Bird watchers encounter all types of weather conditions.  It would be sad to miss that rare bird sighting because your binoculars have fogged-up or moisture has collected in them.  The proper sealing of binoculars is one of the most important features of good optics. There are no industry wide standards for the sealing process.  Many manufacturers boast fog-proof, weatherproof, rainproof, climate-proof, rustproof, spray-proof, waterproof and many other “certain-proofs”.  Some of these words are just alerting the consumer that there was an attempt to seal the binoculars against harsh weather conditions.

Waterproof binoculars are nitrogen gas purged and use O-rings to seal the optics.  They protect from rain, leakage and fogging. The waterproofing offers better optics in all weather conditions.  Waterproof binoculars ensure clear views in mornings’ heavy dew and during times of elevated humidity.  Waterproof binoculars allow you to enjoy events without worrying about the effects of harsh weather conditions.  The waterproofing even keeps dust and dirt out.  Dirt building up over time in your binoculars will obscure the view.

Buy binoculars that are waterproof!  Waterproof means the following two things about the optics.

* Additional protection and maximum measures were taken by the company to seal the binoculars.
* If the seal of a waterproof binocular fails, the warranty by most companies will cover resealing the binoculars.

There are a few basic precautions that bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts need to take to ensure that the optic seal is not damaged.

* Buy a waterproof binocular that is easy to grip and feels comfortable in your hands.  This eliminates them slipping and dropping out of your hands which may loosen the seals.
* Always carry and use lens caps and rain guards to protect your binoculars in damp or dusty conditions.
* Get a comfortable and secure binocular harness.  A good binocular harness will keep the binoculars close to your body and prevent them from bouncing and banging into things.  This jarring could also loosen and effect the binocular seals.
* Be careful where you store your binoculars.  When not in use place them in a durable and waterproof case.
* Never leave your binoculars in the car or any other place that has extreme temperature swings.  These conditions will put a high amount of stress on the gaskets and seals in your binoculars.

For any birder or outdoor enthusiast waterproof binoculars is a must, even if rarely used in bad weather.

There are many good waterproof binoculars on the market.  The waterproof binoculars that I recommend are the Nikon 7294 Monarch III or the 7430 Monarch 8×42 waterproof ATB binoculars.  These binoculars are waterproof and “if” anything should happen to them the Nikon warranty is superb.  The warranty states: “Nikon is dedicated to quality, performance and total customer satisfaction. If your Nikon Binocular, Spotting Scope or Fieldscope requires service or repair not covered by our 25-Year Limited Warranty, Nikon will repair or replace it (even if it was your fault) for just $10, plus return shipping and handling.”

Other posts you may find helpful are: The Nikon 7294 Monarch III Waterproof Binocular Review and Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 ATB Binoculars

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The Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 binoculars and the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars are similar in many ways.  They are both a roof prism binocular.  The specs for lineal field of view of 330 ft./1000yds. and angular field of 6.3 are identical for the 7294 and the 7430.  Both have the exact eye relief (19.6 mm) and exit pupil (5.25mm) as well as eye cups with the multi-setting click stops.   They are alike in their close focus distance of 8.2 ft. and relative brightness of 28.1.  These lightweight binoculars are equal in their weight (21.5 oz.) and size (5.7 x 5.0 in.).

So, what is the difference?  The major difference is the coating on the prism and lens.  The Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars has a full multi-coated lens that highlights brighter and clearer images with less ghosts and blurs.  The new Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 binoculars have a new dielectric high-reflective multilayer coating.  The dielectric high-reflective multilayer coating features even crisper images and sharper colors through the binoculars.  The coating also allows a much improved low-light performance with the Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars.  I love the fact that Nikon is continuously out there improving their binoculars.  The full multi-coated lens on the 7430 is a super crisp and bright lens.  So you can imagine the superb view that you get on the 7294 with the dielectric high-reflective multi-layer coating.

Another change in the new Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 binoculars is it’s newer body style.  The new body furnishes a stronger and more rugged binocular.

The warranty for both binoculars are the same great warranty that Nikon provides.  I like Nikon’s warranty because they definitely stand behind their products.  It covers damage to the binoculars (even if it’s your fault).  Let’s face it, when we are out in the elements anything can happen.

In conclusion, the Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 binoculars and the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars are both great glasses.  If I were looking for a new pair of bird watching binoculars I would certainly look at the new Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 binoculars first.

