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Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Binoculars
Binoculars Manufacturer: Nikon
Nikon Model: Monarch ATB 8x42
Review Category: Binoculars
Purchase: Binoculars I purchased a pair of Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars online, after extensive web searching for a good price ($259.99). I had settled on a pair after consulting a friend who purchases a LOT of equipment. I had also looked at a few different models and manufacturers at a large sporting goods stores. I purchased this model because of the combination of features and price.
Things I like about the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 Binoculars : Peoples' tastes mature, generally switching from simple and cheap to more elegant and complex--which tend to be more expensive. Our tastes mature differently for different things. I buy the most expensive coffee, but yet medium priced wines and beer. Most of my tools are also the best, yet I shoot an economical pump shotgun. For many of us, our perception of optics evolves over time. I was earnestly searching to graduate above the common cheap 8x42s that fog and lack clarity. Yet my tastes were not so refined that I could justify purchasing the elite ones at the $1000 level. So I was searching in the $200-$600 range, leaning towards the $600 until I came across the Nikon Monarch ATB series, which I could get for less than $300. The optics were great for me (but remember I was graduating from the elcheapos). I wanted multicoated optics for clear images, roof prism for compactness and less fatigue, fog/waterproof, and lifetime warranty. These are all that, at less than $300. I was glad they were rubber armored and had easyly adjustable eye relief for with and without glasses. They focus readily and handle well. Very clear.
What I don't like about the Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42: They are a little heavy at 26 oz. I didn't use weight as a critical factor in my search, I don't know if comparable units in terms of features exist at lighter weights, maybe thats why one needs to graduate to the elite $1000 level at some point. Although minor aspect, but one that affects its used every day are the cumbersome lens caps and cheap case. The neckstrap is not all that comfortable, so mine are carried in my pack most of the time when hunting.
Binoculars Monarch ATB 8x42 quality: These binoculars seem to be built well. They feel exceptionally solid and other than the superficial aspects of the case/strap/lens covers, there is nothing that appears cheap about them.
Monarch ATB 8x42 summary: It is one thing to be satisified with equipment that you purchase after a long, painful search, and it is quite another when your buddies admire your stuff. These binoculars are admired by all who handle them, and without hesitation or solicitation (fishing for compliments). The guy who recommended them to me? He had a "older" (2 yrs prior) pair of 8x40s. After bringing mine with us in the duckboat, the next day he called me to find where I had bought mine. He is an aristocrat when it comes to sporting equipment, and NEVER calls me for my opinion--until now. Note on rating: My high rating is relative to binoculars of the same and lesser class. I have no experience with the elite classes. Had these come with a better case/strap/lens covers, they would have rated a 5.
Rating for this Nikon product: 4
Author of this review on Nikon Binoculars : John Gierke
Date: 2004-06-13
Usefulness Rating: 4.07964 out of 5.
1218 reader(s) voted.
This Nikon Binoculars review brought to you by Hunting & Fishing Gear Review!
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