Head-to-head · Best Binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas ED vs Nikon Monarch M5

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Athlon Optics Midas ED comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about budget-conscious birders wanting premium CA control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas ED

4.4

The Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42 binoculars offer exceptional value for under $300, with reviewers praising their superior chromatic aberration control and lightweight magnesium construction. BirdForum users noted the binoculars outperform competitors like the Nikon M7 in glare reduction and CA control, while also having a compact, ergonomic design that won a Red Dot Award in 2016. The smooth focus wheel and well-designed eye cups enhance usability, though some reviewers noted a slightly smaller field of view compared to higher-end models. These binoculars are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and birders seeking premium performance without premium pricing.

Strengths

— Excellent CA correction performance, controlling chromatic aberration better than most binoculars in its price range
— Lightweight at 25 oz with a compact design suitable for outdoor sports and birding
— All-magnesium frame for strength and light weight

Watch-outs

— Slightly smaller field of view compared to some competitors like the Nikon M7 8x42
— Not the largest eye relief at 17.2mm

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Ranked #3 in Best Binoculars

Nikon Monarch M5

4.2

$296.95as of Jul 6

The Nikon Monarch M5 binoculars offer excellent value for their price point, featuring a compact and lightweight design that's comfortable to use. Reviewers praised the ergonomic rubber armoring, smooth focus mechanism, and optical performance with fully multi-coated lenses. However, the narrow field of view was consistently noted as a drawback, with the 8x42 model offering only 335 feet at 1,000 yards. The binoculars are nitrogen-purged and waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, making them suitable for outdoor use. They're recommended for birding and general observation, though the limited field of view may make them less ideal for fast-moving subjects.

Strengths

— Compact and lightweight design at 22.5 oz
— Ergonomic black rubber armoring with no-slip surface and thumb grooves
— Smooth and easy-to-use focus knob requiring only 1.25 turns

Watch-outs

— Narrow field of view (335 ft at 1000 yards for 8x42 model)
— Blurry edges in the field of view

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How they stack up

Athlon Optics Midas ED

The Athlon Optics Midas ED excels in chromatic aberration correction and is more compact than the Nikon M7 10x42, but it doesn't match the Zeiss Victory SF's wide field of view or the Vortex Viper HD's low light fall-off. Compared to the Kowa Genesis, it offers better overall brightness and sharper central focus, though it lacks the unique warm color palette that some birders prefer.

Nikon Monarch M5

The Nikon Monarch M5 is more compact and lightweight than the Zeiss Victory SF, but it suffers from a narrow field of view compared to the Vortex Viper HD and lacks the superior close focus of the Zeiss model. While it offers better build quality than the Kowa Genesis, it doesn't match the Athlon Midas ED in CA correction or the Vortex Viper HD's low light performance.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Athlon Optics Midas ED	Nikon Monarch M5
Magnification	8x	8x, 10x, 12x
Objective Diameter	42mm	42mm
Weight	1.56 lb	1.41 lb
Eye Relief	17.2mm	19.5 mm (8x42)
Field Of View	426ft at 1,000 yards	335 ft at 1000 yd (8x42)
Lens Material	Extra-Low Dispersion Glass	ED glass
Prism Type	roof-prism	Schmidt-Pechan (a.k.a. Roof) prisms
Close Focus	6.5 ft	8.2 feet

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