Other posts related to this:

The Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars Review

Easy Steps To Choosing The Right Bird Watching Binoculars

Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42mm  All-Terrain Binoculars

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The new NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars are available now!

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	NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8x42 Binoculars
Magnification	8X
Objective Aperture	42 mm
Prism	Roof
Lineal Field of View	330ft/1000 yds (110/1000m)
Angular Field of View (degrees)	6.3
Eye Relief	19.6 mm
Exit Pupil	5.25 mm
Close Focus Distance	8.2 ft (2.5mm)
Central Focus Wheel	Yes
Relative Brightness	28.1
Fully Multi-Coated lens	Yes
Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer Prism Coating	Yes
Phase Correction	Yes
Eye Cups	Multi-setting click stop eyecups
Weight	21.5 oz (610g)
Length (L x W)	5.7 x 5.20 in (146 x 129 mm)
Waterproof	Yes
Fog Proof	Yes
Warranty	Nikon is dedicated to quality, performance and total customer satisfaction. If your Nikon Binocular, Spotting Scope or Fieldscope requires service or repair not covered by our 25-Year Limited Warranty, Nikon will repair or replace it (even if it was your fault) for just $10, plus return shipping and handling.

Check my posts- Easy Steps to Choosing the Right Bird Watching Binoculars for helpful ideas on selecting binoculars or for my review of the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 ATB Binoculars.

I recommend the NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars if you are in the market for a new pair of quality yet affordable binoculars. Click to order your NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars.

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Whether you are watching birds at your bird feeder or on the trail use your Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars to get a close-up view.  The new 7294 Monarch III binoculars will provide brighter and sharper images which will make bird identification much easier.

These have just been released. Click here to order your Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars.

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Nikon 7430 Monarch 8x42mm All-Terrain Binoculars

In my last post I reviewed three quality and yet affordable ($200-$500) 8x42mm binoculars. I reviewed the Leupold Pinnacles 54504 8×42 binoculars, the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars and the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8×42 binoculars. This post will explain why I recommended the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars.

After comparing the three binoculars I found that the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrains are lightweight and I can easily carry them all day while bird watching on the trails. My hands comfortably wrapped around the body of the binoculars and they felt very good in my hands.

Even though the center focus wheel on the three binoculars is similar I give a slight edge to the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrains. I feel that it is quicker and easier to fine tune the image with the Nikon binoculars.

The precision-aligned optics of the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8×42 All-Terrain binoculars is evident in the clarity of the image. You can clearly see the feather details and markings of the birds which makes identification easy.

The Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars and Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8 x 42 mm binoculars have warranties that cover damage to the binoculars (even if it’s your fault). Let’s face it, when we are out in the elements anything can happen. The warranty on the Leupold Pinnacles 8 x 42 mm binoculars 54504 covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. It does not cover damage from misuse.

All three had a nice eye relief but the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars had a slight advantage over the other binoculars. I highly recommend the Nikons for eyeglass wearers.

The chief complaint of the original Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars was that the lens caps were not attached (easy to lose) and cheaply made. That problem has been addressed and is no longer an issue.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology did a review of many different binoculars. There were 27 in the mid price range ($200-500) and they said that the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars were “clearly the top-rated of any mid-priced, full-power birding binoculars. These lightweight, waterproof, and very comfortable binoculars focus down to 6 feet and offer an image and feel that surpasses many models costing two or three times more. Only in a direct comparison with the top-priced binoculars could our reviewers discern the narrower, slightly duller image, which was not quite sharp at the edges. But with a street price well under $300, the Monarchs are a steal.”

Pete Dunne wrote a review in Birder’s World in which he recommends the Nikon Monarch: “There are others in this price range that are comparable, but for some reason, after an hour of testing and comparing, this is the glass buyers walk up to the counter with.”

I recommend the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars for their overall quality and affordability. This binocular can easily compete with higher priced ones.

The NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8×42 mm Binoculars are now available. Click to read my review of the Nikon 7294 Monarch III 8×42 Binoculars.

NIKON 7294 Monarch III 8x42 Binoculars

For more information about the Nikon 7430 Monarch 8 x 42 mm All-terrain binoculars click the link below:

http://www.yourbirdfeeder.com/RecommendsAmazonNikonMonarch

Check my post Easy Steps to Choosing the Right Bird Watching Binoculars for helpful ideas on selecting binoculars.

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