For the price and all the below features, we really couldn't find a better deal. We use them for leisure In 2012, Nikon changed the name on one of the most popular binoculars in the history of optics. The Nikon Monarch ATB became the Nikon Monarch 5. It seems to have almost exactly the same optical qualities and mechanics, the only significant change being the printing on the body of the binocular. The MONARCH M5 is extremely light for this class of binocular. With all models weighing 640g or under, the MONARCH M5 is easy to carry on hikes, mountain climbs and various other outdoor activities. The Monarch 5 has a longer 19.5 millimeters of eye relief--very good. The Monarch 7 has a shorter eye relief of 17.2 millimeters--average, which may cause some eyeglass wearers not to see both edges of the entire field of view. The main differences between the Monarch 5 and 7 are field of view and eye relief. Outstanding field of view makes the Nikon Monarch 7 better than the Monarch 5 for bird watching.

Lenses – Should have no marks on the elements andoptically clear. There may be light dust present that will not effect theimagery. The Monarch 5 series grew out of the Monarch ATB in 2012 and the Monarch 7 series was introduced at about the same time. The Monarch 5 kept getting updated with better glass and coatings to improve the optics. Thus the optical quality and body mechanics of the two models are very similar. The more you magnify without changing the size of the objective lens (the big end) the less light is transmitted to your eyes. 8x42 binoculars are brighter than 10x42 binoculars. MONARCH M5, users can expect to visualise rich images in high-resolution, resulting in the magnificence of nature’s colours being brought to life. Both models feature a Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating, to guarantee superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range.Fully experience everything nature has to offer thanks to the MONARCH M5’s high optical performance. The binoculars feature fully multi-layer coated lenses and prisms, as well as a Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating to ensure superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range, which results in brighter images and more natural colours. Meanwhile, its phase-correction coating minimises the loss of resolution to deliver high-contrast images. If you've been researching mid-priced binoculars you no doubt have the Nikon Monarchs on your list of best birding binoculars. An improvement of new Monarch 5 over the older (ATB) model is that the new model can focus as close as 8.2 feet, compared to 9.8 feet in its predecessor. Close focus is very important for viewing close birds. Some small birds in trees and bushes can be within 10 feet.

As it turned out, there were hardly any birds to be seen. (February, but little snow.) I never spotted anything unusual. We've done a lot of research before choosing our binoculars and decided upon the Nikon Monarch 5 ATB 8x42 Binoculars for several reasons. Second thing: These binoculars are heavy. I think so. Sometimes I miss out on seeing birds because I just don't feel like lugging the binocs around. A general idea of brightness can be determined by exit pupil--dividing the magnification into the objective lens size. Thus, 8x42 binoculars have an exit pupil of 5.25 mm. And 10x42 binoculars have an exit pupil of 4.2 mm. Relative brightness is the square of exit pupil. 8x42 binoculars have a relative brightness of 27.5*. 10x42 binoculars have a relative brightness of 17.6.

Nikon gives a relative brightness for its 8x42 binoculars as 28.1. I think this is wrong. I get 27.5. They give exit pupil as 5.3 mm. But I think that is rounded up from 5.25. Thus the difference. In the table below I use Nikon's printed specs.] We use our Monarch's for bird watching, but we know that hunters also love them for their crisp, clear images and lightweight, rugged construction as well. There's been a name change with these - they used to be called Monarch ATB Binoculars or the Monarch III, then the Monarch 5, and most recently named the Monarch M5 line. In this review, we look atNikon's new version of theever-popular mid-priced Monarch binocular, the Monarch 5. Some of the very best and expensive binoculars close focus to 6 or even 5 feet! The Monarch 5 is listed at 7.8 feet close focus. The close focus distance of the Monarch 7 is listed at 8.2 feet. Monarch 5 wins?