Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
The box contains the binocular, a nylon carry pouch, a padded shoulder strap for the binocular, a bikini eyepiece cover and removable objective caps.

Specs for the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7 prismatic binocular are excellent: ED glass, a lightweight, tough and rubberized polycarbonate body, wide angle FOV, extended eye relief, fully coated lenses, and PC (Phase Corrected) and coated prisms.

The Monarch 7 uses a Schmidt-Pechan roof prism, in this case made of BaK-4 glass that features multilayer dielectric and phase-correction coatings, and all air to glass surfaces in the lens elements are multilayer coated, with the external surface of the objective lenses also treated with a scratch resistant coating. 

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
The nylon carry pouch is of a lower than expected quality, with no carry sling and simple Velcro closure

We found the design of this binocular to be extremely light and very ergonomic, albeit the esthetics may not be universally appreciated, it is either ‘you love it’, or ‘hate it’; the rubber material used seems to be of good quality and features a great grip, while the 3D surface allows the user to manipulate and operate confidently the instrument with a single hand. The large focus knob feedback is positive, smooth and precise, although one and a quarter clockwise full rotation is needed to focus from the minimum focusable distance (an excellent 2 m) to infinity. Build quality is lower than expected, though, with the rubber armor that is not perfectly fitted to the body. 

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
The large focus knob is a pleasure to use, being smooth and precise; one and a quarter clockwise full rotation is needed to focus from 2 m to infinity
Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
Eyepieces feature extendable eyecups; eye relief is only 15.9mm, which is not enough, in our opinion, to deserve the High Eyepoint designation
Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
Although the design of this binocular is extremely light and very ergonomic, we did not find the the esthetics really appealing

Creaking sounds accompany the adjustment of the interpupillary distance. Also, we did not like too much the diopter adjustment ring on the right eyepiece, which moves the outer lens; it works well, it does not feature any lock – although it does take some effort to move, so we’re confident it will hold its setting - and feedback is not very satisfying, with plenty of creep and a bit of backlash.

The measured eye relief is a quite standard 15,9 mm; considering the “high eyepoint design” claim, we would have expected more. This would not translate well for prescription glasses users: as a matter of fact, the measured FOV observable with spectacles in this case is only about 82%, but out of the Nikon’s excellent 8° FOV, making it a respectable 6,5° usable. The eyepieces are protected by four position, telescopic rubberized eyecups.

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
In the field, the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7 binocular performs reasonably well; the rubber armor and lightweight, totally sealed Polycarbonate frame, together with the Nitrogen filling, makes it also a quite reliable instrument in adverse weather
Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
The external surface of the objective lenses are treated with a scratch resistant coating.

On the positive side, the field of view is indeed very wide for this class of binoculars, a hair-width below the claimed 8°, with a measured 138 m FOV at 1000 m.

The box is standard Nikon, with the usual gold-black color scheme. It contains the 8x42 binocular, a barely passable nylon carry pouch with a plain Velcro flap and no provisions for a carry sling, a padded shoulder strap for the binocular, a bikini eyepiece cover and removable objective caps.

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7
The diopter adjustment ring on the right eyepiece is very stiff, with plenty of creep and a bit of backlash. Once set it will not move, though.

In our subjective test, the Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7 binocular performs reasonably well; the image is very sharp, with excellent contrast and neutral color, very low chromatic aberrations and limited fringing.

Perceived veiling glare and some internal reflections do tend to wash out the image in some instances during harsh daylight, an impression that has been confirmed by the laboratory tests measured values.

Geometric distortions are noticeable over the peripheral 25-30% area near the edge, so is some darkening at the edge, together with a slight focus reduction; in the end, all this is more than bearable, especially considering the very wide field of view of this instrument and its street price.

Binocular roundup

The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42

The Minox HG 8x43

The Leica 8x42 Trinovid

The Docter Optik 8x42 ED

The Leupold 8x42 McKinley 

The Meopta Meostar B1 8x42

NIKONDATA TABLE

Nikon 8x42 Monarch 7Franco Palamaro

 Nikon 8 x 42 Monarch 7
€ 599,00 (VAT 19%, German market)
ManufacturerNikon
www.nikon.com
ModelNikon 8 x 42 Monarch 7
TypeBinoculars
Magnification8x Fixed magnification, 
Objective diameter42 mm
Eye relief17,1 mm
Exit pupil5,3 mm
Diopter AdjustmentN.A.
FeaturesNitrogen filled, Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms, 140m/1000m FOV, 
Twilight  factor: 17,1
Dimensions
(H x B x T):
140 x 130 x 54 mm
Weight650 g 
MaterialsGFK (Polycarbonate)
Notes