nikon 8x30 safari

Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 Binoculars Review

While I have tested lots of compact binoculars over a long time at my outdoor stint and nature watching, these binoculars have somewhat changed my opinion about an optics with a small aperture.

If you don’t want the bulk of your 8X42 or 10X42 binoculars while your next birding, hiking, nature camping trip, An 8x30 or an 8x32 is usually you would like to choose.

Nikon Monarch 7 30mm binoculars are Nikon's first entry into the lower-priced roof prism 32mm market. 

The Nikon announced the 8x30 binocular in the year 2013 and claims the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 as a high performance binocular in a compact body.

Let us see in this detailed review whether it comes at par to our expectations or not.

Here is our take on the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 Binoculars.

• Sophisticated rubber armored exterior design provides shock resistance and a firm comfortable grip
• Locking diopter control maintains your personal setting
• Oil/Water repellent coating - applied to both eyepiece and objective lens surfaces

Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 Binoculars Specifications

Update: a newer model of the monarch m 7 8x30 is available now ..

I felt the new design and enhancements make this next generation M7 worthy of the Monarch name.

Features Of The New M7 8x30

• The newer model includes an additional oil and water repellent coating applied to both the objective and eyepiece lenses. Simply wipe away moisture, fingerprints and smudges.
• The newer M7 model sports a more sleeker body shape which looks premium and stylish in hands.
• The Gold letter Monarch badging has been replaced with the silver colour.
• The newer model features a long eye relief with turn-and-slide eyecups for easy adjustments, a locking diopter, plus a waterproof, fog-proof rubber-armored design.
• The newer M7 has locking diopter adjustment knob, a feature usually only seen in models costing much more.
• Includes neck strap, soft case and 4 lens caps.

My Opinion Of The Newer M7 Models

I would not suggest you to upgrade If you already have the older M7.

The differences are marginal in my view but the newer model looks and finish is premium and feels a satisfactory upgrade over the older models.

If you can spend an extra $90, putting your hands on an upgraded and newer modes feels definitely good.

Check The Newer Version Here-

Build Quality/ What’s in the Case

So, following the legacy of Nikon Optics products, The fit and finish of Monarch 7 8x30 is quite nice and excellent

The binoculars body is made of fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate resin. The barrels are rubber-armored which provides a solid, sturdy feel and, a comfortable grip.

The  focus wheel is also covered by rubber ribs. It's feels smooth and nice to fiddle with these centre wheels. Individual focusing function is available through a snug ring on the right eyepieces.

Multilayered Dielectric coating which has high reflectivity has been applied to the lenses along with Phase correction coating on Prisms. This produces high contrast and well-defined image with high accuracy in color reproduction.

The prism is of roof type and Nikon ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass is used for the lenses.

Rainguard, Caps for both Eyepiece and Objective Lens, Case and, straps are included in the case.

Magnification:

The binoculars have a magnification of 8 times the original size with an objective lens diameter of 30mm.

A 8x30 binocular will work better in low light conditions like dusk or dawn than an 10x30. 8x30 monarchs are a lot brighter than their 10x30 counterparts. Moreover, a lots of birders and outdoor enthusiasts find it difficult to hold a 10x binocular steady enough which is why the 8x ones are more popular.

Field of View

The binoculars provide an astonishingly wide and bright field of view for its weight, which is 435 feet@1000yards.

Also, The angular field of view (real) is a whopping 8.3 degrees which is slightly bigger than the larger aperture Monarch 7 8x42’s and is impressive to me.

The exit pupil at 3.8mm is not the biggest, so you have to be a little more steady.

Moreover, apparent angular field of view is 60.3 degrees which are good enough to find your subject.

The M7 8x30 has 15mm ER, which fairly ok for an 8x30 binoculars. This might work fine depending on the form of the glasses and the prescription of the person.

Also, there are mixed opinions on binoculars fitment while seeing with eye glasses. I have found it comfortable while viewing even with my eye glasses on.

Image Quality &  Performance

30mm objective lenses provide an adequate amount of light transmission.

