Pros: uncompromising image quality. Bright, razor sharp, high contrast view right to the edge of the field. Outstanding low-light performance, which is particularly impressive given its 32mm objective lenses. Excellent build quality and ergonomics; lightweight yet solid and robust. Superb all-round performance. Possibly the best "accessories" (case, strap, rainguard, objective … [Read more...] about Swarovski EL 8×32 Swarovision Binocular Review
Wildlife Optics Reviews
The latest in wildlife viewing optics independently reviewed by the Ireland's Wildlife team.
Minox BV 8×25 BRW Binocular Review
Pros: very compact design that feels solid and well made. Lightweight and easy to carry and transport. Quite bright for a compact, with good all-round image quality. Large focus wheel for a compact and good quality twist up eye cups make these very comfortable in use. They feel like a "proper" pair of binoculars despite their compact size.Cons: strap lugs dig into my hands … [Read more...] about Minox BV 8×25 BRW Binocular Review
Kite Lynx HD 8×30 binocular review
Pros: Super compact and convenient, with great build quality. Exceptionally wide field of view and large central "sweet spot" give that elusive sense of immersion that marks a great binocular. Very bright, pin sharp image with excellent colour fidelity and contrast, surprisingly good low light performance considering the small objective lenses. Superb close focus … [Read more...] about Kite Lynx HD 8×30 binocular review
Minox BD 7×28 Binocular Review
Pros: Superb optics in a very compact, striking and ergonomic body that's a joy to hold and use... Minox demonstrates its optical pedigree with a bright, sharp, wide image that has great contrast and excellent colour.Cons: Individually focussing dioptres are far from ideal for wildlife. In fairness this is obvious before you ever get the binocular in your hands, but it does … [Read more...] about Minox BD 7×28 Binocular Review
Hawke Frontier ED 8×43 Binocular Review
Pros: Excellent high-contrast image with vibrant colours and good detail across the exceptionally wide field of view. Very bright optics that perform well across a range of challenging light conditions. Great build quality and finish for the price: feel very solid, without being overly heavy and excellent balance makes them comfortable in use. Good close focus to 2m coupled … [Read more...] about Hawke Frontier ED 8×43 Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 8×32 Binocular Review
Keen birder and Ireland's Wildlife contributor Colin Barton puts the Meopta MeoStar 8x32 through its paces, and is suitably impressed.Pros: Great image quality — can rival the best optics on the market today. Very sharp and crisp, with great low light performance and a good wide field of view. Binoculars feel very sturdy and well-built. 30 year warranty among the best … [Read more...] about Meopta MeoStar B1 8×32 Binocular Review
Nikon EDG 8×42 Binocular Review
Pros: Stunning optics, high quality materials (including eco-friendly lead- and arsenic-free glass) and contemporary design combine to put this Japanese binocular up there with the best of the European competition. Bright, clear, razor sharp image practically to the edge of the field of view, coupled with excellent balance and handling makes the EDG a superb binocular in the … [Read more...] about Nikon EDG 8×42 Binocular Review
Nikon Fieldscope ED50 Review
Pros: tiny size, lightweight, outstanding performance and image quality. Amazingly packable -- ideal travel scope or second scope for birding and wildlife watching situations where you need to keep down the bulk.Cons: pearlescent green perhaps not the most flattering of colours for a scope (go for black), low light performance not as good as full size scopes (but does … [Read more...] about Nikon Fieldscope ED50 Review
Vortex Razor HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Razor HD 10x42 Short ReviewPros: good looks, superb ergonomics and tough, lightweight design coupled with premium optics and coatings make for a very compelling package that rivals top tier European binoculars. Stunning image quality and excellent handling make the Razor an absolute joy to use. The vortex VIP lifetime, transferable no quibble warranty is simply … [Read more...] about Vortex Razor HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 10×42 HD Binocular Review
Meopta MeoStar B1 10x42 HD: Short Review Pros: Outstanding image quality -- superb sharpness, detail and brightness. Up there with the very best optics on the market today. Good wide field of view, excellent edge sharpness and great low light performance. Optically there's absolutely nothing to criticise here. Body feels bulletproof. Amazing padded strap has to be seen to be … [Read more...] about Meopta MeoStar B1 10×42 HD Binocular Review
Vanguard Spirit ED 8×36 Binocular Review
Vanguard Spirit ED 8x36: Short Review Pros: Very compact, lightweight yet robust construction. Excellent ergonomics. Impressive list of optical features for this price point. Bright, clear view with excellent sharpness and detail in the centre. Good general field of view. Good low light performance for a mid-size binocular in this price bracket.Cons: Softening of the image … [Read more...] about Vanguard Spirit ED 8×36 Binocular Review
