nikon monarchs

spottedhawk36 · 12-17-2008, 10:40 AM

i want to purchase a new set of binoculars before next season and for the price and with the lifetime warranty from nikon i am looking at the nikon monarchs, what you think about them?

jschainsaw · 12-17-2008, 10:44 AM

Pretty good bino's what kind of price range are you looking at?

spottedhawk36 · 12-17-2008, 10:51 AM

around 300-400 dollars

shinook65 · 12-17-2008, 11:03 AM

My 16 y.o. son won a pair from S.W. at their elk calling contest. (2nd PL). I have used them everytime I can, because they are way brighter/clearer/crisper than the lower priced Nikons I have. I also have Alpens and Bushnell, and they are all about the same. The Monarchs are great glass for the $$

jschainsaw · 12-17-2008, 11:05 AM

I would go with the Nikons for the money- Leupold was having a sweet sale on gold rings as well.

mtn300 · 12-17-2008, 11:10 AM

I have a pair of 10x42 monarchs they are ok but in low light conditions you can't see a dang thing. I have upgraded to the swarovski el's 10x42. I will tell you from experince that you should spend as much money as possible on binos otherwise you will be upgrading again and again.

mtn300 · 12-17-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschainsaw

I would go with the Nikons for the money- Leupold was having a sweet sale on gold rings as well.

jschainsaw has a pea for a brain so don't believe everything he says

jschainsaw · 12-17-2008, 11:19 AM

We all don't have that kind of cash......

ehunter · 12-17-2008, 11:24 AM

I have them and really like them for the money check around on the internet before you buy you can get them at a realy good price. Mine are the 8x42 and I have had them for about 8 years and they are going strong.

Tvfowlhunter · 12-17-2008, 11:39 AM

Nikon Monarchs rock!

mtn300 · 12-17-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jschainsaw

We all don't have that kind of cash......

Right

you have to make at least 100 k a year or more

NWaddict · 12-17-2008, 12:54 PM

My only problem with the monarchs is I find them impossible to clean.

I dont have a lot to compare them to but cleaning my older vari-x 2 scope is no problem: cleaning solution and a lens cloth and they are clear and dry after a few passes. With my monarchs I can wipe and wipe, scrub and scrub, and they just smear. Doesn't matter how dry the wipe is. I even bought the nikon cleaning kit. Same result. I've never had optics or glasses that were so hard to clean. My buddy has the same problem with his. Once you finally do get them dry, it seems like there is always a sheen or some smudging left behind. I dont necessarily thinks it affects performance a whole lot, but it is annoying and time consuming, especially while in the field.

Anyone else have this problem? I assume it has to do with the lens coatings. Is there a better way to clean them? I kinda hope I am doing something wrong and that their is a better way.

However, had I known about this issue, I might have researched a little harder before purchasing.

Dom

jmshave · 12-17-2008, 01:01 PM

There is better glass for sure, but at their price range, they are hard to beat.

ehunter · 12-17-2008, 01:01 PM

I cleaned mine this year with some alcholol and it worked really well. I use some Q tips and gently wiped in a swirl pattern worked great. First I dust them with some canned air.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWaddict

My only problem with the monarchs is I find them impossible to clean.

I dont have a lot to compare them to but cleaning my older vari-x 2 scope is no problem: cleaning solution and a lens cloth and they are clear and dry after a few passes. With my monarchs I can wipe and wipe, scrub and scrub, and they just smear. Doesn't matter how dry the wipe is. I even bought the nikon cleaning kit. Same result. I've never had optics or glasses that were so hard to clean. My buddy has the same problem with his. Once you finally do get them dry, it seems like there is always a sheen or some smudging left behind. I dont necessarily thinks it affects performance a whole lot, but it is annoying and time consuming, especially while in the field.

Anyone else have this problem? I assume it has to do with the lens coatings. Is there a better way to clean them? I kinda hope I am doing something wrong and that their is a better way.

However, had I known about this issue, I might have researched a little harder before purchasing.

