Nikon Action 8x40

Nikon's Action series has always been their entry level effort. The series has gone through some pretty radical changes over the years. Nikon seems to be much more adventuresome at this price point than they are in their top of the line products. The latest Action binoculars all feature aspheric lens technology.

The Action 8x40 is probably the glass of most interest to birders. It is a wide angle design, with 8.5° of field (that translates to 446 feet at 1000 yards), a close focus in the 12 foot range and eye relief of about 10mm. The limited eye relief means that spectacle wearers will not see the full field (what else is new?)...but the usable field for most people will still be relatively wide when compared to most 8x40s on the market (especially in this price range). The body is mat gray armored. The smooth armor is sufficiently tacky to provide a good grip, but some gripping aids (ridges or patterns) might have made it more secure in the hands. Body design is standard porroprism, and comfortable in the hands, with a large comfortable ribbed focus control. However the focus might be a stretch for those with real small hands.

Optically, the Nikon Action 8x40 gives the extra bright, extra sharp first impression that I have come to associate with Nikon's applications of aspheric technology. While the view is not the equal of that provided by glasses like the Swift Ultralite 8x42 glasses which cost over twice as much as the Nikon Action 8x40, it is certainly very close.

When compared to the current BVD Reference Standard for bargain binoculars, the Bushnell 8x42 NatureView, the Nikon Action 8x40 is slightly brighter, with a bit more snap (likely due to the lack of multi-coating on the NatureView). The NatureView, however, has much better eye relief and a bit more comfortable view. While the NatureView retains its Reference Standard designation for the moment, the Nikon Action 8x40 are certainly very fine binoculars in the same price range...a BVD Starred Product, highly recommended to anyone who wants bird-worthy binoculars on a budget. Really, if you start birding with the Egrets, it may be a long time before you feel the need to upgrade, and it will certainly spoil you for many a lesser glass that just happens to cost more.

The Nikon Action series binoculars utilize aspherical lenses, ergonomic chassis, and quick central focus to maximize long term viewing comfort. All models feature high light transmission, multicoated lenses and high index BaK-4 prisms for superior resolution and brightness.

Buy them!

These are my first pair of binoculars (actually a gift for my husband who likes birding and hiking), so I didn't know much about buying such an item. I read a lot of reviews and did some looking, and these seemed to be the best quality at the best price. After using them for several months, we couldn't be more pleased. The lenses offer clear, crisp viewing, and are easy to adjust for comfortable viewing. I like that the eye cups are soft and won't scratch my glasses. It's brought a whole new dimension to our nature hikes!

These are perfect for live music. They pack enough power and are not as bulky as higher powered 'nocs. The 8 in 8x40 means objects (rock stars?) you are viewing won't look like you just came off a three day bender. Viewing angle is wide enough for even the widest stages. Images are crystal clear.

I bought these binoculars plus the Olympus Outback 10x21 RC1 Binoculars for a cruise to alaska. I found them to be excellent. We took them whale watching, and they were the exact model provided by the cruise liner. Compared to the Olympus it was much easier to find a comfortable viewing setting. One note, they are heavy, if you have wrist pain or any kind of arthritis I don't think you would like them for extended viewing.

If you're looking for a set of binoculars that provide quality and yet don't cost too much, these could be what you're looking for. The image quality the optics provide is superb, the focusing dial is easy and quick to operate, and the accessories are a definite plus. The set came with a very comfortable neck strap, a handy cover case, and eyecup covers. I've used the set for lots of hikes and birding, and I'm often using the eyecup covers (which easily attach to the neck strap). The only drawbacks of the binoculars are that they're a bit heavier than I'd have preferred, and the large lens covers seem pretty useless for much of what I use the set for (since they don't easily attach to the strap like the eyecup holders, they're easy to lose , so I end up not using them much at all!). Overall, I'm really pleased with the binoculars and would recommend them to buyers who don't want to spend over $100 on a new set, but still want to get a set of quality binoculars with optics that are better than you're standard $20-30 set.

The Nikon 8x40 provides a lot of value for the dollar spent. Although they are a traditional birder configuration they would serve extremely well as an all purpose instrument.
I've owned and used several makes and sizes of binoculars over the years ranging from discount store specials to much more expensive premium models. While these may not the best binoculars I've ever held to my eyes the quality of the optics and construction at this price point made them my best binocular bargain.

