CA, SF’s with some eye box issues and some blue ring in the image circle that many people see.

My subjective summation opinion is that the EDG is a superior binocular to the HG, and it’s much closer to the alpha class (in my opinion it is high end) than the gap between the HG and the true alphas. It all depends on how many boxes one checks to determine what’s a high end binocular. How much weight does one give for binoculars that are one of the best in bright light and have one of the most comfortable eye box’s of anything available.

The biggest problem with the EDG is Nikon no longer makes them or has any parts for them. If something happens to them, you throw them away and buy a new pair or send them into Nikon, and they will send you a MHG as a replacement.

If you have a Swarovski EL 8.5x42 which is sharper to the edge, sharper on-axis, brighter and has a bigger FOV than the EDG and something happens to them, you can send them into Swarovski for a free repair. Big difference IMO.

With discounts and the reduced price of the EL 8.5 x42, you can just about buy the EL for the same price as a EDG 8x42.

 

[Scott98]

The biggest problem with the EDG is Nikon no longer makes them or has any parts for them. If something happens to them, you throw them away and buy a new pair or send them into Nikon, and they will send you a MHG as a replacement.

If you have a Swarovski EL 8.5x42 which is sharper to the edge, sharper on-axis, brighter and has a bigger FOV than the EDG and something happens to them, you can send them into Swarovski for a free repair. Big difference IMO.

With discounts and the reduced price of the EL 8.5 x42, you can just about buy the EL for the same price as a EDG 8x42.

Nikon does still make them, 8x42 is around $1400 from Kyoie to USA right now. You don't deal with Nikon USA, they're completely out of the loop.

Swaro EL's don't work for me for various reasons.....no need to delve into that again. I planned to buy 8.5X42's until I actually tried them and came out of the store w/ the 8x42 SF's....and that only because I didn't know Nikon was still making EDG....so I roam the internet pointing that out to other people

 

[[email protected]]

Nikon does still make them, 8x42 is around $1400 from Kyoie to USA right now. You don't deal with Nikon USA, they're completely out of the loop.

Swaro EL's don't work for me for various reasons.....no need to delve into that again. I planned to buy 8.5X42's until I actually tried them and came out of the store w/ the 8x42 SF's....and that only because I didn't know Nikon was still making EDG....so I roam the internet pointing that out to other people

If Nikon still does make them, who supports them if you buy one shipped to the USA? I know I had one once and tried to get it repaired and Nikon said they had no parts and sent me an MHG to replace it.

Maybe this Kyoie has some old stock that they are selling, but Nikon does not manufacture the EDG any longer, and they haven't for quite a while. I just called Nikon to verify it.

There are a lot of Japanese sellers on eBay selling Nikon EDG's from old stock for around $1500 for the 8x42, but Nikon is not currently making them nor would you probably be able to get one repaired.

NIKON EDG 8X42 EDG8X42 Binoculars Roof Prism Waterproof BRAND NEW / BOX JAPAN | eBay

NIKON EDG 8X42 EDG8X42. Roof Prism Waterproof. Roof Prism. Model Item. NEW ARRIVALS. Our Categories. We Accept Only. ENDING SOON.

www.ebay.com

 

[Scott98]

I'm guessing you don't speak Japanese so you must have spoken with Nikon USA. (apologies if you do speak it! who knows, a friend of mine's 4 year old kid speaks fluent Mandarin) I have the current sport optics catalog from Nikon Japan that lists the 7x42, 8x42, and 10x42 EDG, all of which I have purchased new from Kyoie Osaka in the last 18 months.

At one point the 7x42 EDG went out of stock in Japan for a few months and then came back into stock. It sure looked like they made more. It's the same situation with the 10x35 and 8x30 E2's - still in production but Nikon USA opted out of selling them years ago.

If I need service on them I would either use Suddarth here in the States or contact Kyoie about submitting them to Nikon Japan for service. Not expecting them to need service anytime soon. None of this seems unusual to me, Kyoie sells many different astronomy optical items that are not available in the US and I have a history of ordering from them going back a long time.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm guessing you don't speak Japanese so you must have spoken with Nikon USA. (apologies if you do speak it! who knows, a friend of mine's 4 year old kid speaks fluent Mandarin) I have the current sport optics catalog from Nikon Japan that lists the 7x42, 8x42, and 10x42 EDG, all of which I have purchased new from Kyoie Osaka in the last 18 months.

At one point the 7x42 EDG went out of stock in Japan for a few months and then came back into stock. It sure looked like they made more. It's the same situation with the 10x35 and 8x30 E2's - still in production but Nikon USA opted out of selling them years ago.

If I need service on them I would either use Suddarth here in the States or contact Kyoie about submitting them to Nikon Japan for service. Not expecting them to need service anytime soon. None of this seems unusual to me, Kyoie sells many different astronomy optical items that are not available in the US and I have a history of ordering from them going back a long time.

Nikon has not made any EDG's in years. The binoculars you are buying from Kyoie is just old leftover stock. Hard telling how old they are. Do a S/N check on your binoculars and see when they were manufactured.

