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While the classic 8x42 configuration is undoubtedly the most popular for good reason as it provides a great balance of light-gathering capability, size, and field of view, I feel that 8x56 binoculars can be a more optimal solution for some users and uses:
Though slightly bulkier, I have often found them to more than make up for this by delivering a brighter view in low light situations and thus can be and ideal option for wildlife observers, hunters, and birders who often operate at dawn, dusk, or even in dense forests and woods.
So when Alpen Optics offered me a chance to test the 8x56 version of their ED Apex XP, I jumped at the opportunity to once again re-visit one of my favorite configurations paying particular attention to how these high-end binoculars perform against both 8x42 and 8x56 binoculars:
Currently containing this 8x56 model as well as a standard 10x42 and a 10x42 Laser Rangefinder model, the Alpen Apex XP ED series is a set up from the standard Alpen Apex line. The Apex XP ED series specifically emphasizes high-end performance with higher level features like the inclusion of ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements within the lenses. The aim of this is to reduce chromatic aberrations, and thus potentially delivering a better image quality (sharper, vibrant, but still color-accurate).
Contents:
Design
Whilst a little wider and longer (less than you might expect) than your standard 42mm instrument, the overall design and shape of the Alpen Apex XP 8x56 binocular is very typical for that of a modern roof prism binocular. The main difference being that rather than a straight tube, the barrels flair out at the ends in order for them to accommodate the larger 56mm objective lenses.
To accommodate the larger 56mm objective lenses, the Alpen Apex XP binoculars utilize a slightly modified chassis compared to a standard (typical) 8x42 roof prism bino. However, they maintain the same fundamental design, featuring a single bridge positioned closer to the oculars than the objective lenses.
Measuring 5cm in width, the bridge is quite beefy (and feels very robust), particularly when compared to a typical 8x42 binocular. Nonetheless, due to the overall larger size of the instrument and the curved edges of the bridge design, it appears proportionate and visually balanced.
Another feature I appreciate about the Alpen Apex binoculars is the significant recess of the lenses within the ends of each barrel:
I measured this depth at 9mm on my sample, which offers a good level of protection. This design helps shield the lenses from physical damage, such as when you accidentally set the binoculars down lens-first without their covers (though ideally, you should always replace the covers).
Additionally, this deep positioning within the barrel chassis helps keep dust and light rain at bay, resulting in less frequent cleaning of the glass.
The underside of these Alpen Apex 8x56 ED binoculars is very plain and they lack any thumb indents that you see on some instruments. While in no means a critical feature, these indents can offer a comforting touch and help encourage a natural grip at the optimal balancing point if positioned at the right point.
Rubber Armor
Fitting very tightly onto the chassis underneath, the dark green exterior rubber coating on my sample Alpen Apex XP binoculars was relatively thick, extremely hard and had a very smooth.
This design choice results in a modern, aesthetically pleasing finish (to me), but it does mean that the surface offers less grip and less impact protection than softer, more absorbent rubber coatings.
It also results in the surface being more reflective, which if you are being really picky, is not great for camouflage.
On the positive side, I have found hard exteriors like this tend to outlast the soft rubber ones that often become sticky.
Main Chassis
Whilst Alpen Optics don't expressly mention it on the specification sheet. My research leads me to believe the main chassis of the Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED Binoculars is made from a combination of both magnesium alloy where strength is needed and polycarbonate plastic to keep costs down and reduce weight.
This construction provides durability while keeping the binoculars relatively light for easy handling and competitive in terms of cost compared to their main competition.
Fog & Waterproofing
The Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED Binoculars are designed for reliable performance in challenging outdoor conditions:
They are fully sealed to prevent moisture (or dust) ingress, ensuring that the internal optics remain protected in dry and wet conditions. They are fully waterproof and tested to 1 meter in depth for 30 minutes.
