Great low light binoculars - Nikon 8.5x56 Monarch ATB Binoculars 7517

These are bright. They compare favorably to Nikon 10.5x45 Monarch X. Ok they are not quite as sharp but not really far off. I was birding toward Dusk and using a pair of Cabelas Alaskan Guide binos. The trees were backlite which made viewing difficult. The Alaskan Guides had terrible glare. Luckily I brought the Nikons along. When I switched the glare was very well controlled. I could see the color of a scarlet tanager well against a dark tree that was brightly back lite. It was getting dark when I was driving out of the park and spotted an owl aboyt 75 ft away in a tree. I pulled over and the Nikons clearly separated the grey and brown in the owl from the green in the tree with only minutes of daylight left. The Alaskan Guides gave me a dark image in which I could not differentiate the owl from the tree. Through 8.5 x 56 I had a great view of the owl for 10 more minutes until it was dark. Are they as good as my Swarovski EL's or my Nikon Premeirs? No the Alphas win easily in resolution and detail. But the 8.5 x 56 really holds it own especially in low light. The field of view may be narrow for an 8 power but it is pretty sharp edge to edge. I am very sensitive to binos that get blurry outside of a small sweet spot. I could happily carry these birding or nature observing anywhere(as long as my arms held out) and be happy with the results. Best Under $400 binoculars I have seen. But I hear the Monarch 5's are sharper yet!
Pros: Bright, sharp to edges, good glare control
Cons: Heavy, end caps fall off

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.