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NIKON Monarch M5 12x42 or Kowa 12x50 SV II (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ted Y.
- Start date
It is hard to get a good 12x50 for $500. I think I would go with a Vortex Viper HD 12x50. There are some good deals on them now.
www.opticsplanet.com
Reviews & Ratings for Vortex Viper HD 12x50mm Roof Prism Binoculars
Elk hunting in Idaho was the need to change and upgrade binoculars. The clarity of these 12s is phenomenal. My Pentax 16s has served me well but this reduced size and...
It can be interesting.
Do you have some experience with this model? If yes, are both telescopes identical, colors saturation speaking?
Somewhere is mentioned: 2018 edition.
How many editions exist?
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Yes, the Vortex Viper HD 12x50 is very good for the price. The Maven ED C.3 12x50 is another option at $500, and it is about equal to the Viper. To get a superb 12x50, you have to spend over $1500. The SV is probably the best followed by the Meopta Meostar B1 HD Plus, Leica Ultravid HD +, the older Leica Trinovid and then probably the Vortex Razor HD or Maven B.6 at about $1000. For the money, the Meopta is a superb value and really about equal to the SV. I have had most of the 12x, and they can be hard to hold steady without a tripod. Are you sure your friend wants a 12x? The Canon 12x36 IS III is good because it has IS, but optically it is not as good as the alpha 12x's I have mentioned, but you will see more detail with it handheld. It is also about $800, but can be had for around $700.
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Yep, why not. I will do some research.
lilcrazy2
Well-known member
Since you set your limit at $500 for a gift, I'll stick to that parameter and not regale you with bright shiny $$ objects
Here is an older thread that compares the 2 you listed - the m5 & SV
www.birdforum.net
Quite obviously, a 12x42 bino in this price class is going to weigh a lot less than any of the 12x50's because of the objective size and weight.
12x42's seem to be a dying breed against the 12x50's, but another 12x42 in your price range is the Maven C1 if weight is an issue.
Other options might be the Diamondback HD 12x50, Maven C3 12x50, Athlon Midas G2 UHD 12x50 (but 32 oz)
Here is an older thread that compares the 2 you listed - the m5 & SV
Kowa SV 12x50 or Nikon Monarch 5 12x42?
Hi. I would like a 12x to supplement my Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 for long distance viewing over larger lakes or the sea. I do not like to cary a scope when the backpack is filled with camera equipment. ;) I have narrowed the choice down to either the Kowa SV 12x50 or the Nikon Monarch 5 12x42...
www.birdforum.net
12x42's seem to be a dying breed against the 12x50's, but another 12x42 in your price range is the Maven C1 if weight is an issue.
Other options might be the Diamondback HD 12x50, Maven C3 12x50, Athlon Midas G2 UHD 12x50 (but 32 oz)
Binocollector
Well-known member
Since nobody really said anything about the Kowa SVII. I tested it in a store and thought it was very nice. Yes, the body is only plastic but the image was really good. I almost bought it but decided to get the Kowa BDII 6.5x32 in the end. I am fairly certain that it would make a nice gift. I didn't handle the 12x50 however. I think it was the 8x42.
The Vortex Diamondback 12x50 might also be an option. I own one and it handles really well because of the shape of the barrels. Really comfy in the hands and therefore also easy to hold steady despite the 12x but I am not such a big fan of the eyecups. They have this small "step" at the edge that can get uncomfy when using it for longer periods.
The Vortex Diamondback 12x50 might also be an option. I own one and it handles really well because of the shape of the barrels. Really comfy in the hands and therefore also easy to hold steady despite the 12x but I am not such a big fan of the eyecups. They have this small "step" at the edge that can get uncomfy when using it for longer periods.
Ted Y.,
A Nikon Monarch-5 12x42 showed less detail than a Leica Ultravid 10x25 in long-range bird observation handheld (my hands are on the steadier side) or supported.
Got this Nikon on the well-intentioned information of a BF member by PM but after that one trip gave the new bino away (selling an unusual, actually any, bino where I live is very difficult).
From what I have read the Kowa SV is optically better.
I have experience with two 12xs at less than USD 500 new which showed more detail than a Swarovski SLC and EL 10x handheld when tested in non-challenging conditions.
- Celestron Granite 12x50. Had veiling glare though. Sold it for that reason.
- Barr & Stroud Savannah-ED 12x56. Currently about GBP 210 or USD 250 in the UK. Obviously, larger (though shorter) and heavier than a typical 12x50. Optically very good with no major flaws. I retain it.
B. & S. Savannah or a clone was/is provided in the US as Bushnell Nature. Savannah or Nature is optically not as good as Savannah-ED or Nature-ED.
The foll. two models are currently available in the US. I have no experience with them but have read about them and would guess they are optically as good as or better than the Nikon Monarch-5 12x42.
- Nikon Action Extreme (waterproof) or Aculon (not waterproof) 12x50 porro. Less than USD 200.
- Bushnell Engage 12x50 (roof). About USD 330.
Unless your recipient needs 12x over 10x for some reason to do with a vision condition a Nikon Monarch-5 12x42 might not be a good choice.
Oops, as I am about to post I see you are in Canada. I hope availability of binos there is similar to the US and if not the above is anyway of some use.
A Nikon Monarch-5 12x42 showed less detail than a Leica Ultravid 10x25 in long-range bird observation handheld (my hands are on the steadier side) or supported.
