Neither Leupold BX-1 McKenzie nor Nikon Monarch 5 were recommended by experts this month
On 10 Jan 2025 (3 months ago) we went through 84 Binoculars expert endorsements , however neither Leupold BX-1 McKenzie nor Nikon Monarch 5 were included in any of those recommendations. Since neither Binoculars received a single endorsement, as far as expert recommendations go, it's technically a tie. We do, however, recommend taking a look at Celestron Nature DX ED or other critically acclaimed Binoculars of this month.
For reference, Celestron Nature DX ED received 3 endorsements this month, from Space Exploration and Astronomy (17 Dec 2024), T3 (1 Jan 2025) and Digital Camera World (18 Dec 2024).
| Rank | Change | Price | Binoculars | money.com  | OpticsMag  | Space Exploration and Astronomy  | Wirecutter  | T3  | Digital Camera World  | Task and Purpose  | GearJunkie  | Forbes  | BestReviews  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $184 |  Celestron Nature DX ED The Celestron Nature DX ED binoculars offer high-quality optics, durability, and a balance between weight and size, making them a versatile option for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. | - | - | 13 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| N/A | N/A | Check price |  Leupold BX-1 McKenzie | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| N/A | N/A | $299 |  Nikon Monarch 5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire Binoculars ranking? It's here
As can be seen below, in Jan 2025 neither Leupold BX-1 McKenzie nor Nikon Monarch 5 were recommended by key experts who publish Binoculars recommendations.
| Rank | Change | Price | Binoculars | money.com | OpticsMag | Space Exploration and Astronomy | Wirecutter | T3 | Digital Camera World | Task and Purpose | GearJunkie | Forbes | BestReviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $184 | Celestron Nature DX ED The Celestron Nature DX ED binoculars offer high-quality optics, durability, and a balance between weight and size, making them a versatile option for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. | - | - | 13 | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | - | $489 |  Vortex Optics Viper HD The Vortex Optics Viper HD binoculars are highly praised for their optical quality, comfort, and durability, making them a reliable choice for outdoor activities such as birdwatching, hunting, and nature observation. |
2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | - |
| 3 | - | $1399 |  Canon 10x42 L The Canon 10x42 L binoculars are highly recommended for stargazing and wildlife observation due to their good optical quality, 10x magnification, 42mm objective lenses, and durable construction. | - | - | 1 | - | 7 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | - | $83 |  Celestron Outland X The Celestron Outland X binoculars are highly praised for their optical quality, lightweight design, and durability, making them a reliable choice for outdoor enthusiasts. | 3 | - | - | - | - | 10 | - | 2 | - | 5 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [5]
Total expert reviews: 5
- with a score: 0
- without a score: 5
The Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD series of binoculars offers a range of models with various parameters, but the author finds them to be disappointing in terms of optical properties and price compared to other options on the market. The author does not recommend purchasing these binoculars due to their weaker optical performance and higher price.
+ pros
- Chassis of sensible quality: The binoculars have a sturdy and durable construction.
- Sharp images already from 1.9 meters: The binoculars provide clear and detailed images even at close distances.
- Very clean and sensibly blackened interiors of the tubes: The interior of the binoculars is well-designed and minimizes internal reflections for better image quality.
- Good quality prisms made of BaK-4 glass: The binoculars use high-quality prisms that enhance light transmission and image clarity.
- Antireflection coatings cover all air-to-glass surfaces: The binoculars have coatings that reduce reflections and improve light transmission for better image quality.
- Lifetime warranty: The binoculars come with a full lifetime warranty, providing peace of mind for the buyer.
- cons
- Weak transmission: The binoculars do not transmit light as effectively, resulting in slightly dimmer images.
- A bit too high chromatic aberration on the edge of the field of view: There is some color distortion at the edges of the field of view.
- Fast decrease of sharpness near the edge of the field: The sharpness of the image decreases noticeably towards the edges of the field of view.
- Distinct brightness loss on the edge of the field: The brightness of the image decreases noticeably towards the edges of the field of view.
- Truncated exit pupils: The exit pupils, which determine the size of the light beam entering the eyes, are not fully round, potentially affecting image quality.
Show all 5 reviews
Expert reviews [5]
Total expert reviews: 5
- with a score: 0
- without a score: 5
NIKON MONARCH 5 REVIEW: 4 REASONS TO PURCHASE TODAY!
The Nikon Monarch 5 is one of the best lower priced binoculars on the market today.
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From Seller:
- Leupold model #173789 Bx-1 McKenzie 10x50mm in shadow Gray
- 100% waterproof, Fog proof, & shockproof
- Fully multi-coated lens system ensures maximum brightness for clarity, contrast, and color fidelity
- Back 4 Prisms deliver a perfectly round exit pupil with virtually no edge distortion and a crisp, clear image
- Read more
From Seller:
- All Monarch 5 binoculars are now built with Nikon's premium ED (Extra-low dispersion); Glass for a sharper, clearer and more brilliant field of view.
- Almost an ounce lighter than its predecessor, the new Monarch 5 is even easier to bring along on your next adventure.
- Read more
Nikon Monarch 5 Binoculars
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