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Head-to-head · Best Binoculars

Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42 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.

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The short answer

Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about budget-conscious birders wanting premium CA control — read the strengths below before deciding.

Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Binoculars
Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42
3 sources2 derived

Under $300, the Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42 gives up little: reviewers praised its chromatic aberration control and light magnesium body. Its compact, ergonomic shape won a Red Dot Award in 2016. The focus wheel turns smoothly and the eye cups are well designed, though some reviewers noted a slightly smaller field of view than higher-end models. Birders and outdoor users who want premium optics without premium pricing are the target.

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
Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Nikon Monarch M5
Ranked #4 in Best Binoculars
Nikon Monarch M5
5 sources3 derived$289.98as of Sep 18

The Nikon Monarch M5 gets a lot right for the money, in a compact, light body that's comfortable to hold. Reviewers liked the ergonomic rubber armoring, the smooth focus mechanism, and the fully multi-coated optics. The recurring complaint is field of view: the 8x42 covers just 335 feet at 1,000 yards. Nitrogen purging makes it waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof for outdoor use. Birding and general observation suit it, but that narrow view makes tracking fast-moving subjects harder.

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
$289.98 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Athlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42

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

SpecAthlon Optics Midas UHD 8x42Nikon Monarch M5
Magnification8x8x, 10x, 12x
Objective Diameter42mm42mm
Weight1.56 lb1.41 lb
Eye Relief17.2mm19.5 mm (8x42)
Field Of View426ft at 1,000 yards335 ft at 1000 yd (8x42)
Lens MaterialExtra-Low Dispersion GlassED glass
Prism Typeroof-prismSchmidt-Pechan (a.k.a. Roof) prisms
Materialmagnesium chassisfibreglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin
Close Focus6.5 ft8.2 feet
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