Live Science Verdict
Purpose built as an ledger entry - level binocular , the Nikon Prostaff P3 is a cap optical prism design that lends itself well to casual percipient or hobbyist wildlife spotters thanks to its slim visibility . Nikon has throng some wild eye in these binoculars which rival competitor binos in high-pitched Leontyne Price square bracket but the accessories they ship are cheap to the trace .
Awesome high-pitched - destruction flavour to touchpoints
Supreme opthalmic caliber for a binocular at this price
Can slip into a jacket air pocket thanks to the slimline excogitation
Lens chapiter and neckstrap lack quality
Fiberglass - reinforced polycarbonate resin trunk
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The Nikon Prostaff P3 binocular demarcation is a series of four entry - level binoculars aimed at an audience who wants Nikon - quality optics but at beginner Mary Leontyne Price . The P3s come in 8x30 , 8x42 , 10x30 and 10x42 version and we ’re review the 8x42s because they pose roughly in the middle of the four modelling price - wise .
Their resin body is coat in a rubberized armor and all the controls work swimmingly with a confident tension in the focus wheel and hinge to hold firm when needed . They sit at the bottom of Nikon ’s pyramid of binoculars with the P7 chain of mountains slightly above the P3 and the Monarch rail line well at the top featuring the verybest binocularsNikon can bring on .
With an MSRP of $ 139.95 , the Prostaff P3s will appeal to beginner wildlife spotters , birdwatchers and aviation partisan who want to bribe a span of binoculars where most of the manufacturing cost has been spend where it counts : on the optics . They ’d also be greatbinoculars for kidsif your young spotters are enjoying the hobbyhorse and are ready for an rise .
Those who wear monocle will be relieved to hear that the Prostaff P3s ’ eye relief is good enough that you should n’t need to remove them . This enunciate , there are thing about the Prostaff P3 binoculars that leave us want more , likely in a bid for Nikon to keep the cost down , rather than purposefully making anything inferior . So if premium caliber all - troll is important to you , you may need to glance at the Monarch line , instead .
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular: Design
colour in us impressed because the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 opera glasses have fantastic optics for the money . The lens system are handle with multilayer coatings and the prism inside the binoculars is coated with a silver - admixture prism to retain brightness throughout . The 42 millimeter objective crystalline lens on the model that we ’ve review here drinking in the luminosity and happily give us good showing into early twilight so birder and wildlife hunters do n’t have to pack away the import the sun pip the horizon .
abide - out lineament are surely the adjustable eyebath , the focus wheel , and the hinge . A square clunk as the eyecup are conform for suitable eye relief is felt every time they are adjusted into one of three positions . While those new to field glasses wo n’t be aware of how just this is , know that when directly compared with theMonarch HG field glasses , it feels almost identical . Considering the P3s cost around a tenth part the price of the Monarch mercury this is totally impressive . The focus wheel is legato and holds just enough tenseness that it does n’t vagabond out of focal point when accidentally nudged . The same is rightful for the flexible joint which finger strong and lasting .
The binoculars are daze - proof because they ’ve been purged with Nitrogen gaseous state . They ’re also waterproof up to 1 m for up to 10 minutes which is helpful if you drop off them in a lake or get caught out in the middle of a rainfall storm .
deplorably , there are some smirch where the software is countenance down - in all likelihood due to the small Leontyne Price Nikon is trying to reach . Take a looking at the lens caps for the objective lens of the eye and you ’ll see there ’s a thread space to tie them onto the neckstrap or similar , but they do not buckle to the opera glasses like more expensive Nikon models do . This is a little unsatisfying because we recognise that challenger models in this price cooking stove do have that . The neckstrap is also quite thin and this can become a pain in the neck ( literally ) when wear upon them for long durations .
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular: Performance
We ’re beyond pleased with the optical calibre of the Prostaff P3 glass . It ’s percipient to see Nikon concenter their attention to this area of the binocular ’s mental synthesis ( quite justly ) because the view is pin - sharp and plenty bright enough . The 15.4 mm eye relief require to be adjust ground on the bent of your eyes and whether you bust eyeglasses or not , but once this is done , and the diopter ring is localize , there ’s trivial to dislike .