If you sent your binoculars to Nikon Japan for service, they could do simple repairs, but if the repair required any parts they would not have them because they don't stock them anymore.

Suddarth couldn't repair them either if they needed parts because there are none from Nikon. Nikon will give you a credit on your account or a new MHG if they can't fix them.

Basically, if you have the Nikon EDG you have an orphan without any support or parts available to fix them.

 

[dries1]

Perhaps there needs to be clarification if Japan is still producing them. From Japan. I have EDG models and never had any problems, built very well.
Japan also builds many high end watches not sold or serviced in the US.

 

[oldtimer88]

[conculsion]

Nikon Monarch HG ans EDG is not the brightest and sharpest bino of the price range.

in terms of brightest and centeral sharpness, they are both significantly below Zeiss conquest 8x42.

It can be obvious for MHG because it is much cheaper the conquest (in South Korea and Japan.) and MHG have Mich bigger FOV then 8x42 conquest.

for EDG, it can be a disappointment.

but EDG have to be praised by other advantages.

as said in many reviews, it have fascinating stray light control despite it's small size.

and it have one of the easiest eye placement and pleasent panning among other bino such as Zeiss SF, Leica NV, EL&NL.

and also most fluid focuser among them.

to me, EDG is not and Alpha optically.

(in Korea EDG was sold around 1500$. and recently being sold at similar price at Japan too.
much cheaper then big 3 flagships. so it's not even an alpha price after all...)

Edge sharpness is good, but not close to perfect.
CA control is good but not as the same level of SF, EL, NL at center.
the level of brightness and central sharpness at that price point can also be criticized.

but It gives me more comfortable viewing even compared to big 3 binos.

so I think that's what make EDG special.
not all users wants sharpest and brightest and widest optic.
there are many birders that want to have comfortable viewing for long time even in harsh light situations.
and EDG will be there for them.


I don't know how much the EDG 's price is at Europe and America but I think the price of EDG right now on Japnese market (around 1500$) is fairly resonable price for it's performance.

Really helpful. Thank you.

 

[Paultricounty]

EDG’s are still being manufactured (not all models) by Nikon. You have to go up the ladder to get any info from NikonUsa. Nikon confirmed this with me latter part of last year and sent me a list of UK dealers as well as dealers in Japan that sell them. Warranty is handled through the dealer and Nikon does service them , but you have to ship overseas.

 

[Paultricounty]

Really helpful. Thank you.

Im going to come to the defense of the EDG's once again, Id hate for someone considering one of these jewels not to try one because of talk about a lack of brightness and sharpness. Just about everyday I pick three to four of these magnifiacent binoculars that were talking about, and put them in my camera case and gently place them in the trunk of the car Im using that day. Once or twice a day I have the opportunity to spend some time with them under all different conditions. This is not a one time side by side for a day with measurements, its a user experience looking at objects close and far under all lighting conditions many times over weeks and months. I have 65 year old eyes but very good vision and don't wear glasses. The very characteristic of sharp and bright as a positive isn't always a positive. Many times I put the others down after twenty or so minutes and pick up the EDG, and I never seem to feel fatigued or that I have to put them down to rest my eyes. I can look through them all day long (others have opined the same) comfortably. These harsh lighting conditions bring out the best in the EDG image (possible design intention, maybe. I could say the same for the Leica UVHD's) the other high end options sometimes bring out a harsher image. Under these conditions, which is the majority of the time I'm my area, the EDG's don't lack much and offer a comfort that the others sometimes lack.

Imo the top Swaro's, Zeiss and Leica sit at the front of the plane in the first class in the first row, the EDG sits up front right behind them with Leica Ultravids and SLC's. The $1000 range options including the MHG are back in coach.

 

[Upland]

I have a pair of EDG 8x32s and love them for the immersive view and the best bino for panning I’ve ever owned.

 

[Upland]

jackjack has indeed presented a fine comparison and I thank him very much. I also own a pair of HG 10x42s that I really like. However I prefer the EDGs. Especially the build quality. The focus wheel and eyecups are very nice. I get some blackouts when panning with HGs because the eyecups are a tad bit shorter.

 

[[email protected]]

Glock24's post on EDG service. I experienced a similar scenario when I sent in an EDG for eye cup repair. Nikon may try to service EDG's, but they don't have parts anymore.

"I tend to agree with Mike. As a fan of the Nikon EDG, I'm betting it is NOS (new old stock) as there's no such thing as a "new generation" of this discontinued product line.

Case in point. . . I recently (12/21) sent my 7x42 EDG (single hinge) to Nikon USA for service. The floating diopter was bothering me, and the hinge tension was practically nonexistent. I couldn't hold the binocular with one hand without the opposing barrel falling into my fingers and pinching them. LOL!

Anyway. . . Nikon USA called me a week later and inquired about offering me store credit. They no longer had the spare parts to repair my binoculars, and did not want to return them to me in their current condition. Hell, I took the deal.

I would personally recommend that you keep shopping.

Cheers"

 

[Paultricounty]

Glock24's post on EDG service. I experienced a similar scenario when I sent in an EDG for eye cup repair. Nikon may try to service EDG's, but they don't have parts anymore.