Additionally, these binoculars are nitrogen-purged (the internal air is replaced with moistureless nitrogen gas). This eliminates all internal moisture and prevents fogging on the lenses, even in extreme temperature variations.
Tripod Adaptable
These Alpen binoculars are technically "tripod adaptable," as the central cap on the front hinge can be unscrewed and removed to reveal a standard thread with which to screw in your tripod adapter.
However, as with many larger-diameter binoculars, the flare of the barrels near the objectives reduces the space in between them, meaning that not all tripod adapters will fit comfortably in the gap.
This was not the case with my adapter, but just to be sure, make sure you look for a slim adapter that will make fitting it between the barrels easier.
If you need to mount these optics on a tripod and encounter fit issues, alternative methods exist. For instance, bracket adapters like the Zeiss universal tripod adapter, which wraps over the binoculars, or you could use something like the excellent AZIAK Equipment Bino Clamp that attaches to one of the barrels.
Eyepiece Housings & Eyecups
Whilst Alpen Optics make no mention of it, to me it looks like these binoculars have polycarbonate eyecup housings, but the main eyepiece housings, I think are metal.
Eye-Relief
These Alpen binoculars have 17,5mm of eye-relief which should be enough for most users, even if you wear glasses. The eyecups also have four click-stops (Max, Min and two intermediate), which is good as it gives you a good number of options to get your particular setting right.
Also worth noting here is I like how the eyecups clicked very definitely into each of the stops and the fit of the cup onto the eye-piece housing was very good, meaning that there is very little unwanted movement or free-play.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD)
Alpen does not specify the interpupillary distance range in their spec sheet, but I measured the minimum distance (closing the hinge) that you can set the eyepieces at 6.2cm (CC) and the maximum (opening the hinge) at 7.5cm
This IPD range is about what I would have expected and thus should accommodate a wide range of faces. Just be sure to check this if you have particularly wide, or narrow set eyes.
Focusing
The focus mechanism and the actual wheel are for me one of the standout features of the 8x56 Alpen Apex XP ED binoculars. Perfectly positioned behind the bridge, the wheel is easily accessible, which is also thanks to its large size (34mm diameter & 27mm long).
I love how the wheel is constructed from metal rather than plastic, a choice that's becoming less common even in high-end models. The focusing action itself was also impressively smooth, with no sticking points or looseness across the entire focus range.
The wheel takes just over one and a half rotations (about 560°) to move the focus from minimum to infinity (or vise versa). This gearing sits in the middle of the range and thus enables reasonably easy precise focus adjustments, but is also pretty good at making quick large focal adjustments.
Diopter Adjustment
As with the vast majority of binoculars, the diopter adjuster consists of a ring that you can turn which is located on the right eyepiece.
Used to calibrate your binoculars to match your precise vision by compensating for any differences between your right and left eyes, it is not often that you have to use it because once set you should not have to make adjustments unless your vision changes, or if you share your optics with another person.
The diopter on this Bresser binocular allows an adjustment +/- 4, which is about average in my experience.
Whilst it is not lockable which is the best solution, it is good to see that the ring on these Alpen 8x56 Apex binoculars has a good level of resistance so as to prevent it from being moved by accident.
Rating for Body Construction Quality: 8/10
Weight
The 8x56 Alpen Apex XP binoculars weigh 36.8 oz (1042g), which, as shown in the comparison table below, is certainly heavier than a typical high-end 8x42 binocular and falls on the heavier side for a 50mm model. However, when compared to other 56mm binoculars I've tested and reviewed, they hold up quite well in terms of weight.
Dimensions
In terms of dimensions, it's expected that the larger 56mm lenses make these Alpen Apex XP binoculars bulkier than an average 42mm model. However, upon unboxing them and holding them for the first time, it was immediately clear - and confirmed by their specifications - that the difference is surprisingly minimal. In fact, as shown in the table above, these Alpen Apex XP binoculars are pretty small for a 56mm binocular.
