Nikon Binoculars Review

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What To Look For

Binoculars for birders and nature-watchers need to be robust. These are optics that are going to be taken into the field, and even the most careful owner must plan on inevitably dropping their binoculars, getting them soaked, or falling while holding or wearing them. They also need to have a good range of vision and easy focus, as they will often be trained on moving creatures. This is especially important for birders. Good examples in the Nikon product line are the Monarch and Action binoculars.

Common Pitfalls

Some nature-watchers and birders make weight their main consideration, and this is a cardinal mistake. It is certainly more comfortable to have lighter binoculars for a 10-mile nature hike, but not at the expense of essential features. It does little good to save a mere pound of weight if it is at the cost of not getting a good, long view of that spotted owl or Dall sheep.

Where To Buy

It is a good idea to try out a pair of binoculars before purchasing them. You really should see how easy they are to use and what their weight is really like. These might seem like little things, but when your viewing time is measured in seconds or less, the little things matter. While bargain hunting on the Internet is a good idea, a first-time buyer in particular should go to a brick-and-mortar store and compare the features on different Nikon binoculars themselves.

Cost

Nikon's Action EX binoculars were considered the economy choice in 2009, with a price of around $115 to $130. The higher quality and much more expensive Monarch series were around $220 to $430, depending on the exact model and the retailer.