Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: littlebuf on April 10, 2009, 09:39:32 PM

Title: Nikon ATB
Post by: littlebuf on April 10, 2009, 09:39:32 PM: im needing some new bino's and i think ive settled on nikon atb monarchs (camo of coarse) in 10x42 or 12 by 54 (i think 54 is right) you guys have any experiences or comments on these. ive looked threw them and i like um but at 350 to 400 $ i want to know if there worth it, thanks
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Jason on April 10, 2009, 09:45:23 PM: my buddy has the 12x54 and he loves them, good binos for the price, only bad thing is they are heavy at 44 or 46oz.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: littlebuf on April 10, 2009, 09:50:33 PM: did you ever sell your 270 ?
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Jason on April 10, 2009, 10:05:15 PM: Quote from: littlebuf on April 10, 2009, 09:50:33 PM
did you ever sell your 270 ?

yes to Duckfvr.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: PacificNWhunter on April 11, 2009, 09:04:49 PM: I have the Monarchs in the 10x42 and really like them. They are a great glass for the price, clear sight even in low light. The only thing I don't love are the eye cups, after awhile they bother me. Other then that I have no complaints.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: lazydrifter on April 11, 2009, 09:27:43 PM: Go to Camera Land Inc. Doug has the Monarch ATB in 10X56 camo in the Demo's for 249.00. I think I saw the 10X42 for 199.00.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: GoldTip on April 12, 2009, 11:41:06 AM: I have the 10x42 Monarch ATB's in camo and have been very happy with them for the price.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: huntnfmly on April 12, 2009, 11:50:36 AM: I just bought the 10x56 monarchs they are great binos and very bright
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Huntbear on April 12, 2009, 12:40:59 PM: After doing a lot of research, in that price range, those are the binos I am putting on my list of items to get before hunting starts.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: littlebuf on April 12, 2009, 04:19:44 PM: Quote from: Huntbear on April 12, 2009, 12:40:59 PM
After doing a lot of research, in that price range, those are the binos I am putting on my list of items to get before hunting starts.

that's what ive been leaning towards also, i just wanted to bounce it off you guys first. im pretty sure im sold on um
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Steve C on April 13, 2009, 10:36:54 AM: FWIW, I have had a Monarch 8x42 since they came out. I think they are over rated. I have had two pair and the second was better than the first, but I still have the same objection. I liked mine for awhile, but they quickly will show a shallow depth of field, narrow field of view and their colors leave something to be desired. Their resolution at the outer limits of their magnification can also be improved as compared to s better similar priced binocular such as a Vortex Fury. I also much prefer the ZRS 8x42, or the 8x42 Vortex Diamondback to my Monarch. But they are OK for the money and will work. Just don't compare them against much else in a meaningful way. :twocents:
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 13, 2009, 10:50:49 AM: I've got the Nikon Monarch ATB's 10 x 42 and I love em. Real clear and work great in low light. I would suggest camera land as well as a place to check out first. I got mine at Cabela's but you can get them cheaper if you look around.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Stevo539 on April 14, 2009, 09:17:18 AM: My advice (for what it's worth) is don't scrimp on optics. Get something YOU are satisfied with. The more quality you can afford the better. You will never regret investing in high quality optics......unless you forget them haging in a tree someplace. That'll make you regret it. Nikons are good glass. Check out lots of models before you buy preferably side by side comparisons in low light.

Steve
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Jason on April 14, 2009, 09:23:16 AM: check Sportsmans Warehouse they have a bunch of bino's on clearance, I picked up a pair of 12x50 Burris Signature Selects on clearance for $429 reg $569 they had two pairs of 10x50 for $419 and a bunch of other brands and models.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: columbiaman on April 14, 2009, 03:27:05 PM: Have owned Nikon Monarch ATB, Zenray VISTA and ZRS, I think a proper order should be ZRS>>ATB~VISTA. The clarity is very similar between VISTA and Monarch. Both are blown away by ZRS.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: HntnFsh on May 07, 2009, 08:24:49 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: 7mag. on May 07, 2009, 11:50:30 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Intruder on May 13, 2009, 08:43:44 AM: Quote from: HntnFsh on May 07, 2009, 08:24:49 PM
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.
Quote from: 7mag. on May 07, 2009, 11:50:30 PM
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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Bean Counter on May 14, 2009, 07:54:39 AM: 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 :drool:
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Intruder on May 14, 2009, 11:18:49 AM: Quote from: Bean Counter on May 14, 2009, 07:54:39 AM
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 :drool:

Is the Mojave the new open frame design ones? My buddy just bought a pair of the open frames and they're damn nice.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Bean Counter on May 14, 2009, 12:11:17 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Steve C on May 14, 2009, 12:25:18 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: 7mag. on May 14, 2009, 12:27:20 PM: Where can you go to look through some Zen-Ray's?
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: Steve C on May 14, 2009, 01:06:25 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: ZRS-8x42 on May 14, 2009, 11:44:02 PM: 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/
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: KillBilly on May 15, 2009, 05:38:32 AM: 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...
Title: Re: Nikon ATB
Post by: yelloweyenw on June 20, 2009, 02:36:56 PM: 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...................