BBR Body Stats Score (compared to Large Sized Bins): 9/10
The main lenses on these have a 56mm diameter, which, for binoculars primarily intended for handheld use, is considered large.
The benefit of these larger lenses is their capacity to capture and allow in more light (imagine the difference between large and small windows in a room).
This increased light capture results in a brighter, higher-quality image and better low-light performance compared to smaller binoculars of the same magnification.
While the trade-off is a larger and heavier instrument, as noted in the Weight and Dimensions section above, the increase in size and weight is actually less significant than one might expect for a 56mm binocular.
Extra Low Dispersion (ED) Glass
The main optical difference between the standard Alpen Apex and these Alpen Apex XP binoculars is that they incorporate lens elements within their objective lenses that have extra-low dispersion (ED) properties.
ED glass in the lenses has the potential to offer a number of advantages, chiefly is their ability to reduce chromatic aberration.
For more on how they actually performed in this area, take a look at the Optical Performance section below.
I measured the ocular lenses on these 56mm Alpen Apex binoculars to be 23mm in diameter, which is a good size. Though not as noticeable as the objective lenses, larger ocular lenses also potentially offer some benefits:
Primarily, they make it easier to align your eyes correctly, and combined with the large exit pupil, they allow for quick and effortless setup without black rings obscuring the view. This is an often overlooked aspect, but can be important: Binoculars with small ocular lenses, limited eye relief, and a smaller exit pupil can be challenging to use, requiring precise adjustments of the IPD setting and careful alignment of your eyes to avoid dark edges, which can detract from the experience.
Large oculars, combined with the large exit pupil and bright image is something that makes using a binocular like this a good choice for digiscoping.
For a deeper dive, see my article on the impact of ocular lens size in binoculars.
The Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED Binoculars feature Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms to invert the image - this is a choice that has become exceedingly popular in modern binoculars due to the fact that they allow for a more compact, streamlined design.
Alpen Optics specifies that these prisms are crafted from BaK-4 (Barium-Kron) glass, a high-quality material typically favored over BK-7, the other widely used optical glass. BaK-4 is preferred for its ability to produce brighter and sharper images with minimal edge distortion, making it ideal for premium optics.
Anti-Reflection Coatings
In addition to the large objective lenses, a critical factor for achieving a bright, high-quality image in these binoculars is the level and quality of coatings applied to each glass surface throughout the system.
While the specific coating formulas and processes are often proprietary, we can assess quality by checking how thoroughly the glass elements are treated. Lower-grade binoculars may have only some surfaces coated (multi-coated) or use a single layer of coating on all surfaces (fully coated).
Lesser instruments will only have some surfaces coated (Multi-coated), whilst others will only have a single coating on all surfaces (Fully-coated).
With the Alpen Apex XP binoculars, it's reassuring (especially at this price point) to see they are labeled as Fully Multi-Coated, indicating that every optical surface has been treated with multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings. This is essential for reducing light loss, minimizing glare, and enhancing image brightness and clarity, making it a key factor when choosing quality binoculars.
For more details, you can explore my article on Anti-Reflection Lens Coatings.
Prism CoatingsAs with their top-tier Teton binoculars, Alpen Optics advertise that they use their PXA phase coating, which means they have added special phase correction coatings to the prism surface which eliminates the problem of the individual wavelengths stepping out of phase with each other as they pass through the prism. The result is improved image resolution and contrast.
Alpen Optics also mentions they include their "HR metallic coatings" to the prisms (I assume that HR stands for High Reflective) and I think it also means they are dielectrically coated which offers a better reflectivity level than less expensive alternatives like silver or aluminium coatings.
Optical Components Quality Rating: 8/10
Field Of View (FOV)
These 8x Alpen Binoculars have a view that is advertised as being 305ft wide at 1,000 yards, which has to be said is a little on the narrow side and a fair amount less than 8x binoculars that I would describe as having a wide angle of view.
