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

[jackjack]

I will mourn that day severely but will be happy that my sample is made in Japan .

I didn't know MHG is now MIC. is there are specific proof about it and does it make a difference in quality?
I want to know if there are specific thread about it

I have experience Vanguard Endeaver ED2 MIC and made in Myanmar modle (recent) I compared few samples and found out Myanmar model have more uneven focus.

 

[albie...]

I didn't know MHG is now MIC. is there are specific proof about it and does it make a difference in quality?
I want to know if there are specific thread about it

Paultricounty mentioned it although I've yet to see proof of it .

 

[albie...]

does it make a difference in quality?

I've had a few MIC binoculars over the years and a few made in Japan binoculars as well . I have always enjoyed the feel and quality of the made in Japan stuff compared to the made in China stuff . I do presently own a couple made in China bins and they are fine enough for my needs , the Papillio being my favorite but QC is being controlled by Pentax . My MIJ Monarch HG is my overall favorite . I have a made in China 15x70 (Kunming BA8) that is okay for sweeping the night sky but I would like to replace it some day with something better although there's not a lot of that size that's not made in China other than the 18x70 Nikon Astroluxe (not enough eye relief) .
I had a Leica Ultravid 8x20 BR that I considered the best build quality out of any optic I have owned , it was just too tiny and fiddly to use so I sold it

 

[Ruff-Leg]

Many on these threads decry MIC. Some for political reasons - that's their prerogative. But to say that the quality of all MIC products is poor just doesn't hold water. If the quality control and production standards are set well, great products can be produced. Take a look at a Nikon Monarch ED spotting scope. See Henry Link's review.

Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

I recently spent a pleasant few hours evaluating a scope that exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. The Nikon Monarch 82ED has been around for over 2 years now, but it doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression in the market or been much reviewed or discussed in optics forums. A...

www.birdforum.net

 

[albie...]

Many on these threads decry MIC. Some for political reasons - that's their prerogative. But to say that the quality of all MIC products is poor just doesn't hold water. If the quality control and production standards are set well, great products can be produced. Take a look at a Nikon Monarch ED spotting scope. See Henry Link's review.

Monarch 82ED, a Perfect Ten

I recently spent a pleasant few hours evaluating a scope that exceeded my expectations in nearly every way. The Nikon Monarch 82ED has been around for over 2 years now, but it doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression in the market or been much reviewed or discussed in optics forums. A...

www.birdforum.net

I would think that the design and QC is all Nikon and that for sure makes a difference . Rebranded chinese made stuff with chinese design and quality control is an entirely different thing .

 

[Paultricounty]

I’m of the belief after buying many MIC products, from cheap to high end, that China can and does make extremely high quality items. I have counterfeit high quality knives that unless you knew the product exactly, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference from the originals and at half the price or more. That being said when they are making products for Zeiss, Nikon and others, they do have to meet those companies QC standards. But I can tell you clearly that the early MIJ M7, Forester Porros and a few others have declined in quality when they moved to MIC. I’m one of those people that decry MIC , but i and many others feel it’s for legitimate reasons other than QC.

 

[Paultricounty]

Heres what I could share, last year when the rumors were a buzz about MHG going to be MIC, I did some digging. First thing that we notice on many vendors sites is that in the description for the monarch HG, it does not say made in Japan anymore, that used to be something the manufacturer boasted . Now it doesn’t list the manufacturer origin, there’s our first clue. I called a few retailers that I’ve worked with for years, two of which were Adorama and B&H photo in New York City. Both at the time could not confirm or deny the story, and I was told they’d get back to me. I reached out to Nikon USA, most all the representatives either said they were made in Japan, or they are manufactured in multiple countries. It took me over two weeks and almost a dozen calls to finally get the right person on the phone that would confirm they will be manufactured in China , but they could not at the time tell me when China manufacturer would start, this was early last year. In that two week period both retailers got back to me and also confirmed that they will be made in China. I’m sure it’s not like flipping a switch and many warehouses may have stock that could last a couple years before we start seeing MIC.

