Endurance test of 8x42 binoculars
13. Nikon EDG 8x42
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The EDG series Nikon binoculars belong nowadays to a narrow group of top-of-the-range instruments optics-wise. Those excellent optical properties are closely reflected by the price which is hardly low. Do the mechanical properties are as good? Let’s check it up.
Low temperature
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There were some small problems in this category. The central wheel offered noticeable resistance but only with the first turn; then it worked just a big heavier than normally but still within the acceptable limits. The dioptre correction worked with very big resistance – its narrow and metal ring was difficult to turn and our fingers froze to it. There were no slip-ups with the eyecups or the tubes’ gauge regulation.
High temperature
High temperature is not a big challenge for the central focusing wheel and the dioptre correction wheel. The gauge of the tubes can be changed with a normal resistance but you can hear the grease squelching. Fortunately the grease doesn’t leak on the casing or inside the tubes.
Eyepieces are moving with more slack than usually but when you take the binoculars down they don’t collapse on their own.
Waterproof qualities
No reservations in this category. One hour of submersion the binoculars survived without any problems.
Falls
Two falls from different heights didn’t cause any serious problems. The binoculars remained perfectly collimated and there were no traces on the casing either. During the fall on the eyecups one of them got stuck a bit. Still it could be moved and when it returned to a proper position it worked normally again.
Optics cleaning
Water residue, which got stuck after the exposure to high temperature, can’t be removed in a perfect way. The water doesn’t dribble down as it should be expected from great hydrophobic coatings, leaving single droplet behind. Grease stains get smudged but still you can remove them with a dry cloth.
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Other
No other flaws.
Summary
The chart below shows the results the tested pair of binoculars got in particular categories:
| CATEGORY | POINTS |
| Low temperature: |
7/10 |
| High temperature: |
8.5/10 |
| Waterproof quality: |
10/10 |
| Falls: |
9.5/10 |
| Optics cleaning: |
3/5 |
| Other: |
5/5 |
| OVERALL: |
43/50 |
The final endurance test result of the Nikon EDG 8x42 is certainly very good. Still I am not completely sure whether it is also the peak of happiness for engineers working for that renowned Japanese company. After all you deal here with a piece of equipment costing about 8,000 PLN which task is to compete efficiently with the best products of the great trio. It is true that the Nikon didn’t have any problems with defeating the Leica (which simply laid itself wide open to such a fate) but it doesn’t offer you more than the Zeiss or the Swarovski. Is it enough to lure potential customers? Difficult to say. One thing is true – the binoculars are definitely worth your attention, mainly because of the excellent optics.
