Some time ago there was a discussion of binoculars here. I mentioned that one of my NASCAR buddies had a nice pair of Nikons. Binoculars.com advertises on this forum and two days ago I ordered a pair of Nikon Action 10X50's. They were less than $90 and there was no shipping charge. They got here today and they are sharp and bright.

I am looking forward to taking them to Arizona next week and trying them out in the desert.

Max: Need a full field test report, please. Have been considering new binoculars and have absolutely no idea which to buy.

Other inputs are appreciated, too. Specifically, I want (I think!) a compact sized pair but want "performance," too.

Thanks, in advance.

Be safe.

I finally bought a "good" binocular about five years ago. After much looking/asking/reading, my choice was Nikon Monarch 8x40. They cost $285. and when they die, I'll probably get another pair. For my eye's, they are the best. My buddy, Big Ed, gave me some smaller, upscale Leupold's and they are also very good.

My final point is going to be that bino's are very user particular. A pair that just blows up your buddy's skirt may not even make your socks itch. Look at many, preferably in outdoor settings. All bino's look good from sporting goods desk to the check-out stand.

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beaver

Years ago I had Nikon 12x36 which fit my needs then perfectly.

Like a ninney I somehow divested myself of them after acquiring the mighty Zeiss 8x40s which serve me very well.

I was impressed with Nikon.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

I have a basic discussion of choosing binoculars at the eHow.com site. Search for "How to choose binoculars." by jkendrick. Or, just Google, "How to choose binoculars" and this article will come up, along with a few others at eHow.com (Mine is the better-informed discussion, among them...)

Compact binoculars are inherently inferior to full size binocs because of the physics involved, but, some of the very compact high-end offerings are very good. I can recommend the original Swarovski compacts --- I see there's a new variant, the Traveler, with which I'm unaquainted, but which may be simply a cosmetic variation. A friend has another brand of compacts, Leica, I think, which are of high optical quality, but are individual focus, making maddening their use..

I had a set of Celestron Outland 8x42s for a couple years. They took the express trip down from my tree stand last fall and broke along the hinge.

Celestron's "no questions" lifetime warranty turned out to be not worth the paper it was printed on. I'd sent in the registration card when I got them, but they wanted the original sales receipt for the warranty claim. We'd moved since I'd gotten them, and a 2"x4" slip of paper was nowhere to be found. No receipt, no service.

I agree with Beaver. I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch 10X42's about 4 years ago. I use mainly for Prairie Dog shooting. I can spot through them all day long and my eye's do not get tired. They are so bright and clear. I have compared side by side with a pair of older Zeiss and much prefer the Nikon's. I did look through a pair of Nikon "EDGE" and they are a little sharper (if that seems possible), but they were nearly $2000. My Nikon Monarch 6.5-20 scope is the same clarity. I use it side by side with a Leupold, and like the Nikon better.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244