chill6x6
Well-known member
Chuck:
Do you like to rotate ?
Jerry
Absolutely. That IS exactly what I do.
Chuck:
Do you like to rotate ?
Jerry
I think the 8x30 is a better companion to the 10x42 as a lighter version, 8x42 would be more similar. And with that offer, I think I wouldn't hesitate. Nice combo they would make imo!
I've had a pair of MHG 8x42 for a few weeks now, and I am in agreement -- these are a really wonderful "birding tool", maybe the best all-around "if you could only have one pair" birding binocular that doesn't cost alpha prices.
Nothing else can match its combination of extremely light weight for a 42mm + very wide FOV + long eye relief + good close focus + clear, well corrected optics with a huge sweet spot.
I've also been VERY surprised by how good the glare control is. This is something I'm sensitive to, and I was wary having owned the M7 8x30 and an old Monarch ATB which are both poor in this respect. But the MHG 8x42 is really outstanding -- not just "ok for the price point", it's REALLY good at any price in this respect, and among the best (if not the very best) at the ~$1K "sub alpha" tier. There are situations where the 7x42 UVHD shows pretty broad crescent flares on the periphery where the 8x42 MHG is just fine; I was expecting average performance typical of the price point, but they are truly excellent which makes for clean views in nearly any lighting.
Are they perfect? No, of course not. CA control is just OK (non bothersome in most normal field use, but obvious in harsher conditions), they don't have quite the depth and pop of an EDG or Leica UVHD, the image feels a bit "flat" compared to the luscious saturation of the EDG/UVHD, there's a bit of "rolling ball" from severe AMD at the edge (the EDG distortion profile is much more natural), and the build quality of things like the eyecups and focus knob are "good enough" but certainly not "premium".
But they are one of the least "fussy" binoculars I've ever used. The eyecups actually extend an appropriate length for the eye relief, eye position is very forgiving, the focus is smooth and easy, they are so light they feel almost weightless in use. Just grab them and use them, no muss no fuss.
Chuck was right on when he described these as an outstanding "birding tool". They have IMO the best combination of features and the exact right compromises for a "typical" birder who's going to value the close focus, wide FOV, light weight, bright optics, etc. They don't stir my emotions like the 7x42 UVHD, but they are so PRACTICAL and EASY to tote around and use. They just get the job done.
If someone came to me and said, "my friend is a birder, they want to invest in a nice binocular but don't want to spend $2K+, they only want ONE binocular that they can use for pretty much anything" and that's ALL the info you had, the MHG 8x42 would be my easy recommendation. I used to think the 8x32 Conquest HD was the best answer to this generic "best all-around if-you-could-only-own-one birding binocular that isn't alpha priced", but the 8x42 MHG is just as good optically, barely heavier, and gives you the advantage of the larger exit pupil of a 42mm objective.
I agree with this excellent post. I think the 8x42 and the 10x42 MHG are the best binoculars you can buy at their price point and even above. The little 8x30 MHG are an excellent value for the money also. Nikon can really make an excellent binocular if they want to. A lot of their binoculars are legendary like the 8x30 EII, 8x32 SE and all the EDG's and don't forget the WX and I think the MHG line will become legendary in time also. Even the little Nikon Venturer 8x23 was winning best buy awards in Consumer Reports 40 years ago. The little compact Nikon 10x25 IS I just bought performs just as well if not better in ways than the Canon IS and it is much smaller than anything Canon makes. Their binoculars are an excellent value. They can easily compete with the big three Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss for less money. It is a shame they don't offer better customer service and back their products better. They definitely have the optical expertise and know how.I've had a pair of MHG 8x42 for a few weeks now, and I am in agreement -- these are a really wonderful "birding tool", maybe the best all-around "if you could only have one pair" birding binocular that doesn't cost alpha prices.
Nothing else can match its combination of extremely light weight for a 42mm + very wide FOV + long eye relief + good close focus + clear, well corrected optics with a huge sweet spot.
I've also been VERY surprised by how good the glare control is. This is something I'm sensitive to, and I was wary having owned the M7 8x30 and an old Monarch ATB which are both poor in this respect. But the MHG 8x42 is really outstanding -- not just "ok for the price point", it's REALLY good at any price in this respect, and among the best (if not the very best) at the ~$1K "sub alpha" tier. There are situations where the 7x42 UVHD shows pretty broad crescent flares on the periphery where the 8x42 MHG is just fine; I was expecting average performance typical of the price point, but they are truly excellent which makes for clean views in nearly any lighting.
Are they perfect? No, of course not. CA control is just OK (non bothersome in most normal field use, but obvious in harsher conditions), they don't have quite the depth and pop of an EDG or Leica UVHD, the image feels a bit "flat" compared to the luscious saturation of the EDG/UVHD, there's a bit of "rolling ball" from severe AMD at the edge (the EDG distortion profile is much more natural), and the build quality of things like the eyecups and focus knob are "good enough" but certainly not "premium".
