Nikon Action Binoculars - What's New and What's Changed?

Nikon's new Action binoculars are here, and they fix the one thing the Aculon A211 was always criticised for. The eye relief on the old Aculon was pretty poor for glasses wearers, and we heard about it constantly at the counter. Nikon has sorted that out properly with the new range, and made a few other meaningful improvements while they were at it.

The Aculon A211 is officially discontinued. The Action series is its replacement, with seven models covering the range from compact 8x42s through to a 16x50 and a 10-22x zoom.

The Nikon Action series replaces the Aculon A211 with eye relief of 15mm or more across most models (up from 11.6mm on the old 10x42), wider fields of view on several models, and an aluminium alloy chassis. Seven models are available from 8x42 to 16x50, plus a 10-22x zoom. Available now at Bintel.

What Changed from the Nikon Aculon A211?

The biggest change is eye relief, followed by a wider field of view on several models and a new aluminium chassis. These aren't cosmetic updates, they address the main complaints customers had with the Aculon.

On the 10x42, the real field of view has gone from 6.0 to 6.8 degrees, which is a pretty meaningful improvement at 10x magnification. Three models in the range now have an apparent field of 60 degrees or more (the 10x42, 12x50 and 16x50), putting them in wide-field territory. That's genuinely hard to find at this price point.

The body has changed too. The Aculon used polycarbonate construction; the Action switches to an aluminium alloy chassis with rubber armouring. It adds a little weight (790g on the 42mm models, 935-950g on the 50mm models) but the feel is quite different in the hand. More solid, better grip, and the rubber eyecups are now multi-click so you can lock in your exact position.

Are the Nikon Action Binoculars Good for Glasses Wearers?

Yes, most models in the Nikon Action range are well suited to glasses wearers, which is a big improvement over the Aculon A211. The old 10x42 had just 11.6mm of eye relief, making it uncomfortable for anyone wearing glasses. The new 10x42 offers 16.1mm, and most of the range comes in at 15mm or more.

The 7x50 is the standout at 19.6mm of eye relief, and the 8x42 sits at 17.3mm. The only model that falls short is the 16x50 at 13mm, which is still better than the old Aculon but less generous than the rest of the lineup. If eye relief is your main concern, the 8x42 or 7x50 are the picks.

Which Nikon Action Binocular Is Best for Birdwatching?

For most birdwatchers, the 8x42 is the one to go for. It is hard to go past this format as an all-rounder: eight times magnification is stable enough to hold comfortably for long periods, the 42mm objective collects plenty of light for most conditions, and the 8-degree real field of view makes it easy to track a bird moving through bush or scrub. The 17.3mm of eye relief means glasses wearers are well looked after too. You can find it here: Nikon ACTION 8x42.

If you want a bit more reach, the 10x42 is a good option. The wider FOV compared to the old Aculon 10x42 is a real improvement here. Popular for birding in open environments where you're often scanning across a wider area or watching birds in flight.

For early morning or late evening sessions where light is low, the 7x50 is worth a serious look. At 7x magnification with a 50mm objective, the exit pupil comes out at just over 7mm, which is about as much light as your eye can actually use. It's also popular for marine use for the same reason.

What About the Higher Magnification Models?

The 10x50 and 12x50 both bring more light gathering than the 42mm models, which suits observers who want to use their binoculars in lower light or pick out finer detail at distance. The 12x50 is particularly interesting because despite the higher magnification it still delivers a 60-plus degree apparent field of view, which is not something you often find at this price. The 10x50 is a more relaxed handheld option if 12x feels a bit much.

The 16x50 is for specific use cases where you really need that extra magnification, spotting sport at distance, watching wildlife across a paddock, that sort of thing. At 16x, a tripod adapter (the Nikon TRA-2 or TRA-3) is pretty much essential for comfortable extended use.

Are Zoom Binoculars Worth It?

Zoom binoculars are worth it if you genuinely need a single pair to cover multiple magnifications and are happy to trade a little optical sharpness for that versatility. The Action Zoom 10-22x50 lets you step from 10x right up to 22x with a smooth zoom mechanism, which sounds appealing. There are situations where it comes into its own, identifying something in the distance and then zooming in for a closer look, or switching between scanning and detailed observation without swapping binos.

The trade-off is that image quality at any fixed magnification won't quite match a dedicated fixed model at the same price, and the field of view narrows significantly as you push towards 22x. For most birdwatchers, a fixed 8x42 or 10x42 will serve better. But if versatility is genuinely your priority, it's a solid option.

Buy Nikon Action Binoculars in Australia

We've got the full Nikon Action range in stock now at Bintel. If you've been a fan of the Aculon A211 or have been holding off waiting for a better option at this price point, the Action series is a pretty compelling step up. The eye relief improvement alone makes a meaningful difference for a large portion of buyers, and the wider fields of view on the 10x42 and 12x50 are a real bonus.

Have a question about which model is right for you? Pop into the BINTEL shop or give us a call. We're always happy to talk binoculars.