HIGH-QUALITY / OUTDOOR BINOCULARS

In the optical world, just like in so many other product areas, you are overwhelmed with supply. Under these circumstances, it is almost impossible for the consumer to choose the right binoculars for the right price. The well-known brands often have good materials, but they are far too expensive for the quality and performance they really offer. In most cases the unknown brands perform better, but certainly in the top segment of binoculars… these well-known brands, surprisingly, perform even worse !  Again, one should not underestimate the power of the brand’s name ! Our advice; Don’t be tempted by a well-known name, … just look at what the product really represents in terms of performance and material-construction quality, … and then compare the price !

The most problems with high-quality binoculars is that the manufacturer makes a visually attractive binoculars product, which looks beautiful and convincing, but which however, is very disappointing in terms of structural solidity and material quality. Not to mention the performance of these so-called quality binoculars. During our tests it became increasingly clear that it is precisely the well-known brands of outdoor binoculars that are guilty of this.

 

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH PERFORMANCE BINOCULARS

This one example is perhaps the single most important point in deciding which binoculars to choose. The optical parts, such as a prism or the mirrors, are glued into the binoculars housing with most binoculars. With a high-quality product, this is much better and more firmly attached than just with a silly drop of glue. These optical parts are clamped and screwed and glued (3 in 1). This is indispensable for a product that must be able to withstand serious impacts.

 

THE MATERIAL USE OF THE BINOCULAR HOUSE

Most binoculars are made of cheap Aluminum or partly also of plastic. As soon as the binoculars have to take a beating and accidentally fall on one of its lenses, the material strength of the screw thread in the Aluminum housing determines whether the lens will break off or not. As soon as that happens, the binoculars are fit for the trash can ! The house is no longer usable, and the repair costs are often higher than a new one !

 

THE RESISTANCE OF AN OUTDOOR BINOCULARS AGAINST WATER AND MIST

This factor is particularly important because usually outdoor binoculars are also considered survival binoculars. Survival conditions are often very harsh, cold and wet ! High quality binoculars that cannot stand this is not worth a single Euro ! However, here is still a big difference in what is meant by waterproof or waterproof ! In our tests we set a minimum water resistance standard of 50 meters waterpressure. If the water resistance would not go further than 3 meters, like the modern smartphones, then in practice it will be of absolutely no use to you. Out of the 200 binoculars we tested, the four best are in our gallery!

 

THE TEST CRITERIA USED IN OUR BINOCULARS TESTS

• Waterproofness
• Ergonomics
• Usability
• Material quality
• Construction quality
• Lens brightness during the day
• Lens brightness during twilight
• Actual magnification
• Quality of lens-coatings
• Quality of rubber protection
• Weight
• Strength and rigidity of housing
• Play on hinge
• Price
• Manufacturer service
• Manufacturer’s warranty

 

FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SURVIVAL BINOCULARS

First of all it is an item to use when hunting, be it with a rifle or a bow, but of course that is not all ! one can also make a fire with binoculars by holding the large lens towards the sunlight, and at the other end holding something flammable, … and voila, one has fire to cook on, and one can light the stove, but that same light gives you vision after dusk,…so you don’t need your flashlight, … that saves energy !   It is also useful in a canoe or kayak on the water, so that you can see far over water for matters that can be of vital importance such as in a combat or war situation !

The compactness of the binoculars makes it convenient to carry in a jacket or backpack or on a belt. But binoculars can also simply serve as entertainment in nature if you observe the birds from a lovely comfortable chair with a beer on the table from a camouflage tent or, as far as we are concerned, your naked female-neighbor sunbathing in her backyard ! Whether the latter is legal will be another matter, but the binoculars will do the job allright !

 

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