Q1: Is the model good for Astronomy also... which is better....16X50 or 12X50 kindly advise... I want both hunting and limited astronomy capability Can u sugggest a good model otherwise... My budget is $300 and am looking for good model with waterproof/Shockproof with hunting/astronomy capability and if possible...Focus free, Phase3 coatings, Zoom etc...Can us suggest a model which is a good quality and good deal? Gautam

A: This would be an excellent model for your uses. i suggest sticking with a 12x50 as it will be more stable of an image which of course for astronomy will be an advantage.

Q2: I am deciding between two pairs. This pair and a Bushnell 12x50 waterproof,fogproof Porro(LEGEND).Could you give me some advice please?

A: The bushnell Legends do have a slightly better optical quality than the Nikon Action Ex binoculars. But the Nikon's have a better warrany. So my advice is to ask your self what kind of use will you be putting the binocular through. if the type of use will most likely be dangerous to the binocular then go with the Nikon if it is some all around use where it is unlikely that the binocular would be destroyed and the optical quality is important then go with the bushnell.

Q3: what does one gain by stepping up to the monarch series (12x56 monarchs vs this 12x50 Action EX)?

A: Both Nikon 12x50 Action Extreme ATB and 12x56 Monarch ATB are very nice binoculars. Each series was at or near the top of its class in 2005 birding binocular judging by the Cornell University Ornithology Lab. The Monarch offers fully multi-coated optics, which means every air-to-glass surface has received multiple chemical coatings to increase light transmission and eliminate scatter. The Action has multi-coated optics, which indicates that at lease one surface has received more than one coating. The Monarch, with its 56mm objective lenses, offers more than a full point more in "Twilight Factor" than does the Action. Twilight Factor is 25.9 for the Monarch vs. 24.5 for the Action. The Monarch also is more compact. Though it's 0.8 inches longer than the Action at 7.8 inches, it's also a full 2 inches narrower at 5.7 inches. That makes it easier to carry or pack. In sum, the Monarchs will give brighter, crisper images than the Actions, especially under low-light conditions, and the Monarchs are also easier to pack and carry.