Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 vs Hawke Endurance ED 8x32 vs Viking Merlin Ed 8x32 (1 Viewer)

[Solar Cycles]

I’m looking for lightweight 8x30/32 binoculars, the criteria for such are obviously good optics with phase coatings at least but must be sub 500g if possible, the latter two of my options come in above 500g. Due to lockdown it’s a struggle viewing all of these.

I did order both the Momarch 5 8x42 and the Prostaff 3s 8x42, the former was sharp and bright with end to end clarity and no visible C/A to my untrained eyes, the latter was awful in overcast conditions, poor light transmission and visible C/A.

The Monarchs would’ve been perfect it it wasn’t for two things, the weight and price. My budget is £200 max.

 

[Royfinn]

This video comparison might be useful...

 

[Solar Cycles]

I just finished watching this thanks.
The Viking’s appear to punch above their weight. I’m surprised the Hawke Endurance finished at the lower end of the scale.

 

[Bluben79]

I’m looking for lightweight 8x30/32 binoculars, the criteria for such are obviously good optics with phase coatings at least but must be sub 500g if possible, the latter two of my options come in above 500g. Due to lockdown it’s a struggle viewing all of these.

I did order both the Momarch 5 8x42 and the Prostaff 3s 8x42, the former was sharp and bright with end to end clarity and no visible C/A to my untrained eyes, the latter was awful in overcast conditions, poor light transmission and visible C/A.

The Monarchs would’ve been perfect it it wasn’t for two things, the weight and price. My budget is £200 max.

If you could squeeze another £50 Jessops have the Monarch 7 for £250 which the guy in the video above waxes lyrically about.

https://www.jessops.com/p/nikon/monarch-7-8x30-binoculars-140176

 

[Solar Cycles]

They also have the ProStaff 7s 8x30 for £149. I can’t find many reviews on this one mind you.

 

[eitanaltman]

I think the Vortex Diamondback 8x32 is the best inexpensive light weight option. Under 450g, very wide FOV and very good optics for the price.

I owned these for a bit recently and was honestly shocked at how good the optics were at the price. They’re not alpha quality of course but they are very sharp in the middle and make the right compromises in terms of edge falloff etc. so they aren’t distracting and uncomfortable to use like many cheap binos.

I think they are easily superior to the similarly priced Opticron Discovery that I have currently to test.

They got a solid review at Allbinos and also were the top scoring model in this big 8x32 comparison review if you want some other opinions: http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2019_mid-sized_bins/review.html

 

[Solar Cycles]

I think the Vortex Diamondback 8x32 is the best inexpensive light weight option. Under 450g, very wide FOV and very good optics for the price.

I owned these for a bit recently and was honestly shocked at how good the optics were at the price. They’re not alpha quality of course but they are very sharp in the middle and make the right compromises in terms of edge falloff etc. so they aren’t distracting and uncomfortable to use like many cheap binos.

I think they are easily superior to the similarly priced Opticron Discovery that I have currently to test.

They got a solid review at Allbinos and also were the top scoring model in this big 8x32 comparison review if you want some other opinions: http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2019_mid-sized_bins/review.html

I was looking at those as they ticked a lot of my boxes, however I saw the Hawke Frontier HD X 8x32 with a 15% off discount code via eBay so took the the plunge and ordered them.

 

[Stawanski]

Did anyone compare the Viking Merlin 8x32 with the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30?

Or one of these above compared to the mentioned Hawke Frontier HD?

 

[Dennis Mau]

I preferred the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 to the Hawke Frontier. I have never tried the Viking Merlin 8x32.