Nikon vs Meopta Binoculars, advise needed

[Alvin]

Hello y'all
I'm looking to get a pair of 10x binos for my future western hunts. I'm a college student so I'm on a tighter budget.
I've looked at Nikon Monarch 7, Nikon Monarch HG, and Cabela's instinct euro (made by Meopta, similar to Meostar B1), all are 10x42.
The Monarch 7 is within my budget and looks pretty good to my unexperienced eyes, but I'm not sure if I should spend more on a better pair?

And advise will be appreciated, cheers!

 

[Brian Fahs]

Call doug at cameraland about the meopta meostar 10x42 hds. My nephew got a new pair from them. All I can say is wow on the quality and price.

 

[idahohikker]

Read the Maven C1 reviews on Amazon and here. For a college budget it's a no-brainer to me. I recently ordered after exhaustive review.

 

[Alvin]

Thanks for the reply. I'll check out the Meopta b1.
Anyone has experience with Nikon Monarch 7?

 

[Newtosavage]

Read the Maven C1 reviews on Amazon and here. For a college budget it's a no-brainer to me. I recently ordered after exhaustive review.

This. If you're really on a budget, then the C1's will give you outstanding image quality for the dollar spent.

Having said that, of the three you mention, the monarch HG's are what I would personally buy and I've looked through and handled them all, numerous times. The Cabelas/Meopta bins have excellent image quality, but they are just too bulky and heavy IMO for a practical hunting binocular, especially when there is altitude and long distances involved.

The Monarch 7's are outstanding binoculars for the money. They just give up some light gathering to the HG's, but not much else.

 

[gbflyer]

Look through them all before you buy. Everyone sees things differently.

 

[Xlr8n]

Another great new glass is the Tract Toric Schott UHD. They are reportedly equal to or better than all glass mentioned thus far. If you'd be willing to consider an 8x42, Tract Toric Schott UHD's are on Black Friday sale for $478. Regular pice $684. You will not find a better glass for that price. Unfortunately the 10x's are not included in the sale and are $694 but even at that price are still a great optic option.

My most recent glass purchase was the Monarch HG's recommended above. They are every bit as good as advertised. I had the Monarch 7's in 8x30 and they are very good for the price, but not at the same level as the HG's. I agree with the assessment of the Meopta's, great optical glass, but bulky, heavy, and imho, a bit ugly.

 

[Outdoorsman12b]

Monarch 7 all the way. Good clear glass.

 

[Wrench]

I have the meopta and nikon edg, which is pretty close to the hg, if not better. I don't think you're going to be disappointed in either. I grab them interchangeably and feel they're both great.

I'd get the ones that have the best deal.

 

[Beendare]

I would go back at dusk...take them outside and look.....thats when you really se the difference in glass.

 

[AGPank]

2 pair of Nikon HG listed on the classifieds. About $700.

May be worth a call to Doug at CameralandNY too.