kwikstaart
Well-known member
After using only 8.5x magnifications for 13 years, I have convinced myself that I really need a 10x magnification again. Preferably a lighter model so that I am future-proof and only ever need a stabilized viewer. My current binoculars are a Swarovski EL Swarovision 8.5x42 (for 13 years) and a Kowa Genesis 8.5x44 (for 3.5 years). For the 10x, my eye has fallen on the Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 and I will compare them with each other.
When I test, I compare the image that I see, but more on feeling and where possible I make it concrete. You can find all the specs yourself. The last few years I have actually used the Kowa the most with the Swaro as a back up. I like outsiders (almost everything except Swaro etc ) and preferably a brand that does not identify itself with hunting (especially Kowa, Nikon and lesser known brands from the same factory) unless the image is really much better.
Finish, grip and dimensions
This is of course a matter of taste but all three are neatly finished, rotate smoothly on their bridge and everything fits exactly. I had the Swaro covering replaced under warranty after about 9 years because it started to come loose. The Kowa is still in excellent shape after 3.5 years and I can not comment on the Nikon as I only have it for a few days but it looks and feels very good. The Nikon covering is really thin, the Kowa nice and very thick and the Swaro just fine in between. But I do not know if it makes a difference in practice. All 3 hold well with the Kowa having the best grip. The Kowa is the largest and least elegant (except for the mythical prints "prominar" when you look inside) but holds well with excellent balance. The Nikon is stylish, really a bit smaller and feels light and the Swaro is, well Swaro, nothing to complain about. The build quality of all three feels very solid and durable.
The Kowa is the heaviest and you will notice that after a while. The carrying strap is basic (soft) and the protective caps a bit clumsy and loose. Completely it weighs 1041 grams. The Swaro is a bit lighter and wears comfortably with the best ergonomic strap. Complete weight 975 grams but feels a bit lighter. The Nikon has nice caps, fit nicely tight. The carrying strap is also comfortable but on the long side (I wear my binoculars a bit higher on my chest) and at 778 grams complete (including caps and strap) it feels like a feather.
Dimensions and weight, swaro 835, 975 grams but elegant, nikon 680/778 grams all in and very elegant, Kowa 1041 but feels a bit bulky (but read on).
In practice
Kowa is the most comfortable with excellent balance in the hand but a bit heavy around the neck in the long run. But the weight helps it to keep it still!
Nikon a bit smaller, good balance, you don't feel that you are carrying it, maybe a bit too small for big hands?
Swaro: fine in every aspect.
Grip: swaro is great to hold, kiea too, nikon a fraction less: a bit smoother and no special place for thumb
In use
Autofocus: Swaro focus turns the lightest and very smooth” and clear “snap” when you are in focus, no doubt. The Kowa a bit heavier but excellent “snap”, no doubt at all. The Nikon focus is not as good as EDG once was (I also had) but excellent with good “snap” but I sometimes have to search for it but that is also a matter of getting used to it.
Close focus is more or less about 2 meters I think but I do not use it so closeby.
Image: in practice I hardly see any difference in the size of the object between 8.5 and 10x. First the opinion of my neighbor, a non-bird watcher and no experience with binoculars or the like. After about 10 minutes he came to the following conclusion:
1) Nikon: sharp, beautiful image. 2) Kowa, but with a lot of doubt whether this should not be at 1. 3) Swarovski: great image but the other 2 were preferred. Funny if you look completely unbiased Color edges do not strike me with the Nikon and Swaro but with the Kowa you suddenly notice that they are really not there, which and sharpness along edges!
My opinion
Shared 1st place: Kowa and Swarovski. I think the Kowa is so beautyful, where yellow colours are just a bit brighter. I do not suffer from the lesser edge sharpness. I look with glasses and with these I have no blackouts. With the Swaro I do have more blackouts and you notice the better edge sharpness. It is a fraction brighter in the twilight. But the Kowa is so perfectly balanced and I appreciate the weight because I have the calmest image. 2nd Nikon: sharp, good edge sharpness but I just have to search a bit longer for the perfect sharpness. Because of its smaller dimensions I also have to get used to how to hold it properly but I think it is all a matter of getting used to it. The Swarovski has the largest field of view (133m/1000m), then the Kowa with 122m/1000m and then the Nikon with 121m/1000m. Again, I am of course comparing 8.5x magnification with 10x magnification and the viewing images are quite similar.