"I tend to agree with Mike. As a fan of the Nikon EDG, I'm betting it is NOS (new old stock) as there's no such thing as a "new generation" of this discontinued product line.

Case in point. . . I recently (12/21) sent my 7x42 EDG (single hinge) to Nikon USA for service. The floating diopter was bothering me, and the hinge tension was practically nonexistent. I couldn't hold the binocular with one hand without the opposing barrel falling into my fingers and pinching them. LOL!

Anyway. . . Nikon USA called me a week later and inquired about offering me store credit. They no longer had the spare parts to repair my binoculars, and did not want to return them to me in their current condition. Hell, I took the deal.

I would personally recommend that you keep shopping.

Cheers"

Again , Nikonus doesn’t sell them or service them, other than minor issues. I personally would recommend someone trying them these beauties, and wouldn’t worry too much about service , from what I see these seem to hold up better than many of the new Swarovski and Zeiss offerings. Ill try to find the email from Nikon confirming.

 

[[email protected]]

Again , Nikonus doesn’t sell them or service them, other than minor issues. I personally would recommend someone trying them these beauties, and wouldn’t worry too much about service , from what I see these seem to hold up better than many of the new Swarovski and Zeiss offerings. Ill try to find the email from Nikon confirming.

If Nikon still makes the EDG they are lying on their website to customers or trying to keep it a secret for some reason. Perhaps to prevent cannibalizing sales of the MHG. This was directly from Nikon customer service just now.

You have a new message.

Hi Dennis!

Thank you for contacting Nikon. Nikon no longer makes the EDG Binoculars. We do still service them, however. Let me know if you need anything else. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reply to this email or contact us back at 1-800-645-6687. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9am-8pm EST. Have a great day! Sincerely, Nikon Technical Support

Matthew T.

 

[Scott98]

Nikon has not made any EDG's in years. The binoculars you are buying from Kyoie is just old leftover stock. Hard telling how old they are. Do a S/N check on your binoculars and see when they were manufactured.

"These are not the droids you're looking for"

 

[[email protected]]

Again , Nikonus doesn’t sell them or service them, other than minor issues. I personally would recommend someone trying them these beauties, and wouldn’t worry too much about service , from what I see these seem to hold up better than many of the new Swarovski and Zeiss offerings. Ill try to find the email from Nikon confirming.

There are tons of threads concerning problems with the EDG's. I had several pairs of EDG's and I had many problems from a loose diopter, loose IPD tension, objective covers not fitting, armor issues and defective eye cups. I never had an EDG hold up better than a Swarovski or Zeiss.

Problems with Nikon EDG

I've had a pair of Nikon EDG 10 x 42 for just over a year so far. Although very pleased with the images they give, mine has developed a very annoying problem which I call the 'binocular droop'. Sadly they do not hold they position when set to match the distance between my eyes, so that each...

www.birdforum.net

 

[Paultricounty]

There are tons of threads concerning problems with the EDG's. I had several pairs of EDG's and I had many problems from a loose diopter, loose IPD tension, objective covers not fitting, armor issues and defective eye cups. I never had an EDG hold up better than a Swarovski or Zeiss.

Problems with Nikon EDG

I've had a pair of Nikon EDG 10 x 42 for just over a year so far. Although very pleased with the images they give, mine has developed a very annoying problem which I call the 'binocular droop'. Sadly they do not hold they position when set to match the distance between my eyes, so that each...

www.birdforum.net

Yeah , but your always looking for bargains and buy used a lot. It’s the nature of the beast. I had the pleasure of using close to a dozen EDG’s and only one had an issue with the hinge.

Btw, my post from Nikon management confirming which ones are still being made should be somewhere in one of the discussions. Maybe someone can find it better than me. If not Ill find it at home and repost.

 

[Paultricounty]

There are tons of threads concerning problems with the EDG's. I had several pairs of EDG's and I had many problems from a loose diopter, loose IPD tension, objective covers not fitting, armor issues and defective eye cups. I never had an EDG hold up better than a Swarovski or Zeiss.

Problems with Nikon EDG

I've had a pair of Nikon EDG 10 x 42 for just over a year so far. Although very pleased with the images they give, mine has developed a very annoying problem which I call the 'binocular droop'. Sadly they do not hold they position when set to match the distance between my eyes, so that each...

www.birdforum.net

But you don’t really keep or use binoculars long enough to have problems, unless you bought them that way.

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah , but your always looking for bargains and buy used a lot. It’s the nature of the beast. I had the pleasure of using close to a dozen EDG’s and only one had an issue with the hinge.

Btw, my post from Nikon management confirming which ones are still being made should be somewhere in one of the discussions. Maybe someone can find it better than me. If not Ill find it at home and repost.

No, I am almost buy new or LNIB. I am too much of a perfectionist. I would really like to see your email from Nikon management confirming that the EDG's are still being manufactured because Nikon denies it, meaning somebody at Nikon is lying, or they are trying to hide the fact that they still make them.

It is mysterious where all these Japanese sellers get their stock of new EDG's that they are continually selling. I have asked a few of them where they get their stock, or if they are selling remaining stock from old production runs.