Nikon Binoculars

Nikon's roof-prism binoculars climb a ladder, and each rung adds one identifiable thing. The Prostaff P3 models ($160 to $170) are waterproof roofs with plain prisms and no ED glass. The Prostaff P7 ($220 for the 8x42) adds phase-corrected prisms and a locking diopter. The Monarch M5 brings ED glass, the Monarch M7 widens the view sharply (435 ft at 1,000 yds on the 8x42, against 335 ft on the M5 8x42), and the Monarch HG wraps the top optics in a magnesium-alloy body, at $1,090 for the 8x42. The OceanPro 7x50 sits off the ladder as a nitrogen-filled marine porro with 22.7mm of eye relief.

Four of the Nikon porros are no longer part of Nikon's US range: the Aculon A211 8x42 and 10x50 and the Action EX 8x40 and 10x50. They stay on this site for reference, and Nikon's Canadian site still sells newer Action and Aculon models, but a US shopper choosing a current Nikon should start at the Prostaff P3.

Owners describe the P7 8x42 as the value point of the range: its center sharpness runs close to the Monarch M5, and its wider field beats the M5 on paper, though some units ship with a gritty focus wheel. The M5's narrow field is the complaint that follows it everywhere, and birders who chase moving subjects tend to move up to the M7 rather than live with it. The M7 line's known weakness is a veiling glare when viewing toward bright sky. HG owners mention a slightly warm color cast against Zeiss and Swarovski, and covers and a case that do not match the price.

Two things to check before buying. Eye relief drops from 20.2mm on the P3 and P7 8x42s to 15.7mm on their 10x42 siblings, which catches glasses wearers who assume the pair share an eyepiece. And Nikon's US warranty covers the optical system for the product's lifetime but non-optical parts for seven years, only for the original buyer with a receipt from an authorized dealer, and excludes accidents, which makes a used Nikon a different proposition from a used pair under a transferable no-fault policy.