Month: December 2017

The Bushnell Falcons are wide-angle optics, noticeable by their expanded lenses that are “wider” than most sporting optics. Wide-angle binoculars offer a wider field of view (FOV), meaning you can see more objects when looking into the eyecups. A common misconception is that increased DOF is the result of bigger eyecups or lenses.

These binoculars function as multi-role optics but are more commonly seen among birders.

Optics

This particular pair of binoculars is 10x50mm, giving you increased magnification power. Combined with the benefits of a wide angle construction, the Falcon allows you to see more across the lenses while also giving you the power to see up close details. Range, depth, and magnification are usually sacrificed for one another, leaving few binoculars that shine in all categories.

To be precise, at 1000 yards, the field of view is nearly 300 yards without magnification. One of the reasons why the Falcon is popular among birders is that it’s perfect for tracking fast moving birds or other animals. With a wider angle of view, you can spot and keep track of moving objects without having to swing your optics because it’s moving too fast.

Here are the general specs of the Falcon:

• Magnification/Lens Diameter: 10x / 55mm.
• Autofocusing Porro prism.
• 25-foot close focusing distance.
• Weight: 27 oz.
• Eye Relief: 9mm.
• Exit Pupil: 5mm.
• Field of View @ 1,000 yds: 300ft.

Compared to Hunting Binos

You don’t see too many hunting binos with a wide angle style of construction. This is because hunting binos are focused on achieving recognition of an object at various ranges and then acquiring details about that object (color, light transmission, anti-fog, etc.).

The Falcon’s wide field of view and ten times magnification still make it a versatile pair of binos, but it may lack in acquiring intense detail of objects and animals at maximum range.

Overall

This set of binoculars work well for every outdoor activity that needs long-range optics. To the make the most of them, one has to think of them as more than just lenses to look through. Wide-angle binoculars have a broader FOV, even more so than some of the best sporting optics out there. That’s not to say that sporting optics aren’t flashy and provide great detail, but the key difference is that the Falcon is cheap.

As with most binoculars, it comes with a focusing knob in the middle and diopter setting. You can spread the binoculars out and adjust the eyecups to your liking, making them personable optics as well. They would make great gifts for the holiday season because they are great quality and still have uses beyond birding.

Click here to shop the Bushnell Falcon 10x50mm.

Click here to check out the Falcon 7x35mm.

The Nikon Monarch HG is the latest in Nikon’s monarch line of binoculars. It comes in the 10×42 and 8×42 versions. This version of the Monarch series is the quintessential rugged outdoorsman binoculars. It is constructed of magnesium alloy, a stronger substance and coating to protect against damage from drops and other accidents.

Here we’ll explore the HG as it compares to other Monarchs and its improvements.

Compared to Monarch Series

The HG is nearly double the price of the binoculars that preceded it, the Monarch 7. They both have the ED (extra-low dispersion) glass that clears up distortions in imaging and augments the Field flattener lens system. The HG isn’t a vastly different pair of binoculars compared to its predecessors but really ups the ruggedness factor.

Apart from being shielded and coated with anti-fog and moisture material, the HG prides itself on being the best pair of sporting optics out there. Being rugged and during is one thing, but retaining image quality is another.

The focus is still in the center between the eyepieces and takes on a larger shape for increased control and stability.

Field Flattener Lens System

The Monarch HG employs the field flattener lens system (FFLS) like the rest of the Monarch line. With most imaging devices including cameras, a notable problem is a dropoff in image quality and color around the edges of an image.

The HG compensates for this problem with the FFLS, clearing up images on the outside to make a complete and colorful viewing experience. Nikon has increased the level of coating for the HG’s internal prisms and lenses, leading to a nearly 92% light transmittance factor. For low-light and unfavorable conditions, the HG is the pair of binos for the job.

Other Features

The HG employs a 60.3-degree FOV for the 8×42 pair and 62.2 FOV for the 10×42 pair. A two-degree difference doesn’t seem like much but can mean the difference between spotting a rare object or animal at long range. The HG also has a diopter setting that allows you to save your preferred setting in the case that you share these binoculars with another person.

It is rated waterproof above 5m for around ten minutes and fog-proof at altitudes of up to 16,400 feet. These stats showcase just how rugged this pair of binoculars is. That’s not to say that the entire Monarch line is sub-par, but the HG is ideal for harsher conditions where other binoculars might suffer performance issues.

Overall

As the latest edition in the Monarch series, the HG doesn’t make leaps and bounds over its predecessor Monarchs but does improve slightly with its FFLS and image quality. Coupled with increased protection around the lenses and body, the HG makes its case for one of the best pair extreme outdoorsmen binoculars on the market.

Get yours on Amazon today! Click here!