Although in 8x42 binoculars light transmission will be greater than the 8x30, 8x42 can be much larger and heavier than 8x30 binoculars while you at your next birding trip.

The binoculars provide high optical quality and good performance when compared to its counterparts.

However, There is still significant softening at the edge of the view with some CA present on the edges, but all in all its an enjoyable viewing experience through these binoculars.

Size and Weight Consideration

The binoculars are 4.7 inches long by 4.8 inches wide which makes it compact and easy to carry around.

Weighing only 15.3 ounces the binoculars are one of the lightest 8X30 binoculars in the market.

Options & Alternative

Monarch 7 8x30 compared extremely well with a Swarovski CL Companion 8x30 which are almost 4 times pricier.

However, If you don’t want to compromise on sharpnesss and contrast at all, you can go for Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD Binoculars . Leica’s are german made but are certainly, at a very high price point.

Overall, The Monarch 7 8x30 stands up very well indeed against both those super-expensive binoculars and other competitors in this range.

Pros of Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 Binoculars

• The binoculars are lightweight and compact.
• Good optical quality
• Constructed from a high-quality shockproof material
• fast focus and depth of field is good
• Is waterproof and fog proof
• All its optics are fully multi-coated
• 10-year warranty
• Nice Wide Angle Viewing
• Loose rubber end caps
• Made in China could be a concern for some users
• Image quality suffers in low light

Features of Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 Binoculars

• ED glass for less chromatic aberration and clear image
• 30 mm objective lens
• Roof prism design
• Dielectric high reflective multilayer Coated Lenses for bright & sharp images.
• Phase correction coated roof prisms
• Fogproof/Weatherproof with O-ring sealed and nitrogen gas purging
• Comfortable neck strap
• Eco glass optics which is lead and arsenic-free.
• Twist-up eyecups and tethered objective lens covers

Certainly, these are not cheap, but for the price point it represent an incredible value with its amazing field of view.

When you look around the market at what you can get for that price in an 8x30/32 binocular then there is no comparison.

The binoculars provide a nice balance of quality and value.

Another User’s Review Worth Mentioning

"I have the 8x30. Apart from the small exit pupil, which means you have to place them in a certain way (depending on the structure of your face), which becomes second nature after a while, they are superb optically, small, light, amazingly bright and sharp and no sign of false color, lovely wide field.....I sometimes wonder should I have gone for the 42mm but these 30mm bins go everywhere walking with me attached to my belt, whereas a larger 42mm glass would probably be left at home. I believe you could pay twice as much and you'd only get a very slight improvement over these, in fact, most people would be pushed to really see any improvement".

The binoculars provide one of the best options for bird watchers and nature lovers in its price range and size.

Anything larger than this device can be too heavy and bulky for backpacking for your next adventure.

They are significantly lighter than most binoculars with similar optical quality and have significantly better optics than most binoculars of similar weight.

In Short: The Monarch 7 8x30 is neither the best nor the worst you can get in this size, but for its price, it is well built, light and compact and offers quite a reasonable performance.

Nikon Monarch 7 8x30  Binoculars Review

 Oudoor Wildlife Observation

 Bird Watching

 Build Quality

If you love being outdoors, and want to carry easy, light, portable set of binoculars to scan a large area Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 is you would like to choose.

Interesting Read- best pocket binoculars  

You might be interested in:

Nikon Monarch 7 10×30 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 7 8×42 Binoculars Review

Check Comparison: Nikon Monarch 7 8×30 Vs 10×30

You might be interested in the comparison: Nikon Prostaff vs Monarch

Last update on 2024-03-18

"Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and Just loves everything about binoculars. Since his childhood he has been a fan of optical gadgets & going into the Jungle with his uncle was his favorite pastime. Besides, He loves watching & studying birds & animals. He is a mechanical engineering graduate and New Jersey Resident. He loves to review binoculars and related optical Instruments and loves testing each one of them." When he is not fiddling with one of his binoculars, you can find him playing his favorite sport Pickleball."

