Monarch Binoculars

[caribou-man]

I need a new pair of binoculars since my Leica's now swim with the fishes. I did read all the olf forum posts about binos and I was all ready to go with the Nikon Binos becasue of the price, reputation, warranty. I borrowed a pair (10x42) last weekend and spend a few days glassing for bears on the Denali and I was not too impressed. Nothing really wrong but the picture did not POP out like others brands I've used. I couldn't see the eyes clearly on passing caribou which is a good test for me. The colors didn't seem to seperate enough adn kind of blended into each other. Was it the pair I borrowed? I know for a fact they were only taken on one road trip (by me) so there are like new.

Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly and I know obviously these are not Leica quality but I think I would have a hard time doing long glassing periods with these even though I like everything else about them. Any one have an opinion of these binos?

I'm thinking I may try the pentax sp next.

Thanks

 

[Brian M]

I have a pair of the Monarchs and the Nikon Spotter XL scope - love them both! Of course, that's just one man's opinion. There's no way I could justify the expense of the Leicas or Swarovskis, but even if I could, I think I'd still go with the Nikons. I compared them with my brother's Swarovskis and couldn't hardly tell the difference. That being said, if you're not happy with them try something else. I hear good things about the Pentax binocs too.

Incidentally, did you see any bears?

-Brian

 

[Snyd]

I have had the Pentax DCF SP 10x43's for a couple years and am happy. I think they are at least as good as my buddies 10x40 Zeiss Classics, no lie. I have glassed with them for hours no prob. There are a lot of reviews on the net about them. Here is one old link:
http://betterviewdesired.com/Pentax04/index.html
I think you can pick them up for less than $400 now.

 

[caribou-man]

binos

binos

I realy want the Nikons to work because they are the best in the price range and the warrenty is great but I don't think I can do it becasue they just don't seem to be a good fit for me. Thanks for the responses and no, I didn;t see any bears but was great sitting out there for a couple days anyway.

 

[dwhunter]

Bino's

Bino's

caribou-man,

I doubt the same glass will fit everyone as all our eyes are different. I found this out a few years ago, after using Leupold scopes forever with no problem things began to fuzz a little (my eyes). I tried a Zeiss scope and the problem corrected with their etched reticle and better glass. I do not really have to wear glasses all that often (night driving mainly) and I would rather not wear them in the field, fogging, water drops etc and I found a scope change corrected things for me.

Doug

 

[caribou-man]

I think your right

I think your right

I think you are right about the eyes going fuzzy. I went to bifocals since I last bought binos and I think the better glass is what is needed. Now the problem becomes finding the cheapest best glass! Thanks

caribou-man,

I doubt the same glass will fit everyone as all our eyes are different. I found this out a few years ago, after using Leupold scopes forever with no problem things began to fuzz a little (my eyes). I tried a Zeiss scope and the problem corrected with their etched reticle and better glass. I do not really have to wear glasses all that often (night driving mainly) and I would rather not wear them in the field, fogging, water drops etc and I found a scope change corrected things for me.

Doug

 

[dwhunter]

Getting older

Getting older

Don't you hate having to give in to getting older

I just looked up the Zeiss Conquest series bino's and although still somewhat pricey all things considered not that bad. At Cabela's they go from 579.00 to 829.00.

Doug

I think you are right about the eyes going fuzzy. I went to bifocals since I last bought binos and I think the better glass is what is needed. Now the problem becomes finding the cheapest best glass! Thanks

 

[AkHunter45]

Todd at Iron Bridge Optics has the best price I know of on the Zeiss Conquests bino's. I bought a pair from him for my wife, they are a very nice glass, he even let us try out several different brands before she decided which one she like the best. Now if i can keep her from finding them before her birthday gets here.......

 

[dwhunter]

Zeiss

Zeiss

AKHunter45,

Give them to her early I want a field test report!

Please

Doug

 

[AkHunter45]

HA!

HA!

She'd love that but I can't do it, she will have to wait just like she makes me wait!! I did look through them, they are nice glass, not as nice as my Swaro's but still pretty nice!!

 

[PatrickH]

Phase Coating

Phase Coating

Look for something with phase coating. That is what the Leica's and others use to get superior clairity. I have a pair of the Pentax 10x42 DCF-WP and they are hard to beat. They even have a lifetime warranty. They are only slightly more expensive than the Nikons if you look at mail order.

 

[caribou-man]

Pentax

Pentax

I thought I saw where the WP were less expensive now because SP came out and are suppose to be the new thing. I'll have to look into it more. I like the lifetime warrenty though. I didn't know about that.

 

[Mr. Pid]

The best binocular value out there is Cabela's and the Zeiss Classic 10x40. I have a pair that was purchased when they were the premium Zeiss product at a considerably higher price than Cabela's charges now that the new generation Zeiss is out. I'd happily buy another pair today if I needed new binocs. Bang for the buck? There it is.

 

[Snyd]

The best binocular value out there is Cabela's and the Zeiss Classic 10x40. I have a pair that was purchased when they were the premium Zeiss product at a considerably higher price than Cabela's charges now that the new generation Zeiss is out. I'd happily buy another pair today if I needed new binocs. Bang for the buck? There it is.

When I was shopping I considered those also. $700 at the time and going for $500 used on ebay. I don't see them there anymore however. I have used them and they are awesome but not any better than the Pentax 10x43 DCF SP. Pentaxes are lighter, waterproof, shockproof, etc. lifetime warranty and can be had for under $400 now if you search online. I got mine for $425. The Zeiss classics are not worth the extra $300. In fact the Pentaxes are compared to the newer Zeiss Victory and Swaros that run $1200 plus.

my.02