In my testing, I did did notice the difference when compared to a binocular with a wide field of view, but I didn't find the view to be excessively narrow and it would not bother me in general. However, if a wide field of view is a priority for you, these will not be the best choice.
Close Focus
On their website Alpen have the minimum focus distance advertised as being 9.8 meters, which is certainly a mistake and I think it should be 9.8 feet as I measured the closest that I could focus on something with my sample to be 2.5m / 8.2ft.
On BBR, a close focus of or under 6 feet is considered to be excellent, so while 8.2f is certainly good (for a full size instrument), it doesn't quite reach the excellent level. For users, this means the binoculars work perfectly well for occasional close-up observations, like watching butterflies or insects. However, if close-focus viewing is a primary interest of yours, there are better options available.
Eye-Relief:
This Alpen Apex XP binocular has a very good 17.5mm of eye-relief which should be more than enough for most users and makes these binoculars a good choice for anyone who needs or wants to wear glasses whilst binning.
Optical Stats Rating (compared to 8x Bins): 7/10
For all the reviews on BBR, I use a benchmark binocular with the same or very similar configuration to compare the view. This allows me to rate each model against a "constant," helping maintain consistency in my observations.
However, as it it not a super common configuration, I don't have an "official" 8x56 benchmark binocular (yet), but I do have my own set, which for me is one of the top low light performers on the market, the Steiner 8x56 Nighthunter (this will likely become the official 8x56 benchmark as the 8x56 setup gets more popular and I test more of them!),
Additionally, I compared the view through this Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED to my 8x42 benchmark and some other instruments of varying configurations, including a cheap pair of 8x50 binoculars that I had on hand:
Image Brightness
I will start with image brightness and in particular low-light performance as this is where the 8x56 configuration is at its best:
So firstly, there was an instantly noticeable difference in both image brightness and quality between the Alpen and Steiner 8x56 binoculars and the budget level 8x50 binocular, despite them having fairly similar configurations. It's rare to see such a pronounced disparity, but even under good lighting, the Alpen binoculars produced a substantially brighter and clearer image than the cheap 8x50s. Granted, the price difference is significant.
For interest: whilst less pronounced, I also noticed an improvement between my mid-level 8x42 benchmark and the budget 8x50 binocular. This goes to show that it is not just the configuration that is important in low light, because the quality of the glass and the coatings can also make a notable difference.
In low light and then very low situations I found that the observable difference in the image brightness became even more notable between these instruments. This is because in good light and due to the exit pupil on 8x42, 8x50 and 8x56 binoculars all being larger than the pupils in my eyes in these conditions, they are all able to supply my eyes with more than enough light for me to perceive a bright image. However, in sub-optimal conditions when my pupils were dilated, this is when the quality of the optics AND the binoculars configuration makes a difference and thus the instruments with the more suitable configuration and quality optics perform best. For more on this, be sure to check out my guide to the exit pupil.
Thus it was no surprise to me that I found it difficult to spot an obvious improvement between these and my mid range 8x42 benchmarks in good light.
However, when I compared them on a very overcast and rainy day and then again in the evening, just after sunset it was obvious that both these Alpen Apex XP's and the Steiner Nighthunter's performed best.
In terms of which view was obviously brighter, to my eyes it was not possible to be 100% sure and separate my 8x56 Steiner Nighthunter binoculars and these Alpen Apex XP binoculars. Considering the 8x56 Steiner Nighthunter boasts an industry-leading 96% light transmission across all visible wavelengths, making it one of the top performers for image brightness and low-light capability, for the Alpen Apex this was impressive to me.
Color Reproduction & Contrast
When it comes to color and contrast, I found the view through the Alpen Apex XP to be vibrant yet "true to life," which is ideal.
To me, this means the image is vivid with a balanced level of contrast, avoiding any "over the top" or artificial enhancement that can make the scene appear unreal or cartoonish. What you see overall is a notable improvement over binoculars (like the cheap 8x50 I had with me) that produce a dull, flat image due to insufficient contrast, offering a view with satisfying depth and realism.