Meopta Meostar S2 82 HD Spotting Scope
Meopta Meostar S2 Spotting Scope: Short Review Pros: Great looking scope. Robust magnesium alloy, rubber armoured body feels light and very tough. Wide field of view is exceptionally bright, sharp and detailed right to the edge of the field. Superb performance throughout the zoom range. Excellent ergonomics. Centre-ring focus dial quick, easy and accurate. Compact and easy to … [Read more...] about Meopta Meostar S2 82 HD Spotting Scope
Binocular Review: Docter 8×42 ED
Docter 8x42 ED Binocular: Short Review Pros: High quality optics deliver a very sharp, clear image with excellent resolution, contrast and colour fidelity. Excellent edge sharpness and no sign of colour fringing (chromatic aberration). Handles glare well in difficult light conditions. Clean, understated design and lightweight construction makes for a compact and comfortable … [Read more...] about Binocular Review: Docter 8×42 ED
Vanguard Endeavor ED 8.5×45 Binocular Review
Vanguard Endeavor ED 8.5x45: Short Review Pros: Price; solid, lightweight magnesium alloy body; high quality finish and attention to detail; bright, sharp image across almost all of the field of view; excellent contrast, detail and colour rendition; superb strap and high quality accessories; very comfortable to carry and use for extended periods.Cons: Field of view … [Read more...] about Vanguard Endeavor ED 8.5×45 Binocular Review
Swarovski CL Companion 10×30 binocular review
Swarovski CL Companion: Short ReviewPros: Compact size; light weight; bright, sharp image; excellent build quality; great strap, case and accessories; high quality Swarovski glass and coatings, good balance and handling for its size.Cons: Fairly narrow field of view, and softening at the edge makes extended viewing a little uncomfortable in some condition; surprising … [Read more...] about Swarovski CL Companion 10×30 binocular review
Vortex Talon HD 8×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Talon HD 8×42: Short Review Pros: Bright, high-contrast image with vibrant colours and good detail across most of the wide field of view. Solid feel with good balance and ergonomics. Nice wide focus wheel with plenty of grip. Good close focus of under 2m combined with wide field of view makes it ideal for fast-moving insects like dragonflies. Unbeatable Vortex VIP … [Read more...] about Vortex Talon HD 8×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Viper HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Vortex Viper HD 10x42: Short Review Pros: Outstanding optical quality, superb bright image with excellent detail and very good edge sharpness. Compact and robust, great build quality, balance and handling. Bordering on an "Alpha" quality view, but only 1/3 the price of the big guns. Awesome close focus, great low light performance for a 10x. Lifetime, transferable, no fault … [Read more...] about Vortex Viper HD 10×42 Binocular Review
Opticron Verano BGA HD 8×42 Binocular Review
Opticron Verano BGA HD Binocular: Short Review Pros: Excellent image quality from a mid range binocular that packs plenty of optical punch. Bright, sharp view with great detail even in low light and outstanding close focus. Low weight and good balance a bonus in the field.Cons: Design feels a little unrefined for a binocular that's far from cheap. Overall package is let … [Read more...] about Opticron Verano BGA HD 8×42 Binocular Review
Gear Review: Eden Quality 8×42 XP Binoculars
Eden Quality 8x42 XP Binoculars: Short Review Pros: Outstanding image quality for the price, the Eden is full of surprises. Robust, yet lightweight this is an exceptionally comfortable binocular to use and carry in the field for extended periods. Bright, clear, sharp image which packs in detail across a wide range of light conditions.Cons: Hard to fault the binocular … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Eden Quality 8×42 XP Binoculars
Gear Review: Opticron Aspheric LE WP 10×25
It’s not always practical to tote a pair of full size binoculars around with you. No matter how “ergonomic” and comfortable your regular bins are, there are times when you just have to leave them at home.Wildlife encounters, however, can happen any time, anywhere. From waxwings dropping in to feast on rowan berries in a supermarket car park, to a stoat loping across a … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Opticron Aspheric LE WP 10×25
Gear Review: Swarovski SLC 10×42 W B HD
When it comes to binoculars the name Swarovski Optik needs no introduction. Along with Leica and Zeiss the Austrian company is pushing the boundaries of optical perfection, and many agree that it currently has a slight edge on its high-end rivals.In mid 2010 Swarovski introduced a new model to the upper echelons of it’s high-end binocular line up when it gave it’s … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Swarovski SLC 10×42 W B HD
