There is certainly no shortage of entry level binoculars in the marketplace today. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that it gives a consumer a wide array of binoculars to choose from. The bad thing is that it gives a consumer a wide array of binoculars to choose from. O.K., I know that this sounds a bit confusing. But the fact is that if a novice consumer does not know what to look for in order to narrow their choices down, then having a wide variety of options to choose from only makes the choices more difficult. Imagine going to a restaurant in a foreign country and being presented with a menu that is written in a strange language. Yes, you can look at the wide variety of choices, but if you don't know what they mean, you may wind up ordering something to eat that really is not what you wanted or what you were hoping for. The same thing can happen to a novice if they are trying to purchase an inexpensive set of binoculars for the first time, and they are not really sure of what all the terminology means. In this review, I shall do my best to describe any terminology that I use in clear and plain language, so that even the novice reader will be able to fully to understand what they are reading about. Today I shall be reviewing the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars model number 7217. I hope that this review is of help to you in making a purchasing decision.
Nikon makes many different types of binoculars. The Nikon Action Series of binoculars are intended to be used for casual everyday use by concert goers, sports game viewers, sportsman, birdwatchers, nature lovers, and the like. There are aspects of the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars that I like, and others that I don't like. I shall discuss these various points as the review continues. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars have a list price tag of $118.95, but they can readily be found selling for a discounted price of about $78.00 on the Internet. I also recently saw one Internet retailer selling these binoculars on sale for $64.50. Be sure to shop carefully, as some merchants charge exorbitant shipping charges, while others charge none. Shipping charges can have a meaningfully negative effect on the success of a bargain hunter's efforts. But then again, that is a whole other story in and of itself.
I shall now describe some of the distinguishing features of the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars have a magnification power of 7. That is what the number "7" stands for in the title or name of these binoculars. A magnification power of 7 means that an object that is being viewed that is 700 feet away will appear to the viewer to be at a distance of 100 feet when looked at through the Ocular Lenses, which is the term used to describe the small lenses that the viewer looks into. The number "50" in the descriptor 7x50 refers to the size in millimeters of the Objective Lenses, which are the larger lenses at the other end of the binoculars. All things being equal, a pair of binoculars with large objective lenses have a greater light gathering capability than a set of binoculars with a small set of objective lenses, and that means a clearer brighter image. However, there are other things that are actually more crucial to obtaining a sharp bright image than merely the size of the objective lenses on a pair of binoculars.
Undoubtedly, one of the most important things that effects the quality of the image that one sees in a pair of binoculars is the coating that is used on the optical surfaces of the binoculars. As I am sure most of you reading this review already know, when light hits a piece of glass, some of the light is reflected and some if it passes through. In the case of a pair of binoculars, the more light that is reflected, the less bright and clear the image will be that the viewer sees. In order to decrease the light that is reflected, some of the better made binoculars will have a lens coating applied to their optical surfaces. Coating the lenses, and other surfaces such as the internal prisms, will help to reduce the light that is reflected, and thus there will be more light that is available to make the image that the viewer sees appear to be brighter and clearer. There are various degrees and types of optical coatings that are used to make binoculars. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars have "multi-coated optics." This means that there are multiple layers of antireflective coating on at least one lens surface of the binoculars, which means that more light gets through the binoculars, and the image that the viewer will see will be clearer and brighter than a pair of binoculars that do not have any optical coating. In the case of the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars, all air to glass surfaces, including the internal prisms, have multicoatings.
The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars use Porro BAK-4 Prisms. BAK-4 prisms are made of barium crown glass, and this yields a bright and sharp image. Lesser quality binoculars sometimes use BAK-7 prisms, which are made from borosilicate glass, which is considered by many to be a glass of lesser quality. The use of prisms in binoculars is used to decrease the size of a pair of binoculars, relative to that of a telescope. Binoculars that use a porro prism design will typically have the objective lenses (the larger ones that are in front) offset from the eyepieces, and this results in a generally wider field of view and improved depth perception. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars also have the option of being able to be mounted on a camera tripod, but this adapter is sold separately. Personally, I do not think most people would require the use of a stabilization device such as a tripod with these binoculars, but of course, everyone's needs and wants are different. The Nikon action 7x10 binoculars are rubber coated, which helps to not only protect the internal workings of the binoculars from shock, but it also makes them easy to handle and hold. The field of view of the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars is 336 feet at 1000 yards, which is a respectable number. These binoculars also have a diopter control which is located on the right eyepiece, which helps to compensate for imbalances that might exist between the viewer's right and left eyes. These binoculars also have a large center focus wheel, which makes it easy to focus the binoculars even when wearing gloves. The eyecups on the binoculars are adjustable and can be rolled up or down, which permits the user to keep their eyeglasses on, should they have the need to wear eyeglasses, which I personally do. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars are considered to have a full size body, and they weigh 34 ounces. Thus, these are not compact in size. They do however come with a comfortable neck strap, as well as covers for the lenses.
O.K, now that I have outlined what I consider to be some of the good points that these binoculars have, I shall now outline what I feel to be a problem with them. The Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars are neither water proof or fog proof. This is a very important point that I would like the potential entry level or novice consumer to keep in mind and to think about before making any purchasing decision. I strongly believe that a pair of binoculars must be both water proof and fog proof. Some people believe that if they are not going to be using a pair of binoculars in the rain, that there would be absolutely no need to have a pair that is water proof or fog proof. I strongly disagree. Think about this for a moment. I am sure that most readers will recall that they have been in a car and had the windows fog up or had water droplets form on the windows even when it was not raining. The reason is that water vapor condenses on a surface that is cool. Now imagine what would happen to the inside glass surfaces, such as the lenses or prisms, of your binoculars if you should happen to leave your air conditioned house or car. You guessed it. There would be the potential for the internal surfaces of the binoculars to collect water vapor and fog up. Of course, these binoculars would eventually clear up and dry out, but how long might that take. Water proof binoculars are also much easier to clean and to maintain as well.
O.K., so who would the Nikon Action 7x50 Binoculars be good for? These are very sturdy binoculars that are built to last, and they are able to provide a very nice clear, bright, and sharp image. These binoculars would be a reasonable choice for sporting events, concert goers, and other casual viewing situations. However, because they are neither water proof or fog proof, I would balk as recommending them for outdoor use, such as camping, boating, hunting, bird watching, and the like, unless the viewer is prepared to accept that these binoculars could fog up when going from a cooler environment to a warmer one, especially in humid conditions. The reader should also be aware that Nikon makes many excellent binoculars that are water proof and fog proof.
Well, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my review, but now if you will excuse me, I must get back to practicing my guitar. Good luck, and good viewing.
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