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About Opticron
Opticron is a British company that was was founded forty years ago and now produce an extensive array of optical equipment that includes monoculars, spotting scopes, tripods, rangefinders as well as binoculars.
As far as I know, most (if not all) Opticron scopes and binoculars are manufactured in Japan, by what they call "elite optical manufacturers" who produce excellent quality products with high end optical performance at reasonable prices ensuring that you get excellent value for money.
Whilst manufactured overseas, Opticron do operate a UK based service centre for all their equipment.
Opticron now also has an office in the USA, based in North Carolina as well as 61 US Dealers, 6 Dealers in Canada and 1 in Mexico. Other Opticron dealerships are located in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Slovakia & Ireland.
Opticron binoculars range in price from the cheap $80/£85 starters to the high end models cost well over $800/£600 and because they have a vast catalogue, really do aim to offer something for almost everyone. From cheap binoculars for the price-conscious shopper, beginning optics user, biker, hiker or sports lover, right up to the serious optics user, where they produce some really good quality optics for birders, travellers and wildlife enthusiast. As well as "standard" optics, Opticron also produce Marine binoculars as well as powerful giant binoculars for long range terrestrial observation and specialist outdoor applications such as aircraft observation. Depending on the price and quality of the optics, Opticron offer a range of guarantees, from 5 years to 30 years.
Their high end optics like the DBA VHD, Auora, Oasis, BGA Classic, Imagic and Verano binoculars come with quality features like the highest quality prisms with phase correction coatings.
More details on the Opticron Range:
Below you will find some more details on the most popular ranges of Opticron binoculars as well as my in depth Opticron reviews:
Made in Japan, the latest versions of Opticron's Imagic binoculars boast many of the highest quality components and coatings currently available , packaged into a lightweight, modern looking chassis and available at a price that competes very well with any other bin in this class.
In my review of the Opticron Imagic BGA VHD 8x42 Binoculars review, I was really impressed by the vast array of high end features and components that include their VHD optical system that includes ED glass elements in the lenses, phase corrected BaK-4 prisms with Opticron's own dielectric coatings (Oasis).
Small touches of class are also evident everywhere, including nice touches like the lockable diopter adjuster that is incorporated into the main centrally located focus wheel.
Sizes & Models Available:
This Imagic series consists of 42 or 50mm versions is a range of magnifications to cater for a wide range of uses or preferences:
| Specifications | 8x42 | 10x42 | 8.5x50 | 10x50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) |
30679 126 2 22 58~74 152x124 686 |
30680 113 2 21 58~74 152x124 705 |
30681 |
30682 101 3.5 23 58~74 177x132 795 |
Reviews
Price Range
With a RRP of over $700 / £450 these are not cheap, but these top specification Opticron binoculars will set you back far less than most others from other premium 'alpha' optical brands out there, which is what for me makes them interesting and well worth checking out:
Currently availible in four different configurations the Opticron Imagic IS binoculars may be one of the more affordabe Image Stabilized binoculars on the market, but which still offer a high quality image and excellent level of IS:
Check out my full hands-on Opticron Imagic IS 16x42 Binoculars Review.
Sizes & Models Available:
The Imagic IS series consists of 30 or 42mm versions is a range of magnifications that should make them suitable in a reasonably wide variety of daytime uses like wildlife observation, bird watching, surveying, and even the occasional night time use for stargazing and lunar observation. The IS certainly helps bring your subject in sharp detail without needing a tripod.
| Specifications | 10x30 | 12x30 | 14x30 | 16x42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Product Code |
30730 270 9.5 15 54~74 5.9x4.6x2.6 18.8 $879 |
30731 264 9.5 15 54~74 5.9x4.6x2.6 18.9 $889 |
30732 |
30860 198 13.1 15 54~74 7.1x4.6x2.7 22.6 $1,250 |
Key Features:
Reviews
Price Range
Depending on the model (see table above) the Opticron Imagic IS binoculars have a MSRP of between $879 and $1,250 in the US, or £569.00 and £849.00 in the UK:
One of their latest offerings, Opticron describe these as being "Smaller, Lighter, Brighter, Sharper" and after I had the chance to test a pair (read my Opticron DBA VHD 10x42 Binoculars review), it is hard to argue with any of these points.
