Nikon ATB

[HntnFsh]

Lot better glass out there for the $

I know of a couple of lesser known brands that blow them out of the water.  Just not much of a fan of Monarchs.

[7mag.]

I was torn between the 10x42 Monarch ATB's and the Leupold Cascades 10x42 when I was shopping. They are very similar, but to me, comparing them side by side, outside, I thought the Leupolds were clearer and brighter. I had a couple of friends with me and they felt the same. They are pretty much the same price and size. Although, I have heard other guys say the opposite, so, compare all the bino's in your price range and make up your own mind, they are for you to use.

[Intruder]

Lot better glass out there for the $
I know of a couple of lesser known brands that blow them out of the water.  Just not much of a fan of Monarchs.

I was torn between the 10x42 Monarch ATB's and the Leupold Cascades 10x42 when I was shopping. They are very similar, but to me, comparing them side by side, outside, I thought the Leupolds were clearer and brighter. I had a couple of friends with me and they felt the same. They are pretty much the same price and size. Although, I have heard other guys say the opposite, so, compare all the bino's in your price range and make up your own mind, they are for you to use.

I tend to agree with both of these posts.  Shop around a little and make sure you compare not only the price but the optical quality, the warranties, the feel and comfort, and weight.  I'm not saying Monarch are bad... just think there are better values.  Kind of a situation where: either pay a lil' more and get way better or pay the same or less and get a lil better.   

I don't know your needs but I would also suggest maybe going with lower power.  As an all around bino 8x42 are probably the most versatile.  If you hunt a lot of open country 10s are about is high as I'd ever recommend or personally use myself.  60% of the time I think 8s are the way to go.     

[Bean Counter]

I'm happy with my camo Monarch 8x42s but admittedly didn't get to do an overwhelming amount of research before buying.  I got mine a few years ago from some knife store via Froogle for only $250.  If I lost mine today, I'd consider replacing them, but I'mreally curious to see how those Leupold Mojave's stack up 

[Intruder]

I'm happy with my camo Monarch 8x42s but admittedly didn't get to do an overwhelming amount of research before buying.  I got mine a few years ago from some knife store via Froogle for only $250.  If I lost mine today, I'd consider replacing them, but I'mreally curious to see how those Leupold Mojave's stack up 

Is the Mojave the new open frame design ones?  My buddy just bought a pair of the open frames and they're damn nice. 

[Bean Counter]

Yep. I'm guessing they're trying to imitate Swaro ELs or something. I'm sure they're not quite up there but just wondering how close they get.

[Steve C]

For the same money as the Mojave, go to the Zen Ray site and order a ZEN ED.  The Mojave is a nice binocular, but not in the same league as the ZEN.  The ZEN ED will absolutely compare image wise to the Swarovski, or any other top end glass.  That might seem a stretch to some, but all you have to do is  take a look through the ZEN, and it will become pretty obvious.  The immediate thing is the 85' wider field of view in the ZEN (426 vs 341).  The next thing you will notice is the far better resolution of the ZEN.

For that matter the ZRS HD will pretty well best a Monarch in just about any characteristic you care to name.  This from a long term Monarch owner, who still has them, but they have not been used in a while.

[7mag.]

Where can you go to look through some Zen-Ray's?

[Steve C]

Well maybe Charles will speak up here, but Zen Ray has a 30 day-money-back-if-not-satisfied policy.  So I'd order them and that way, be careful with them and compare with what you can.  I seriously doubt you will send them back.  There does not seem to be a phone number, but they have a pretty amazing response to e-mail time.  Send it today, you may well get the reply today.

[ZRS-8x42]

You can order directly from us http://www.zen-ray.com/store. 

Hunting-Washington's online store also carries our products. I would encourage you to visit there and purchase through Ray so a portion of the sales can be used to support this great community.

https://hunting-washington.com/zen/

[KillBilly]

I will definately vouch for the Zen Products. Charles has let me field test every Bino they have. I find them to be excellent glass, good clarity, great light gathering, field of view, etc. I settled on the Zen EDs. I don't believe you can get a better optic for the money and they do compare with what the supposed best are.

If you live close the Oly/Lacey area I can let you take a look at mine...

[yelloweyenw]

I purchased a set of Nikon Monarch's 2 years ago. After last season, the eyecups wouldn't turn in or out any more. Discovered that the eyecups were completely plastic, even where they screw onto the lenses. I use mine hard, and apparently any grit or dirt will bind them up. Of course, we don't have any dirt or grit where I hunt! I fought with them for 4 months to just send me new eyecups. They never would. I finally had to send the whole bino in.

Nikon sent me a new set, but they appear to have the same cheap, plastic eyecups, even though the guys in the parts department told me they knew this was a problem. Although I appreciate them replacing them, what happens when the the eyecups on this set fails. Do I have to send them in every 2 years? They didn't have any answer for me on that.

I would avoid the Monarchs until they change the eyecups.

Not that I'm bitter or anything...................