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NEW Opticron ED-X 8x42 Binoculars
This latest offering from Opticron is a welcome addition to their extensive binocular range, not least due to its distinctive appearance. In a world of bland design, the Opticron ED-X certainly stands out from the crowd with its modern silver ‘micro-bridge™’. This design also contributes to reducing the overall weight of the binoculars to an impressive 650g. In fact, these binoculars are so light that it feels more like carrying a pair of compacts around. Despite this they maintain a surprising air of solidity with their soft touch rubber armoured finish, a wide focus wheel which is firm but smooth in operation and easy to use while using gloves, robust 4-position retractable eyecups and click stop dioptre adjustment.
With their distinctive 'micro-bridge™' design, these latest binoculars from Opticron will stand out from the crowd
Optically, these binoculars perform well and continue Opticron’s expansion of the number of models offered with ED glass. The image is bright and sharp, extending surprisingly close to the edge of the image with just the very outside edge showing slight softening. Colour rendition is excellent and well-corrected providing a rich and natural image with minimal chromatic aberration. They have an impressively wide field of view of 131 metres at 1,000 metres range, are nitrogen purged making them waterproof to one metre and while close focus is quoted at 1.9 metres, it appeared slightly less, although of course this will vary from one observer to another. Eye relief is good at 19mm while they are configured with a very useful interpupillary range of 58 to 77mm.
Opticron ED-X 8x42 Binoculars on test; they are supplied with a quality padded quick release strap and a soft protective case
The Opticron ED-X are supplied complete with a quality binocular strap with quick release fasteners, integral removable objective lens caps, a rubber rainguard and a zipped neoprene case with detachable carry strap. Opticron also provide a 10 year warranty on the ED-X models.
In summary, these binoculars provide an excellent specification in a lightweight, compact modern design, coupled with a sharp image and all for under £300. Expect to see them at a nature reserve or ‘twitch’ near you soon!
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