Getting your birding binoculars from a trusted brand has its advantages. That is why we decided to review a pair from the brand Nikon in the face of the Nikon 7577 Monarch 5. It is a fairly priced model with good enough magnification for most people, stylish design, and great practicality. There are two models that come with either 8x or 10x magnification but the price difference is so small that we decided to review the slightly bigger model.
With a great magnification, crystal clear lenses, durable construction, and an ergonomic design, the Monarch 5 truly stands out from the rest of its competition. It has one of the better product qualities we’ve seen over the years, and coming from a brand like Nikon is an insurance enough for it to be a long-lasting aid in our quest to find and observe exotic birds. The only drawbacks are the lack of additional items included in the overall package which is compensated to a point with the lower price.
If you want to check out best binoculars for bird watching more advanced and expensive models, head over to our full Buyer’s guide section, where we’ve compiled a list of our favorite models for this year and have given you tons of useful information on how to pick the right binoculars for you!
Product Overview And Features
The thing that stands out the most about the Monarch 5 is its good price-to-value ratio. It is equipped with a lot of features that make it feel like a premium product yet the price is very competitive even with the cheaper price brackets.
All that makes this model a great purchase for anyone who wants quality binoculars without having to spend a small fortune on it. It is a much better decision to get a somewhat budget option and to spend the remainder on accessories such as a neck strap and a hard case, since the Nikon 7577 doesn’t come with those.
- Features a state of the art optical system
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Durable construction
- Ergonomic design
- Great price-to-value ratio
- Good magnification range
The first thing we want to talk about is the magnification of the Monarch, as it is a feature that makes it a favorite for birdwatchers all over the world.
Magnification
In terms of magnification, this scope exceeds our expectations, as scopes have an average magnification of around 5-8x. This one is a 10x model and is good enough for viewing small birds a few hundred yards away.
You can save a few bucks by opting for the 8x model, but it really isn’t worth it, as they are almost equally priced. The lower magnification model is also a bit lighter if weight is a concern.
Lens Quality
The lenses here feature an amazing construction quality which is the result of years of research from Nikon. They have the newest “Extra-low Dispersion” technology which is essential for the clarity of your view. The view out is clearer, sharper and the field of view is slightly improved over the previous generation of Nikon lenses.
They are very durable and are hard to scratch, even though we still suggest using a hard case for carrying your binoculars around. Those usually aren’t expensive and are a great thing to have if you travel around a lot.
The field of view here is 51.3 degrees. This is a great field of view as it will allow you to see a bigger picture even at higher magnifications. All the lenses’ properties also allow for a more natural light transmission resulting in natural and vivid colors.
Materials & Construction
The construction of these binoculars is outstanding and maybe one of their strongest aspects. They are made out of durable hard plastic with a rubberized coating on top to make holding them easy and pleasant. They are also very easy to grip which ensures fewer drops and better handling. There are two ergonomic creases along both sides which make holding it while zooming an extremely easy task.
Having a full plastic body allows Nikon to shave off as much weight as possible, which is a crucial part of any birdwatcher gear. These binoculars weight a little over 1.3 pounds making them some of the lightest we’ve reviewed here.
The lenses are fully multi-coated which not only improves visibility but also adds to their durability and scratch resistance. As a whole, the state of the art optical system which Nikon has implemented in their Monarch series is impeccable in every sense of the word.
The eye cups are made out of rubber as well as the central focus knob.
Additional Features
There are little additional features or items that you will be getting with your new Nikon but as we mentioned earlier, this is all compensated with the lower price. Most models include cases (be it soft or hard), caps, or other additional goodies but that also bumps up the price a little.
In fact, you are getting eye cups, lens caps, and lens cleaning cloth here which is already good enough if you ask us.
Warranty
For a warranty, you will be getting a one year limited one which covers defects and issues. This period can be extended to two years if you want but that will cost you extra.
That is one of the few downsides we managed to find, as most competitors offer a 2 year full warranty nowadays, and some offer lifetime ones (for certain parts of the binoculars).
If price here is an issue, we suggest checking out our Wingspan Optics WingCarcher Review, which is a comparably good pair of binoculars with a much lower price tag!
Birding with your Nikon
Going out birding with these binoculars is nothing short of an amazing experience. They are very lightweight and extremely comfortable to hold in your hands. If you’ve ever been out all day with a heavy pair of binoculars you would know how important weight and ergonomics are.
The contrast and colors are on point and won’t distort the colors or the bird you are observing. With the 10x zooming range you will be able to look species which are both very near and really far away from you.
Now, let’s check out some of the strongest and weakest points of the Monarch 5.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Features a state of the art optical system
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Durable construction
- Ergonomic design
- Great price-to-value ratio
- Good magnification range
Cons
- Does not come with additional accessories such as a hard case or a neck strap
- Somewhat limited warranty options
Conclusion and Rating
Birding Rocks Rating:
If budget is one of your main concerns but you still want to get your hands on some of the more premium binoculars models, then the Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 is one of the best solutions for you. It has a 10x magnification with 42mm lenses that are fully multi-coated and are ready to provide you with the sharpest, most accurate image possible. These binoculars bring an excellent field of view and great comfort to the table, making them ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts. There are a few downsides such as the lack of extra accessories and limited warranty but that is well-compensated by everything else. As a whole, we gave these binoculars a solid five out of five stars rating!
