REVIEW: Optisan LR ED 8x34 Binoculars

25 June 2024
By James Hamilton

Optisan is a family-owned business, that has been designing and engineering optics for nature enthusiasts since 1998. Although, remarkably, you may not have heard of them if you live in the UK. But that will surely now all change...
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Distributed by Elite Optical Distribution, The Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are billed as a popular choice among birdwatchers of all ages, adults right through to children. Offering a balance of advanced optics, ergonomic design, and affordability. Here's a detailed review of these binoculars, highlighting their strengths and any potential drawbacks for birders.

What's in the box?​
  • Optisan LR ED 8x34 Binoculars
  • Pre-installed strap and harness-compatible buckle
  • Neoprene neck strap
  • Cleaning cloth
  • QR code start up guide
  • Water-resistant Protective Pouch
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ED Glass (Extra-Low Dispersion):
​The Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are equipped with ED glass, which significantly reduces chromatic aberration and gives 86% total light transmission. This feature is crucial for birdwatching, as it ensures that colours are rendered accurately, allowing birdwatchers to distinguish between similar species with subtle colour differences.

  • Magnification and Objective Lens: With an 8x magnification and 34mm objective lenses, these binoculars strike a balance between magnification and light-gathering capability. The 8x magnification is ideal for birdwatching, providing a stable and clear view without excessive shake, which is often an issue with higher magnifications. The LR 8x34's offer a close focus of up to 2m for ED and 3m for HD, it’s not only good for bird watching but perfect for viewing insects and butterflies as well.
  • Field of View: The binoculars offer a wide field of view, approximately 124m at 1000m. This wide field of view is beneficial for birdwatching, as it allows users to track moving birds more easily and locate birds in dense foliage.
  • Coatings: Fully multi-coated optics enhance light transmission and reduce reflections. This results in brighter, clearer images, even in low light conditions such as dawn or dusk, which are prime times for birdwatching.​

Compact and Lightweight:
​Weighing 480g, the Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are lightweight and compact. This makes them easy to carry during long birdwatching treks and reduces fatigue during extended use.

  • Durable Construction: The binoculars feature a robust, Swissamotec 98™ Body Construction that provides a secure grip and protection against impacts. They are also waterproof and fog-proof, ensuring reliable performance in various weather conditions.
  • Comfortable Eye Relief: With an eye relief of approximately 17.4mm, these binoculars are comfortable for users who wear glasses. The twist-up eyecups allow for easy adjustment to achieve the perfect eye relief for different users.
  • Smooth Focus Mechanism: The central focus knob is smooth and precise, allowing for quick and easy focusing on birds at different distances. The right-eye diopter adjustment is also helpful for fine-tuning the focus to match the user's eyesight.

Versatility:
The Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are suitable for birdwatchers of all levels, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Their ease of use, combined with high-quality optics, makes them an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their birdwatching experience.

  • Price Point: These binoculars are competitively priced, offering a good balance between cost and performance. They provide many features typically found in higher-end models at a more affordable price, making them a great value for money.
  • Accessories: The binoculars come with a range of accessories, including a carrying case, neck strap, lens covers, and a cleaning cloth. These accessories add to the overall convenience and protection of the binoculars during use and transport.

Potential Drawbacks:
There are very few that I can think of, but you may want to consider the following...
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  • Limited Low-Light Performance: While the Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars perform well in low light, they may not be as bright as models with larger objective lenses. Birdwatchers who frequently observe in very dim conditions might prefer binoculars with larger objective lenses.
  • Mid-Range Size: The 34mm objective lenses offer a good compromise between portability and light-gathering ability, but some users might find the size slightly larger than compact models, impacting ease of storage and transport.

Verdict:
The Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are of huge appeal to me and their clever design features, such as the pre-installed strap and open hinge design, are touches of class. The Optisan LR ED 8x34 binoculars are, without question, a versatile, comfortable, well-priced and high-performing option for birdwatchers of all levels and ages.

​★★★★★★★★★ 9/10

Testing scores
  • Design: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Performance: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
  • Weight: ★★★★★★★★ 9/10
  • Value: ★★★★★★★★ 9/10

📦 Buy now: www.optisansportsoptics.de
🏷 Price: €419.99
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