Binoculars Round up

Reviewer: Chris Parkin

German Precision Optics, who make these binoculars, is a relatively new name but carry every single Hallmark of quality. The full magnesium body has a twin texture, polymeric armour. The focal range is controlled in 1¾ turns, so there is no problem getting fine detail into sharp resolution and each eyecup has three positions for eye relief, with moderate detents to hold them in position. I found the 8x42s a pleasure to use, as their price is not intimidating but the quality present is refreshing. I found the broad field of view most appealing, which on an 8x optics allows for wide scanning of terrain before concentrating in on specific detail that the ED glass’s resolution had no issue displaying, in relaxing focus that never tired my eyes.

Price: £386.00

Contact: RUAG www.ruag.co.uk

Reviewer: Mark Underwood

Externally, the Observers sport a rubber armour and weigh just 706g; the 10x power is more than enough for most sporting uses and the 42mm objective lenses gather all the light you need and they have Steiner’s ‘Fast Focus’ system. I have used the Steiners in all types of light conditions and they demonstrated an amazing ability to gather up and deliver whatever light there is and the clarity of the image is excellent. The light gathering qualities are well above what I would expect in this price range. They provide a good clear image and long-range detail and these are a great piece of kit and easily the best all-round binoculars I have used.

Price: £315.00

Contact: GMK Ltd www.gmk.co.uk

Reviewer: Bruce Potts

These binoculars have an open bridge design and at 15x12.7x5.1cm, feel very compact. They have a dark brown, rubber armoured finish and a leather and Loden strap. There is a crystal clear and heightened definition to the image and the colours are rendered extremely well. The lenses have the Kahles proprietary multi coating that maximises light transmission and performance in darker conditions. Very comfortable to hold, hunting-proof in all weathers, unbelievable clarity, image contrast and low light capabilities make the Helias a winner in my view and all at a very good price. I get to test many binoculars and these are the ones I want to buy for myself!

Price: £799

Contact: RUAG Ammotec UK Ltd www.ruag.co.uk, www.kahles.at

Reviewer: Pete Wadeson

These binoculars have an ‘open hinge’ design, BAK4 prisms, fully multi-coated and phase coated lenses, which combine to give a bright crystal clear sight picture. They have chunky, large twist-up eyecups and an adjustable ocular ring is found at the base of the right-hand rear lens, while the ‘rear and centre’ focus dial is ideally positioned for ease of use. This large serrated outer edge ‘DCF’ dial operates very smoothly and positively, enabling targets to be quickly ‘snapped’ into pin sharp focus in the sight picture. The body design is such that they’re very easy to handle and use and come supplied with carry case, cover caps, shoulder strap, neck strap and a 10-year guarantee.

Price: £289.99

Contact: Optical Hardware Ltd www.opticalhardware.co.uk

Reviewer: Chris Parkin

ATN’s Bino X are the latest generation of lower priced night vision binoculars that give daylight AND night time functionality with a full digital setup using an IR camera and internal video displays to allow quarry visibility. They are comparable in both weight and size to a premium roof prism 10x42 unit and weigh 910g. Three CR123 batteries are supplied to power the internal cameras and screens, as well as an IR illuminator. A Micro SD Card of up to 32MB provides storage capacity and a Mini USB lead allows for downloading to a computer. They will easily focus down to less than 5-metres and 4-16x magnification is available but I left them on 6-8x magnification most of the time. The Bino X are good at night but AWESOME at dusk and the underside mount allows extra IR to be added if required.

Price: £599.00

Contact: www.scottcountry.co.uk