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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Should I stick with M5s (1 Viewer)

Good day! Thanks for accepting me Birdforum. I am a recently retired hobby birder and astronomer looking to go deeper. In September I am moving to Colombia SA where it looks like there are ample ops to expand into birding. Recently, I had an old pair of Nikon Monarchs that took a fall. I sent them to Nikon and they offered to fix them under warranty, but to my surprise they did not fix them and sent to me without notification a pair of M5s. I have read the somewhat glowing reviews on the M5s but I feel that they were inferior to the Monarchs I sent for repair. I asked them to allow me to send the M5s back and buy either M7s or HGs, and of course I would pay the difference. Nikon denied the request and now I have the conundrum of either sticking with the M5s or buying a pair of M7 or HGs and what to do with the M5s? Since I am moving I would like to get rid of superfluous luggage. Any thoughts? As I said I would like to get deeper into birding and I am not sure the M5s are gonna satisfy the itch.
 
Good day! Thanks for accepting me Birdforum. I am a recently retired hobby birder and astronomer looking to go deeper. In September I am moving to Colombia SA where it looks like there are ample ops to expand into birding. Recently, I had an old pair of Nikon Monarchs that took a fall. I sent them to Nikon and they offered to fix them under warranty, but to my surprise they did not fix them and sent to me without notification a pair of M5s. I have read the somewhat glowing reviews on the M5s but I feel that they were inferior to the Monarchs I sent for repair. I asked them to allow me to send the M5s back and buy either M7s or HGs, and of course I would pay the difference. Nikon denied the request and now I have the conundrum of either sticking with the M5s or buying a pair of M7 or HGs and what to do with the M5s? Since I am moving I would like to get rid of superfluous luggage. Any thoughts? As I said I would like to get deeper into birding and I am not sure the M5s are gonna satisfy the itch.
I’d try them out and see if you like them. I was set on a 1k pair of binoculars and tried several pairs, including the Nikon Monarchs. After reading the review on Cornell’s birding website, I ended up buying a pair of 8x42 Opticron Oregon binoculars. I really like these Oregons and don’t see any need to upgrade for the time being. I do plan on buying a more expensive down the road once I gain more birding experience.
 
Good day! Thanks for accepting me Birdforum. I am a recently retired hobby birder and astronomer looking to go deeper. In September I am moving to Colombia SA where it looks like there are ample ops to expand into birding. Recently, I had an old pair of Nikon Monarchs that took a fall. I sent them to Nikon and they offered to fix them under warranty, but to my surprise they did not fix them and sent to me without notification a pair of M5s. I have read the somewhat glowing reviews on the M5s but I feel that they were inferior to the Monarchs I sent for repair. I asked them to allow me to send the M5s back and buy either M7s or HGs, and of course I would pay the difference. Nikon denied the request and now I have the conundrum of either sticking with the M5s or buying a pair of M7 or HGs and what to do with the M5s? Since I am moving I would like to get rid of superfluous luggage. Any thoughts? As I said I would like to get deeper into birding and I am not sure the M5s are gonna satisfy the itch.
I would move up to Nikon MHG 8x42's. Big jump in optics and build quality from the M5's, and you will have a binocular that will last the rest of your life.

If you look around, you can find them for about $700 to $800. Here is a new pair on eBay for $759.59.

 
You could look for a sale on the M7 Monarch, with discounts Sport Optics is a bit over $400. Sell the M5s and recoup the cost. Check the eye relief specs, the M5 may have more and depending if you wear glasses, could be a better fit.
 
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You could look for a sale on the M7 Monarch, with discounts Sport Optics is a bit over $400. Sell the M5s and recoup the cost.
You can snatch a new M7 8x42 on eBay for about $300, but the difference in optics and build quality between the M7 and MHG is well worth $400 IMO.

