Nikon Monarch X 8.5x45 or RSPB HD 8x42? (1 Viewer)

[thegoon]

Hi all

Still looking for new bins after a month of searching.

I have a £500 budget, and think I have narrowed it down to either the

Nikon Monarch X 8.5x45 dcf or the
RSPB HD 8x42

Anyone got any comments on either of these models? Which is best?

Any help really appreciated.

Thanks

 

[vop]

I haven't used any of these binoculars, but from the specs you see that the RSPB has much better FoV, something I find important. Maybe the edge sharpness isn't as good, but I'd prefer that. They look nicer too!

Far more important is brightness, contrast and sweetspot sharpness, but I guess it's quite good in both these binos.

The RSPBs is a bit lighter, but you might find the Monarch X more comfortable and easier to hold steady. Try them!

 

[Martin Fagg]

Hi all

Still looking for new bins after a month of searching.

I have a £500 budget, and think I have narrowed it down to either the

Nikon Monarch X 8.5x45 dcf or the
RSPB HD 8x42

Anyone got any comments on either of these models? Which is best?

Any help really appreciated.

Thanks

Hi,

I think you can do better than these.

Have you tried Opticrons BGA SE 8x42 or 8x32. They are cheaper and, although I haven't tried the two you mention, I suspect the Opticrons are as good or better optically.
Also Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 and 8x36s. Again cheaper and I suspect as good or better. I think you can save yourself some money and get as good or better optically.

Have you tried the two bins that you mention? You need to try as many different ones as you can before you decide because the biggest deciding factors will be how they fit your hands and face. It's no good having the finest optics if they are uncomfortable to hold or the eye-reief is no good for you face/eye shape.

There's a place at Chew Valley Lake where you can try optics out. Is that fairly near you?

http://www.lakesideoptics.co.uk/

The website doesn't show much but I bet they have more in the shop. And second-hand stuff too. Used gear is a great way to get more for your money.

I have no connection by the way. Never even been there but I suspect it is the nearest place to you where you can give stuff a proper try.

Good luck and take your time deciding and you'll find what you need.

Martin.

 

[Hauki]

You can try the opticron and Hawke models at the London Camera Exchange in Taunton, and as Martin says to test them in the field visit Lakeside optics.