MONARCH HG binoculars are made in Japan, feature an innovated exterior and deliver the finest performance among MONARCH models. That's because of the wide apparent field of view (60.3° for the 8x42 and 62.2° for the 10x42) that provides spectacular viewing.

The Nikon Monarch 7 series was launched in the middle of 2012. At first only two models were offered – the 8x42 and the 10x42. Both instruments are Schmidt-Pechan roof prism devices and their prisms are made of BaK-4 glass covered by both dielectric and phase-correction coatings.

All the premium Nikon binoculars are manufactured and assembled in-house at multiple production facilities in Japan. This allows the company to maintain a great level of optical performance and built quality of the higher-end models.

Eye relief: 17.1 mm.

Product Line-up

• Kowa BD Binoculars Kowa BDII XD Binoculars.
• Kowa SV Binoculars Kowa SV II Binoculars.
• Sightron SIII ED Binoculars.
• Sightron SII Blue Sky Binoculars.
• Fujinon FMT Binoculars.
• Fujinon Techno-Stabi Binoculars.

Nikon Binoculars Nikon Binoculars | Monarch 5.

Contacted Nikon and they told me the new versions are shipping out early September and are now made in China.

Monarch M7 binoculars deliver an astoundingly wide field of view up to 435-ft. at 1000 yards (8x models). See more details and more of the scene, making it easier to locate your subject when spotting birds and wildlife amid trees and landscapes.

Japanese publication AERAdot has reported Nikon is ending domestic camera production in Japan. According to the report, Nikon will be moving camera production from its Sendai Nikon factory in the Tōhoku region North of Tokyo to its Thailand factories in an effort to reduce costs.

Contacted Nikon and they told me the new versions are shipping out early September and are now made in China.

These refer to the magnification and objective diameter. An example is: 8x42. This indicates the magnification of the binoculars is 8x power and the objective (front) lens is 42mm in diameter.

Eye relief is the distance from the outer surface of the eyepiece lens to the position where the exit pupil is formed (eyepoint). Looking through binoculars from the eyepoint, you can obtain the whole field of view without vignetting.

Binoculars made in Germany. German companies have always been the leading manufacturers of binoculars. Companies like Carl Zeiss and Leica Sport Optics have always spearheaded the innovation in binocular technologies since the 19th century.

The quick list

• Best binoculars overall. Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars.
• Best optical performance. Nikon Monarch HG 10x42.
• Best for affordable stargazing. Celestron Nature DX 12x56.
• Best binoculars under $300. Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binocular.
• Best budget binoculars. Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 Binocular.
• Best for moon views.

Japan is one of the primary producers of high-quality binoculars after Germany. Fujii Brothers were the first binocular manufacturers in Japan, producing their first models in 1911. During World War II, the Japanese military's giant binocular became quite famous.

Whether Nikon binoculars are made in Japan or China depends on the model. All of the brand's high-end binoculars come from Japanese factories. However, Chinese facilities produce some entry-level models.