You’re statement about light transmission being better on 10 x 30 than 8x 30 is incorrect.

“A 10×30 binocular will work better in low light conditions like dusk or dawn than an 8×30 bu…”

Its things like this that don’t lend itself to a credible review. Also 15mm eye relief is actually above average

That’s not what he said.

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Key Features

• Wide apparent field of view (62.6° for 8x30)
• High-reflectivity silver-alloy mirror coating applied on the mirror surfaces of the prisms for a bright and clear view
• Multilayer-coated lenses for bright images
• Long eye relief design ensures a clear field of view, even for eyeglass wearers
• Lead- and arsenic-free glass is used for all lenses and prisms
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click facilitate easy positioning of eyes at the correct eyepoint
• Waterproof (up to 1m/3.3 ft. for 10 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas
• Rubber armouring for shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip
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• Note: Apparent field of view is calculated based on the ISO14132-1:2002 standard. For details, click here.
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Nikon 8x30 Monarch M7 Waterproof Roof Prism Binocular with 8.3 Degree Angle of View, Black

Discount will be reflected in Cart

Key Features

• High-performance Monarch M7 8x30 Waterproof Roof Prism Binoculars for clear, detailed viewing
• Features an 8x magnification and 30mm objective diameter for a wide field of view
• Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating for brighter images and natural colors
• Comfortable high-eyepoint design with turn-and-slide rubber eyecups for easy adjustments
• Durable, waterproof, and fog proof with a rubber-armored body for outdoor use
• Magnification : 8x

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About nikon monarch m7.

Featured Reviews

Solid standard

By RumbleStiltzkin

Clear wide field of view. Solid construction. Rubber coating. Reasonable features with strap. Bag not water proof. Rei purchased.

Safari worthy binoculars

By ROBERT F.

This is a replacement pair for a lion researcher buddy. Lions are known for hiding in sight, and the excellent visual acuity helps explain why the hair is standing up on the back of his neck.

Why settle for less when you can experience the pinnacle of optical excellence with the Monarch M7 8x30 Waterproof Roof Prism Binoculars? This compact, high-quality device is the latest addition to the Monarch family, known for their superior performance and reliability. With an impressive 8x magnification and 30mm objective diameter, these binoculars offer an astoundingly wide field of view of 435 feet at 1,000 yards, making it easier to spot birds and wildlife amid landscapes. The Monarch M7 8x30 binoculars are designed with Nikon's renowned optical system, featuring ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass that virtually eliminates common distortion, chromatic aberrations, and color fringing. This results in clear, high-resolution views in nearly any lighting condition. The roof prisms are coated with a phase-corrected coating for higher resolutions, ensuring you get a view that is truly breathtaking. These binoculars also feature a dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating applied to all lens and prism surfaces. This ensures superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range, resulting in brighter images and more natural colors. An oil and water repellent coating is applied to both the objective and eyepiece lenses, making it easy to wipe away moisture, fingerprints, and smudges. Designed for comfort and ease of use, the Monarch M7 8x30 binoculars feature a large, smooth-spinning central focus knob for precise adjustments. The high-eyepoint design leaves sufficient space between your brow and the eyecups for a clear field of view, even when you're wearing glasses. The turn-and-slide rubber eyecups provide maximum comfort and field of view, with or without glasses. Built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, these binoculars have an enhanced rubber-armored body for a non-slip grip and protection from bumps and bruises. They are also waterproof and fog proof, with nitrogen filling and O-ring sealing for fog-free performance. The locking diopter adjustment allows you to adjust the binoculars for your vision and then lock in the setting to prevent accidental adjustment. Weighing just 16.4 ounces, the Monarch M7 8x30 binoculars are compact and lightweight, making them your perfect companions for adventures of any kind. Experience the world in high definition with the Monarch M7 8x30 Waterproof Roof Prism Binoculars.