These nikon binocluars are very nice for everyday use, the optics are very clear! The magnification is amazing and will pull in very small objects from far distances with great clarity. I have used these binoculars in the hills of southern california looking towards the ocean 13 miles away and they will pick up medium sized boats with great detail. Very nice soft storage case for protection. I would highly recommend!

I just received these binoculars and can't put them down. They have great optics which give very crisp images. They focus and handle beautifully. They are fairly light at 26 ounces and was very pleased all around with their excellent performance as a great birding binocular. With BAK-4 High Index Prisms and quick central focusing and what appears to be even closer focusing distance than what they approximate you will extremely pleased with choosing the Nikon Action 8x40. Also very easy to hand hold without getting a shaky image as with much heavier binoculars. The perfect combination of power and light gathering ability. You'll absolutely love them.

I really was overjoyed with these binoculars. Crisp, very bright viewing. Clarity very good, and the comfort and ease of use is great. I like the rubberized texture, very nice padded high quality carrying case with a loop to allow belt attachment (although it would be rather large, it's still nice) and a wide carry strap which allows optic cover attachment (although a bit "clunky" looking but still works). I am not an afficianado of optics just a general consumer but I can say these are the best I've ever had the opportunity to view through in 44 years. I highly recommend them and with a 25 year mfg defect warranty how much safer can you get on a purchase, not even Mercedes or Bentley does that! Excellent Amazon.com shipping rate (free) and fast. A++++++++++

Hmmm, new house on the river, big birds everywhere...was that a Bald Eagle?
br /Googled "learn about binoculars" and ended up at Amazon. Found these Nikons, read the reviews from others (fantastic resource), and bought 'em. Can't say enough how happy we are with them. Every technical comment written in the other reviews was dead on. They're light, awesome clarity, super value for the price, and perfect for bird watching in dim or bright light. The Blue Herons, Osprey, Red tailed Hawks, Cormorants, Bald Eagles (and much more) never looked better. We can't put these Nikons down.

These made my wife very happy. Light weight. Good optics. If only my 35mm camera lenses were so light.

I love the way they have the wide view. It comes in handy so you don't have to move the binoculars as much. They have great in between range focusing as well. very easy and simple to use. a great buy.

the binocular Nokon 8x40 is a very fine item in every way
except it is a little heavy to hold to eyes for a long time

For the price, these are great binoculars. Very clear and with a large wheel that makes focusing very easy. After my wife used them, she had to have her own. You would have to spend a lot more to get binoculars better then these.

I bought these to view sporting events, concerts, and to do look at dolphins and wildlife at the beach. They are very nice, very clear, and a nice wide view. I looked at something with a stronger zoom, but picked these because the image is more stable on something less zoom. I don't think you can beat these binoculars in this price range.

I am past 80 and could not focus either of my two pair of binoculars. My new NIKON Action 8X40 reminds me what it was like to look through binoculars when I was much younger. Great buy. I couldn't be more pleased.

Am very pleased with the quality of these binoculars. A bit on the heavy side, but worth it to have the fine optics. Amazon makes it a bargain buy too.

The Nikon Action 8X40 Binocular works especially well for bird watching, I could see that they would be fine for sporting events as well. The optics produce a clear, well illuminated image. Construction is well done, the binocular looks and feels good. For the price, this binocular provides what most casual users would want, I am quite impressed overall.

I got these primarily for birdwatching, both on trips and in my back yard. The image is very clear and super-sharp. If you focus on a bird on a limb
br /50 feet away (or whatever distance) even the leaves fore and aft are clear and stand out as on a slide. And the specs say close distance focus is 16 1/2 feet but its really more like 9 or 10 feet. I can use them on a feeder right off of our porch! They are though not small or light (medium-weight).
br /I doubt you will be disappointed in these all-purpose Nikon 8x40 Action's

For a pair of budget binoculars, you can't go wrong with these. Nice and clear viewing. Great value.

A terrific improvement over my old clunkers. A terrific, general purpose binoculars, at a reasonable price.