I’m not sure that I’m surprised nor should anybody else be. A few years back when it was being discussed that China would soon be making Binoculars in the midrange category for some of the big manufacturers in the $400 to $500 range, people were surprised. It was only a matter of time until that bumped up to the upper mid level. And now people are surprised? It won’t be long before our beloved alphas will be made in China.

 

[jackjack]

Heres what I could share, last year when the rumors were a buzz about MHG going to be MIC, I did some digging. First thing that we notice on many vendors sites is that in the description for the monarch HG, it does not say made in Japan anymore, that used to be something the manufacturer boasted . Now it doesn’t list the manufacturer origin, there’s our first clue. I called a few retailers that I’ve worked with for years, two of which were Adorama and B&H photo in New York City. Both at the time could not confirm or deny the story, and I was told they’d get back to me. I reached out to Nikon USA, most all the representatives either said they were made in Japan, or they are manufactured in multiple countries. It took me over two weeks and almost a dozen calls to finally get the right person on the phone that would confirm they will be manufactured in China , but they could not at the time tell me when China manufacturer would start, this was early last year. In that two week period both retailers got back to me and also confirmed that they will be made in China. I’m sure it’s not like flipping a switch and many warehouses may have stock that could last a couple years before we start seeing MIC.

I’m not sure that I’m surprised nor should anybody else be. A few years back when it was being discussed that China would soon be making Binoculars in the midrange category for some of the big manufacturers in the $400 to $500 range, people were surprised. It was only a matter of time until that bumped up to the upper mid level. And now people are surprised? It won’t be long before our beloved alphas will be made in China.

thanks for the information. it is not extreamly rare that arond 1000$ bin is now made in China such as Vortex razor HD, Kite lynx HD+, Meopta Meopro air....
but what depress me is that Nikon (stands for japan optical) which is the most famous optic company enough to say it represents Japanese bino are no longer making bino from it's homeland... 😞

 

[Patudo]

...but would you think the same if Nikon had some of their binocular range manufactured in the ROK instead of the PRC?

 

[jackjack]

...but would you think the same if Nikon had some of their binocular range manufactured in the ROK instead of the PRC?

yes. Definitely.

The fact I was frustrated at is about very well Known and heritaged company from specific country made non of their bino from their homeland.

So, at lease they have MIJ bino in recent market range, it is OK (EDG is only sold in Japan, and don't know still they are under production. and WX is just an anniversary limited monument.)

Kowa still made Genesis, Fujinon still made FMTR in Japan (though it is ancient model.)

Meopta still made meostar series in Cezch.

Zeiss at least still have SF lines in germany (pity for leica protugal...)

considering average wages of Germany and Japan, It is more easy to maintain the production in Japan.
but now, they didn't. even under the name of (Japanese optical)

plus, ROK optic manufacturering is practically extict now.
just couple of just selling rebranded cheap MIC ones .
insisting them they are proudly mand in Korea.
(But they don't know how to recolimate it)

or old stock that have been made in Korea in early 2000

recently there are too many frauds in Korean optic markets.
viral marketing craps and deceiving people to believe that they made products by themselves.

 

[Hermann]

Zeiss at least still have SF lines in germany (pity for leica protugal...)

Leitz/Leica has been manufacturing binoculars in Portugal for decades. I've never once heard of any problems with the binoculars made in Portugal. Never ever.

Hermann

 

[jackjack]

Leitz/Leica has been manufacturing binoculars in Portugal for decades. I've never once heard of any problems with the binoculars made in Portugal. Never. ever.

Hermann

yes it is different from China
I just hoping that they at least have there are Flagship made in their homeland at least for a symbolic reason

many manias in Korea prefer MIG NV over MIP ones. 3 NV and all UV I have seen are all MIG so I don't have a clue wether it's quality is diffrent or not.