Nikon Monarch M7 Features

• Wide interpupillary range
• Fully multicoated optics, free of lead and arsenic
• Quick focusing
• Sophisticated rubber armored exterior design provides shock resistance and a firm comfortable grip
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups
• Flip-down objective lens covers
• Locking diopter adjustment control maintains your personal setting
• Nikon's legendary ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lenses
• Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer Prism Coating
• Extremely wide fi eld of view
• Phase-correction coated prisms
• Smooth central focus knob
• Oil/Water repellent coating applied to eyepiece and objective lens surfaces
• Lightweight, slim design
• Long eye relief, perfect for eyeglass wearers
• Waterproof (up to 3.3' (1m) for 10 minutes) and nitrogen-purged for fog-free performance

Nikon Monarch M7 Specifications

Nikon monarch m7 reviews.

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The best Nikon binoculars in 2024

Decided Nikon is the binocular manufacturer for you, but befuddled by its dizzying amount of options? Let our buyer’s guide to the best Nikon binos be the balm you need

A specialist when it comes to optics, not to mention an internationally renowned decades-old photographic brand, a Nikon -made binocular is always a safe bet.

While that knowledge and reassurance alone should provide a straightforward enough route to purchase, the picture is slightly complicated by there being so many different Nikon binoculars available: around 70 at the last count. 

While specialist and niche Nikon binoculars are available, including its Marine series, the wider use binoculars we’re looking at here can be divided into three families: Aculon, Monarch and Prostaff. 

While some basic specification is shared between the three, in terms of similar magnifications and objective lens sizes, the quality of the build, performance and inevitably price differs depending on which of these three Nikon ranges we’re looking at.

Its ‘sporty’ looking Nikon Aculon binoculars are designed to be as light as possible as well as being as simple to use as possible. They also claim to feature excellent ergonomics and are fabricated with Nikon’s exclusive lead and arsenic-free Eco-Glass. Further qualities of this range include the fact that Aculon binos are they are compact yet high quality while being very cost-effective indeed. This means they’re a good option for anyone on a budget who nevertheless still wants a decent performance from their binocular. Suitable uses include birdwatching and nature observation, while the small size and weight also makes the Aculon series ideal for hiking and watching concerts or spectator sports.

The Nikon Prostaff range, meanwhile, broadly sits in the middle between its good value, pocket-friendly, simple-to-use Aculon family and the manufacturer’s more heavy advanced flagship Monarch offerings. With the Prostaff family, the accent is on value and performance with it. With so many models in the range, it’s easy to get confused between differing options, however. While numerically similar for example, the Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 is an entirely different model to the Nikon Prostaff P3 10x42, as we explain further below. 

Next up, as its ‘royal’ name suggests the Nikon Monarch family is the premium-grade flagship option. Expect to find class-leading ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements used in the construction as well as O-ring sealed construction to provide waterproofing as well as nitrogen-purged shells to prevent fogging. We’ll also get a slip-resistant grip to enable firm handling in cold and wet conditions. Engineered for durability and performance and featuring its most advanced technology, Nikon’s Monarch lineup is for those observers who don’t want to compromise on performance. These binoculars pack plenty of visual punch for their size and weight, and the price means they’re very much enthusiast targeted, but still more affordable than alternatives from Leica or Zeiss .

In a nutshell, then, the Nikon Aculon and Prostaff ranges are the ones to seek out if we want to keep our budget low yet want a reliable and simple-to-use binocular – with some Aculon binoculars being a 10th of the price of range-topping Monarch examples – while the aforementioned Monarch family is the one to investigate if we demand the very best and have the cash to invest.

Muddying the waters slightly, one of the models included here is from the Nikon Action’EX series. This porro prism range is described by its maker as being perfect for tracking athletes to the finish line, or the flitting movements of a bird. Thanks to the large objective lens size deployed – typically 50mm – meaning rapid movement is easier to follow.

While it’s obvious there is a Nikon binocular to suit just about any budget, plus a performance to satisfy everyone from casual users to dedicated birders. We have picked our favorites from each range - but to aid your choice, we’ve included mentions of other models in the same range at the end of the specification table for each binocular featured here.

