Nikon Action EX Extreme ATB Binocular

I was excited to try these for bird watching, and got exemplary customer service and shipping from Amazon affiliated merchant.

Unfortunately neither my wife nor I (both normal-sized people) was unable to test them effectively because the eyepieces do not adjust close enough together to make a nice "circle"; instead we got double circles and double vision. The adjustment goes from 56-74mm which is apparently the range of average adult male faces. Well, if Nikon is listening, I checked all their models and none of them go below 56mm that I could find. That cuts out a big portion of the population

After this experience I realized that finding "interpupillary distance range" specifications is very difficult, even with all the optics websites out there. I ended up buying Leupold Yosemite 8x30's, which adjust from 50-70mm and are also a standard porro-prism design.

I understand that all binoc's involve compromises, and I'm no engineer, but it seems to me it would be a small design change to the hinge to make these fit many more people.

I've had my pair for about 3 years now and use them a lot for birding, the opera, and hiking. We keep them on the kitchen table to look at birds at our feeders, so they get almost daily use. The optics amaze me, and the binoculars have been perfectly dependable and easy to use. The very large eye relief makes them perfect for us, as we both wear glasses. I also like the adjustable eye cups. Rubber eye cups that curl back for use with glasses only last a year or two before cracking. These threaded eye cups should last indefinitely.

They're a bit heavy, so we bought a well padded camera strap to replace the thinner strap that came with the binocular. The case that comes with the binoculars works well, and has cutouts for straps.

We like this binocular so much that we are soon going to order another one so we both have one when hiking. I'm not tempted to get the 8x40 because the optics are so clear and bright that we can see birds much better with these than our previous, cheaper 8x binoculars. Also, a wide field of view is critical at the opera. The 8x40 is a little heavier, with a little narrower field of view than the 7x35.

Regarding the objective lens cover, I cut three slits into the sides of each cup so they slip on easily. Also, I've attached all the lens covers to the binocular with woven fishing line so they're never lost. They hang down about 8 inches when the binoculars are in use.

Bought this item because it was highly rated in Consumersearch. Used the binoculars less than 10 times and was removing the eyepiece cap and the right eyecup came off (this happened yesterday). Tried to reattach it but could not. These binoculars reportedly have a good warranty, so am hoping that when I contact Nikon I will be able upgrade this review. Prior to the eyecup problem, I was satisfied with the product.

I've had many pairs of binoculars over many years, some pretty good, some pretty bad, but these Nikons were a surprise the first time I put them up for a view. They are, I think, the best you are going to do in the price range, and maybe better than you will do in the next range up.

I bought these binoculars for my trip to South Africa and they were wonderful for seeing wildlife. They were durable and held up being tossed around for 5 weeks in the field. They were a little heavy, but they worked so well that the little extra weight didn't matter. I highly recommend these binoculars to anyone who wants a good pair of binoculars without having to pay hundreds of dollars.