Nikon Prostaff 3s vs Nikon Monarch 5
Overview:
Although they come from the same brand, Nikon Prostaff 3s and Monarch 5 have lots of dissimilarities between them. They may be entry-level binoculars but both series have unique features that are distinctive from each other.
Nikon Prostaff 3s is a high-quality binocular, made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin for high-tensile strength and improved performance. This model of binocular has a multi-layer coating for high light transmittance and clearer view.
The hard layers on the cover of the lens protect it from scratches and minimize the annoying reflections. Nikon Prostaff 3s offers a steady view that is ideal for hikers, bird watchers, and wildlife viewers. Its wide field of view allows users to scan large areas rather than just a single focused point.
Meanwhile, Monarch is a premium quality binocular with great craftsmanship and impressive features. Its highly reflective coating produces sharp and natural color images without any distortion and blurriness.
Nikon Monarch 5 brings great clarity to the image and reduces surface reflectivity with the use of a fully multi-coated lens. Its rubber armoring absorbs shocks and provides a non-slip grip to use in wet and muddy conditions. Below is the comparison table of Nikon Prostaff 3s and Monarch 5.
| Specifications | Nikon Prostaff 3s | Nikon Monarch 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 5.1 x 2 inches | 5.7 x 5.1 x 2.4 inches |
| Magnification | 10x | 8x |
| Objective Lens Size | 42mm | 42mm |
| Eye Relief | 15.7mm | 19.5mm |
| Field of View at 1000 yds | 367 ft | 330 ft |
| Real Angle of View | 7 degrees | 6.3 degrees |
| Close Focus Distance | 9.8 ft | 7.8 ft |
| Relative Brightness | 17.6 | 28.1 |
| Lens Coating | Multicoated | Fully Multicoated |
| Exit Pupil | 4.2mm | 5.25mm |
| Weatherproof | Yes | Yes |
| Prism | Roof | Roof |
| Interpupillary adjustment | 56 to 72mm | 56 to 72mm |
| Weight | 4.3oz | 4.8oz |
| Best Use | Camping, Canoeing, Birding | Camping |
Nikon Prostaff 3s
1,250+ Verified Buyers Reviews on Amazon
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Nikon Monarch 5
1,465+ Verified Buyers Reviews on Amazon
by 84% buyers
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by 1% buyers
1. Objective Lens and Magnification
For those who’re skeptical about what objectives lenses are and what size is good enough to enhance the image. These are the optical units that determine the magnification power and image quality of the binocular. Its size gives an in-depth understanding to the users about how much light a binocular can gather and how large the device can be.
Objective lenses collect the light from the specimen, which emphasis producing higher magnification for accurate images. They enable the user to zoom the object and enlarge its size for a clearer view. Objective lenses come in various magnification powers, so the users will have to be extremely careful while choosing the device.
Nikon Prostaff 3s has a higher magnification range as compared to Monarch. The model can produce up to 10 times magnification with a 42mm objective lens, while the monarch enlarges the object only up to 8 times. It collects enough light though, thereby providing a high-resolution observation of distant objects.
2. Extended Eye relief
Nikon Prostaff 3s is designed with a long eye relief scope to help eyeglasses wearers find a correct distance from the eyepiece without vignetting. It provides them a wider field of view for improved image clarity, even if they don’t take off their glasses.
Prostaff turn-and-slide rubber eyecups make it incredibly easy for eyeglasses wearers to capture the view. It provides them sufficient space between the brow and eyecups, allowing a wide coverage rather than focusing on a single point.
Its 20.2mm eye relief with adjustable eyepieces enables users to obtain a full view angle without image distortion. Meanwhile, the Monarch 5 has an eye relief of 18.4mm that allows you to see the center of the picture.
It offers additional magnification and reticle options that are perfect for rear mounting. Users of Nikon Monarch 5 get additional comfort with the turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, which makes it easier to position the eyes at a correct eyepoint.
It provides the freedom to adjust the eye relief for custom fit and allows them to cover a wide area. The eye relief distance of Monarch 5 is a little shorter, so the users might experience a constricted image. They may also struggle to get a full field of view as the users will have to position their ocular lens closer to the eye.
4. Lens and Prism Coating
Nikon Prostaff 3s is more environment-friendly as compared to Monarch. It has a lead and arsenic-free eco-glass prism and lens coating, which protects the eye from harmful UV rays. Unlike many other series from Nikon, Prostaff 3s has a multi-coated lens with layers of silver alloy mirror on the roof prism for high reflectance and durability.
Monarch 5 binoculars are constructed from the extra-low dispersion of glass lenses for greater color saturation, contrast, and image detail. It adjusts the chromatic aberrations to the far limits of the visible light range and compresses the distance between the color’s plane of focus, resulting in better light transmission.
It also provides higher resolution for brighter, clearer, and accurate images in the viewfinder. As for Monarch 5, the lens and prism coating are fully multi-coated as it allows more light to pass through the lens smoothly. It reduces the glare reflections and halos around the light to produce sharp and natural color images without any dispersion or fuzziness.
The roof prisms used in Monarch are coated with phase-correction to minimize the loss of resolution and high contrast images. The dielectric multilayer prism makes it more comfortable to use the binocular without having to suffer from eye strain.