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1: Nikon Monarch HG 10x30

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Seeking a small, yet sturdily constructed and powerful premium binocular from Nikon’s line up with a price tag to match? This candidate suggests we’re getting our money’s worth with a robust but still manageably lightweight magnesium alloy build. 

This is the compact 10x30 iteration, with a 10x magnification married to a 30mm objective lens size. There’s also a slightly higher priced 10x42 alternative available too and likewise covered here. The suggestion is that the 10x30 matches the 10x42’s performance – and in a more compact form.

It achieves this via Nikon’s Field Flattener Lens System, which in tandem with the Monarch HG’s 30mm wide field of view helps maintain sharpness right to the lens’ periphery. Also impressing is its water and fog-proofed build, while focusing is achieved via a large centrally located wheel, which makes operation unbelievably smooth, particularly when panning with subjects. This Nikon’s sharpness can be fine tuned for spectacle wearers too, via a dioptric adjustment ring on the right eyepiece. 

The inter-pupillary distance or spacing is helpfully manually adjustable, thanks to the binocular featuring a central folding mechanism that allows us to perfectly line them up with our own eyes. Despite the compact proportions the view delivered is surprisingly crisp; thanks in no small part to class-leading ED glass elements. While not a budget option by any means, this model provides plenty of punch for its proportions.

See our full Nikon Monarch HG 10x30 review

Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42

Perfect for sports fans and bird watchers alike, this entry-level roof prism binocular is considerably more affordable than Nikon’s Monarch series. But it nonetheless possesses high quality optics and a shock-resistant, durable rubber-armoured exterior. Further must-have features include waterproofing to a depth of a metre for 10 minutes, and fog-proofed innards. At 465g it’s manageably lightweight yet commendably sturdy too. 

Multi-layered coatings to the lenses maximise light transmission while a provided dioptre ring allows for fine-tuning beyond use of the large and obvious centrally mounted focus ring. While certain aspects here betray a budget price – and we can imagine the slip-on lens caps and eyepiece protectors getting mislaid over time – that minor gripe comes with the caveat that this is a value-for-money option from a reliable brand. With the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 delivering respectably sharp viewing, our conclusion is that for most purposes we really can’t go wrong.

See our full Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 review

Nikon ProStaff 3S 10x42

This general-purpose pair of daylight binoculars is both well-constructed and affordable. Feeling well balanced when gripped, the Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 is eminently suitable for outdoor use by virtue of it providing O-ring sealing to prevent any ingress of water plus a nitrogen-purged construction to prevent fogging. 

Further notable features include a highly reflective silver alloy mirror coating on the surface of its prism lenses to deliver a bright and clear view. A long eye relief, with eyecups conveniently extendable via a turn anti-clockwise, helps provide comfortable viewing whether we’re wearing spectacles or not. A large ridged focus wheel makes for easy and intuitive operation too.

Once again, construction of this Nikon binocular includes a central folding mechanism that allows us to adjust the set up to comfortably match the distance between our own eyes. While, for us, performance isn’t quite up there with Nikon’s own premium Monarch HG alternatives in terms of clarity and sharpness, and we did notice the odd instance of purple fringing in contrast-y situations, if we’re looking for a good quality, general purpose pair then results are more than good enough. In summary, what we’re getting here is a very good performance at a very fair asking price. 

See our full Nikon ProStaff 3S 10x42 review

Nikon Aculon T02 10x21

Looking a little basic compared to other higher priced and higher specification options here, this inexpensive and portable offering for travellers and hikers will also suit concert and theatre-goers, sports fans, or indeed anyone wanting a portable and affordable daily use option. Available in black plus several other colours, a chief selling point is that in weighing just 195g observers will barely notice they’re carrying Nikon’s Aculon T02. 

OK, so this budget binocular is rather light on features too. And while it’s lightweight it’s not foldable. However, users do get adjustable turn-and-slide eyecups, and a familiar central focus knob, as well as multi-coated lenses that maximise light transmission to provide a sharper view. Also catching our eye is its slim and stylish single-hinged design, while a soft case, strap and eyepiece caps are included out of the box. Not the most sophisticated or powerful option here, granted, but a very, very affordable starter binocular for the casual observer.