 

[DrewskiMT]

After trying out just about everything on the market and many that have been discontinued (currently own many) in my opinion, the $1000 price point is the sweet spot for the best bang for the buck for binoculars. Mechanically, materials, and build quality seem to be extremely close, if not equal, with some brands at the top of the line so-called alphas, costing twice to three times as much. Optically, this is the point in my opinion where the diminishing returns for the dollar start to evaporate. Although I see a marketable snap, crackle pop (I know it’s a very subjective optical evaluation 🤭) in the image of the alphas over this price point, most, if not all, will not miss anything observing with an optic on this level.

In my honest opinion, the MHG is the head of the class in this $1000 genre. It checks more boxes than all the others, with its bright sharp wide FOV, good subtle edge fall off (although fake field flatteners), good CA control, good panning qualities, beautiful elegant build quality with a smooth medium-speed focuser, in a very light package. It kind of checks all the boxes. The EDG is a step up in optics, with probably the best focuser available, in a more solid durable body. If one can find these for a few hundred dollars more, it bumps you up into that alpha category, albeit with a smaller FOV than the MHG, but not necessarily a small sweet spot. The only issue now for some will be that the MHG’s are now being manufactured in China. At some point, in my opinion, the quality control will diminish slightly and we’ll start to see these being more like the M7, more returns/replacements, that’s my experience with MIC.

I know this is going to hurt, but I have to come to Dennis’s defense here. Like many here, he's opinionated about what he tries and goes back and forth on his opinions, sometimes because he spends more time with some bins after selling and repurchasing. Many times he does build up a product to push a sale (smart capitalist dog😉), but he’s generally not a brand loyalist like some here, nor does he doggedly maintain that this brand or that brand is best (only when selling) he’s more the flavor of the month kind of guy. Although he just goes overboard with this albinos thing 🤪✌. Anyway you cut it, he's a character that brings character (best word I could think of) to many discussions. Yeah, that did hurt.

The only optical category I can find fault with the MHG is central sharpness. It’s just ok in my book. For $1,000 or less the heavier and bulkier Conquests outshine the Nikons in sharpness, a characteristic most helpful for long distances and small object identification. I will be very interested to see how the new Conquest HDX performs against the Nikons in all their various sizes.

 

[jackjack]

The only optical category I can find fault with the MHG is central sharpness. It’s just ok in my book. For $1,000 or less the heavier and bulkier Conquests outshine the Nikons in sharpness, a characteristic most helpful for long distances and small object identification. I will be very interested to see how the new Conquest HDX performs against the Nikons in all their various sizes.

CHD Is at least half a step over optically then MHG because they lead in terms of image brightness and central sharpness which is very important category.

but MHG can have advantage in less finicky focuser, better ergonomics and lightweight.

especially, 8x42 CHD has too many blackout even for some western users and much narrower FOV then 8x42 MHG.

I think CHDX is somewhere between CHD and SFL.

SFL doesn't have significant optical improvement over CHD except for color fidelity and contrast

 

[Patudo]

yes. Definitely.

The fact I was frustrated at is about very well Known and heritaged company from specific country made non of their bino from their homeland.

So, at lease they have MIJ bino in recent market range, it is OK (EDG is only sold in Japan, and don't know still they are under production. and WX is just an anniversary limited monument.)

It's genuinely quite interesting that even folks from countries that have benefited hugely from globalisation (in this case ROK) are as hung up about where their binoculars come from as Westerners (indeed in some cases maybe more so).

I mean, if Nikon decided to produce say EDGs in South Korea, wouldn't that be a positive thing in many ways - from foreign investment to jobs created and the vote of confidence that ROK industry can produce binoculars to the quality demanded by a leading manufacturer? If you were Japanese I can see why one would be miffed, sure. But then the real hi-tech/high-dollar stuff is still going to be mostly made in Japan. Binoculars, even alpha class ones, are probably some way down the value and tech chain compared to the bazooka-sized lenses that some folks here (ahem) can't resist buying...

... (pity for leica protugal...)

many manias in Korea prefer MIG NV over MIP ones. 3 NV and all UV I have seen are all MIG so I don't have a clue wether it's quality is diffrent or not.

