Reviews You Can Rely On

Comparing Binoculars

Specs and Ratings Below | Compare to Other products
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award   Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award 
Price $3,000 List
$3,000 at Amazon
$2,999 List
$2,165 at Amazon
$2,632 List
$1,999 at Amazon
$446.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$640 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
85
82
81
73
73
Star Rating
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Pros Superior clarity, great brightness, great close focus range, lockable diopterExcellent clarity and brightness, great construction qualityGood clarity, brightness, and construction qualityHigh-quality construction, great clarity and close focusVery clear and bright, easy to adjust, comfortable, high-quality construction
Cons Poor eye cup adjustment, difficult to attain eye reliefVery expensive, not as comfortable as other high-end modelsProhibitively expensiveHeavy for backpacking or carrying long distancesA bit heavy for the backcountry
Bottom Line This pair of binoculars is superior in every way, you'll just need to fork over some serious cashA high-end pair of binoculars that live up to their pedigree but have some downsides compared to other premium modelsOne of the better all-around models that we tested, but they also carry a high price tagGood optical quality for those who don't want to dish out thousands of dollarsThis model offers some of the best clarity and brightness you can get from a binocular without a quadruple-digit price tag
Rating Categories Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 Leica Noctivid 10x42 Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 Vortex Viper HD 8x42
Clarity (35%)
9.5
9.8
9.3
7.8
7.5
Brightness (20%)
8.8
8.6
9.4
7.2
8.9
Comfort (15%)
6.4
5.3
4.4
5.6
5.6
Field of View (10%)
6.1
5.2
7.9
6.1
9.0
Ease of Adjustment (15%)
8.9
8.2
7.4
8.5
4.5
Close Focus Range (5%)
9.5
9.1
7.1
8.8
8.7
Specs Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 Leica Noctivid 10x42 Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 Vortex Viper HD 8x42
Measured Weight 28.2 oz 31.3 oz 30.1 oz 25.5 oz 25.4 oz
Measured Interpupillary Distance Range 56 - 77 mm 56 - 75 mm 55 - 74 mm 57 - 74 mm 56 - 74 mm
Measured Size (Length x Width) 6.8 x 4.5 in 6.2 x 5.1 in 6.4 x 4.4 in 5.8 x 4.5 in 5.7 x 4.3 in
Glass Type FL HD HD ED HD
Lens Coating Fully multi-coated Fully multi-coated Fully multi-coated Fully multi-coated Fully multi-coated
Magnification 10 8.5 10 10 8
Objective Lens Size 42 42 42 42 42
Claimed Field of View (at 1000 yards) 360 ft 336 ft 399 ft 362 ft 409 ft
Measured Close Focus 4.5 ft 5.3 ft 8.8 ft 5.8 ft 6.0 ft
Claimed Close Focus 4.9 ft 4.9 ft 6.2 ft 8.2 ft 6.0 ft
Measured Eye Relief 19.0 mm 19.5 mm 20.0 mm 17.0 mm 18.0 mm
Claimed Eye Relief 18 mm 20 mm 20.0 mm 16.5 mm 18 mm
Prism Roof Roof Roof Roof Roof
Waterproof/Fog Resistant? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tripod Adapter No No No Yes Yes