5. Uses
Even though they are both exceptional in their own right, Nikon Monarch seems to be the forerunner with many more awesome features than the Prostaff. The series has a simple but insightful design with ED glass lenses, internal blackening, and a high-reflective prism coating.
Pro hunters and campers find Monarch super handy as it comprises a long eye relief with turn-and-slide rubber eyecups for better and comfortable viewing. The binocular has a large central focus wheel and a diopter, which turns the minimum focus distance and makes it possible to get the macro shots.
The central focus knob of Monarch is also quite impressive as it allows focusing on both left and right eyepieces simultaneously. Prostaff, on the other hand, provides an ultra-wide focal length to scan large areas with a great balance of subject and background.
Prostaff 3s makes a great option for long-distance field glassing, canoeing, and scouting. It’s also recommended for birding and wildlife viewing as the binocular has multi-click turn-and-slide eyecups that allow adjusting the eye relief for better positioning.
6. Construction
Nikon has always been known for making high-quality products that provide greater durability and increased performance. For that matter, both Prostaff 3s and Monarch 5 are quite amazing as they are well designed with extra features and superior comfort.
Monarch 3s is finely structured using premium quality materials and the latest technology. The binocular has an optical system made from eco glass that is free of lead and arsenic. It also has an exit pupil of 5.3mm and a 20.2mm eye relief to crank up the maximum magnification.
Monarch 3s has a lightweight frame, made of durable fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin. Its multilayer coatings protect the objective lens from getting scratches and make the transmittance of light easier. Moreover, the rubber armor design prevents the user from getting an unwanted shock and provides a firm grip on a moisture basis.
Similar to Prostaff 3s, Monarch is also lightweight, so bringing it to outdoor events seems to be reasonable. The binocular is sturdy and compact with an ED glass lens that provides natural-looking images with better color contrast and brightness.
Since the binocular is waterproof, people can use it while canoeing or enjoying any other watersport. They can even put it into use on a snowy day as the binoculars don’t get damaged from the snow.
It’s ergonomic with a slender frame and a rubber-armed exterior which provides a non-slip grip. The 8×42 Monarch binoculars are O-ring sealed and purged with nitrogen for fog and water-proof performance. Even if submerged in water as deep as 1 m for up to 10 min, the binocular will still perform without any internal or external damage to the binocular.
Monarch 5 comes in full size to provide clearer and sharper views to the users. Unlike many other optics, Nikon has manufactured Monarch with a high-eyepoint design for a clearer field of view even for the eyeglasses wearers.
If you want to use the binoculars in winter, Monarch 5 is definitely the one to pick as it allows you to use the device, wearing a glove. Users who are exposed to direct UV radiation will find Monarch worth it as it’s created from fiber polycarbonate housing.
The binocular prevents the warping and color discoloration so that users can get a natural image without any blurriness. Monarch 5 can easily survive the quick splashdown but won’t be able to endure prolonged submersion.
As the Prostaff 3s is also water-resistant, it can easily handle light rainfall but not a swamp. The multi-layer coating protects the interior lenses from fogging up and avoids the potential damage that might cause the moisture trapped inside the lens.
7. Weight
It’s easy for people to get stressed out when outdoor or walking into the wilderness. In such a scenario, they just don’t want to put up with any extra weight that adds pressure. For that, most birdwatchers and wildlife viewers prefer compact and lightweight binoculars which are easy to carry while on the trip.
In terms of weight, it’s quite obvious that the Nikon Prostaff 3s is more lightweight as compared to Monarch. The binocular just weighs 3.9 oz while its counterpart has a 4.8 oz weight. Keeping that in the account, Nikon Prostaff 3s is clearly 0.9 oz lighter than the Monarch.
The binocular is also highly reflective and provides a brighter view to the users by sacrificing a little on the field of view. It’s highly functional and more convenient to use as the item doesn’t dangle from the neck. Their optics are as good as they can get, being coated with rubber to guard against minor bumps and bruises.
8. Price
There’s a large-scale difference in the price of Nikon Prostaff 3s and Monarch 5. While the Prostaff is slightly cheaper, Monarch 5 will cost users a hefty amount as it has many advanced features including stylish design and
So, if you’re concerned about the price then it’s better to have Prostaff 3s. The binocular is relatively less expensive and comes with enough awesome features, including multi-coated optics, high eyepoint, and fog-proof performance.
Monarch 5 costs the users approximately US$296.95 while the price of Prostaff 3s is just USD 196. That’s almost US$100 more compared to the Prostaff but, the users will be getting what they pay for. Hence, those who’re not running low on a budget can have this high-end model.
Final Verdict
Between Prostaff 3s and Monarch 5, the latter one wins by a mile as it is flawless and well-built. The binocular is actually pretty good with lead-and-arsenic-free eco glass and prism. Its ED glass provides a crisper, sharper, and excellent image with better contrast.
It raises the stakes for users by improving agility and advanced low-light radiance. The binocular is extremely lightweight, sleek, and portables, so bringing it in wild for birdwatching and camping is great.
Monarch’s easy-to-grip body frame makes it the most reliable and ultimate piece of gear to carry with you. Its objective lenses are not bad either as it reduces the loss of light due to reflection for a more natural view.
Before buying Nikon Prostaff 3s, see what verified buyers are reviewing about it on Amazon.
Before buying Monarch 5, see what verified buyers are reviewing about it on Amazon.
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