Like Opticron's other high end offerings, all DBA VHD models are made in Japan using some of the highest quality materials and components available:
Available in 10x42 and 8x42 configurations these roof prism bins have a comfortable open bridge body shape with a chassis that is mostly made from Magnesium, but also uses Polycarbonate where appropriate.
Other notable features include ED glass in the lenses, phase corrected prisms with Opticron's own Oasis high reflection prism coatings.
Small touches of class are also evident everywhere, including nice touches like the lockable diopter adjuster that is incorporated into the main centrally located focus wheel.
| Specifications | 8x42 | 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) |
30644 122 2.5 22 56~74 145x126 696 |
30645 105 2.5 17 56~74 145x126 714 |
In Europe you get a worry free 30 year guarantee or a lifetime warranty in North America, both of which are excellent.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
At the time of writing, these high end Opticron binoculars were available from between £550 and £600 in the UK and around $790 in the US:
These very high end mid-sized binoculars are squarely aimed at the more serious user for everyday use, but also to those looking for a bin for birding or safari holidays or even for backpacking and hiking adventures, where you need an easy to carry and pack binocular, but still demand a very high level of optical performance.
Consisting of just two 32mm roof prism models the list of features and components used is impressive:
As you can read in my full review of the 10x32 Traveller, these all combine well to deliver a extremely high quality image.
| Specifications | 8x32 | 10x32 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) |
30648 143 1.8 19 51~73 119x115 451 |
30649 113 1.8 17 51~73 119x1156 453 |
Apart from the actual image quality, a particular highlight on both models is the wide field of view, which for the 8x32 model especially is genuinely class leading.
As with most other Opticron products, in Europe you get a 30 year guarantee and a lifetime warranty in North America.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
These high end bins cost about £300 in the UK and $440 in the US at the time of writing. Check current prices in your country by following the link below:
The latest versions of the Opticron Verano binoculars have a new super lightweight polycarbonate and magnesium alloy body. The open bridge design is both elegant and simple and have finished weights between 524g and 654g.
All these Verano models are made in Japan and utilise a high quality fully multi-coated, internally focused roof prism optical system which has been 'balanced-out' to deliver optimum color contrast across a wide range of different light conditions.
The combination of high quality phase corrected prism and Opticron's own Oasis high reflection prism coatings maximise light transmission and resolution while the complex multi-element eyepiece designs ensure comfortable vision for spectacle wearers with minimal edge distortion.
All three Opticron BGA PC Oasis binoculars are 100% waterproof down to a depth of 3 meters. They have also had the air inside them replaced with nitrogen gas to help with fog proofing.
| Specifications | 8x32 | 8x42 | 10x42 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) |
30500 131 1.5 18 56~74 120x122 524 |
30501 109 1.8 21 56~74 142x125 654 |
30502 105 1.8 19 56~74 142x125 653 |
They also all come with a 30 year guarantee, a soft neoprene case with a rainguard, neoprene lanyard and objective lens caps.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
These mid-high level Verano models are now available from between £400 and £550 in the UK and around $550 in the US:
With 5 roof prism models in the series, all have the common aim of being as small and lightweight as possible within their particular size class.
To help with this goal, Opticron have used a very compact optical design, which has enabled them to significantly reduce the length of these instruments.
As you would expect for a mid-high level bin, these are all fully water and fog proof, have fully multi-coated optics as well as prisms with phase correction coatings applied to them.