We ordered the binoculars to use on an Alaska cruise and were very satisfied. They were easy to adjust, comfortable and very clear. You have to be careful not to lose the lens covers, otherwise we had no complaints.

I bought Nikon 8x40 binoculars just in time for a cruise to Alaska. The binoculars were easy to handle, and gave super-sharp, and ultra-bright images. By the side of compact binoculars, the 8x40's are certainly quite large and somewhat heavy. However, the quality of the images, and the reasonable price certainly make the Nikon 8x40 binoculars well worthwhile ---- well engineered, with excellent, perfectly aligned optics!

Took my binoculars with me to go birdwatching in Costa Rica. They work fine! My guide thought the Nikon Action costs hundreds of dollars. I showed him the price on Amazon, and he was amazed. Although, I note the price has gone up a bit since I purchased them. Can't wait to see college football!

These are the best. Soft rubberized exterior, easy to adjust, and they feel comftorable to the touch and the best view of any binocular I've ever had. The price was right also!

I ordered these binoculars to use for bird watching. They are terrific, just what I was looking for. Highly recommended.

Nikon Action 8x40 Binocular
br /I bought these binoculars for my father-in-law for xmas and he was very pleased. They are excellent for viewing wildlife and other outdoor scenes. He was able to focus on details as far away as two miles. Great binocs for the price.

Pros:
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br /Super low price
br /Super sharp view
br /Ultra Bright view
br /Nice case with belt loop
br /Pretty light weight for 8 x 40 binoculars
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br /Cons:
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br /Too large to carry far
br /Too heavy to carry very far
br /Have to take my glasses off to use
br /Not fog or water proof no big deal if you live in southern Arizona like I do
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br /I know nothing about binoculars (I didn't even know what 8 x 40 means!) but wanted something to replace the old binoculars I inherited from my dad who purchased his pair 45 years ago. They were very heavy and very large and when watching birds in my back yard feeder they got very heavy very quickly.
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br /I started out by going to the store and trying every single pair of binoculars they had starting with the most expensive since I thought, well, they must be the best. And they had some very expensive ones there with image stabilizers and laser range finders and who knows what all else.
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br /The sales guy was very patient (he was from a different dept and didn't know anything either) and even looked with me through each and every one. We were amazed to find that the Nikon Action 8 x 40 were the absolute best of the batch they had in the store including the ones that cost hundreds of dollars. They seemed to be the right balance of view, sharpness and brightness.
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br /When I got them home I found them to be brighter, sharper, and clearer and slightly lighter then my dad's old binoculars. As a bonus because of the rubberized coating I found I could lean the front of them against the window and stabilize the view and support some of the weight. The old ones were metal and I didn't feel as comfortable scrapping them against the window.
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br /I can't comment on the neck strap and I will never use it because of my bad back. I found that hanging anything around my neck caused my back to ache so I hand carry them if I take them anywhere but I mainly use them from the window looking into the back yard or carry them in our SUV.
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br /I also like the fact that one set of the eye cups are joined together allowing me to pull them both off at the same time. I wish the other end was this way. Anyway it's one step less then pulling all 4 off the old set.
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br /In closing I highly recommend at least for backyard birding and the price is amazing!!
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br /11-30-2008 Update:
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br /Ok I have been studying Binoculars and I now know what 8 x 40 means. I've also had a chance to use these binoculars for awhile now and here are my findings.
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br /I still love these binoculars but have found them to be a little heavy since I have a bad back and a little large to carry around. They weigh 26.8 oz which isn't bad for large binoculars and they are pretty big but I knew that when I bought them. So I'm going to be buying something a little lighter (10 oz or lighter) and smaller for carrying away from the house or car that hopefully has similar characteristics but in an easier to carry with you package. I will come back to post when I get the chance.
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br /12-1-2008 Update:
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br /Went to the local large sporting good store so I can try out smaller binoculars before I purchase a lighter pair on Amazon.com. I had the clerk pull out a pair of these Nikon Action 8 x 40's to compare because I knew how well they work out in the field. Once again I was absolutely amazed at the quality and clear view of the Nikon Action 8 x 40 against much higher priced smaller and lighter Binoculars. There seems to be a point where going smaller you just can't do a lot better. When I do finally find a small light pair that somehow can compete I will report back here.
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br /Also I have to remove my glasses to use these binoculars, but for the price hey I can put up with that. When I buy the smaller lighter pair I will report back with what I found.
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br /I have also seen better binoculars now at the store but they cost more, a LOT more like $650 more!
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br /12-3-2008 Update:
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br /Went to the store and tested a lot of different small binoculars trying to find a pair that are almost as good as my Nikon Action 7216 8x40's and found the perfect one. If you need small and want a good view and a good price get the Nikon 7508 Travelite 8 X 25mm V Binoculars. They are: light (8.9 oz), fit the hand well are well made and very bright in the viewfinder for their size. No they aren't as bright as the Nikon Action 8 x 40 and they don't have as big a field of view but they aren't anywhere near as big or heavy either, you can always carry them with you.

