Nikon Monarch ATB (8x42) Binocular

Pros: Great close ups, lightweight
Cons: Expensive

Squinty eyes are annoying. Trying to see a baseball game from the nosebleed section, or watch seagulls from a speeding boat can be very difficult. We have had problems when going to the zoo and the animals don't feel like peeking out, going to monster ...

Pros: Great optics. Nice feel. Easy to focus. Great twist-out eyecups.
Cons: Cheap eyepiece and lens caps. Minimalist manual.

In the store I tested these, plus everything up through the $1300 Leica's and Swarovskis. I liked these better, and they were 1/4 the price. I tested lateral color distortion by pointing at a distant horizontal light and moving up and down, putting ...

Pros: Waterproof, fogproof, shock resistant, lightweight (for size), great warranty, easily adjusted eyecups.
Cons: Eye cups are not padded or shaped to the contours of the face.

After spending many months, on and off, shopping for binoculars I had become quite confused. There ...

Pros: Clear-as-a-bell optics Great ergonomics, very cool camo pattern (on the ones I got)
Cons: Lens covers extremely poor, but not a big deal

I purchased these binoculars prior to an elk hunt in the Rocky Mountains, and so purchased the ATB in realtree camo pattern. They are so clear and crisp you find yourself enthralled by the incredible detail of the terrain when glassing for animals. ...

Pros: Quality, ease of use, solid, good optics, price
Cons: Lens cap/dust covers cheap. So what.

I bought the cammo version of these binoculars about 6 months ago. At the time, I was considering about the same manification power as these, but in other brands such as Steiner, and a $1300 pair of Swarovski's. I spent about an hour going between all three, and ended up buying the Nikons. Not for the price, but because the other two, more expensive models just didn't have that much to offer, to offset the price, especially the Swarovskis. I am sure they are nice, and probably have features that the average person would never use, or be aware of, but hands down, I liked, and still like the Nikons.

Pros: Bright, Sharp, Clear View Very Smooth Focus Knob Very Comfortable to Hold
Cons: Diopter little stiff, but stays where its suppose to. Lense covers stink, especially 42mm ones.

I am not an expert, but I know what I like. And I like these binoculars very much. The bright, clear, and sharp view is almost breathtaking to this novice. These Nikons are light and comfortable to hold. They feel great in the hand. The focus is smooth as silk and immediate. I think they are cool looking too. I also compared them with a pair of expensive Swarovskis and would rather have the Nikons if I had to keep them and use them myself. Purchase a real set of lense covers immediately, if you purchase these. These are a great binocular.