Nikon Prostaff 5 12x50 Binocular

I am a "casual" bird watcher and I've wanted to upgrade my bins for a while. These Nikon Prostaff binoculars are a great way of obtaining high quality imaging, with bright vision and good magnification within a reasonable budget. While being much bigger tan ones I have used in the past, they are still relatively light and easy to hold (which cant be said for some other makes I have tried). Waterproof, apparently durable and not fussy to use, I can strongly recommend these to anyone not wanting to show off with a "twitchers" brand.

Ended up with these bins, after trying others, every household should own a pair! The only brands I wished I could have instead off would be Leica or Swarovski, purely for lens quality, but they are way out of my price range!!!!

I have a very good pair of Vanguard Endeavor Hoya lensed EDII 8x42 which I use for wild life and bird spotting but wanted as a back up a higher magnification pair for long distance viewing as I live in a very hilly area and wanted to see distances of 5 -15 miles up closer. I've tried various zoom and higher magnification binos which didn't suit and then after trawling through many options saw these 12x50 Prostaffs at a very good price -' like new but with a damaged box'. At first I was a little disappointed for the reasons many state - poor accessories and the eye cups were a little loose (nothing major) but enough to make me doubt them. I've tried them along side my others which have a brighter image in rainy dull conditions and then tried them in bright sunshine. They were very good and distances of 10-15 miles came in pretty clear - I was shocked. Field of view at 82m seemed fine to me - my 8's have 126m and it didnt seem much different. If you're are looking to use them for close viewing - forget it, 5m stated even though I got 3/4 ish metres wasn't particularly good but acceptable for a 12. They are very light - not much weight difference in the hand to my 8x42's and so didn't experience much shake. They feel very comfortable and well balanced and realise that Nikon sell on the quality of their lenses not all the fancy gubbins that go with it. The rubber body cover is a bit sticky and might get mucky pretty quickly but over all they are great value for what I paid - £124 ($150 ) instead of £199 ($245) I'm sure there are many better options but far more expensive but if you want a stand by and can get them at this sort of price then you have a bargain.

Not the most comfortable binoculars I've used, but they're bright, sharp and have the kind of quality you would expect from Nikon.

Great binoculars very good value for money. A fraction of the cost of top of the range items for barely noticeable different performance.

Too heavy

these are great as long as you have a steady hand ,shame that a tripod cannot used to support them, also i am very disappointed that Nikon have these made in CHINA

Packaging was not good, did not arrive in any amazon parcel which is unusual. The shoulder strap was missing also. Contacted customer service and worked this out.The binoculars themselves are good, not heavy and steady to hold. So over all happy.

Correspond parfaitement. Lumineuses, pas trop lourdes, bonne prise en main avec revêtement agréable. Top

I really appreciate the larger magnification. Solid quality.

Non sono un esperto di binocoli, ma avevo già un Nikon 8×25 e avevo avuto già una molto positiva esperienza con questa Marca, e questo ultimo 12×50 che ho preso soddisfa e supera tutte le mie aspettative in termini di peso davvero leggero, ergonomia, stabilità, visuale, limpidezza, maneggevolezza, si può usare di giorno come di notte per osservare la luna e gli agglomerati di stelle , quindi che dire di più, contentissimo dell acquisto :-)

Me gusta el tacto rugoso de su superfície. Le pongo 5 estrellas porque realmente se ven bien construidos, son muy luminosos y son un todoterreno apto para muchos usos. Los recomiendo para naturaleza sobretodo, y como respaldo a un telescopio terrestre.

Best in the market at this price.