See our full Nikon Aculon T02 10x21 review

Nikon Aculon A30 10x25

While Nikon’s Aculon rigid build T02 is non-folding, fortunately this alternative is. Likewise available at a budget price, the Aculon A30 comes in regulation black, as well as silver and in camouflage to suit all users. Thanks to being foldable it will also slip easily into a pocket. A centrally located focus knob allows for quick and easy adjustment, while a dioptre control is provided via the right eyepiece to allow the view to be fine-tuned. A 25mm objective lens wedded to a 10x magnification further ensures suitability for a wide variety of subjects, including of course wildlife watching and birding. 

Of course for a cost-of-living-crisis friendly outlay we don’t get features found on higher end binoculars from either Nikon or its competitors, such as water resistance. But undoubtedly many prospective buyers will be prepared to make certain compromises at this price point. Those seeking a lightweight, low cost, yet respectably performing binocular they can take anywhere will discover just that here.

Nikon Monarch HG 10x42

This roof prism pair of premium-feel binoculars delivers results that are truly outstanding, albeit for a price. That said they’re slim, lightweight and easy to use, while being fogproof and waterproof too, to depths of five metres for up to 10 minutes. Delivering the sort of sharpness that will satisfy the most demanding of wildlife watchers or birders – thanks in part to its ED glass construction – the 10x magnification wedded to 42mm objective lens provides good views into the twilight hours. Inevitably they’re slightly heavier and bigger than the closest 10x30 model in the same series, though.

This Monarch binocular feels solid in the hand while being soft to the touch thanks to the rubberised armour that encases its magnesium alloy body. Use of the focus wheel is ultra smooth and accurate, with just enough inherent tension to avoid us accidentally shifting focus when panning with the binocular. What we might have liked at this price is some form of built-in image stabilisation, as competitor Canon provides. That said, such a dream feature would have made the set up bulkier still, so there is a degree of compromise involved in anything, even at this price point. We did however very much enjoy the clutch-like mechanism that locks the dioptre ring in place once we’ve made our fine-tuned adjustments.

While this Monarch binocular isn’t a starter option by any means – indeed we feel it’s among the best you can buy – a substantial budget will return an outstanding performance and, we reckon, a lifetime of use for those baulking at the even higher cost of rivals from Leica or Zeiss.

See our full Nikon Monarch HG 10x42 review

Nikon Action EX 12x50

In calling this binocular ‘Action’ rather than ‘Aculon’, Nikon has thrown potential purchasers a further curveball. With the ‘EX’ standing for ‘Extreme’, this high-powered, large objective lens device may be ready for action in the bush, but for such safari watchers it’s inevitably also a little heavy at 1Kg in weight and bulkier than alternatives listed here. This is due in part to its polycarbonate shell and an all-metal chassis. Still, we do get shock-resistant rubber armour providing a firm grip, plus nitrogen-purged fog proofing and waterproofing to a depth of a metre for up to five minutes. 

Utilizing a familiar porro prism design, a thread is provided between the barrels for the binocular to be tripod mounted if so desired. Ease of use comes via a nicely resistant focus knob and dioptre wheel, making for easy adjustment even when wearing gloves. 

While build quality is impressive, with plenty of depth of field provided and images sharp and clear in the main, we did notice a slight drop off in sharpness towards the edges. Despite the extra heft we also feel upgrading to a 12x magnification from a 10x magnification is worth it if long(er) distance observation is desirable.

Read our full Nikon Action EX 12x50 review

Nikon Aculon 10x50 A211

Designed to be as light as possible while offering excellent ergonomics and maximum bang for our buck, this rubber-armored Aculon series binocular from Nikon. That said, given the 10x magnification and large 50mm objective lens, we have a relatively weighty at 899g and bulky porro prism design to go with it. The ideal audience is birdwatchers and astronomy due to its set up letting in plenty of light, its performance enhanced by multi-coated lenses, as usual for this class of binocular, along with class-leading BaK-4 prisms. This gives us bright and clear results in the main, with only a slight fall off in sharpness towards the edges.

The Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 is an unusual binocular in that while it’s budget-priced, its specification places it higher up than a simple entry-level offering. In offering both versatility and a quality build, this is an excellent first purchase if we’re after something special without crippling our wallet. Look out too for both smaller and larger models in the same Nikon A211 series, including a couple of zoom options, thereby providing something for everyone.

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Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News , and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography . 

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3 , BBC Focus , Empire , NME , Radio Times , MacWorld, Computer Active , What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps. 

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• Binoculars & Spotting Scopes

Review: Steiner 8x22 Safari "Ultrasharp"

• Thread starter Patriot222
• Start date May 18, 2020

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Well-known member

• May 18, 2020

Apologies for the duplicate thread. Please delete the first thread as I'm not sure if I'm able too. This is the correct version. Thank in advance to the moderators for the help!  

Registered User

• May 19, 2020

I enjoyed reading your review! I've been "tempted" by a few Steiner binoculars here and there but similar to you...I tried a Steiner binocular some time ago, a Predator 8X30. Similar to you I was like...WOW a Steiner for $250! Well I didn't even get $250 worth with that thing and that experience has soured me from getting another one any time soon!  

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chill6x6 said: Well I didn't even get $250 worth with that thing and that experience has soured me from getting another one any time soon! Click to expand...

Well Known Member

Agreed. IME The build quality, fit and finish, looks, all great but the optics lag behind at the price point. The 8x22 Safari US is such a good looking binocular and the sturdy build adds weight and stability. I can hold them steadier than any 8x20 or 25 and love the soft winged eye cups. Too bad about the optics. Mike  

New York correspondent

Hello all, Steiner had three things going for it: A German name and origin. Use by American military and sales at Army post exchanges. The purchasers thought they were military specification and were priced right for enlisted men who wanted them for hunting. Very aggressive marketing. The United States military dropped them from service but the marketing continued. Stay safe, Arthur Pinewood :hi:  

• May 20, 2020

chill6x6 said: I enjoyed reading your review! I've been "tempted" by a few Steiner binoculars here and there but similar to you...I tried a Steiner binocular some time ago, a Predator 8X30. Similar to you I was like...WOW a Steiner for $250! Well I didn't even get $250 worth with that thing and that experience has soured me from getting another one any time soon! Click to expand...

mwhogue said: Agreed. IME The build quality, fit and finish, looks, all great but the optics lag behind at the price point. The 8x22 Safari US is such a good looking binocular and the sturdy build adds weight and stability. I can hold them steadier than any 8x20 or 25 and love the soft winged eye cups. Too bad about the optics. Mike Click to expand...

PhilR. said: I’ve tried four Steiners, and for different reasons, they all performed poorly. So, no more for me.... Click to expand...

• May 21, 2020

I've had two Steiner binoculars. I tried the 8x30 Wildlife Pro because it had a rare feature, a combination of individual focus plus a central focus wheel. I was disappointed both by the fit/feeling. It was a bit... how to say... toy-ish, it felt plasticky and not very rugged, plus the eyecups were absolutely not of my liking. The FOV was narrow (less than 7º for a 8x30) and the overall view was disappointing. After a while, while looking for a nighttime pair of binoculars I came across a screaming deal on a 8x56 Nighthunter (the last version). Now this was altogether another animal. The device simply oozed quality. The fit and finish, the grip, every single square cm seemed to have been thought out carfefully. The view was crisp and as bright as you can imagine for a top-notch 8x56 porro with an advertised 96 % light transmission. Furthermore, I got the device without objective caps, I wrote to Steiner and they sent them for free all the way from Germany. And those caps were things to behold, really: no less than three different types of plastic had been used (with a remarkable rigid central part and a rubberized exterior), plus a fabric strap so they could hang freely. I mean, they could have charged 30 - 40 € for those and now one would have complained. So, my experienced is mixed and seems to match what has been said. On the base and medium range (the Wildlifepro retailed for +300 €, which is a fair amount of money) what I have seen has left me ice cold, but their top of the range deserves all my praise. Those Nighthunters were really remarkable. I finally sold them because the IF was a bit limiting for daytime use.  

