Nikon Monarch 5 10×42
NIKON MONARCH 5 10×42 (binoculars)
The Nikon Monarch 5 10×42 is a binocular that provides optical performance and is designed with an easy-to-grip body. This concept came to life due to Nikon’s quest to improve on its predecessors in the Monarch series. The resulting product is compact and packed with great features and can be used for long hours without causing fatigue around the wrists.
All the body parts are put together to form a fairly lightweight product that is easy to carry. The body is made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin. The use of polycarbonate reinforced with fiberglass as its chassis material makes it strong enough, extending its durability of this Nikon Monarch 5.
Brief History of Nikon
For most people, Nikon is among the top brands that come to mind if you think optics. They have been manufacturing spotting scopes, microscopes, cameras and their lenses, and binoculars since 1917. Nikon is a Japanese multinational corporation with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging products.
Due to increased demand for their products, they have set up subsidiaries and branches in various parts of the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Over the years, they have conducted research to enable their products to meet more of their consumers’ ever-changing needs. From their precision in designing powerful lenses, coatings, and their products’ outer cases, they have done it all.
By holding any of their products, be it the binoculars or others, you can truly attest and appreciate their attention to detail. Their experience and authority in their niche should guarantee you a sequence of great quality products. To this day, only a few companies have scaled to the heights of Nikon.
Uses of the Nikon Monarch 5 Binoculars
- Bird-watching
- Astronomy
- Travel
- Hunting
NIKON MONARCH 5 10×42 SPECIFICATIONS
| Manufacturer | Nikon |
| Model | Monarch 5 10X42 |
| Magnification | 10X |
| Length | 145mm |
| Width | 129mm |
| Weight | 600g |
| Depth | 55mm |
| Exit Pupil | 4.2mm |
| Objective Diameter | 42mm |
| Eye Relief | 18.4mm |
| Actual Field of View | 5.5° |
| Interpupillary Distance Adjustment | 56-72mm |
| Closest Focus | 2.5m |
| Field of View at 1000m | 96 |
| Relative Brightness | 17.6m |
| Fog-proof | Yes |
| Lens Coating Type | Multi-layer Prism Scratch-resistance |
| Binocular Prism Type | Roof |
PACKAGE ATTACHMENTS
Neck Strap
The neck strap attached is about 3.8 cm/1.5 inches wide. Its build material feels like cotton with a leatherette-type 
backing that rests on the back of your neck and shoulders. This strap can comfortably hold the weight of the binoculars as you move around.
Rain Guard
The rain guard included is designed to slide down deep enough to cover most parts of the eyecups. The rubberized texture of the eyecups can eliminate droplets of rain from getting in due to increased friction.
Lens Caps
The objective caps are fairly effective since they are the stay-on type that perfectly fits the objectives.
Case
The case that comes with this kind of binoculars is a lightly padded Cordura with a Velcro close. For the most part, the case is fairly practical and functional to use.
NIKON MONARCH 5 FEATURES
- Extra-low Dispersion Glass (ED Glass)
Generally, visible light consists of a multitude of rays with varying wavelengths. To guarantee clear visibility of an object, these lights must converge at the same point. This is where Nikon’s ED glass lens comes in.
The ED glass is an achromatic lens that can match focal lengths of two different wavelengths, reducing chromatic aberration (blurriness) by a significant degree. Among others, this feature is what predominantly makes for a bright and clear vision.
- Quality
The Nikon Monarch 5 lens and prism surfaces have been applied with multilayer coatings that transmit light. These layered coatings serve to maximize the amount of light that reaches your eyes, enabling you to view bright images. In context, this model lets in approximately 99% of light.
For the price you pay for this feature, consider it a bargain as it is mostly found in high-end binoculars.
- Phase Correction Coating
Like other roof prism binoculars, the Monarch 5 employs an optical technique that increases color fidelity. The optical design facilitates the splitting into two of the light entering the image-erecting roof prism. These two light paths, therefore, travel independently and merge before entering the eyepiece.
These lightpaths are usually of varying lengths, making one take longer than the other to travel through the prism. The longer light path is often rendered out of focus than the shorter one creating disarray. This disarray tends to affect the fidelity and color balance of the image viewed.
The Monarch 5 has a phase correcting coating applied to one surface of the shorter light path half of the prism to curb this. This optical coating serves to slow down the short light path half of the incoming light, making it to be in phase with the light that traveled the longer path when they rejoin.
This technique rids the binoculars of color reinforcement or cancellation.
Pincushion Distortion
This Monarch model is designed with a small amount of pincushion distortion to avoid the “rolling ball” or “globe” distortion effect. Exposure to this effect can cause nausea.
Field of View
The Nikon Monarch 5 10×42 configuration provides for an angular field of view of about 5.5°/ 288ft at 1000 yards. Even for simple activities such as bird and nature watching this works well.
Close Focus Distance
The minimum distance at which this model can achieve a sharp focus, irrespective of the configuration, is about 2.5 meters. This is also the recommended optical sweet spot for birdwatchers. This distance is ideal as it provides for the least amount of aberration and diffraction.
Color Rendering
Most users have found this pair of binoculars to significantly reduce chromatic aberration to levels that are not easily noticeable especially under low light viewing. Therefore, it is safe to say that the color rendering is just enough not to taint your bird-watching experience.
