Hey,
I'm looking for a new pair of binoculars. The magnification should be either 7 or 8,5 X. The price should be $250-350. I have earlier owned a Baush and Lomb Discoverer 7x42. Looking for something similar. How are the Nikon Monarch in comparison to the Bausch and Lomb Discoverer(Bushnell) or the Zeiss Conquest?

Anybody owne a Nikon Monarch 8,5x56?
Any recommendations?

greetings JTK

Have you thought about the Swift Audubon binoculars? The price is in range. You can get a porro prism model 820, or a roof prism model 828, . Either are 8.5x44. They are highly rated by birdwatchers. These folks seem to know optics pretty well. i have an older pair of 7x35's that are extremely crisp and sharp.

I would concur with the Swift Audubon HHS 828 8.5x44mm roof prism binoculars, they are probably the best you can find for under $350. The new Pentax DCF WP II 8x42mm should also get consideration. I would stay away from the Nikon Monarch ATBs, Chinese crap. OK, I'll duck now.

JTK,

You've already received some great advice from Joe & Jack.....the Swift products are enjoying good reviews as a quality optic.

In addition to the hunters you trying to canvas, as J & J stated I'd look on the Birdwatching websites for a binocular that fits your price range, power range, their reputation (durability & warranty) from a reputable company and especially the physical attritubes to hold up under years of solid use. Hunting optics could be subject to more absue than perhaps what Bird Watchers subject their optics to also. I would also seriously consider the availabilty and Customer Service of products from your home country. Many examples of poor Customer Service & reposnse have been noted on this topic here (read griff's posting as an example). Every glass I have ever used in my 40+ years of military service and hunting has been eventually returned to the manufacturer for adjustment or repair; not because I abuse the optics but because I use them EVERY day under a wide spectrum of conditions where weather, heat, cold, rain, snow, travel from airplanes, boats, horses, jeeps, Quads, bicycles, including the care & mainteneance have all played a role.

I use a range of binoculars from various branded name manufacturers for specific purposes and have found you get what you pay for. Zeiss, Optolyth and Steiner get my vote for my uses and value for money. For the under $350.00 I have two pairs of Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine that are in daily use and never leave my vehicles, they aren't often considered in the superior optic quality class but for banging around in the truck and the abuse they endure they are a superior product IMO and that for a lot less than $350.00.

Have fun making a solid selection.

You might take a look at the IOR line ...

I own both a 10x50 and a 7x40 ...
Believe me, they are almost indestructible and optically second to none

Look here only their specs - prices can be found much cheaper elsewhere (something around $400 for the 10x50 and $300 for the 7x40) ...

http://www.valdada.com/vn/ior/01?token=APFLu7KfKaaziow95KNqgQ

In case you might be interested, here is where I bought my binos .... nothing but praises to be said about Jim Maloney (not living in USA, I was quite worried about posting international orders ... at the end I couldn´t be more satisfied with the service I was given )

http://www.varminthunters.com/qualityoptics/

Hey,
thanks for the comments. I have been thinking about Gerry's commet. Buying a scope in the US, I have to på about 40-45% on top of the price for shipping and taxes. So I got a good deal on a Leica Geovid 8x42. The budget is a little bit higher than I was thinking.

JTK.

JTK, the Geovid's you got are just plain awesome. I have a lot of high end glass, and Leica's are my go to bino's. I have a pair of the rangefinding 10x42's, and that's all I carry if I might need rangefinding in the mix.

Optically the Leica's are just great.

Congrats on your purchase--Don

Well after using Rick 0311's Steiners Bios I knew my old POS were out of date. So I started looking and found the Nikon Buckmaster 8X36 to be a Hell of a deal. Real clear and 4.5 mm eye pupil exit. Not as tough as Ricks but I have been impressed With how much light they gather. Other tried to get me to get the 10x36 with 3.3 eye exit but I like 7X or 8X and not the big ass 10 or 12 X. Thanks for the use of yours and your post about optics. I Got a lot out of them.

Yea, these were $ 125 shipped with the 4.5 mm exit and good eye relief.

There are many great options in quality binoculars under $350.00. Nikon, Pentax, Minox, just to name a few.
The new Nikon Monarch x56 should be out in the next 2-3 weeks.