We bought two pairs of these for an Alaskan cruise and they were excellent for spotting wildlife. They were super stable, and easy to focus. I highly recommend these! Great value for the money.

The Nikon Action 8x40 binoculars are terrifically sharp and bright and are a tremendous value compared to the 'bargain' binoculars offered by other manufacturers in this price range. This binocular is a sturdy, durable-feeling handful that comes with an excellent strap and solid covers for both pairs of lenses. Very sharp, accurate color rendition, easy and rapid focus. A Nikon product worthy of the name.

Nikon Action 8x40 Binoculars are great for everyday use and amateur purposes. They are built very well, with all the details thought such as the ergonomic design and reasonably light weight. Most importantly, the vision is "crystal clear." They also feel very comfortable both in the hands and on the eyes. They look good, feel good and come in a nice carrying-case with all the accessories you will ever need. These binoculars also come with a 25-year warranty, which is very promising. I knew that Nikon would not put me down with any of their products, and I am very happy at the final result for having ordered this product.
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br /If my current 8x40 "medium magnification" binoculars starts feeling insufficient in the future, I will be giving up my Nikon Action 8x40 Binoculars to a family member as a gift and get myself the 16x50 version instead. But for now, I could not be happier with any other product, since I am convinced that these are great-first binoculars.
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br /Thank you Nikon for this great product, and amazon for free shipping and low prices as always.

This review is for astronomers-amateurs who are looking for binocular 8X40. I'm assuming that you are familiar with technical parameters in respect to your need and eyes. This binocular is very nice designed, with good optic quality. It does exactly what it says in the product specification, and gives your hands nice smooth feeling. This binocular can compete with units in price range $120 - $150. The only downside is that Nikon is not waterproof. But I was aware of this from product spec, and my logic is when it is raining there is no stars. I have astigmatism and wearing glasses for stargazing. The picture is very clear and bright.
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Excellent binoculars...and the shipping was very quick. Light weight binoculars that can be carried any where and comes with a solid carry on bag.

These binoculars are great. They are a bit larger than I expected, but that's my own fault for not reading the dimensions in the description. I originally purchased these for use at hockey games, but they're too large for that. Instead I'll use them for viewing wildlife, etc around the house. I just watched a coyote having breakfast and then roaming through the field. Without the binoculars, I woulod have lost sight of him a lot sooner. I'd highly recommend these binoculars, but make sure you are aware of their size.

Bought this binocular mainly for birding and it was money well spent. Very easy to tuneup on the run. The objective lens is quite big (40mm) and gives good detail. Magnification (8x) is perfect for birding. It works very well in low light thanks to the 5mm exit pupil, and has a decent field of view. Btw, we used this binocular to spot comet Holmes in late October night sky. One slight drawback though is that the lenses fog in very cold weather. But in summary, we love it!!!

I recently bought a house with a large backyard with lots of trees so I wanted something to get a better look at the birds that come to visit. I wear glasses, and, while these do not have as long an eye relief as is recommended for glasses wearers, I have no problems using these. In fact, I have found that I can use them with my glasses off and see just fine. Considering that you can spend hundreds of dollars on binoculars I think these are great for the price! They do exactly what I wanted them for. So far I have identified at least fifteen different species of birds while having coffee at my dining table. I haven't tried them on the night sky yet, but that will be next. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these to anyone who wants a decent pair of binoculars without spending a fortune.

