I have acquired 5 binoculars, of various but reasonably similar powers, and decided to do a sit down test of all of them at one time. I figured this was better than just writing individual reviews of each as a binocular can seem quite good in the absence of anything to compare it to. I was primarily interested in if they are able to keep the whole field in focus, ie when it is focused on the center of the field are the outside edges in focus. I was also interested in chromatic aberration. These are the binoculars I tested in order of quality:
NIKON Monarch M5 8x42
12x42 Powerful Binoculars with Clear Weak Light Vision Adorrgon
IBQ Binoculars For Adults HD,12x50 High Power Binoculars Sold by: IBQ Tech
15x52 HD Binoculars for Adults High Powered with Upgraded Phone Adapter - GIGAPENGUIN
IBQ Binoculars For Adults HD,12x30 Binoculars with Upgraded Phone AdapterSold by: IBQ Center
My test was to attempt to focus on some willow trees with fine branches and fine leaves set against a white background of clouds. This I figured was excellent for figuring out if they had a clear field of view from edge to edge. I was also good to see if they had a chromatic aberration issue. I would inspect the interfaces of the branches and the clouds and look for color at the edges this would get obvious if you went a little bit out of focus you see a rainbow reddish color at the edges which indicates chromatic aberration which is not good. By far the best were the Nikon Monarch M5 Binoculars 8×42 6.4° field of view. The one I tested it runs about $250 but can often be obtained for around $200 in the “used like new” category. All the others were much less expensive but frankly so much worse that they are not worth buying with one possible exception namely the 12X42 from Adorrgon. I would say 80% of the field of view was focused with the Monarch which also gets good ratings on birding websites and was the favorite of the group for a South African safari we recently went on. The 12 x 42 Adorrgon was OK, I would say it was focusing about 60% of the field of view was in focus was in focus when you focus on the edge, the third was the 12×50 from IBQ. It was getting to the level of unacceptable with only about 40% of the field in focus. The fourth on my list was the most recent purchase Gigapenguin 15 x 52 with about 30% of the field of view in focus but even then the focus was uneven and showed muddy colors. For all except the Nikon monarch, the cases had a cheap feel. Overall, all but Nikon showed a lot of spheric aberration in other words if you were a little bit out of focus, you saw these rainbows on the edges of the leaves and branches and they were muddy overall. One important point is that the monarch was only 8 power, with the others having higher powers up to 15 power. Generally, I think people pick binoculars thinking that the higher power the better. This is usually not correct, the higher the power generally the more the issues you have with them optically they are also the heavier, longer and they are and have a shallower field of focus and are harder to get a good focus all the way across. Number five on my list was the 12 x 30 IBQ. I couldn't get the entire field in focus at all about 30% was in focus. For this and the Gigapenguin you couldn't even focus on the edge of the field. If you would take your eye and look at the edge of the field and try to bring it into focus and that wasn't possible so it means that there's bad optics to the binocular overall. I would say that the only binocular of these six worth purchasing with the Nikon monarch M5. They do a complete set of these various powers and fields of view, mine 8 x 42 is really nice solid binocular. It cost about three to five times what the others cost. This second one was the 12x42 Adorrgon which was acceptable and a whole lot cheaper than the Nikon at $40-$48 and none of the rest really are worth purchasing at all IMO.
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This Item  Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Binocular | Waterproof, fogproof, Rubber-Armored Binocular with ED Glass, Long Eye Relief, Limited Official Nikon USA Model |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -11% $256.95 List: $289.95 | -10% $256.95 List: $286.95 | -11% $266.95 List: $299.95 | -16% $116.95 List: $139.95 | -10% $296.95 List: $329.95 | -17% $156.95 List: $189.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Monday, May 20 | — |
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| Sold By | Amazon.com | 17Photo, Electronics and Outdoors | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Focus Camera LLC | Green Mountain Camera |
| field of view | 335 feet | 48.2 degrees | 293 feet | 377 feet | 267 feet | 377 feet |
| focus type | Center Focus | — | Center Focus | Center Focus | Center Focus | Center Focus |
| apparent angle of view | 48.2 degrees | — | 52.1 degrees | 53.4 degrees | 56.2 degrees | 53.4 degrees |
| lens coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Phase Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Multilayer-coated | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully multicoated lenses |
| eye relief | 19.5 millimeters | 19.5 millimeters | 18.4 millimeters | 20.2 millimeters | 15.1 millimeters | 20.2 millimeters |
| exit pupil diameter | 5.3 millimeters | 5.3 millimeters | 4.2 millimeters | 5 millimeters | 3.5 millimeters | 5.3 millimeters |
From the manufacturer
Champion of dawn & dusk.
Some of the most exciting moments happen in the magical light of dawn and dusk. Monarch M5 binoculars are built for these moments. Large 42mm objectives with a generous field of view gather more of the scene and more of what you're out there to experience. Adjustable turn-and-slide eyecups with long eye relief make these the most comfortable Monarch binoculars yet. Nikon’s renowned ED glass reduces chromatic aberration while the dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coatings ensure superior light transmittance; resulting in brighter images and more natural colors. In addition, phase-corrected coatings are also applied to prism surfaces to increase image resolution. The result? Better, more clear and brighter optics to take your adventure to new heights.
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True colors. Maximum resolution.The roof prisms on Monarch M5 binoculars have a phase-corrected coating applied to prism surfaces for higher resolutions. This is a view you have to see to believe. |
Advanced multilayer coating.Applied to all lens and prism surfaces, a dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating ensures superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range, resulting in brighter images and more natural colors. |
ED glass. The difference is clear.Used in many premium Nikon optics, from camera lenses to spotting scopes, Nikon’s ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass virtually eliminates common distortion, chromatic aberrations and color fringing. The result? Clear high-resolution views in nearly any lighting condition. |
Close, smooth focusing.Get as close as 8.2-ft. from your subject, for striking high-detailed views. The large, smooth-spinning central focus knob makes it easy to precisely adjust focus. |
Wider view. Easier spotting.
Monarch M5 binoculars deliver a wider field of view than their predecessors. Seeing more detail and viewing more of the scene makes it easier to locate your subject within the binoculars, key when spotting birds and wildlife amid trees and landscapes.
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Leave your glasses on.Nikon’s comfortable high-eyepoint design leaves sufficient space between your brow and the eyecups for a clear field of view, even when you’re wearing glasses. |
Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups.Convenient turn-and-slide operation makes it easy to get the durable rubber eyecups right where you want them for maximum comfort and field of view. |
Tough skinned.An enhanced rubber-armored body provides non-slip grip and protection from bumps and bruises. |
Waterproof and fogproof.Nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed for fog-free performance. Keep your optics clear when you need them most. |
Compact and lightweight.
Starting at just 22.2 ounces (8x42 model), Monarch M5 binoculars are compact and lightweight—ready to travel with you anywhere.
Reviews with images
Eye piece broke off, possibly from being sat on, so be careful.
Great for birdwatching.
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Amazon Customer
Very happy with this purchase.
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2023Size: 8x42Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2023
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Sreenath
Excellent....
Reviewed in India on September 29, 2023Size: 12x42Verified Purchase
Sreenath
Reviewed in India on September 29, 2023
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