The Nikon looks bright but in comparison there is little difference. The image puts a bit more emphasis on blue. I find the Swaro whiter.
Still, I can't really fault any of the three. All three are great images: Swaro bright, sharp, lots of detail, sharpest edges, neutral colours almost white, brightest in the evening, most blackouts with glasses, largest fov (133/100)
Kowa: wonderful image, lively, warmer (eg yellow), excellent sharpness, least edge sharpness, fov 121/1000
Nikon: eye very bright, somewhat bluer, sharp, second best edge sharpness, 122/1000.
Coatings: this swaro has everything: swarovision: also water and dirt repellent and that feels very safe. Kowa: kr coating = dirt and water repellent. Nikon: I only read scratch-resistant
The binoculars are waterproof and have a form of HD glass (HD at Swaro, ED at Nikon, XD at Kowa)
My conclusion
I think the differences are very small, especially considering the price differences. The Nikon now costs around €790 during a promotion (normally €990), the Kowa around €1250 and the Swarovski around €1800. Kowa and Swarovski give a 10-year warranty where Nikon keeps it at 5 years full warranty and another 5 years only labor costs. If I have to choose: The Nikon just takes a bit more getting used to but given the excellent image and comfort of the light weight I will definitely keep it. Still I put it at 3. Then at 2: Swarovski: the total picture and the reputation are of course completely correct. You only feel and think "what quality". But on 1 the Kowa: every time it surprises me with the wonderful image, fantastic balance and fine focus. Then it’s easy to accept its weight. Oh yes, I wear glasses, am 55 years old and have normal hands.
There are beautiful binoculars for sale without necessarily needing the jackpot! I am provided for the coming years because the low weight of the Nikon ensures that I do not have to look at an x32 when I get really old. Then it will be time for a stabilized binocular.
PS I will post a picture as well
When I test, I compare the image that I see, but more on feeling and where possible I make it concrete. You can find all the specs yourself. The last few years I have actually used the Kowa the most with the Swaro as a back up. I like outsiders (almost everything except Swaro etc ) and preferably a brand that does not identify itself with hunting (especially Kowa, Nikon and lesser known brands from the same factory) unless the image is really much better.
Finish, grip and dimensions
This is of course a matter of taste but all three are neatly finished, rotate smoothly on their bridge and everything fits exactly. I had the Swaro covering replaced under warranty after about 9 years because it started to come loose. The Kowa is still in excellent shape after 3.5 years and I can not comment on the Nikon as I only have it for a few days but it looks and feels very good. The Nikon covering is really thin, the Kowa nice and very thick and the Swaro just fine in between. But I do not know if it makes a difference in practice. All 3 hold well with the Kowa having the best grip. The Kowa is the largest and least elegant (except for the mythical prints "prominar" when you look inside) but holds well with excellent balance. The Nikon is stylish, really a bit smaller and feels light and the Swaro is, well Swaro, nothing to complain about. The build quality of all three feels very solid and durable.
The Kowa is the heaviest and you will notice that after a while. The carrying strap is basic (soft) and the protective caps a bit clumsy and loose. Completely it weighs 1041 grams. The Swaro is a bit lighter and wears comfortably with the best ergonomic strap. Complete weight 975 grams but feels a bit lighter. The Nikon has nice caps, fit nicely tight. The carrying strap is also comfortable but on the long side (I wear my binoculars a bit higher on my chest) and at 778 grams complete (including caps and strap) it feels like a feather.
Dimensions and weight, swaro 835, 975 grams but elegant, nikon 680/778 grams all in and very elegant, Kowa 1041 but feels a bit bulky (but read on).