How to Focus a Nikon Monarch 5 Binoculars
The first step is to look through the left eyepiece with your left eye. Soon after, rotate the diopter adjustment ring/ focusing ring to achieve the desired amount of focus on the object. The next step is to look through the right eyepiece with your right eye.
Likewise, rotate the diopter adjustment ring until you obtain a sharp image of the same object. Once done, this focus adjustment should now enable you to view the object much more clearly.
Locking the Diopter Adjustment
One vital feature of a good pair of binoculars is the ability to lock the diopter adjustment as you use it. To set the diopter adjustment of the Monarch 5, use the ring found around the right barrel ocular. Despite its ability to lock in place, it is designed to be firm and steady when turning.
It is important to note that it still works to eliminate possible errors leading to self-adjusting.
Nikon Monarch 5 Maintenance
How to Clean Nikon Monarch 5
Step 1
With the aid of a lens cleaning pen, brush the lens using the brush end. For this task, the brush is soft thereby unlikely to damage the optical coatings. Feel free to turn the set upside down to shed off more dust and fluff.
Step 2
Gently moisten the Q-tip with water or lens cleaning solution to float off any remnant of dust particles. Always avoid the use of any unauthorized solutions to clean the lenses as they can severely damage the coatings.
Step 3
Wipe the lens with lens tissue or microfiber lens cloth. As a rule, avoid using paper towels or facial tissues as they are too tough. As always, be gentle whenever you handle the lens.
Additional Tps for Cleaning
As mentioned above, these binocular lenses come coated with multiple reflective and protective layers that can get damaged when you persistently clean them. Without this coating, your view may not be as clear as you would want. Another reason to avoid frequent cleaning is that you risk entirely damaging the lens through scratches.
Handling Internal Binocular Fogging
In as much as most manufacturers claim, fogging is inevitable under certain weather conditions. In case your pair gets fog, leave them in a warm and dry place for days. Yes, this situation requires your utmost practice of patience.
After some time the fog should evaporate as most binoculars are not entirely airtight.
Handling Repairs
It is highly recommended that you seek professional services from binocular repair shops and companies to revive your tool back to life. As simple as the Monarch 5 looks, any attempt to disassemble and reassemble its parts requires utmost precision. Any irresponsible moves may render your model damaged and may force you to incur extra charges.
In this age, a simple google search may help you find a binocular repair shop near you.
PROS
- Extended Warranty
In case of any defects in the build or workmanship, Nikon is fully liable for repair or replacement. Moreover, there is no time limit for this warranty. In case you damage the binoculars, you can enclose them with $10 and ship them directly to Nikon.
They will cover the repair costs as you bear the shipping and handling costs. Bird-watching or astronomy is addictive and a life-long hobby. Therefore, buying a pair of binoculars with an extended warranty such as this one may come in handy at some point.
- Fog-Proof
Nikon has removed oxygen from the barrels to dampen fog in these binoculars and swapped it with nitrogen that is pumped into at high pressure. The nitrogen is used to dispel impurities such as fungus, rusting, vapor, dust, and debris, keeping them clean and clear. For this reason, these Nikon binoculars can still be used under tougher conditions.
What’s more, Nikon claims they can withstand being immersed in up to 4 meters depth of water for about ten minutes without any damage.
- Multipurpose
This binoculars model has been designed for diverse applications, be it during the day or nighttime.
- Portability
Its 600g weight is tolerable if you hung it on your neck using the strap that comes with it. Its rubberized surfaces will allow you to comfortably and steadily hold it. With such, falling off or losing your grip will be a thing of the past.
Due to its lightweight nature, beware, you may find yourself tossing it in your bag more often than you need to.
- Affordability
This pair costs slightly under the $350 mark. This price is a bargain considering the premium features and immersive experience you get without necessarily breaking the bank.
- Works with Glasses Too
With this model, Nikon went a mile further to reach most segments of the market. This pair of binos come with adjustable rubber eyecups that sit on glasses. These eyecups work to eliminate discomfort and eye relief, leaving you to keep enjoying the experience with your new favorite possession.
CONS
- The black armor is a real magnet for dust and fluff
This can be a nuisance as it prompts you to clean them more often than you need to.
- Low-quality Eyecups
Multiple users have found that the eyecups are not made of high-quality material.
- May Need a Tripod
You may need to incur additional costs to get a tripod to mount the binoculars onto. This is guided by the inability of the hands to keep steady as you try to focus on an image.
Conclusion
If you are on a tight budget but need a tool to get the job done, consider getting this model. Certainly, the price ranger shouts that this may not be fully-fledged astronomy binoculars. For basic needs such as bird watching, this is a good fit. If you are in the market for Steiner Binoculars then visit the Steiner Binoculars Reviews we have.
Its ability to work under high and low light guarantees a fairly seamless experience. Do not expect this model of Nikon Monarch 5 to be perfect, as it is not. If you are an amateur in the binoculars niche, you will certainly enjoy owning these.
They feel great when held, and their small width means that even people with smaller finger sizes can hold it. The pros of owning the Monarch 5 outweigh the cons, making it a good bargain for the price.