Dom

gottafish · 12-17-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottedhawk36

i want to purchase a new set of binoculars before next season and for the price and with the lifetime warranty from nikon i am looking at the nikon monarchs, what you think about them?

I love mine. it was the best hunting gear thing I ever bought. I ware glasses and I can see great with these

baltz526 · 12-17-2008, 04:26 PM

look in cabelas bargin cave right now. steiner 10x40 military marine predator pro $229.99

Legend21 · 12-18-2008, 08:11 AM

I just bought a pair of Monarch 8x42s this season after a ton of research here and elsewhere, and I gotta say I just love them! If you do a search here in for forum for Monarchs you'll come up with a ton of posts, so check that out first.

I love the Monarch's for several reasons. They are lightweight, they are great in low light, I don't get the "shaky" effect while holding them for extended amounts of time, and the are as durable as all get out.

Also if you do get them, be sure to get the harness for them as well...you won't be sorry. Also if you purchase a pair before the end of the year, Nikon is still offering a free $50 gift card from their ProGear site. http://www.nikonprogear.com/content/...ATBHoliday.asp
(And no, I'm not a sponsor of Nikon, nor am I an employee for Nikon.

)

Another place you might check out is iFish sponsor Zen-Ray Optics. They have a great Vista series that is very comparable to the Monarch's and less expensive. http://www.zen-ray.com/binoculars.shtml

Anyway just my

for a fellow iFisher. I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I will tell ya I do love the Monarchs.

Chesapeake · 12-18-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWaddict

My only problem with the monarchs is I find them impossible to clean.

I dont have a lot to compare them to but cleaning my older vari-x 2 scope is no problem: cleaning solution and a lens cloth and they are clear and dry after a few passes. With my monarchs I can wipe and wipe, scrub and scrub, and they just smear. Doesn't matter how dry the wipe is. I even bought the nikon cleaning kit. Same result. I've never had optics or glasses that were so hard to clean. My buddy has the same problem with his. Once you finally do get them dry, it seems like there is always a sheen or some smudging left behind. I dont necessarily thinks it affects performance a whole lot, but it is annoying and time consuming, especially while in the field.

Anyone else have this problem? I assume it has to do with the lens coatings. Is there a better way to clean them? I kinda hope I am doing something wrong and that their is a better way.

However, had I known about this issue, I might have researched a little harder before purchasing.

Dom

Sort of sounds like your trying to clean the lense coating off. That rainbow colored look is supposed to be there. I just wipe mine with toilet paper if they get too dirty. For the most part they dont get dirty I just want to get the moisture off the lense. I've never used anything but a cloth wipe or toilet paper.
Try not using the cleaning solution. You shouldnt need it unless your touching the lenses or somehow getting oils on them. Make sure to get all dust and grit off before wiping with a cloth.

SandyRiverFisher · 12-18-2008, 09:59 AM

Boy oh boy Tony, you getting ready to blow your life savings on hunting gear or what??? Binos, trail cams, arrows, sounds like your having fun though!

chukarchaser · 12-18-2008, 11:18 AM

Yep... love my nikon 8x42 monarch's. Like others have said, very good glass for the $. Also, like others have said, compare prices online. Purchased mine online for $239.00 last year.

Also, great warranty!

CC

goosebware1 · 12-18-2008, 03:06 PM

they are great binos,i have a pair they dont fog up and are very clear

santiam slayer · 12-18-2008, 03:12 PM

been hunting the montana extended elk season in literally sub-zero temperatures and had a pretty good fall through the snow. my 10x42 monarchs have held up great! really good bino's for the price...

SImudBogger · 12-18-2008, 03:25 PM

nikon, leupold, vortex, all make great optics in the $300-$400 range. Just depends on what you like the most after you fondle them.

Jimfisher · 12-18-2008, 05:56 PM

I have a pair of zen-ray VISTA binoculars and absolutely love it: compact, sharp and build like a rock. http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.p...roducts_id=206. They are the site sponsor and got a lot of good reviews.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=218317

Or you should take a serious look of SUMMIT, a lot of features were packed in that gear. http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.p...roducts_id=181