As you can discover in my review of the 8x32 Discovery, not only did I find them to be particularly compact for a mid-sized bin, but other highlights included a wide field of view, extremely close minimum focus and an excellent quality as well as bright view for a 32mm bin.
| Specs | 8x32 | 8x42 | 10x42 | 8x50 | 10x50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code FOV (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RRP £ MSRP $ |
30452 131 1.2 17 52~75 108x117 391 169.00 256.00 |
30458 131 1.5 22 53~75 133x126 703 179.00 285.00 |
30459 105 1.5 17 53~75 133x126 696 189.00 299.00 |
30457 122 1.5 21 57~75 145x133 797 199.00 319.00 |
30467 115 1.5 22 57~75 145x133 813 199.00 319.00 |
In the UK these come with a 5 year warranty, whilst in North America you get a full lifetime warranty.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
At the time of writing this, the mid-high range Discovery's are currently being sold for around $230 / £160 / €220, depending where you look and which model you select:
This is a new low cost range from Opticron that currently consists of just two mid-sized models, a 8x32 and 10x32.
Both sport the same open bridge body shape, which as I discovered in my review of the 8x33 Savanna R, the quality of which is almost as good as many of the companies far more expensive models like their Verano above.
Whilst it is understandable that to save costs they do not incorporate the same level of optics, they do cover most of the important areas and as such seem to compete with the best within their price range.
| Specs | 8x33 | 10x33 |
|---|---|---|
| Code FOV ft/1000yd FOV m/1000m Min Focus (m) Eyerelief mm IPD mm HxW inches HxW mm Weight g MSRP $ Current $ Current £ |
30638 366 122 3.5 20 52~76 5.1x4.7 129x120 428 189.00 139 99 |
30639 318 106 3.5 17 52~76 5.1x4.7 129x120 415 205.00 |
In the UK the Savanna R comes with a 10 year warranty, whilst in North America you get a full lifetime warranty.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
At the time of writing, the Savanna R bins retail for around $139 / £99, but check the link below for the current prices
Available in either a 8x30 or 6x30 configuration, it is the lower powered Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 binocular that really stands out for me and ever since I tested and used them on a kayaking trip, have become a real favorite of mine.
With their very comfortable, easy to carry mid-size porro prism shape, these binoculars deliver a bright, good quality image that offers an excellent balance between size, weight and image quality, and brightness. Ideal uses include everything from backyard birding, to general birdwatching and wildlife observation (especially from mid-to-close distances) as well as a binocular to take along to sporting events and even make good bug out bag binoculars for the prepper! The 6x30 Opticron Savanna in particular also makes a great choice as a more serious binocular of older children.
For more, be sure to check out my full 6x30 Opticron Savanna WP review.
Currently available for around approx $130 / £100 I do feel that these Opticron Savanna WP binoculars offer a truly excellent price to performance ratio:
Designed for the birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast, this roof prism binocular is available in both 8x42 and 10x42 configurations, which according to Opticron, has recently been upgraded with a brand new multi-coating.
The Opticron DBA Oasis binoculars are among the very best binoculars produced by Opticron and offer good performance with features that include an excellent 7° field of view with the Oasis 8x42 and 6° with the 10x42 version. Close focus distance is 2.2m.
| Specifications | 8x42 | 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RR Price £ |
30307 122 2.2 18 57~77 152x128 691 599 |
30308 105 2.2 18 57~77 152x128 707 599 |
Each Oasis S-Coat is supplied complete with a 30 year guarantee and come with a soft leather case, a rainguard, neoprene bungee lanyard and removable integral objective lens caps.
Other Features Include
Sizes & Models Available:
Downloads:
Price Range
Both models are now available for around £530:
Designed and manufactured to feel as good as they look, these highly durable field binoculars are available in six specifications including a pocket size 8x32 with a huge 8.0° WA field of view and extreme close focus for birdwatching and watching butterflies and other insects. The Compact 8x42 and 10x42 general purpose birdwatching and wildlife observation models. High performance 7x42 and 8.5x50 for extraordinary low light capability and large depth of field for hunting and woodland viewing. A 10x50 for the highest combination of magnification and brightness.