Color Fringing
The main purpose of the ED glass used in the Alpen Apex XP ED binoculars is to minimize chromatic aberrations, which are responsible for color fringing.
However, just keep in mind that simply incorporating ED glass doesn't guarantee this outcome; it must be paired with a well-engineered optical system. I've often found high-quality binoculars without ED glass outperforming average ED models due to superior optical components and designs.
Thankfully in this case, I was not disappointed: The level of visible color fringing visible in the Alpen Apex XP was exceptionally low, offering performance that is about as good as it gets for an 8x magnification binocular.
Image Flatness & Softening
The amount of softening right at the edges of the view on my sample Alpen Apex XP was also extremely minimal and
I never noted any sort of image distortions or curvature of the image, which is obviously a good thing.
Image Quality Rating: 9/10
As well as the normal selection of accessories that includes a carry case, neck strap, lens covers, instruction booklet, and a cleaning cloth, with Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED Binoculars you also get a lens cleaning pen:
The included carry case looks to me to be the same design as that which I tested with the Alpen Teton 10x42 Binoculars, which is good news as it is up there with the better ones out there:
The overall quality of the carry case is solid, with good quality and robust looking stitching and a durable, long lasting feel to it.
While the internal padding is minimal, the semi-rigid structure provides a decent level of protection for the binoculars.
Inside, the case is lined with a soft material, and it includes a couple of extra pockets that are ideal for storing a cleaning cloth or other small accessories that you might need in the field.
This model fits easily into this case and there is easily enough room for you to stow away the binoculars with the eyecups extended, which is for me a tiny, but nice quality of life feature.
For secure closure, the case has both a zipper that wraps around three sides and a flip-over lid secured with Velcro. While these two fasteners together make the case extremely secure, they do add an extra step when accessing the binoculars. To streamline field use, I recommend leaving the zipper open and using just the Velcro closure for quicker access, then zipping it up for full protection during storage or travel.
It's also worth noting that both the zipper and Velcro can create noise, which may be a concern for birders or hunters needing to remain silent. In such cases, a magnetic closure - though less secure- could be preferable.
The case also includes an unpadded, removable carry strap with quick-release clips and a belt loop on the back for added convenience.
Measuring 37mm wide x 5mm deep (the padded section), these neck strap supplied with the 56mm Alpen Apex XP binocular looks to me to be exactly the same as which came with the 42mm Alpen Teton Binoculars which I have previously tested.
This is both good and bad, good because in general it is a very good quality next strap, but bad because I think it should be just a little wider and more padded for this larger and heavier instrument:
The padded section of the strap appears to be made from a neoprene-like rubber, which has been left uncovered on the underside to enhance grip. I like this because it is effective at preventing the strap from sliding around your neck and shoulders.
The top surface is finished with a fine material, with excellent stitching and bearing the Alpen logo.
Attaching the thinner nylon ends of the strap to the binoculars follows the usual method: threading them through the eyelets on each side of the instrument, looping them back through, and using a slider to adjust the strap length. While this traditional setup works well, it can be a bit time-consuming to attach and remove.
Fortunately, Alpen has included quick-release clips on these sections, allowing you to easily detach the padded neck section once it's set up.
These clips can also then be connected together (leaving out the padded section) to create a hand strap or used to attach the binoculars to a bino harness. This thoughtful detail reflects a level of convenience and versatility is something that I feel is worth mentioning.
The objective lens cover is designed to fit neatly into the ends of the barrels rather than over them, which is a common design on other models. This gives the them a more integrated look, making the cover feel like a cohesive part of the design rather than an afterthought.
The cover also fits snugly (perhaps a little too tightly), providing a secure hold that shouldn't come loose accidentally once you have got it attached.
The only minor downside for me is that it isn't designed to be tethered to the binocular body, which would save you from having to either store it somewhere while viewing or attach it to the neck strap via the loop hole on the side. While this method works, it can sometimes lead to the cover getting in the way.