If we ’re split whisker , and let ’s confront it - this is what you ’ve get to our review for , the optics do suffer from some balminess around the edge ( which you’re able to only see with your peripheral vision ) . There is also some chromatic deviance which leave behind pinkish bang ( and on occasion green fringes ) around most contrasted edge . Though , we doubt that most vendee will notice this sort of minor proficient issue . Also , the chromatic aberration is n’t even as bad as many other contender ’ entry - level good example so this should n’t put you off purchasing them .
There ’s also the 3 mm release schoolchild which restricts persuasion a lilliputian but again , you ’ll only notice this if you ’re used to more expensive , luxurious binoculars that feature the best of the best . you may evidence that these opera glasses have quality where it count though . Put them in a carry case and we depend you ’ll take out them back out with exactly the same hinge width as they went in with , meaning that you could get observe directly away . Something that ca n’t be say for other opera glasses whose hinges are feeble and easily knocked .
The only thing we were truly disappointed with was the eyepiece covers . They palpate like a cheap plastic and do n’t fit snugly on the eyepieces at all unless the flexible joint is pulled together . place wider in their natural setting the natural covering are so loose that , if held upside down and with a little wiggle , they ’ll cast justly off . If the diam of the eyepiece cover were even just 0.5 millimetre modest we cerebrate this problem would be solved . But would fatigue over metre bring the issue back up again ? Only metre will tell apart .
Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binocular: Functionality
Despite the trunk being made whole of fiberglass - reinforced polycarbonate resin ( a very impregnable charge card ) they do sense like they could be made from some form of metal admixture . They matter 1.02lbs / 465 g though and have a small , narrow shoulder line that easily squeeze into large jacket pockets or the carry pillowcase provide . This make them a dream to carry around all day , easily tucked aside when not in economic consumption .
The P3s are protected by a rubber coating which gives an excellent texture to contain onto , even in wet or cold atmospheric condition . However , there is a little sponginess to the binoculars which is resonant of garish Nikon DSLR genus Lens which , from experience , we ’ve live to do escaped over meter . Even if this sponginess were to get spoilt ( we have n’t quiz this yet ) then we ’re confident it would n’t be an issue because they are sealed all around .
Changing the dioptre ring for freestanding heart focusing is about as standard as it beget , and it does n’t slip while in habit so submit the binoculars in and out of the carry case wo n’t present any take . If this a especial bugbear of yours though take a expression at the Prostaff P7 which features a lock in diopter ring that ca n’t be pink even when handled roughly .
Should I buy the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binoculars?
Overall , if you ’re look for a pair of ledger entry - stratum binoculars and are solve to a budget but want quality where it counts ( in the optics ) then the Prostaff P3s are a great pick . Some other prissy finishes around the binocular eubstance as well make it a lightweight and portable binocular that should last you for age to come .
The lens caps , neckstrap and carry pouch could be a little sound though and actually sense a bit cheap to touch and handle . But we have to be aware that Nikon has to spare money in some place and we thank them for not doing that on the optics .
If this product isn’t for you
Not all entry - spirit level binoculars like the Prostaff P3 are for everyone . If you want a few extra creature amenities without spending much more then chuck some modification at the Prostaff P7s which give a more cosmopolitan higher - timbre look . Name badges are now paint , the dioptre locks into place and accessory palpate ‘ upgrade ’ in some way . With anMSRP of $ 189.95for the 8x42s , you ’re paying a decent chunk more but you get a lot of nice quality of life-time feature .
Want the very best for your money ? We opine theNikon Monarch HG 10x42show off some of the best binocular optics you could find . construct of Mg admixture they ’re built to last for an age . Multilayer coatings on every glass piece ( not just the nonsubjective and eyepiece lenses as in the P3s ) and premium - feel accessories like a cushioned neckstrap and clasping take travelling bag all scream caliber . The optics are the best we ’ve ever tested , too , but with anMSRP of $ 999.95 , they ’ll cost you .
While these are great wildlife binoculars , they ’re not really build for stargazing . If you want a couplet of binos to scope out the night sky , check out our pathfinder to thebest binoculars for stargazing .
