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About Helios Optics
As a British registered brand of sports optics, Helios that has been around for nearly 50 years and whilst in the UK they have a loyal following, i think that it is fairly accurate to say that the Helios brand fairly unknown in the US where I think they are pretty hard to find.
Indeed I did not know too much about them until I was contacted by their UK distributors who asked me if I would like to review a few of their models. I of course accepted as I love taking a look and testing models and brands that I have not seen before and these reviews will shortly be up on the site.
In the past, Helios was perhaps best known for the very solidly-built porro prism binoculars that they imported from Soviet-bloc countries which had excellent optics for their price. Modern Helios optics have come a long way since those days but the philosophy of the brand is still to offer great optics that offer possibly unparalleled value for money. Today Helios produce a wide range of mostly entry to mid-level binoculars, that include specialist devices like theatre/opera glasses marine binoculars and giant observation binoculars. The also have a wide selection of compact porro and roof prism binoculars as well as full sized roof and porro prism designs. As far as I am aware, Helios binoculars are not available in the US.
Selected Helios Ranges:
As well as Helios binoculars, you can also find Helios branded spotting scopes and monoculars.
Helios Lightwing HR BinocularsThe mid-priced Lightwing HR series from Helios comprise six models, with either 32mm or 42mm lenses and with higher end ED (Extra low Dispersion) glass options for the 42mm sizes.
Important optical features that are constant throughout the series are phase corrected BaK-4 prisms that are also Di-Electric coated, fully multi-coated optics.
The bodies are fully sealed and made from a Magnesium alloy and covered in a thin rubber armouring as is the norm these days.
The range comes with a 5 year warranty as well as the standard accessories.
I was highly impressed with the 8x42 ED version that I tested that not only delivers a stunning image, but has a very wide field of view and other features that for me make this one of the better bins within this price range that I have used.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
Depending on the model, these retail from about £140 to £200 ($150 - $250):
Helios Aero-ED BinocularsThe Helios Aero-ED binoculars consist of a 10x42 and 8x42 rubber armored open-hinge binoculars that have a light weight magnesium alloy body.
Considering their low price point they also very impressively use ED (Extra low Dispersion) glass lenses to help eliminate colour fringing. As well as this these roof prism binoculars also have Phase correction coatings on the quality Bak-4 prisms and full broadband multi-coated optics.
They are O-ring sealed to ensure that they are waterproof and are nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging.
Eye relief is 18.4mm on the 8x42 model and 15.2mm on the 10x42 models.
Both Aero ED models come supplied with neckstrap and case
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
The recommended retail price for Aero ED binoculars in the UK is £199
Helios Nirvana-ED BinocularsAvailable in two configurations (10x42 and 8x42) the Helios Nirvana-ED roof prism binoculars have multi-coated optics and Phase correction coatings on their BaK-4 prisms.
As their name suggests, these use Extra low Dispersion (ED) glass for enhanced colour fidelity and come with a rubber covered magnesium alloy body that is both strong and lightweight.
Eye relief is 17.2mm on the 8x42 and 15mm on the 10x42 model. The Nirvana-ED binoculars are filled with argon gas and so are fog as well as waterproof.
The centre-focusing wheel has a click-stop dioptric adjustment and the binoculars are tripod adaptable. Both models come supplied with neckstrap and case.
Sizes & Models Available:
Buy & Compare Prices
Depending on the model, the recommended retail price for these Nirvana ED binoculars in the UK is £269 - £279
Helios Mistral WP6 BinocularsAnother low costing range of binoculars from Helios, the Mistral WP6 series consists (at the time of writing) of 10 models, with mid-sized 32mm bins, standard 42mm models and three 50mm bins and all available in a selection of magnifications.
This series looks to be aimed at general use, with an emphasis on birding, especially the 8x42 Mistral which has a nice wide field of view and excellent image quality for the price.
all Helios Mistral WP6 binoculars come equipped with BaK-4 roof prisms, fully multi-coated optics, with water and fog proof bodies and there are a few premium models that also incorporate an ED element into their lenses:
Sizes & Models Available:
Buy & Compare Prices
Depending on the model, the recommended retail price for the Mistral WP6 binoculars in the UK is between £159.95 - £109.95
Helios Ultrasport BinocularsAvailable in two configurations (10x42 and 8x42) the Helios Ultrasport roof prism binoculars have an open hinged rubber armored body which is O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled for waterproof and fog-free performance. They also have a click-lock dioptric adjustment integrated in the focusing wheel.
Optical highlights include BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics.
Eye relief is 18mm and 15mm respectively (8x42 & 10x42 models) and both models come supplied with neckstrap and case.
Sizes & Models Available:
Buy & Compare Prices
The recommended retail price for these Ultrasport binoculars in the UK is £129
Helios Mistral WP4 BinocularsThis is a versatile range of entry level O-ring sealed waterproof binoculars that come with a tough and fairly light robust aluminium alloy body that has been filled with nitrogen to help prevent internal fogging of the optics.
All Helios Mistral WP4 binoculars have multi-coated optics and high quality BaK-4 prisms and feature twist-up eyecups with enough eye-relief to make them suitable for most eyeglass wearers.
Full size models have an integral tripod bush, which, with a tripod adapter can be used to attach them to a tripod. They are all supplied with neckstrap and case
Sizes & Models Available:
Buy & Compare Prices
Depending on the model, the recommended retail price for these Mistral WP4 binoculars in the UK is £59.99 - £99.99
 Buy & Compare Prices for Helios Binoculars |
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Below are a few featured Helios Binoculars: View >> All Helios Binoculars reviewed
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These low cost 8x42 Helios binoculars come with a number of features and components that I would not normally expect to find at this price. This includes phase correction coatings on the prisms, which when combined with the silver mirror coatings and the fully multi-coated optics help deliver a view that I believe is on a par with any other at this price level. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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High powered binoculars specifically designed with astronomy in mind, but which can also very effectively be used for long range terrestrial observation. The large 70mm lenses in combination with a quality fully multi-coated optical system to a great job collecting and then transferring a high level of light to your eyes for bright, high quality views. Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Mid priced Helios binoculars with a host of features that you would only expect to see on high end, far more expensive instruments. This includes a a magnesium chassis, fully multi-coated optics and phase corrected BaK-4 prisms that have been dielectrically coated for the highest levels of light transmission. Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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A low cost binocular designed for general use and optimized for birding these 8x42 Helios binoculars come with a good field of view and a bright high quality view. Other features include a water & fog proof chassis, fully multi-coated glass, sliver coated BaK-4 roof prisms and a full 17.5mm of eye-relief. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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These rubber armoured open-hinge binoculars combine a O-ring sealed and nitrogen filled waterproof, fog-free magnesium alloy body with excellent optical components and coatings. This includes the use of ED (Extra low dispersion) glass, high-index Phase-Corrected Bak-4 prisms and fully multi-coated optics. Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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View >> All Helios Binoculars reviewed on The Best Binoculars & Reviews website.
UK Distributors of Helios Binoculars
Optical Vision Ltd
Unit 3, Woolpit Business Park,
Woolpit, Bury St. Edmunds,
Suffolk
IP30 9UP, England
Email: info[at]opticalvision.co.uk
Price & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