Rain-Guard
The rain guard is very generic and the same as which you get with most modern bins and performs its function effectively, providing the necessary protection without any added frills:
It fits well over the eyecups and thanks to its flexible bridge, you can attach it regardless of the distance you've set between the eyecups.
Cleaning Pen & Cloth
It is great to find that once again Alpen Optics includes a good quality microfiber cleaning cloth as well as a excellent lens cleaning pen that is very similar to the Carson Optical C6 Lens Cleaners that I use on all my optics.
This added detail means you don't necessarily have to go out and get a optical lens cleaning kit to properly clean your binocular lenses.
Warranty
in the USA, Alpen optics offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase.
Extras Rating: 8/10
High quality glass and coatings combined with the large 56mm objectives and a moderate 8x magnification results in a binocular that not only delivers a bright, high quality view, but one that also really excels in low light situations. Because of this and other features like the large ocular lenses and large exit pupil, mean that I found this instrument great and easy to use for digiscoping. A quick preview of what I've captured so far can be found on the BBR Youtube Channel.
The overall design of the body, the materials used and the use of roof prisms (as opposed to porros like you find with the Steiner Nighthunter 8x56) also means that despite the large lenses, this instrument is really not that much more inconvenient to carry about than your typical 8x42 binoculars.
So as the scores reflect, you can see that I feel these Alpen Apex XP 8x56 binoculars are overall very impressive and in my mind make good alternative to the standard 8x42 configuration for those needing or wanting enhanced low-light performance, as there are only minimal trade-offs in size and weight.
These 56mm Alpen binoculars are only slightly larger and heavier than many 8x42 models, comparing very well in terms of size and weight for the 56mm category.
Their image brightness and low-light performance excel, making them ideal for use in dense woods, overcast conditions, or during dawn and dusk.
The image quality is outstanding, featuring accurate color reproduction, excellent contrast, minimal color fringing, and sharpness across the view with no noticeable distortions.
The overall build quality is also excellent and this instrument feels well built giving you that nice feeling of having a quality optical instrument in your hands when you use them.
The neck strap and carry case are well-designed and durable, and the inclusion of a quality cleaning kit with a cloth and optical cleaning pen is a nice and thoughtful touch that most other manufacturers overlook.
I would have preferred a slightly reduced eye relief that could then allow for a wider field of view, which would benefit users observing fast-moving subjects like small birds at close range.
The close focus distance is also not stellar and could be limiting if you frequently observe objects at a range of less than 10 meters.
The accessories are all good to excellent, but the ocular lens cover (rain-guard) is very generic which means that it does not quite match the rest. But having said that it works perfectly fine - this is just from a design point of view.
Ideal Uses:
General use, Birding, Wildlife observation, hunting, occasional stargazing and the excellent image brightness and large oculars makes them a great choice for digiscoping with binoculars (digibinning).
My sincere thanks to Alpen for providing a sample of the Alpen Apex XP 8x56 ED Binoculars for testing, as well as for offering additional information and answering my questions.
100% Genuine Review
I'd also like to emphasize that, as with all my reviews, the views and opinions shared here are entirely my own. I am not compensated by Alpen or any other supplier, nor am I under any obligation to cover their products with a particular perspective or bias.
Reviewed by Jason Whitehead for Best Binocular Reviews
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Main Specifications & Features:
Below are similar pairs of Binoculars that you may also want to have a look at:
These 56mm Pirsch ED Binoculars from the German Optics company Bresser offer a bright image with a superior low light performance...
General Price Range: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
Below is a link that will take you to a page with online retailers in both the US and UK that sell Alpen 8x56 Apex XP Binoculars this page makes it easy to compare prices and then to buy from your preferred option:
 Buy & Compare Prices for the Alpen 8x56 Apex XP Binoculars |
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Price & Where to Buy
Price & Where to Buy
