For this reason, we recommend that newcomers choose 6x or 8x for the first number. Binoculars in this range have enough power to get you through everything, but not so much that you’ll struggle to find what you want to see (though all binoculars have to do. act a number). We recommend something in the 26-50 range for the second number. Our top pick is almost in the middle, at 8×42, which is generally considered the hot spot for most people.
The Nikon Monarch 5 binoculars were my first “real” binoculars. Years later, their upgraded M5 is my top choice for most beginners. These give great effect to your coin and the 8×42 magnification is the most versatile. It’s not just me either. These are some of the most popular binoculars I see while out and about.
The Monarch M5s strikes a great balance between optical power, quality and price. The glass in these glasses provides nice, bright vision with very little chromatic aberration (those distortions or fringing you sometimes see around objects in bright sunlight).
The Monarch M5s are also light enough that they can be worn around your neck all day long without overwhelming you, and they come with the most comfortable neck strap of any binoculars I’ve tested.
The nomenclature of the Monarch line is a bit confusing. I’m showcasing the Monarch M5 here, new for 2022, but technically the Monarch 5 binoculars I own are still available. The new M5 designation has a slightly wider field of view and better optical coating. There is also the more expensive Monarch M7 series, which measures 8×42. I didn’t test the latter, which offers an even larger field of view but is significantly more expensive.
Other great 8×42 binoculars:
- Budget options: Celestron Nature DX ED 8×42 ($169). This is a solid buy for under $200 (they usually sell for around $160). They’re not quite as bright as the Nikon Monarchs, and I did notice more chromatic aberrations, especially purple fringing. But for the price, this is a good entry-level option.
- ★ Good upgrade: Pentax 8×43 ZD ED Binoculars ($799). The Pentax/Ricoh 8x43s are just sharper, clearer, and slightly brighter than the Monarchs. This is a personal preference, but I like the colors a bit cooler than the Monarch M5s.
- ★ Really good, but terribly expensive: The Leica Noctivid 8×42 binoculars are everything you’d expect from the Leica name, even the pricey. These are the brightest, sharpest lenses I’ve ever worn in my eyes. Unfortunately, they are out of stock everywhere. The 10x42s available for $2,850. Other options in this category are Swarovski EL 8.5×42 ($2,169) and Zeiss Victory HT ($2,700).
The difference between 8x and 10x may not sound like much, but in reality, it is significant. The objects are larger, but the field of view is narrower. That means it will be harder to keep track of things, especially things like a small bird in the thicket. It also means that any hand shake can cause you to lose the subject. That said, this is my favorite resolution for birds, as long as I don’t have to carry them all day, as the 10x42s are considerably heavier.
Our top pick at this size is the Vortex Viper HD Binoculars. They deliver excellent clarity, crisp, clear images and good color accuracy. Colors are slightly less saturated to my eyes, but I only noticed this when compared side-by-side with the Nikons above. The focus wheel is smooth, although I wish it was a bit faster. There’s some blurring in the periphery (the edges of your field of view through the lens), but that’s possible at this price point.
