This is a review of the Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 binocular, which you can purchase at B&H or Amazon.
I’m on a search for an 8×32 binocular, so I am reviewing the candidates in the field. My main comparisons are the Leica Ultravid BR 8×20 or Swarovski 8.5×42 FPro (yes, those are way more expensive than this pair).
I find the Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 marginally useable. I really like the compact size and low weight, and the image quality is good. However, for me, the eye cups do not extend enough and I cannot rest them on the bottom of by eye in addition to the top brow. This reduces the immersive feel and gives some amount of blackout. Once I started holding the eye cups further from my face, I found the blackouts about the same as I get from the Leica 8×20 Ultravid BR, except the Leica are only 2/3 the weight and much smaller. Like the Monarch 5 10×42 I have, the ocular cover is loose fitting. It stays on if you make sure to tension it and have the strap through it, but they are rather loose.
The optics appeared reasonably sharp to me, and they have a very generous 8.3 degree field of view. I could not enjoy it much, however, due to the blackout problems noted above. If they fit your eyes better than mine, I think you would enjoy them.
The M7s are noticeably dimmer in mixed lighting than the Minox BL 8×33 HD. I find the Minox or the Meopta Meopro HD 8×32 more comfortable and much easier on the eyes. I would choose one of these over the M7s.
- Weight: 439 (naked), 475 (with ocular and objective covers)
- Eye cup distance†: (not measured)
- Verdict: Too much flare, I don’t like the feel in hand, and I suffer blackouts with them.
† With the eye cup fully extended, the distance from the top of the eye cup to the ocular glass.