The Premier Nikon hunting binoculars are nitrogen purged and fully sealed roof prism binoculars that are dustproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. In many ways, these binoculars are very similar to binoculars produced by Nikon in the past. However, the Premier binoculars feature significant improvements such as a lightweight design and an easy to use eyecup adjustment system.
Overview and Features
Offering graduated eyecup settings instead of the all or nothing mechanism found on past models that offered fully in or fully out positions. The Premier binoculars offer a couple of intermediate settings that are held by firm detents that will not collapse in the field. It’s a top of the line mechanism and definitely an improvement over past models.
Another trait that’s worth a mention is the minimum close focus, which comes in at nine and a half feet.
Hands down, this pair of binoculars offers the best flat field performance of any binoculars in the price range, even the Zeiss 15×56 Conquest HD Binoculars. These binoculars can maintain a lack of color aberration and sharpness right to the edge of the field. Combined with its improved color fidelity and overall brightness, optically, these binoculars offer a solid performance in the field.
Eye Relief
The eye relief comes in at nineteen millimeters, which is pretty good. The interpupillary distance ranges from fifty-five to seventy-six millimeters, which is a little larger than average.
Focus
These binoculars can go from minimum close focus to infinity with half a turn. The mechanism is smooth and supple and easy to adjust and handle. As a result, focusing these binoculars is very easy and precise despite the fact that these binoculars have an average depth of field.
Diopter
If you don’t know binocular basics, then adjusting a diopter can be difficult. But with these binoculars, the diopter adjustment mechanism stops on the right ocular locking ring. The diopter is fully graduated but can lock at any position. Users can easily adjust the focus and the diopter setting at the same time.
Design
The binoculars weight eight ounces, which is less than past models produced by Nikon. The lenses are made out of eco-glass which is arsenic, vinyl chloride, and lead-free.
Most hunters who purchased the Premier binoculars liked the thick black rubber armor which has a slightly tacky surface on the barrels. The slight swells on the barrels close to the objective end feature a flared ridge so the binoculars fit comfortably and naturally in the hands. However, a thumb grip would’ve been a nice addition that would improve the binocular’s overall gripability.
Optics Quality
These fully multi-coated lenses improve brightness and sharpness.
The phase correction coating on the roof prism’s surface ensures high-contrast and image clarity.
Metal Vaporized Coating
This type of coating utilizes a type of vacuum vaporization technology that includes silver and aluminum, which is applied to the reverse side of the prism. This coating works to increase the reflectivity of the prism’s surface. Dielectric Coating
The high reflective multi-layer coating utilizes light interference that ensures high reflectively across the visible range, boosting high color reproduction.
Eyecups
The eyecups are very pliable and slightly conform when they’re pressed up against the eyes. The design helps to minimize glare and other stray light issues.
Rain Guard
The rain guard is the same style that you’ll find on other Nikon binoculars. It consists of a couple of deep cups of rubber that are joined by a bridge that’s somewhat rigid. We felt that the rain guard should be more flexible in order to stay in place better. Like most styles of rain guards, this one attaches to the strap of the binoculars via brackets placed on the side. There’s an angled gapped bracket located on the right and a solid one on the left. The angled bracket makes it easier for the user to quickly slip the strap on and off.
The rubber lens caps are made out of a hard rubber, so they fit tightly over the ends of each barrel.
Pricing
For some, the higher price tag on the Premier binoculars is a huge drawback, especially when you consider the Nikon Monarch binoculars produced a couple of years back are almost half the price and offer comparable image quality.
If the Premier binoculars are out of your price range, click here to read our ultimate buyer’s guide where you’ll find top of the line hunting binoculars that are available in a wide range of price points.
Pros
- Included rain guard
- Easy to use focus wheel
- Coated lenses for improved clarity and brightness
Cons
- Diopter does not feature a locking mechanism
Hobby Devil.com Product Rating:
Nikon has done it again by producing hunting binoculars that are highly adjustable, easy to use, and offer a crystal-clear viewing experience and a decent FOV that’s perfect for close range hunting and western hunting. We gave these binoculars a rating of four and a half out of five stars.
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