The Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars are a light-weight and inexpensive various to their P3 binoculars. Typically, when requested what the proper binoculars for stargazing are, astronomers will cite these with a magnification of at the least 10×50. This makes good sense — the 10x magnification and 50mm aperture is a perfect mixture of energy and light-gathering skill. Nevertheless, typically the insistence on 10x50s can blind would-be binocular customers to the flexibility of smaller 8×42 devices: With their 8x magnification and 42mm aperture, this stargazing help can current large, star-strewn fields. The query is, do Nikon’s Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars do sufficient to problem the hegemony of 10×50 devices?
Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars assessment
Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars: Design
- Glorious construct high quality
- Superb eye-relief
- Multi-coated lenses and extremely reflective multi-layer prism coating
On first use, Nikon’s Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars impress with their sturdy compactness. Coated in a stunning rubber floor with delicate textures to make sure a safe grip, they’re a delight to wield, weighing simply 21.8oz (618g). Your arms will not get drained holding them — a burden of heavier, bigger binoculars — and so they may even be simply held in only one hand, making them good for the informal skywatcher. We had been capable of sweep the evening sky for lengthy intervals.
Specs
Magnification: 8x
Goal lens diameter: 42mm
Angular subject of view: 6.8 levels
Eye reduction: 20mm / 0.79 inches
Weight: 21.8oz / 618g
The attention reduction on these binoculars gives a satisfying 0.79 inches (20mm), and it comes with extendable eyecups and a diopter adjustment that locks into place. We found that we may ‘save’ our setup in order that we did not should preserve adjusting them every time we used them for skywatching. A useful function that supplied a straightforward ‘seize and go’ choice as we noticed all through a number of nights and headed indoors to heat up over a cup of scorching chocolate throughout our classes.
The Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars include commonplace equipment: a neck strap, lens caps and a cloth case. All objects are of fantastic high quality, whereas the lenses are multi-coated and the prisms function a extremely reflective multi-layer.
Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars: Efficiency
- Glorious decision of stars
- Clearer views than Celestron UpClose G2 10×50
- Capable of present Jupiter and its moons
We’re very accustomed to utilizing 10×50 binoculars, so the efficiency of the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars was a nice shock.
The binoculars have a said subject of view at 1000m (1km/0.6 miles) of 126m (137.8 yards) for daytime use. We are able to translate this to a subject of view on the evening sky by dividing 126 by 17.5 (as a result of 1 diploma on the sky corresponds to 17.5m at a distance of 1000m), which provides a subject of view on the evening sky of seven.2 levels — for comparability, the angular diameter of the full moon is about half a level. We discovered this huge expanse to be great as we swept by means of a sky plagued by stars. Pointing at Orion (the Hunter), the three stars of the Hunter’s belt — Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka — had been sharp factors of sunshine, whereas beneath them, the good Orion Nebula was a misty, white haze. Throughout the nebula, we had been capable of resolve the tight, younger stars of the Trapezium cluster.
We turned to the open clusters of Auriga (the Charioteer) — specifically Messier 36, 37 and 38 — and had been delighted of their sharp, blue-white and ice-white coloured stars, albeit slightly faint, on a background of black velvet. Extra beautiful was the Pleiades within the constellation of Taurus (the bull), which we discovered to be dazzling by means of the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars; dozens extra stars popped into the sector of view in comparison with what might be seen with the unaided eye. To our delight, we may additionally detect the Merope Nebula by means of the optical system.
We in contrast the view of the Pleiades by means of the Celestron UpClose G2 10×50 binoculars we had been utilizing for comparability. The Celestron binoculars have a said angular subject of 6.8 levels, so they’re nonetheless fairly large, however even the additional 0.4 levels within the Nikon binoculars was very noticeable.
We strongly suggest sitting again on a reclining backyard chair and slowly sweeping by means of the star-rich Milky Way with these binoculars. We additionally found that the large subject signifies that star patterns seen with the unaided eye are seen by means of the binoculars, serving to us retain our bearings in a starry sky. Whereas the pictures are pin sharp as we swept the heavens, we did detect some distortion on the fringe of the sector of view.
After we pointed the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars in the direction of Jupiter, which was starting to slink in the direction of the south-west at a magnitude of -2.1 within the early night sky, we may nearly make out Ganymede to the proper of the gas giant’s limb. Io and Callisto, nearer to Jupiter, and Europa on the other flank, could not be seen, being too near the planet on the time. Apparently, the view within the 8x42s was clearer than within the Celestron 10x50s we used for comparability, as we struggled to make out Ganymede within the bigger instrument.
All in all, the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars belied their decrease magnification and aperture to competitively carry out subsequent to some (admittedly a lot decrease value) 10×50 binoculars.
Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars: Performance
- Versatile for daytime and nighttime observing
- Fog and waterproof
- Superb for journey
Their compact and light-weight nature, coupled with a forgiving large subject, signifies that the shake induced by wobbly arms is minimal. Over 10 minutes, we found that our arms didn’t get drained holding the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars aloft — an enormous boon for pleasant, extended use. In the meantime, focusing is neat and clean, and the binoculars stay steadfast in focus as soon as you have reached that time.
The Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars have one other string to their bow, as they make splendidly versatile all-rounders. Certainly, they’re primarily designed for daytime use, and distant bushes, buildings, birds and airplanes seem crystal clear by means of the sector of view. If you’re out and about in nature, maybe on a tenting vacation, the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 is an excellent companion.
Moreover, the binoculars are fog-proof and waterproof as much as a depth of 1m for a length of ten minutes, although if there’s that a lot water about, the possibilities are the climate is not appropriate for astronomy anyway! This design, nonetheless, signifies that the optical system festivals very properly in opposition to condensation and dew; one thing we seen would type when strolling from a heat room, out right into a frosty evening, and again in once more when our observing classes had been over.
Do you have to purchase the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars?
Though the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars are slightly dear — you may choose up a plethora of funds 10×50 binoculars for 1 / 4 of the worth — they do justify the fee considerably. They’re extremely well-made and really feel prime quality when wielded. In the meantime, views by means of the barrels are sharp and crystal clear.
In case you love panning by means of the sky and absorbing the views of 1000’s of stars in an impressively large subject, you may enormously admire the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars.
Nevertheless, given that you could choose up a good GoTo rookies telescope by means of which you’ll be able to see way more for an additional $100-$200s, it’s possible you’ll really feel that the worth of the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars is slightly too excessive.
If the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 binoculars aren’t for you
If the Nikon Prostaff P7 8×42 is not for you and also you’re in search of one thing light-weight, then the Bushnell H20 8×25 (opens in new tab) or Celestron UpClose G2 10×25 (opens in new tab) (the little sibling of the Celestron UpClose G2 10×50 which we reviewed with practically full marks) are glorious decisions from our choose of the best compact binoculars. They provide a sturdy design whereas permitting the flexibleness for journey, nature watching and informal skywatching, with very good magnified views.
For binoculars designed for night-sky viewing, but at a good funds that does not break the financial institution, the Celestron 7×50 Cometron are appropriate for observing the moon, stars, brilliant deep-sky targets and the planets with excellent distinction and readability.
In the meantime, seasoned and severe sky-watchers will take nice delight within the Celestron SkyMaster 25×100 and Celestron SkyMaster 12×60 binoculars, which provide beautiful, high-definition sights — and higher element of nebulas, planets and galaxies — at cheap costs, relying in your funds. Be warned although, these superbly constructed devices are heavy and would require a mount and tripod for regular views.
