Nikon
Nikon Action EX 8x40
The Nikon Action EX 8x40 is a rugged, waterproof porro prism binocular with an exceptionally wide 430 ft field of view. The 17.2mm eye relief is ideal for eyeglass wearers.
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Specifications
What do these mean? →Field of view, to scale
Why FOV matters →Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Key Features
Owner Insights(110 discussions)
The Nikon Action EX 8x40 is what happens when you take the budget porro formula and fix the two things people complain about: weather sealing and eye relief. Forum users describe the first look through it as an incredible impression - an extra-wide 430 ft field with extremely bright colors - and reviewers call it an outstanding entry-level binocular that's optically good and genuinely weather resistant. It's the workhorse of the Action Extreme line, and it has a loyal following among birders who'd rather have a big honest image than a slim body.
The optical personality is all about that 8.2-degree field: immersive, bright, and easy to find birds in, with a large clear sweet spot - owners who have both say the Action EX beats the cheaper Aculon on eyepieces, sweet spot size, and chromatic aberration control. The trade-off is well documented: sharpness falls off in roughly the outer 20% of the field, which astronomy users notice most on star fields. The 17.2mm eye relief is a standout for eyeglass wearers, and the nitrogen-purged waterproofing means rain is a non-event. The costs are physical: 30.1 oz of boxy porro bulk, and the usual porro caveat that a hard knock can nudge collimation.
This is the right choice for beginning and budget birders, campers, and anyone who wears glasses and wants the widest possible view under $175. Versus the Nikon Aculon A211 it's the buy-once upgrade - waterproofing and eye relief are worth the extra money for anyone who actually goes outdoors in weather. Versus modern ED roof compacts at similar prices, you're trading edge-to-edge polish and portability for brightness, width, and that classic porro depth. If your birding happens on trails and your budget stops before $200, it remains one of the safest picks going.
Pros
- +Exceptionally wide 430 ft (8.2 degree) field of view - forum users describe the view as extra wide with extremely bright colors
- +17.2mm eye relief is outstanding at this price and lets eyeglass wearers see the whole field
- +Fully waterproof, fogproof, and nitrogen purged - real weather sealing that the cheaper Aculon line lacks
- +Owners who have both lines prefer the Action EX over the Aculon: improved eyepieces, a larger and clearer sweet spot, and less chromatic aberration
- +BaK-4 Porro prisms deliver the bright, deep, 3D image quality that makes porros beloved at budget prices
- +Reviewers call it an outstanding entry-level binocular - optically good and robustly weather resistant for the money
- +Rugged rubber-armored body that shrugs off field abuse
- +Tripod adaptable, and the bright wide field makes it a pleasant casual astronomy glass too
Cons
- −Edge sharpness is the known trade-off - astronomy users report stars blurring in roughly the outer 20% of that huge field
- −Heavy for an 8x40 at 30.1 oz - over half a pound more than typical 42mm roof binoculars
- −Classic Porro bulk: wide, boxy, and not remotely pocketable or compact around the neck
- −Porro prisms are more susceptible to going out of collimation if dropped or knocked - owners advise checking alignment on arrival
- −Optics are good but not high-end - no ED glass, so some color fringing appears on high-contrast subjects
- −Newer Chinese-made ED roof binoculars at similar prices have eroded its once-unbeatable value position
- −16.4 ft close focus is poor for butterflies, dragonflies, or feeder-distance birding
- −An aging design in a Nikon lineup that keeps shuffling, so availability and pricing fluctuate
Common Questions
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