The quality of the lenses in these binocs are so good that I am unable to detect any improvement with a more expensive pair.
After realizing that the half dozen pair of binoculars that were in my possession were of too poor quality to enjoy birding and other wildlife viewing, I began a search for an excellent pair of binoculars. I borrowed expensive pairs from friends, shopped the few stores that carry quality binoculars and determined that I needed to spend about $300+ to get a durable quality pair. I compared 8x42 and 10x42 and decided that the greater magnification was preferred. Nikon beat out all the others--with Meade having a very similar close second.
Since receiving the Nikon Monarchs, I have used them for birding and for viewing outdoor concerts. The fantastic optics, light weight, brightness, and simplicity of use surpass my expectations.
Cons: None
This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.