Like Chuck, I had a Steiner 8x30 Predator. That was probably five years or so prior to joining BF. Like Chuck, mine were pretty bad. I got fooled by the name and the association with German quality. I also fell for the "sports auto focus" marketing garbage as well. One problem Steiner has is producing something in every price class imaginable. Maybe not a problem, because I bet they sell a lot of cheap stuff based on name only. I once reviewed a Steiner Wildlife 8x44. It was every bit the equal of anything else of any other brand you could purchase, including price. About that time I began to get suspicious that even though some brands said "Made in Germany" on the box I was beginning to understand that was a lot less then the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I also ran across a publication which Steiner stated they had been getting glass from Malaysia since 2007 or so. Better edit this. What I had for review was the Steiner Peregrine and the Peregrine XP (not the Wildlife). This was 2009 and I have not had the opportunity to see many Steiners since then.  

• May 22, 2020

yarrellii said: I've had two Steiner binoculars. I tried the 8x30 Wildlife Pro because it had a rare feature, a combination of individual focus plus a central focus wheel. I was disappointed both by the fit/feeling. It was a bit... how to say... toy-ish, it felt plasticky and not very rugged, plus the eyecups were absolutely not of my liking. The FOV was narrow (less than 7º for a 8x30) and the overall view was disappointing. After a while, while looking for a nighttime pair of binoculars I came across a screaming deal on a 8x56 Nighthunter (the last version). Now this was altogether another animal. The device simply oozed quality. The fit and finish, the grip, every single square cm seemed to have been thought out carfefully. The view was crisp and as bright as you can imagine for a top-notch 8x56 porro with an advertised 96 % light transmission. Furthermore, I got the device without objective caps, I wrote to Steiner and they sent them for free all the way from Germany. And those caps were things to behold, really: no less than three different types of plastic had been used (with a remarkable rigid central part and a rubberized exterior), plus a fabric strap so they could hang freely. I mean, they could have charged 30 - 40 € for those and now one would have complained. So, my experienced is mixed and seems to match what has been said. On the base and medium range (the Wildlifepro retailed for +300 €, which is a fair amount of money) what I have seen has left me ice cold, but their top of the range deserves all my praise. Those Nighthunters were really remarkable. I finally sold them because the IF was a bit limiting for daytime use. Click to expand...

Steve C said: Better edit this. What I had for review was the Steiner Peregrine and the Peregrine XP (not the Wildlife). This was 2009 and I have not had the opportunity to see many Steiners since then. Click to expand...

Active member

• May 24, 2020
• May 27, 2020

Bramberg , I bought them in Germany. I don't know, maybe I got a lemon, who knows. But both the fit/feel and the performance left me really cold. I could compare them directly with other 8x30 binoculars of a relatively similar price-range, the Nikon EII and the Nikon M7 8x30 as well as with other binoculars I had at home, and the performance wasn't very impressive for me (and I found IF+CF a bit fuzzy), I'm sorry to say. It was the first Steiner I ever tried and I remember being quite disappointed. Too high expectations? Sample variation? Personal variation? A mix of all? It's hard to tell. It always goes to show how different we all are and how differently we see things.  

yarrellii said: Bramberg , I bought them in Germany. I don't know, maybe I got a lemon, who knows. But both the fit/feel and the performance left me really cold. I could compare them directly with other 8x30 binoculars of a relatively similar price-range, the Nikon EII and the Nikon M7 8x30 as well as with other binoculars I had at home, and the performance wasn't very impressive for me (and I found IF+CF a bit fuzzy), I'm sorry to say. It was the first Steiner I ever tried and I remember being quite disappointed. Too high expectations? Sample variation? Personal variation? A mix of all? It's hard to tell. It always goes to show how different we all are and how differently we see things. Click to expand...

• I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway

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