Nikon 10x42 Monarch ATB

The Monarch is Nikon's medium-cost binocular that includes many of the features found only in the top priced optics market. It is a compact, lightweight roof prism binocular available in 8x42, 10x42 and 12x42 configurations (only the 10x42 is reviewed here). The binocular is nitrogen-purged, and billed as waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. At an MSRP of only $470.95 and often discounted to as low as $300, the Monarch is an excellent value for an entry in this price category.

At just 5.6 inches long and 5 inches wide, and weighing a feather-light 21 oz., the Monarch won’t cause anyone fatigue. Nikon made the binocular even more comfortable to handle with compressible soft, rubber, forest green armoring with a nice no-slip surface, and shallow thumb grooves just below a flange on which the strap attaches. The strap attachment does not interfere notably with the hands. Overall, this binocular is very comfortable to use.

The Monarch has a 330-foot field of view at 1000 yards and close-focuses to about 8 feet. The focus knob is large and easily accessed, and needs just 1¼ turns to go from close-focus to infinity. The action is smooth and easy, making sharp focus quick and simple to achieve. Overall, the Monarch is of average brightness for a 42-mm objective binocular. The lenses and prisms are fully multi-coated and phase-coated to improve optical performance. Disappointingly, the focus gets rather blurry at the edges of the field. In bright light when focused on high-contrast objects, the Monarch shows a substantial chromatic aberration: a separation of the visible light to yield a prism effect.

The 10x42 Monarch has eye relief of 15.5 mm, which is bit on the short side. The eyecups twist up to full extension, and click-stop both there and in fully closed position to lock them in place, preventing accidental collapse in the field. The mechanism is so facile that the eyecups are not stable in partially open position, so this is an all-or-nothing mechanism. The eyecups are made of pliable rubber, and are comfortable against the face. The diopter adjustment is on the right barrel and traditional: it is a rubber ring that twists in either direction to adjust the focus of the right ocular. The mechanism is stiff enough to prevent it from slipping much in the field.

The rain guard is a pair of rubber caps joined by a flexing linker. The cups fit snugly over the oculars and do not dislodge easily. The strap threads through a bracket on the left side, and the similar bracket on the right side is gapped so it can be affixed or removed from the strap on that side. This is an excellent design for a rain guard. The lens caps are hard plastic and rely on the texture of the armoring to be held in place. Unfortunately, this is insufficient, and they are quite easily dislodged. The lens caps feature a similar gapped bracket for mounting to the strap, though they would be fairly easily knocked off this as well. When on the lenses themselves, the brackets catch on things making the caps that much more easily to knock off. Just pulling them out of their case is sufficient to dislodge the lens caps.

The strap is a simple nylon one, widening at the neck, with a patch of cloth padding sewn into the inner side for extra comfort. On a regular roof-prism binocular it would be insufficient for comfort, but on the flyweight Monarchs, it is all that is needed. The cordura case is spacious and features a flap that closes with a Velcro patch, leaving the binocular strap comfortably free so the whole ensemble can be comfortably worn over the shoulder or around the neck. Alternatively, there is a wide, nylon, belt-mounting loop on the back of the case, allowing it to be conveniently worn at the waist. The rational design of the case adds value to the binocular – it too will be useful in the field.

In the end, there is much to be said for the Nikon Monarchs. Their small size and lightweight design make them very comfortable to carry. These characteristics make them an excellent binocular for children, for example. And while the optical performance is not in the class of Nikon’s excellent Venturer LX binoculars, it is not by any means poor. While obviously aimed at the hunting sector, the Monarchs clearly have a broader market appeal.

Nikon Monarch ATB Binoculars - current price and availability