Rating:

Excellent binoculars with very easy to use Zoom feature which I love. Great for bird watching. The zoom is great for watching stationary objects but not so good for tracking a bird in flight. No problem, as it’s very easy to switch from zoom to regular viewing.

The only problem is they only come with caps for the eye pieces–and those don’t even fit.

Otherwise I’d highly recommend this item.

Rating:

Don’t let the bird watching crowd talk you out of getting a pair of zoom binoculars, folks. When binocular nuts say that zoom nocs “don’t perform well,” and try to discourage others from buying them, what they really mean is that most people don’t know what to expect when they get their hands on a pair of zooms, and are sometimes unpleasantly surprised to find out they don’t work exactly like their favorite fixed magnification nocs.

As with all optical tools, zoom nocs are best for certain kinds of uses, and not so good for others. Specifically, at the bottom end of their range, they “see” the same as any fixed mag nocs with the same focal dimensions and optic quality. However, as you increase the zoom, three things happen: 1) your field of view gets smaller; 2) the visible light coming through the nocs lessens, or, the image gets a little bit “darker,” and 3) it becomes more difficult to keep the nocs fixed on your target.

Now obviously, if you are attempting to watch something like a small bird in flight, and perhaps even adjust the zoom while trying to keep the nocs focused on your subject at the same time, you will be VERY frustrated with the “performance” of these or ANY zoom binoculars. That isn’t because the nocs aren’t doing their job … it’s because you’re using the wrong kind of optical tool for the task at hand!

If, on the other hand, you are looking at a well-lighted subject that is stationary, or not moving around too much, and you just want to get a little closer look at it, you will be absolutely thrilled with what you get from these nocs.

Nikon’s optics are crystal clear and first rate for the modest price. The zoom mechanism is simple, smooth and cool. To “zoom in” you simply turn the zoom ring located on the right eyepiece clockwise, and then back the other way to “zoom out.” The diopter (that’s the adjuster that compensates for focal differences between the right and left eyes of individual users) is located on the left eyepiece. The nocs are solidly constructed, with a nice “tight” feel on all the moving parts, and a black rubber armor covering most of the exterior, for a good grip. They’re very lightweight, fit in your hands like a glove, and come with a neck strap, eyepiece caps, and a custom-fitted, black nylon mesh carrying case with a belt loop on the back.

Finally, if you have any difficulty holding the nocs steady at their maximum magification (and most people will), FEAR NOT! Think about getting an adjustable monopod to rest the nocs on while you look through them, e.g., the PoleCat “Explorer” by Stoney Point, with their optional binocular rest. This monopod can be adjusted to hold your nocs steady for you, whether you’re standing or sitting. It doubles as a walking stick, and has a standard screw mount on the top for use with cameras, camcorders, etc. I’ve now gotten and used this little “extra” myself, and it has vastly enhanced my enjoyment of the nocs, especially at the higher magnifications.

I personally think the negative press on zoom nocs is nonsense. Just satisfy yourself that zoom nocs are ok for your intended use(s), and then learn how to use them the right way. I took a chance and bought the Nikon Travelite V zoom nocs, sight unseen, and I’m glad I did. These are GREAT compact binoculars for the price.

Rating:

I am aware that the 10×42 are not as well rated as the 8×42 but the extra magnification in the 10×42 is not too much of a sacrifice.