Nikon Action (7x35) Binocular

Pros: good optics, cheap, comfortable, lightweight
Cons: fragile

I am a biologist who works in the great outdoors. Among other things, I go out into the wild and watch animals for weeks at a time. I therefore needed a good pair of binoculars (sturdy, lightweight, good magnification, comfortable) but as a graduate...

Pros: Lightweight, low priced, fit around eyeglasses
Cons: Don't drop them...

Heehee..just kidding. I'm not a Peeping Tom..but for those of you that are just reading this because you are...SHAME ON YOU.

Now...onto the review. I bought this Nikon 7x35 Naturalist IV for a number of reasons. 1.) The price. 2.)...

Pros: Optics, brightness, field of view
Cons: Not waterproof

My wife selected the Nikon Action 7215 after trying several others including a couple from the Nikon Travelite line. What she really liked about these was the extra wide field of view (9.3mm.). It makes it easy to follow birds while in flight and allows you to see more of a scene without moving the binoculars. After using them myself I think she made a wise choice. Though heavier than the compact Travelites, they are still light enough to handle comfortably. They are very sharp and clear and are bright enough to use in all kinds of light. The quality seems to be very good for this price. In addition it is easy to adjust the focus.
These binoculars are backed by a 25 year limited warranty against defects and like other Nikon binoculars have a lifetime "no-fault policy" whereby the manufacturer will either replace or repair them for $10 plus shipping and handling if something happens to them even if it was your fault.

Pros: The image is equal to that produced by others that cost significantly more.
Cons: None.

I have owned many binoculars, from low-end no-names to Zeiss. This is hands-down the best value binocular I have used. The image is amazingly bright in low-light (e.g. dusk) applications, and clear/sharp/aberration-free in all situations in which I have used it. I bought it because, when I tried it at the shop, it seemed deserve the level of praise I had read about it on the "'net". Taking it home, and putting it through the informal tests that I use for making my own judgements about such things,I found them to be everything they were touted to be and more.
I have read reviews that indicate that they do not handle rough use as well as might be desired. Having owned mine for about one and one-half years, I can testify that they stand up well to normal use. There has been no deterioration in the quality of the images they provide over that period of time.
In summary, I would, without reservation, recommend this binocular to anyone who is looking for a clear, bright, sharp image. I cannot understand the need to go to a (much) higher-priced item, when this delivers the goods as well as it does.