Nikon Monarch 5 20 x 56 Binoculars- Black

This review is given on the basis that the binoculars were purchased for daylight observation in good light.I'm giving these 5 stars on the basis of value and performance when compared to similar mag/objective dia binoculars from Swaro, Zeiss, Leica and Vortex. Swaro 15x56's are high at £1700+ and the only comparative 20x56's are Vortex Kaibab (£1300) which you will be lucky to see other than by special order in the UK. I have been told on the quiet than Canon IS binoculars are not well made at all.Optically these Nikons are good. The image to the limb (edge is good) and whilst you may need to refocus slightly to see detail at the edge you will get sharpness with no noticeable colour fringing.I bought them for observation over long periods to 1000yds or more. Having tested them looking towards an area that is 1040yds away, from a resting position I feel confident that I could tell you what sort of meal a picnic'er is having for lunch - and probably the brand of the can of drink they're having from it's colour. You will need a damped rest such as a bean bag, a good tripod or triple sticks to do this.Mid range to long range focus is only a couple of o'clock positions on the focus knob but this is the same on a pair of Zeiss Victorys I have. The diopter holds well and the focusser is fine - I have heard some stories of them being over stiff and having backlash as you focus through an object and back but this pair do not suffer from the same problem.I have other Nikon Monarch glass and the quality seems consistent. I think Nikon have kept true to the optics and the budget is in the build.The carcass seems perfectly robust and well made, although the rubber skin is a little slack fitting. I can't knock the build though in terms of finish or robustness given you are getting HD glass for £600.The eye relief will be a problem for glasses wearers if you need them for binoculars. I do not need glasses and I still have to have the eyecups all the way in.All in all you get what you pay for. Premium optics will be magnesium bodied, excellent after service (Swaro), lighter, etc. etc. With these 20x56 Nikon have given you good ED glass with an acceptable body. So far the views have been very good and these represent excellent value. I don't regret the purchase. Just watch the eye relief issue!

Excellent piece of kit, great image and fantastic build quality. Throughly recommended. Ignore the clearly fake 2 star review.

not as good as it should be,because its nikon,it says 20x56 but i have a kowa which is 8x42 and its much better than that,the price is too much for these binos, its ok for up to a KM,