But they are one of the least "fussy" binoculars I've ever used. The eyecups actually extend an appropriate length for the eye relief, eye position is very forgiving, the focus is smooth and easy, they are so light they feel almost weightless in use. Just grab them and use them, no muss no fuss.
Chuck was right on when he described these as an outstanding "birding tool". They have IMO the best combination of features and the exact right compromises for a "typical" birder who's going to value the close focus, wide FOV, light weight, bright optics, etc. They don't stir my emotions like the 7x42 UVHD, but they are so PRACTICAL and EASY to tote around and use. They just get the job done.
If someone came to me and said, "my friend is a birder, they want to invest in a nice binocular but don't want to spend $2K+, they only want ONE binocular that they can use for pretty much anything" and that's ALL the info you had, the MHG 8x42 would be my easy recommendation. I used to think the 8x32 Conquest HD was the best answer to this generic "best all-around if-you-could-only-own-one birding binocular that isn't alpha priced", but the 8x42 MHG is just as good optically, barely heavier, and gives you the advantage of the larger exit pupil of a 42mm objective.
I've recently had excellent customer service in the UK from Nikon. Binoculars back and good as new in a week with regular communication via updates throughout. I was really surprised how positive the whole experience was - it's an anxious time sending bins off for repair. It's a shame Dennis if you've had recent bad experience with them, but if your concerns are historic, perhaps they've improved their customer support since or maybe I got lucky.
That is a good sign. It sounds like their customer service is improving. If Nikon for example had got behind the EDG and made a few improvements to it would easily have been the best binocular you could buy. But instead it got discontinued because of poor sales possibly? Maybe people don't think of Nikon binoculars as an alpha brand like they do Swarovski, and they don't want to spend $2500 on them. I am guessing that is why Nikon came out with the MHG. A way lower price point than the EDG which is more in the realm of what people expect to pay for a Nikon but yet a fantastic value for your moneyI also had a very positive experience recently with Nikon UK customer service with the repair of my 10x42 SE!
I also had a very positive experience recently with Nikon UK customer service with the repair of my 10x42 SE!
I've had a pair of MHG 8x42 for a few weeks now, and I am in agreement -- these are a really wonderful "birding tool", maybe the best all-around "if you could only have one pair" birding binocular that doesn't cost alpha prices.
Nothing else can match its combination of extremely light weight for a 42mm + very wide FOV + long eye relief + good close focus + clear, well corrected optics with a huge sweet spot.
I've also been VERY surprised by how good the glare control is. This is something I'm sensitive to, and I was wary having owned the M7 8x30 and an old Monarch ATB which are both poor in this respect. But the MHG 8x42 is really outstanding -- not just "ok for the price point", it's REALLY good at any price in this respect, and among the best (if not the very best) at the ~$1K "sub alpha" tier. There are situations where the 7x42 UVHD shows pretty broad crescent flares on the periphery where the 8x42 MHG is just fine; I was expecting average performance typical of the price point, but they are truly excellent which makes for clean views in nearly any lighting.
Are they perfect? No, of course not. CA control is just OK (non bothersome in most normal field use, but obvious in harsher conditions), they don't have quite the depth and pop of an EDG or Leica UVHD, the image feels a bit "flat" compared to the luscious saturation of the EDG/UVHD, there's a bit of "rolling ball" from severe AMD at the edge (the EDG distortion profile is much more natural), and the build quality of things like the eyecups and focus knob are "good enough" but certainly not "premium".
But they are one of the least "fussy" binoculars I've ever used. The eyecups actually extend an appropriate length for the eye relief, eye position is very forgiving, the focus is smooth and easy, they are so light they feel almost weightless in use. Just grab them and use them, no muss no fuss.
Chuck was right on when he described these as an outstanding "birding tool". They have IMO the best combination of features and the exact right compromises for a "typical" birder who's going to value the close focus, wide FOV, light weight, bright optics, etc. They don't stir my emotions like the 7x42 UVHD, but they are so PRACTICAL and EASY to tote around and use. They just get the job done.
If someone came to me and said, "my friend is a birder, they want to invest in a nice binocular but don't want to spend $2K+, they only want ONE binocular that they can use for pretty much anything" and that's ALL the info you had, the MHG 8x42 would be my easy recommendation. I used to think the 8x32 Conquest HD was the best answer to this generic "best all-around if-you-could-only-own-one birding binocular that isn't alpha priced", but the 8x42 MHG is just as good optically, barely heavier, and gives you the advantage of the larger exit pupil of a 42mm objective.