Field & Stream magazine has announced that Nikon's MONARCH HG binocular has been named the winner of its 2017 BEST of the TEST AWARD.
This award is a testament to the engineering objective for the MONARCH HG to meet all standards of quality, performance and ruggedness. The binocular integrates Nikon's renowned ED glass and Field Flattener lens system for exceptional high-resolution viewing.
AT A GLANCE
- Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Objectives
- Phase-Corrected Roof Prisms
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Wide 69° Apparent Angle of View
- Nitrogen-Filled, Water and Fogproof
- Short, Closed Bridge Configuration
- Lightweight and Strong Magnesium Chassis
- Large Centre Focusing Knob
- Tripod Mountable with Optional Adaptor
- Twist-Up Eyecups/Locking Diopter
DESCRIPTION
Taking its place at the top of Nikon's flagship series, the 10x42 Monarch HG Binocular is engineered with complementary technologies to produce an optic that is built to perform in low-light conditions and in the harshest conditions. First is the use of lead and arsenic-free extra-low dispersion (ED) glass in the lens elements to correct chromatic and spherical aberrations. Next are phase-corrected and dielectric coated prisms which further limit internal light loss and diffraction, and improve image contrast. The optical path is fully multi-coated with anti-reflection coatings which increase light transmission, image contrast and sharpness, and provide true colour rendition. Finally is the use of Nikon's field-flattener system, which eliminates the distortion common at the lens edges, producing crisp details along the far periphery of the wide field of view. This all translates to bright and clear, high-contrast images with accurate colour across the field of view - especially at low-light such as dawn and dusk, and heavily overcast skies.
The chassis is built with a short bridge design which presents more gripping surface, and helps to reduce the overall weight. Made to live a life outdoors, the optical tubes are nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed to make them not only fogproof when moving between extreme temperature changes, but also waterproof. The exterior has textured, rubberised panels that protect against knocks and drops, and offers a slip-resistant grip for sure handling in cold and wet conditions. Nikon includes tethered objective lens covers and ocular rainguard to ensure they cannot be lost easily and are ready for use at a moment's notice.
Optical Performance
- 10x magnification
- 42mm objective lenses
- Compact roof prisms
- Extra-low dispersion glass reduces chromatic and spherical aberrations for increased contrast, improved colour rendition, and sharpness without distortion across the entire field of view
- Dielectric-coated prisms reduce internal light diffraction and improve light transmission through the light path for accurate colour fidelity and contrast
- Anti-reflection, fully multi-coated optics produce bright, high-resolution images
- Field-flattener lens system corrects lens-edge distortion for clearer views at the edge of the field of view
- 362' field of view at 1000 yards
- Wide 69° apparent angle of view
- Long 17mm eye relief
- Comfortable 4.2mm exit pupil
Use and Handling
- Short, single-bridge design
- Large centre focusing knob
- Locking right-eye dioptric maintains your personal setting
- Broad 56-74mm interpupillary distance adjustment range
- Twist-up rubber eyecups for comfortable use with or without eyewear
- Tripod mountable with optional adaptor
Construction Details
- Lightweight and strong magnesium alloy chassis
- Slim body profile, short bridge, protective rubber panels provide ample room for a secure and comfortable grip in all conditions
- Scratch-resistant coatings on objective and eyepiece lenses
- Nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed to produce a waterproof rating that assures fogproof performance at extreme altitudes
- Environmentally-friendly lead and arsenic-free glass used in all lenses and prisms
- Tethered objective lens caps and one-piece ocular rain guard
SPECIFICATIONS
Prism Type Roof
Magnification 10x
Objective Lens Diameter 42mm
Angle of View 6.9° (actual)
Field-of-View 362.0' @ 1000 yd / 120.2 m @ 1000 m
Minimum Focus Distance 6.6' / 2.01 m
Exit Pupil Diameter 4.2 mm
Eye Relief 17.0 mm
Interpupillary Adjustment 56.0 - 74.0 mm / 2.2 - 2.9"
Dioptric Correction Not Specified By Manufacturer
Focus Type Centre
Tripod Mount Yes (Adaptor Optional)
Dimensions 5.7 x 5.2" / 14.48 x 13.21 cm
Weight 24 oz / 680 g