Got this Nikon on the well-intentioned information of a BF member by PM but after that one trip gave the new bino away (selling an unusual, actually any, bino where I live is very difficult).
From what I have read the Kowa SV is optically better.
I have experience with two 12xs at less than USD 500 new which showed more detail than a Swarovski SLC and EL 10x handheld when tested in non-challenging conditions.
- Celestron Granite 12x50. Had veiling glare though. Sold it for that reason.
- Barr & Stroud Savannah-ED 12x56. Currently about GBP 210 or USD 250 in the UK. Obviously, larger (though shorter) and heavier than a typical 12x50. Optically very good with no major flaws. I retain it.
B. & S. Savannah or a clone was/is provided in the US as Bushnell Nature. Savannah or Nature is optically not as good as Savannah-ED or Nature-ED.
The foll. two models are currently available in the US. I have no experience with them but have read about them and would guess they are optically as good as or better than the Nikon Monarch-5 12x42.
- Nikon Action Extreme (waterproof) or Aculon (not waterproof) 12x50 porro. Less than USD 200.
- Bushnell Engage 12x50 (roof). About USD 330.
Unless your recipient needs 12x over 10x for some reason to do with a vision condition a Nikon Monarch-5 12x42 might not be a good choice.
Oops, as I am about to post I see you are in Canada. I hope availability of binos there is similar to the US and if not the above is anyway of some use.
lilcrazy2
Well-known member
I believe the Nature DX and DX ED's are by Celestron and not Bushnell. I too have been looking to acquire some 12x's as a porch bin, and read a zillion reviews and PM'd with some members on some models. I basically decided on 12x50's since weight wasn't a problem, and was leaning toward the Maven C3 12x50. Almost all the 12x50's mentioned so far weigh around 28oz, except for the Athlon Midas G2 UHD's at 32 oz. I figured (and am hoping) that that extra 4 ozs is concentrated in the optical train and glass, I ordered a pair of the Athlons Sunday and should have them by Saturday - so we shall see.
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Lilcrazy2, I may have made a mistake some time (years?) back in thinking that some model line that was clones with the B. & S. Savannah 56s was being marketed in the US. The Celestron DX 56s do not seem to be such as the diopter ring in them is at the RHS eyepiece and in the B. & S. Savannah 56s is central. But again the non-ED-ED designation in both is puzzling and may mean some link in mysterious China. It may be that I mistook these not noting the diopter ring location.
A line which is clones with the B. & S. Savannah-ED 56s is the Kowa BD-XD 56 series. The 12x56 in it is USD 600.
Ted Y., pl. see above in this post. Also, I cannot get trough to the Celestron website to see if the Granite line is still marketed by them.
A line which is clones with the B. & S. Savannah-ED 56s is the Kowa BD-XD 56 series. The 12x56 in it is USD 600.
Ted Y., pl. see above in this post. Also, I cannot get trough to the Celestron website to see if the Granite line is still marketed by them.
lilcrazy2
Well-known member
The Celestron Granite is no longer in their catalog, and the best I can determine is that it was replaced by the Regal ED which now seems to be their top of line. The Regal line of binos and scopes was fairly well thought of 10 to 12 years ago. I know of one other member who has the new Regal ED and thinks very highly of them.
Thank you all for your suggestions/comments.
I received a lot of help and good ideas.
How I solved this:
I identified the models available and having maintenance/repair facilities in USA/Canada, even if aquired from UK.
I wrote to some manufacturers but not all responded, surprise, surprise.
I decided between:
Kowa 12x50 sv ii (300 USD)
Vortex Viper HD 12x50 (negociable 559.99 USD)
Maven C3 12x50 (one day special at 360 USD)
The winner is the Vortex, because:
Has the larger FOV,
Probably has the best quality of all 3 models (my opinion). C3 has better transmission, yes.
Probably the best repair service, as I know.
Also, I decided to let my friend choose between the Vortex and a CF Porro binocular.
He will also have the occasion to learn more about binoculars and about his preferences.
I ordered a Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme ATB (36 oz / 1020.6 g - it is more than the 800 g I specified).
I also ordered a tripod adapter.
The Nikon is 175 USD, equivalent for me to a roof at 350 USD.
Both binoculars can be returned in 30 days, just in case I maked wrong decisions.
I received a lot of help and good ideas.
How I solved this:
I identified the models available and having maintenance/repair facilities in USA/Canada, even if aquired from UK.
I wrote to some manufacturers but not all responded, surprise, surprise.
I decided between:
Kowa 12x50 sv ii (300 USD)
Vortex Viper HD 12x50 (negociable 559.99 USD)
Maven C3 12x50 (one day special at 360 USD)
The winner is the Vortex, because:
Has the larger FOV,
Probably has the best quality of all 3 models (my opinion). C3 has better transmission, yes.
Probably the best repair service, as I know.
Also, I decided to let my friend choose between the Vortex and a CF Porro binocular.
He will also have the occasion to learn more about binoculars and about his preferences.
I ordered a Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme ATB (36 oz / 1020.6 g - it is more than the 800 g I specified).
I also ordered a tripod adapter.
The Nikon is 175 USD, equivalent for me to a roof at 350 USD.
Both binoculars can be returned in 30 days, just in case I maked wrong decisions.
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