These are good. I have another pair that are three times the price. They are little better. I bought the nikons for veiwing wildlife with someone and for everyday use. Not sure about weather proof/ fog proof .

I ordered the binoculars from reading many of the reviews, and they were correct, the binoculars are great. I don't find them heavy, and they are valuable while watching football games!

5 star nikon quality!! optics,focus,case,strap, even the lens covers. if this is the size you,re looking for, buy it!!

Very easy to use and not heavy at all. It takes a little time to get used to the focusing at first but not really an issue. I would recomend this item if you are a beginner and don't want to spend hundreds of $$$. I bought two, one as a gift.

Just a nice product, that lives up to the Nikon name. Not overweight, it's well-balanced and a good combination of size, magnification, light-gathering objective lens size, and clear optics. It even has well-designed lens caps. Very satisfied with this product.

service was great, got it very fast
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br /the binocular was of very good quality
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br /very happy with my purchase
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br /thanks
br /tommy

It was by reading the reviews of others for this product that caused us to buy these binoculars. We are very happy with them. They are certainly worth what we paid for them.

I have purchased binoculars (Nikon Action 8x40 binocular)in the recent past. Using the product I just recieved surprised me in the clarity and ease of use. I enjoyed the other binoculars but the is a step up.

Pretty good, I used it to watch USOPEN games, very good to see every corner of the court. I like it.

I bought these for my Husband for Christmas to take to Colts games. He was extremely pleased with the clarity. The pair he had before just didn't come close to these. Pam

I never have had a binoculars. But I was trying out some to buy. When I bought this one I was surprised. Everything is very clear. I can see the moon,stars, all I want. I recommend it.

I don't know much about Binoculars. Just wanted one to take with me to games and scenic places... so I bought it. And I am glad I did, because it's well worth it's price.

These binoculars are an execellent value for the price paid. I would definitely recommend them.

Got these as a gift for my hubby and he's really happy with the quality and clarity of these Nikon Action Binoculars. He was worried we'd have to spend a fortune to replace some very old Bushnell ones he'd lost, but he's pleasantly surprised. Says these are better and we're glad we ordered them!

I love my 8x40 Nikon Binoculars. It brings objects in so clearly and concisely. I live on 34 acre property with lots of trees and enjoy watching the birds and the deer, etc. I have tried other binoculars but none compare to this one.

I am 69 years old and own 4 pair of binoculars which my wife and I use for hunting and watching wildlife on our 5 acreas. We both fell in love with these binoculars. So clear and easy to adjust. Great. Don Hembree

Bought these after the glowing reviews for a gift. They were not the caliber I expected from the reviews. Bulky and heavy. Optics good but you have to press your eyes very close to the viewers to see well, and I felt there was not enough of a wide angle to justify the bulk.
br /Spend some more $ if you can do so and invest in about a $250-$400 pair-- I learned the hard way that you get what you pay for--you'll be a lot happier.
br /Thanks to Amazon and their great return policy!

It brings things up so close and clear. You can count the leaves on the tree.

The Nikon binocular was received on time and after looking it over, we were impressed with the quality.

Purchased the binoculars for a son at Christmas. I believe I paid about $75. Compaired to a cheap pair of 10x40 binoculars I had purchased years ago, the view was quite good. The binoculars are sturdy and feel well made. Looking through them for an extended period of time was not hard on the eyes. I don't really have any experience with which to compare these to a more expensive set, but I was quite satisfied with the quality I had purchased for the price.

I'm not an expert, but I absolutely love these. I'll be buying more gifts. Great price.

We are very pleased with this purchase. Can see far more than we "should" see in our neighborhood. Can't wait to use them at the beach, for bird watching and during football games. One of my best purchases during the holidays.

Using for door prizes for a company picnic. Very excited about offering good quality binoculars. Quick delivery. Good packaging. Very pleased with product.

Be very careful in hooking the objective lens caps (the big ones) to the neckstrap. I did so according with the manual instructions in an air show near my town , 10 minutes later one of them was gone and of course I couldn't find it. So don't feel to sure that they won't get off, because they do and then you'll have a hard time getting a replacement.

The Binocular are very good for the price.

Impresionantes para su bajo costo y su peso es excelente para salidas de campo en observación de aves y estrellas