Nikon Monarch ATB (8x36) Binocular

Pros: Excellent combination of image, weight, price and handling.
Cons: No issues worth mentioning.

The Nikon Monarch 8x36 ATB binocular challenges other brands in its price range for top honors. Light weight, quick focusing, and compact, with an outstandingly accurate image, this Nikon beats any comparable this buyer has handled. From Bushnell to Steiner, no other binocular exhibits the
Monarch's level of image flatness, brightness, color purity and low astigmatism.

Of course, in comparison to $1400 Zeiss 8x42 FL* binos, the Nikons fall short, mostly in field of view and edge to edge sharpness. But the Monarch 8x36 equals 95% of the Zeiss image at less than 20% of the Zeiss cost. Such a value is hard to beat.

Nikon chose wisely to construct an 8x36 binocular. The 8x36 format combines extra light transmission over an 8x32 with smaller size and less weight compared to an 8x4X glass, with minimal sacrifice to low light imaging.

Waterproof, fog proof, approximately one turn from 6 feet to infinity, good balance and wonderful optics, Nikon has struck an optical sweet spot. I expect to enjoy these binos in all elements for many years.