 
Good day! Thanks for accepting me Birdforum. I am a recently retired hobby birder and astronomer looking to go deeper. In September I am moving to Colombia SA where it looks like there are ample ops to expand into birding. Recently, I had an old pair of Nikon Monarchs that took a fall. I sent them to Nikon and they offered to fix them under warranty, but to my surprise they did not fix them and sent to me without notification a pair of M5s. I have read the somewhat glowing reviews on the M5s but I feel that they were inferior to the Monarchs I sent for repair. I asked them to allow me to send the M5s back and buy either M7s or HGs, and of course I would pay the difference. Nikon denied the request and now I have the conundrum of either sticking with the M5s or buying a pair of M7 or HGs and what to do with the M5s? Since I am moving I would like to get rid of superfluous luggage. Any thoughts? As I said I would like to get deeper into birding and I am not sure the M5s are gonna satisfy the itch.
Just out of interest… I presume the “Monarchs” that they replaced with the M5 were Monarch 5s, is that right?
 
It said used not brand new.
You used to be able to get refurbished Nikon M7 8x42's on eBay for about $300 because I bought one, and they were just like new. Now the refurbished ones have increased in price, but they are still a good deal. Refurbished binoculars probably only have a 90-day warranty, but who cares on a $300 binocular. You're better off to just self insure.

 
You used to be able to get refurbished Nikon M7 8x42's on eBay for about $300 because I bought one, and they were just like new. Now the refurbished ones have increased in price, but they are still a good deal. Refurbished binoculars probably only have a 90-day warranty, but who cares on a $300 binocular. You're better off to just self insure.

Hell, why not break out the big bucks, just make sure you get a good sample.

 
Maybe Zeiss is planning on coming out with a new Conquest binocular model because the current version has been discontinued over the last few months and is now at $699. It might be worth waiting and using your M5’s for the time being and upgrading later when manufacturers update their offerings.
 
Good day! Thanks for accepting me Birdforum. I am a recently retired hobby birder and astronomer looking to go deeper. In September I am moving to Colombia SA where it looks like there are ample ops to expand into birding. Recently, I had an old pair of Nikon Monarchs that took a fall. I sent them to Nikon and they offered to fix them under warranty, but to my surprise they did not fix them and sent to me without notification a pair of M5s. I have read the somewhat glowing reviews on the M5s but I feel that they were inferior to the Monarchs I sent for repair. I asked them to allow me to send the M5s back and buy either M7s or HGs, and of course I would pay the difference. Nikon denied the request and now I have the conundrum of either sticking with the M5s or buying a pair of M7 or HGs and what to do with the M5s? Since I am moving I would like to get rid of superfluous luggage. Any thoughts? As I said I would like to get deeper into birding and I am not sure the M5s are gonna satisfy the itch.
Welcome to Bird Forum. Unfortunately Nikon and other companies do choose to exchange rather than repair. They really should have let you know before making the exchange. For better or worse you now have new bins in hand. Consider giving the M5's a chance in the field before moving to something new. You may be surprised. If they don't work out then either keep them as backup or sell here on BF.

Columbia, SA should offer plenty of new birding opportunities.
 
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So the plan is I ordered a pair of MHGs off Amazon at retail. I will check'em out vs the M5s and make a decision. If the HGs thrill me I think I can get Amazon to match a price off Ebay. Who knows? But if not I think they are an easy return to Amazon. I used them when trying out some 8x30s and sent them all back for refunds. The 8x30 platform, I felt had a lot of shortcoming and I prefer a full size? that is not that much bigger.
 
Maybe Zeiss is planning on coming out with a new Conquest binocular model because the current version has been discontinued over the last few months and is now at $699. It might be worth waiting and using your M5’s for the time being and upgrading later when manufacturers update their offerings.
I am kinda hung up on Nikons but I would like to break out into a Euro brand. I will keep a lookout.
 
Welcome to Bird Forum. Unfortunately Nikon and other companies do choose to exchange rather than repair. They really should have let you know before making the exchange. For better or worse you now have new bins in hand. Consider giving the M5's a chance in the field before moving to something new. You may be surprised. If they don't work out then either keep them as backup or sell here on BF.

Columbia, SA should offer plenty of new birding opportunities.
I am thinking to call NIkon and telling them to send me the ones I sent for service and good riddance.
 

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