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Best Feature:
Produces exceptionally bright/clear images without a tripod
Worst Feature:
Expensive & too heavy to carry for long periods of time
Best Uses:
Excellent binoculars for wildlife observation
Pricing:
$2500 (25-year full warranty)
Overview
Most notable for their cutting-edge photography equipment, Nikon also makes binoculars with the same quality and precision. The Nikon EDG binoculars get their name from extra-low dispersion glass that provides a sharp image. Ideal for wildlife observation and hunting, these binoculars let in plenty of light with their high magnification but aren't so powerful that you always need a tripod to get a clear image. These binoculars are also available in 7x42 and 8x42 magnifications for less serious, recreational users.
Product Report Card Grade
We give Nikon's EDG 10x42 Binoculars an A- because they are excellent, high-end binoculars for serious wildlife observation (there are two other EDG models with lower magnifications that are probably better suited for recreational birding). Featuring advanced optical technology and high quality construction materials, the EDG binoculars can deliver bright, crisp, vivid images even in low light conditions. They also have a dual-focus knob that allows for more precise focusing and Diopter adjustments. While they are exceptional binoculars, we had to deduct a few points because of their high price tag and because they are slightly heavier than similarly-sized binoculars.
Date Reviewed
March 2013
May 2012
December 2013
Pros
25-year no-fault warranty; powerful optics deliver crisp, clear images even in lower light; waterproof and fog proof; detachable and adjustable eyecups are shaped to block light and enhance comfort; features ED glass; fully multi-coated lenses; open bridge design makes them comfortable to hold
Powerful, high quality optics; integrated laser rangefinder and ballistic information system; waterproof and fog proof; good performance in low-light conditions; fully multi-coated lenses; wide interpupillary range
Great value with limited lifetime warranty; good optics; relatively compact and lightweight; fog proof and waterproof down to 50 m; made with materials typically found in higher priced binoculars; available in camouflage; fully multi-coated lenses
Cons
Expensive; relatively heavy; some complaints about adjustable rain guard being more difficult to use than a one-size-fits-all model
Expensive and warranty doesn't protect against accidents; heavy
Flimsy strap; detached lens cover is easy to lose; focus dial is stiff; eye relief somewhat short
Price
$2,499.95
$2,799.99
$259.95
Warranty
25-Year Full Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Best Use
They are well suited for general outdoor activities including wildlife viewing, hunting, bird watching, etc.
They are ideal for hunting, but they can also be used for other general outdoor activities like nature viewing, bird watching, etc.
They are excellent binoculars for general outdoor activities like hunting, wildlife viewing, bird watching, etc.
Binocular Type
Full-Size
Full-Size
Full-Size
Binocular Size
The binoculars are 5.9" x 5.6" (L x W) and weigh 27.9 oz.
The binoculars are 6.6" x 5.3" (L x W) and weigh 35.1 oz.
The binoculars are 5.5" x 5" (L x W) and weigh 24.7 oz.
Field of View at 1,000 yds
Angular Field of View (Real)
6.5°
5.7°
(not available from customer service)
Angular Field of View (Apparent)
59.2°
(not available from customer service)
(not available from customer service)
Close Focusing Distance (ft)
Focus System
They have a central focusing knob that is integrated with the diopter adjustment.
They have a central focusing knob.
They have a central focusing knob.
Diopter Adjustment
± 4 dpt (locking)
± 3.5 dpt
± 2 dpt (locking)
Interpupillary Distance
56 - 72 mm
54 - 76 mm
57 - 76 mm
Prism Type
They have a roof prism system with BaK-4 glass.
They have a type of roof prism system known as Abbe-König and feature BaK-4 glass.
They have a roof prism system with BaK-4 glass.
Lens / Coating
They feature fully multi-coated ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lenses designed with Nikon's field-flattener lens system.
They feature fully multi-coated achromatic lenses with Zeiss' T* and LotuTec® coatings.
They feature fully multi-coated ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Prime Glass lenses and an ultra wide-band custom coating that helps to maximize available light.
Water / Fog Proof
Yes, they are nitrogen-filled and are fog proof and waterproof down to 9.8 ft for 10 minutes (confirmed with customer service).
Yes, they are nitrogen-filled and are fog proof and waterproof.