The manufacturing facility in Leica Portugal has now been in existence for something like 50 years, and knowledgeable individuals such as Gijs van G. have stated that all Leica binoculars are produced there. Even if the label says Made in Germany, the components will most likely be made in Portugal. You should binoscope some reactions from those "manias"...

 

[jackjack]

It's genuinely quite interesting that even folks from countries that have benefited hugely from globalisation (in this case ROK) are as hung up about where their binoculars come from as Westerners (indeed in some cases maybe more so).

I mean, if Nikon decided to produce say EDGs in South Korea, wouldn't that be a positive thing in many ways - from foreign investment to jobs created and the vote of confidence that ROK industry can produce binoculars to the quality demanded by a leading manufacturer? If you were Japanese I can see why one would be miffed, sure. But then the real hi-tech/high-dollar stuff is still going to be mostly made in Japan. Binoculars, even alpha class ones, are probably some way down the value and tech chain compared to the bazooka-sized lenses that some folks here (ahem) can't resist buying...




The manufacturing facility in Leica Portugal has now been in existence for something like 50 years, and knowledgeable individuals such as Gijs van G. have stated that all Leica binoculars are produced there. Even if the label says Made in Germany, the components will most likely be made in Portugal. You should binoscope some reactions from those "manias"...

as Korean economy grew more recently (after 1980)then Western country and Japan, there are some Korean olds guys (mainly over 60's) have some admiration about Japan and Germany because they have admiring those products because at the old days, they are only good products available.

some eldery people still prefer every nikon series even majority of them is now officially made in China.

maybe because geometrical and cultural similarities Korea have many influance from Japan industries and cultures

additionally, I think eldery Korean admires Japan because they come through years when Korea is significantly underdeveloped compared to Japan. admiring the flourish of Japan economy wanting to follow it up.

It's ironical that country under colonization by specific country over 30 years ant just ine century ago have coexistance of admiration and hatred against the offender of colonization...



Diffrently,
what I feel bit unease about is that brands that famous enough to say they represent their homeland's optic industries have no product that made in their homeland.
my reaction is same even Nikon EDG is made in Germany or Austria.

 

[Montereyman]

I buy products made in China and in my dealings I need to specify the quality level I want as being German Quality, Japanese Quality, or American Quality.
The German Quality are going to cost 4-20 times as much as the American Quality (what one finds at Harbor Freight or Wal-Mart or Cabela's). Most Americans are not willing to pay the premium cost for a premium product and manufacturers and resellers know this.

At BH Photo Video the two best selling binoculars are the Vortex Diamondback 8x42 and 10x42 that have price of less than $200.

 

[Conndomat]

At BH Photo Video the two best selling binoculars are the Vortex Diamondback 8x42 and 10x42 that have price of less than $200.

It is a truism that most people are not prepared to spend a lot of money on binoculars, regardless of the country.

The largest market for binoculars is the low-budget market around $100.

Andreas

 

[Trinovid]

The largest market for binoculars is the low-budget market around $100.

When a salesman handed me some of the binoculars they had behind the counter, he let me know that they also had some "expensive ones, they're about $35". I thanked him and went on about my way.

The fact is, few people really need a tv set or nice bike, but they can make life a bit more enjoyable. That said, I think I could be pretty happy with my used Vortex Vipers, and I've got less than a grand into all three of them. Still not giving up my Ultravids though.

 

[jackjack]

When a salesman handed me some of the binoculars they had behind the counter, he let me know that they also had some "expensive ones, they're about $35". I thanked him and went on about my way.

The fact is, few people really need a tv set or nice bike, but they can make life a bit more enjoyable. That said, I think I could be pretty happy with my used Vortex Vipers, and I've got less than a grand into all three of them. Still not giving up my Ultravids though

Same here too most selled bino in Korea is 50$ plastic 10x25 and 20x50 which is really 8x26 and 12x50 with approx 60% transmission.
there are still tons of peopel thinking higer magnification leads to higer grade