Main Features Include
Sizes & Models Available:
| Specifications | 8x32 | 7x42 | 8x42 | 10x42 | 8.5x50 | 10x50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RRP Price £ |
30477 140 1.5 17 58~74 133x121 657 409 |
30478 122 2 24 58~74 152x124 669 419 |
30479 122 2 22 58~74 152x124 698 419 |
30480 113 2 21 58~74 152x124 706 429 |
30481 105 3.5 23 58~74 177x132 795 459 |
30482 101 3.5 23 58~74 177x132 790 459 |
Price Range
All models are now available for under £500:
These compacts are a great alternative to quality conventional sized binoculars and are available in 8x, 10x or 12x magnifications. The Opticron BGA T PC Oasis roof prism compacts feature high definition optics with PC Phase corrected prisms with Oasis prism coating.
They are also the lightest binoculars in the Opticron range, are fully rubber covered, 100% waterproof and nitrogen gas filled for fogproofing. The 8x24 is the smallest Opticron roof prism weighing in at 240g and folding down to just 95x67mm.
Each Opticron BGA T PC Oasis binocular comes with a 30 year guarantee and in a soft leather case with lanyard and lens caps.
Sizes & Models Available:
| Specifications | 8x24 | 10x28 | 12x30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RRP Price £ |
30015 110 2.5 15 36~71 95x103 240 189 |
30016 86 3.9 15 36~71 106x105 260 199 |
30017 76 4.5 15 36~71 123x106 290 209 |
Price Range
These models are now available for under £200:
Finished in an excellent quality textured soft black rubber covering, the compact Opticron Taiga porro prism binoculars have recently been updated with a brand new body.
These budget binoculars make ideal take anywhere optics and overall, I think for the amount that you pay for them, you get a pretty good binocular for your money.
Read Full Review of the 8x25 Taiga - Where for me the strongest feature of these compared to other compacts was their really long eye-relief. I also think that considering their very low price point, their optical performance is excellent and easily as good as many compact binoculars that are far more expensive than these. Their overall build quality is also good and at no point did I feel that I had a pair of cheap binoculars in my hands.
| Specifications | 8x25 | 10x25 | 12x25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RR Price £ |
30382 105 3 16 56~72 112x100 302 89 |
30383 91 3 16 56~72 112x100 304 95 |
30384 79 3 16 56~72 112x100 304 99 |
Each Opticron Taiga binocular comes with a 10 year guarantee and a neoprene case with lanyard and lens caps.
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
The Taiga models are now available for under £90:
Available in 6x32, 8x32 and 10x32 and measuring just 98x110mm, the Traveller fits easily into a coat pocket, backpack or sling bag and is an excellent solution for as the name suggests travelling, safaris and most outdoor enthusiasts that prefer the capability of a larger binocular but want the portability of a compact.
The Traveller BGA Mg binoculars are designed and manufactured in Japan to offer a high quality viewing experience and feature BAK 4 prism units, PC phase correction and Oasis prism coating.
The bodies are nitrogen gas filled and waterproof to a depth of 3 metres, protected in a non-slip rubber covering for comfort and grip and feature wide wheel focusing positioned at the base of the body for superb balance in the hand.
All Traveller BGA binoculars are supplied complete in soft case with rainguard, padded lanyard and objective lens caps.
| Specifications | 6x32 | 8x32 | 10x32 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Code Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RRP Price £ |
30497 141 1.5 19 57~71.5 98x118 367 259 |
30498 111 1.5 19 57~71.5 98x118 380 269 |
30499 90 1.5 16 57~71.5 98x118 370 289 |
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
All models are available for under £300:
This roof prism binocular is available in both 8x42 and 10x42 configurations, which according to Opticron, the Aurora has been designed and manufactured to be smaller, lighter and sharper with a wider field of view and better close focus compared to any of their previous BGA models. Aurora binoculars deliver a great balance between size and weight, resolution and field of view.
