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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Nikon Monarch M7, Hawke Frontier HD or Kowa BDII XD for the aged of sixty? All in 8x30 (1 Viewer)

After a few months and some intensive use, I'm quite happy with my new Nikon M7 8x30 - despite their limitations and "flaws".
They just rolled down 3 meters of aggressive volcanic rock at 45°, happily enough the eyecups were screwed in, so no noticeable issue..
 
This particular thing with the material in the binoculars is something that concerns me, thanks for sharing your experience.
Best
Lars
 
My wife will only use a 8x binocular and for me 10x is the minimum and I use 12x and 20x binos. Good idea to join birders and try their binoculars before buying any.

I have found that the higher the magnification the more a better grade of binocular is important, as with a 12x50 as compared to a 7x50.

Size and weight are important so you will not hesitate to have them with you. I keep an inexpensive bino in my truck so it is always available. For general use when hiking I favor a very compact and light 10x25 bino and my wife likes to use the same bino in a 8x25 configuration.
 
I will return, as time goes by, with my thoroughly subjective and unscientific review of these four binos. No threat - see it as a promise ;-)

Sincerely
Lars
Would love to hear how these panned out - it’s a very similar field to what I’m considering for the father-in-law, and having some Monarch 7s myself and some Hawke Endurance ED glass, I’d feel quite comfortable interpolating your findings… Thanks!
 
My personal binoculars are now all 10x or 12x as my 74 year old eyes need the increased magnification. My favorite is a 10x25 Pocket Mountain from Swarvoski. The Nikon Monarch and the Vortex Viper are good value for your money.

Modern binoculars are better designed and better built in terms of the materials used and the weather sealing with anti-fog capabilities. I have found that the bottom end is OK but going up one step, as with Vortex Diamond to Vortex Viper is well worth the added cost.
 

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