Nikon: Sporter 10x36 vs Monarch 10x42 (1 Viewer)

[Ben M]

I need a replacement for my faulty Action EV 10x50, which I discussed in another thread.

I thought they were great, except for the fogging and the weight (1020g).

My budget is around £100-£200 and I found the Actions for £115.

I've narrowed my search to the following, based on some of the features I can determine without trying them in person*:

Sporter 10x36
Weight: 700g
Best price I found: £115

Monarch 10x42
Weight: 610g
Best price I found: £200 (typical elsewhere £270-£330)

I would assume the Monarchs are of better quality? If so, by how much? Enough to justify me going to the top of my budget compared to the Sporters? They weight less, but it's not a great difference. Assuming I cannot get the Monarchs for £200 (i.e. no stock left). I'd not pay more than £200 for them without looking around for other models in that higher price category.

Will an "enthusiastic amateur" like me be able to appreciate the difference in quality? Maybe with a few years' experience?

* Of course, I'll do my best to try them in person, but the shops don't always stock everything... they can "get them in", but that can be a bit of a hastle.

 

[Tero]

Monarchs are mainly brighter.

 

[Ben M]

Monarchs are mainly brighter.

Thanks.

Is that mainly down to the size of the objective lens?

Do you know if their brightness is comparible to the 10x50 Action EX, or will it be noticeably brighter/duller?

 

[FrankD]

Increased brightness and sharpness in the Monarch would probably be more attributed to the phase coating on the roof prisms though I am sure the slightly larger objective size has a little bit to do with it. The 36 mm Monarch appears just a shade brighter than the 36 mm Sporter but the image is noticeably sharper in my opinion.

 

[joannec]

I need a replacement for my faulty Action EV 10x50, which I discussed in another thread.

I thought they were great, except for the fogging and the weight (1020g).

My budget is around £100-£200 and I found the Actions for £115.

I've narrowed my search to the following, based on some of the features I can determine without trying them in person*:

Sporter 10x36
Weight: 700g
Best price I found: £115

Monarch 10x42
Weight: 610g
Best price I found: £200 (typical elsewhere £270-£330)

I would assume the Monarchs are of better quality? If so, by how much? Enough to justify me going to the top of my budget compared to the Sporters? They weight less, but it's not a great difference. Assuming I cannot get the Monarchs for £200 (i.e. no stock left). I'd not pay more than £200 for them without looking around for other models in that higher price category.

Will an "enthusiastic amateur" like me be able to appreciate the difference in quality? Maybe with a few years' experience?

* Of course, I'll do my best to try them in person, but the shops don't always stock everything... they can "get them in", but that can be a bit of a hastle.

Hi Benny

I bought a pair of monarchs 10x42 last year for a similar price probably from the same place you are thinking about. Is it Microglobe? They came without the usual Nikon warranty. PM me if you want to know more. I am really pleased with them, don't know how I saw anything before. They let us try out several several pairs and choose the one we liked best. Just recently an optics expert looked at them and commented very favorably. The best thing to do is go and try them.

Joanne

 

[Ben M]

Thanks to everyone for your valuable information.

I would have gone for the Monarch's at £200, had it not been for the lack of the 10-year warranty (Microglobe was the store). The next best price I found was just too far out of my budget, so I opted for the Sporter I 10x36 from Warehouse Express. They arrived this morning, and it's a great day for birding weatherwise, so I'll be out later to try and pick out some Redwing and Fieldfare in my local patch.

 

[Ben M]

Well after a couple of weeks' comparison I can give a few of my opinions as to how the 10x36 Roof Sporters are in comparison to the 10x50 Porro Action EX.

Both were £115, although at different online stores. The Actions were delivered free, whilst the Sporters cost about £7 for delivery.

The Actions were noticeably clearer and brighter with better precision when using the focus wheel. The rain guard is a better design that will actually stay on whilst moving. The downsides were the weight and the requirement of a very steady hand to see fine details at distance. The Actions EX are meant to be fully waterproof... it just happened that there was some moisture inside mine.

The Sporters are quite a good bin for the price (I think), the comparably lower opical quality was expected for a similarly priced lighter roof model. They're not fully waterproof (just splashproof), but at least they're not fogging! I find that the focus wheel is very sensitive, and is sometimes difficult to get just right (maybe that's just me though!). The rain guard is useless as it only has a chance of staying on when they're at the widest setting, and even then don't count on it.

In hindsight I might have opted for the 8x Action EX, which are about the same weight of the Sporters and probably keep the optical quality of the 10x Actions at a smaller price, although maybe they're still a little bulky.

 

[Tero]

I have had the Sporters in rain with no problems and they have never fogged up. You will soon get tired of the eye cups and fix them..use rubber bands. The EX eye cups are superior. The Sporters will show some weakness on cloudy days looking at distant objects, but with even a little sun, they are OK. I have your 10x36 model.

 

[Ben M]

Yeah the EX really impressed me and if I hadn't had them as a comparison I think I'd appreciate the Sporters more! I read the rubber band trick in other reviews, and I'm starting to experience the problem already. For the price, I'm very happy with them. I think my next optics purchase will be a scope or camera though.

Thanks for all the help |=)|