Yes, they feature RainGuardHD, Bushnell's patented permanent water-repellant coating, and are fog proof and waterproof up to 50 meters (according to customer service).
Rangefinder
N/A
Yes, they are engineered with an integrated laser rangefinder (class 1) and Ballistic Information System (BIS™) for quick and accurate targeting information. In about 1.5 seconds, they can measure any distance between 10 - 1300 yards with an accuracy of about 0.5%. The rangefinder is powered by a CR 2 (Lithium 3V) battery, which should last for about 10,000 measurements.
N/A
Exterior
They have a magnesium-alloy, rubber-armored body that is lightweight, durable, shock-resistant and comfortable to hold. They are only available in a matte black finish.
They have a lightweight magnesium construction with a rubber armor that provides durability, shock resistance and a comfortable, secure grip. They are only available in a matte black finish.
They are made from a lightweight magnesium and are rubber-armored for durability, shock-resistance and comfort. They are available in a matte black or camouflage finish.
Eyecups
They have horn-shaped adjustable and detachable eyecups with detents.
They have twist-up (and detachable) eyecups with 4 detents.
They have twist-up eyecups.
Tripod Adaptable
Yes, they are tripod adaptable.
Yes, they are tripod adaptable.
Yes, they are tripod adaptable.
Accessories
They come with a travel case, an adjustable soft touch neck strap and rubberized objective frames.
They come with a leather carrying case, a neck strap, an eyepiece cap, protective lens covers and an optics cleaning cloth.
They come with a carrying case, neck strap, microfiber lens cleaning cloth and a harness.
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Brighter images, even at twilight
- Highly adjustable eyecups that block light and are comfortable on your face
- Feature an open bridge design that make them comfortable to hold
Cons
- Slightly too heavy for carrying around for extensive periods of time
- Slightly too powerful for recreational use
- Adjustable rain guard more difficult to use than a one-size-fits-all model
Key Features
Product Design
These binoculars are durable with a short bridge for a comfortable grip and feature adjustable eyecups that are suitable for use with or without glasses. They have a magnesium alloy body and are covered in soft rubber where your hands hold the binoculars.
Size
At 5.9" x 5.6" (LxW) and weighing 27.9 oz, these binoculars fall in the midsize range, making them both powerful and relatively portable.
Waterproofing
These binoculars are nitrogen-filled to make them fog proof and waterproof down to 16.4 ft for 10 minutes.
Added Benefits
The binoculars come with an ergonomically designed strap and eyepiece rain guard, which are pretty standard.
Warranty
Nikon offers a no-fault warranty for up to 25 years.
Optics
- Magnification: 10x magnification makes these binoculars high-powered but still easy to focus.
- Objective Lens (mm): 42 mm is large enough for low-light viewing.
- Exit Pupil (mm): At 4.2 mm, the exit pupil is large enough to let in sufficient light.
- Eye Relief (mm): 18 mm eye relief makes these binoculars a good choice for eyeglass wearers.
- Field of View (ft/1000y): 374 ft is a solid field of view measurement for outdoor viewing.
- Close Focusing Distance: At 9 ft, you will be close to your viewing object.
- Diopter: Features a dual-focus knob that pulls out to adjust the diopter setting.
- Interpupillary Range: 55-76 mm is a little large for people with close-set eyes.
- Twilight Factor: At 20.49, these binoculars perform well in low-light conditions.
- Prisms: These binoculars feature a roof prism system, which is fairly standard.
- Lens Elements: These binoculars are made with environmentally safe extra-low dispersion glass with a field flattener lens system for reduced aberration when focusing in the field of view. That means you will get better color and a crisp image that isn't distorted.
- Coating: These binoculars are fully multi-coated, which is the highest standard. They have phase correction coating for high contrast and dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating for increased light intensity on the roof prism, which makes for a brighter viewing experience.
Reputation
Since the Nikon EDG 10x42 is so new, there are very few online reviews available. The few reviewers I found felt that the price of these binoculars was very reasonable when compared to other high-end binoculars. They feature quality construction with optical performance comparable to other models in their class. Most reviewers highly recommend these binoculars for wildlife observation, and some reviewers even recommended them for birding, though the EDG 8x42 binoculars are probably the better choice.
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