The optical design doesn't just reduce the overall dimensions and finished weights of the Aurora but delivers an excellent 7.2° field of view with the Opticron 8x42 and a good 6.5°with the Opticron 10x42. Close focus distance is also under 2m.
| Specifications | 8x42 | 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Code Bl Product Code Gr Product Code Bl/Gm Field (m) Min Focus (m) Eyerelief (mm) IPD (mm) HxW (mm) Weight (g) RR Price £ |
30490 30492 30494 126 1.8 20 58~76 140x126 654 759 |
30491 30493 30495 113 1.8 19 58~76 140x126 663 759 |
They have been manufactured using a lightweight alloy body and beautifully finished in a textured rubber covering with patented shock-proof rubber objective lens protection. They also come in a choice of finishes; black, green or black and gunmetal and each Aurora BGA is supplied complete with a comprehensive 30 year guarantee, a soft leather case with a rainguard, neoprene bungee lanyard and removable integral objective lens caps.
Other Features Include
Sizes & Models Available:
Price Range
Both models are now available for around £680:
 Buy & Compare Prices for Opticron Binoculars |
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Below is a selection of Opticron Binoculars that I have fully tested and reviewed:
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Budget compact porro prism binoculars that come with fully coated optics, long eye relief and a tough and ergonomic exterior. Overall I would say that they have an excellent performance to price ratio.
Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Designed and manufactured to feel as good as they look, these highly durable and waterproof Opticron Imagic binoculars include quality features like fully multi-coated lenses and phase correction coatings on the roof prism glass.
Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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High end binoculars from Opticron utilizing many quality components and coatings that combine well to supply you with an equally good user experience and view to match. Highlights include a very long eye-relief, phase corrected and dielectric coated prisms helping to deliver a sharp, bright image. Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Designed for the birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast, this tough, fully fog and waterproof roof prism binocular has quality features like fully multi-coated lenses and phase correction coatings on the prisms.
Price: (5/6) High Value Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Comfortable, easy to carry about and with a bright, good quality image, I love using these Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 binoculars, which I think this will also be the case for many people looking for an inexpensive, easy to use binocular as I feel they offer a good compromise between size, weight and image quality, and brightness. Highlights include an excellent price to performance ratio, a wide field of view, steady 6x magnified image and a huge amount of eye-relief. Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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For a mid-sized binocular, the 8x32 Opticron Discovery is ultra compact and lightweight, has a very wide field of view and extremely minimum close focus. Add to this good quality optics and a mid range price point and you have an instrument that is ideal in a very wide range of uses and thus will appeal to a huge selection of users. Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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Quality compact binoculars that have a lightweight and very compact duel hinge design that is both water and fogproof. These roof prism compacts also feature high definition optics with PC Phase corrected prisms with Oasis prism coatings.
Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars | |||||||||||||||
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View >> All Opticron Binoculars reviewed on The Best Binoculars & Reviews website.
Oasis is the name given by Opticron to their proprietary dielectric coatings. It consists of a 64 layer coating process that they apply to the reflective surface on their high end roof prisms.
According to the company, Oasis improves light emission to 99% over a broader spectrum at the reflective face which compares well with other dielectric mirror coatings used by other manufacturers and is a vast improvement to the aluminium or silver coatings used on other roof prism binoculars.
The result is a measurable increase in light transmission and overall image clarity.
UK
Postal Address: PO Box 370, Luton, Bedforshire, LU4 8YR, UK
Office Address: Unit 21, Titan Court, Laporte Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8EF, UK
Phone: 01582 726522 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
International Tel: +44 (0)1582 726522
Email: sales[at]opticron.co.uk
Fax: 01582 723559
International Fax: +44 (0)1582 723559
Prices & Where to Buy
Prices & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
