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Nikon Prostaff 3s Binocular Review

Last Updated: 28.03.24

Main advantage

Whether you’re a do-it-yourself camper of a low-profile spy, a good pair of binoculars is never something that you can afford to be missing from your backpack. As a result, this product from Nikon comes with the Prostaff 3S features that are necessary to allow you to get crystal-clear pictures of whatever you are trying to see from far away.

This is an optical system that is able to provide higher light transmittance across the entire spectrum that is visible to the naked human eye. This effect is applied to the lens and prism surfaces of the binoculars, therefore sending a high-quality picture back to you.

The visibility is once more improved by the fact that this item is completely waterproof and fog proof. These binoculars are filled with nitrogen and O-Ring sealed so that the manufacturer can make sure you get not a decent performance but a spectacular one. 

 

Main disadvantage

The only potential downside we can find to this amazing piece is that the eye covers that it comes with could be of better quality. While you can definitely get your job done with them without any issues, you will be able to tell the difference if you’ve ever gotten your hands on one of the very expensive pair of binoculars out there.

The reason is understandable though since this characteristic is what allows an otherwise great product to sit comfortably in a price range that’s manageable for most of the bird watchers, hunters, and wildlife observers out there.

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Main features explained

 

Long eye relief

This pair made by Nikon is great for that much-desired eye relief that binoculars aficionados always look to have. Did you think eye relief only applies to rifle scopes? No sir! While many products have it, this one sports an amazing 20.2 mm of eye relief so this is indeed a fantastic distance. Talk about putting the “extended” into extended eye relief.

Using this you will be able to see a full field of view and clear details while still enjoying maximum comfort, regardless of how much time you put into your favorite pastime. We’re not saying you shouldn’t do anything else with your day but you may not want to leave this product out of your hand once you’ve tried it.

However, there are some people who do not want or require such a large distance since they may feel it impairs their ability to properly observe whatever they bought the binoculars to observe. Don’t you worry if this is your situation too since the twist-up style eyecups are able to be adjusted for a custom fit.

Since not everyone wants it though, we’re pretty sure that the spectacle-wearing, birdwatch aficionado in you will definitely enjoy the long eye relief provided by these binoculars and, overall, your vision will also thank you for it. If you’re watching something that’s particularly elusive or hard to spot from afar, this will definitely do the trick for you.

The Multi-Setting Click Stop rubber eyecups are, as we said, completely adjustable and also very comfortable so you will feel no strain after using them. It’s pretty easy to get them to a fit that will be good for you and, since the entire body of the product is lightweight, you’ll be good to go for hours and hours of spectacular and informative observation sessions. 

Compact body

While we can agree that sometimes you need a bigger tool to get the job done, this is not always true with binoculars. In fact, many people prefer to get something that’s smaller and more compact but still able to fulfill their observational needs. In this regard, this Prostaff is not only smaller in dimensions at 6 x 5.1 x 2.0 inches but it’s also very light compared to other binoculars in the same weight class.

Lightweight boxers always have an advantage when going in against a bigger opponent who will tire much easier. The same can be said for this product since it only comes in at 19.9 ounces compared to the 23 or 26 ounces boasted by similar models in today’s crowded market.

Also, there’s another thing we recommend that you keep in mind. While a pair of  binoculars in the 20-ounce range is still considered to be quite easy to handle and lightweight-enough for most people, not a lot of them out there are able to keep quality characteristics and still offer this little weight to work with.

Being able to offer a lightweight product but still offer amazing glass quality, an ideal all-round and ideal magnification, as well as very good classic-sized objective lenses is not something that everybody can brag about. Since this item from Nikon can boast about having all of these, you can rest assured it will be a compact unit that will feel wonderful in your hand.

As a result, this characteristic also works together with the last one to allow you to spend as much time as you want every day doing something that you enjoy. Gone are the days of putting your pair of binoculars down because your eyes are tired or you simply cannot hold them anymore and need a break.

 

Low cost

Every market has those staple items that allow you to know how they’re going to perform straight from day 1 based on their price tag. You can either get something really cheap and not break the bank but expect to have poor quality and results or you can get a product that’s really expensive and sometimes a little overrated but know that at least you’ll get your money’s worth.

However, once in a while, the patient buyer will also find those products that are what the honey pot is to the bear: irresistible. This is exactly what Nikon is aiming to provide with this Prostaff as the price tag is quite low compared to what the customer is getting after purchasing it and trying it for the first time.

For an all-purpose pair of binoculars, we’re sure you’ll agree with us when we say the price range is quite decent and affordable. The thing to brag about here is that even if the manufacturer had to make some cuts in order to achieve this, the overall quality of the product is much better than what you would expect.

As a result, while this pair of binoculars does not have really fancy, eye-gouging accessories that will kick the price tag up into some additional zero digit fields, there’s still enough goodness to go around to make everybody happy. If you’re an avid hunter or watcher that does not want to go all-out on a very expensive item, you have probably just found your new best friend. 

Besides, the item is brought to you by a Nikon-authorized dealer and comes with a manufacturer warranty that should be enough to keep you worry-free, even if you happen to damage it in some way, shape, or form. 

 

Waterproof and fog proof construction

Who among us did not plan that special, me-day, birdwatching getaway only to have it ruined by a sudden upset in the weather and, instead of spending the day out there in the woods, had to sit on the couch and watch bird documentaries?

Fortunately for everyone involved, this Prostaff aims to solve all our problems by being completely waterproof and fog proof. We’re serious! Nothing can make the pictures offered by this product get hazy or lacking in clarity. Whether you are caught by the rain and still need to observe something, trying to find a monster deep in the water, or watching out for zombies at night in a graveyard, there’s nothing water and fog can do to prevent you from doing so.

The binoculars are filled to the brim with nitrogen in order to ensure that whatever comes in the lenses and the prism comes out in a similar quality or maybe even a tad better! Also, you’ll be happy to know that the product is O-Ring sealed in order to provide the best possible performance every time you pick it up and lift it to your eyes. 

The fact that the optical system is created from lead-and-arsenic-free Eco-Glass is definitely doing something to help the process as well. A waterproof and fog proof product is one thing but a pair of binoculars that together with these 2 perks also comes with powerful, high-quality optics is really something that every aficionado out there should take a look at.

Furthermore, since you will not be equipped with a product that’s able to be used regardless of the weather, you will no longer have to wait for that perfect day to go out and practice your passion. Instead, whenever you feel like it, just go out and enjoy that non-slip grip that’s always going to remain in your hand whether it’s pouring or not.

 

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Ioana Moldovan

Ioana’s professional experience in the optics field has helped her understand the value of passing her knowledge forward. Her curious personality helps her gather useful information for her readers and her goal is to make technical information fun and accessible to everyone.

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