In practice
Kowa is the most comfortable with excellent balance in the hand but a bit heavy around the neck in the long run. But the weight helps it to keep it still!
Nikon a bit smaller, good balance, you don't feel that you are carrying it, maybe a bit too small for big hands?
Swaro: fine in every aspect.
Grip: swaro is great to hold, kiea too, nikon a fraction less: a bit smoother and no special place for thumb
In use
Autofocus: Swaro focus turns the lightest and very smooth” and clear “snap” when you are in focus, no doubt. The Kowa a bit heavier but excellent “snap”, no doubt at all. The Nikon focus is not as good as EDG once was (I also had) but excellent with good “snap” but I sometimes have to search for it but that is also a matter of getting used to it.
Close focus is more or less about 2 meters I think but I do not use it so closeby.
Image: in practice I hardly see any difference in the size of the object between 8.5 and 10x. First the opinion of my neighbor, a non-bird watcher and no experience with binoculars or the like. After about 10 minutes he came to the following conclusion:
1) Nikon: sharp, beautiful image. 2) Kowa, but with a lot of doubt whether this should not be at 1. 3) Swarovski: great image but the other 2 were preferred. Funny if you look completely unbiased Color edges do not strike me with the Nikon and Swaro but with the Kowa you suddenly notice that they are really not there, which and sharpness along edges!
My opinion
Shared 1st place: Kowa and Swarovski. I think the Kowa is so beautyful, where yellow colours are just a bit brighter. I do not suffer from the lesser edge sharpness. I look with glasses and with these I have no blackouts. With the Swaro I do have more blackouts and you notice the better edge sharpness. It is a fraction brighter in the twilight. But the Kowa is so perfectly balanced and I appreciate the weight because I have the calmest image. 2nd Nikon: sharp, good edge sharpness but I just have to search a bit longer for the perfect sharpness. Because of its smaller dimensions I also have to get used to how to hold it properly but I think it is all a matter of getting used to it. The Swarovski has the largest field of view (133m/1000m), then the Kowa with 122m/1000m and then the Nikon with 121m/1000m. Again, I am of course comparing 8.5x magnification with 10x magnification and the viewing images are quite similar.
The Nikon looks bright but in comparison there is little difference. The image puts a bit more emphasis on blue. I find the Swaro whiter.
Still, I can't really fault any of the three. All three are great images: Swaro bright, sharp, lots of detail, sharpest edges, neutral colours almost white, brightest in the evening, most blackouts with glasses, largest fov (133/100)
Kowa: wonderful image, lively, warmer (eg yellow), excellent sharpness, least edge sharpness, fov 121/1000
Nikon: eye very bright, somewhat bluer, sharp, second best edge sharpness, 122/1000.
Coatings: this swaro has everything: swarovision: also water and dirt repellent and that feels very safe. Kowa: kr coating = dirt and water repellent. Nikon: I only read scratch-resistant
The binoculars are waterproof and have a form of HD glass (HD at Swaro, ED at Nikon, XD at Kowa)
My conclusion
I think the differences are very small, especially considering the price differences. The Nikon now costs around €790 during a promotion (normally €990), the Kowa around €1250 and the Swarovski around €1800. Kowa and Swarovski give a 10-year warranty where Nikon keeps it at 5 years full warranty and another 5 years only labor costs. If I have to choose: The Nikon just takes a bit more getting used to but given the excellent image and comfort of the light weight I will definitely keep it. Still I put it at 3. Then at 2: Swarovski: the total picture and the reputation are of course completely correct. You only feel and think "what quality". But on 1 the Kowa: every time it surprises me with the wonderful image, fantastic balance and fine focus. Then it’s easy to accept its weight. Oh yes, I wear glasses, am 55 years old and have normal hands.
There are beautiful binoculars for sale without necessarily needing the jackpot! I am provided for the coming years because the low weight of the Nikon ensures that I do not have to look at an x32 when I get really old. Then it will be time for a stabilized binocular.
PS I will post a picture as well
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