Review: Opticron AURORA BGA VHD 10X42 Binoculars

29 April 2021 
By James Hamilton

​The Aurora BGA VHD 10x42's have been designed on a new platform with an entirely new optical system by Opticron. We have heard great things about them and were keen to have a look. So off to the Fishers Green / Lea Valley patch we went...

Straight out of the box, the Aurora's are really pleasing on the eye. Putting the strap on was a fairly painless experience and first impressions were good from both myself and my dad.

After about 400 yds, boom! Two cuckoo's (male and female) and a chance to see the Aurora's pick up fast-moving birds in flight. This was when the words "so light and smooth" were first mentioned (this wasn't the last mention!). The focus system really is a delight to use and the sensitivity levels to touch seem to be spot on - I doff my hat to the Opticron designers and engineers.

Whitethroat followed nightingale, blackcap came calling, house martins picking off insects with aplomb and a red kite up close - all of which the large FOV picked out very easily and the detail was superb. Things were going well.

The lightness of the Aurora's was starting to become a strong tick in the box - a pleasure to hold in fact. You really do hardly know they are hanging round your neck and are light enough that I carried them around in standby bird-mode for most of the walk.

It wasn't the brightest of days, but the colours and sharpness of the objective lenses made bird detail really stand out. In fact, viewing was super crisp, natural and pin sharp and I was starting to have a bit of a smile on my face.

We headed to the new bittern hide which is now open again with certain Covid restrictions. We didn't go in as this whole booking thing is painful but no matter - the opportunity to scan for gulls, terns and waders was easy and produced some really great viewing with the Aurora's and a first for a long time - little gull!!

Heading back to the car, the summary was pretty easy - the Aurora's are probably one of the very best binoculars available today sub £1,000 with performance, comfort, ergonomics and attention to detail all very good indeed.

What's in the box?
  • Aurora BGA VHD 10x42 Binoculars
  • Soft Cordura Case
  • Rain Guard
  • Neoprene Bungee Strap
  • Rubber Objective Lens Covers
  • Microfibre Cloth
​
Verdict
​
Hugely impressive binoculars which are very light and extremely bright. You get a lot of binocular for your money quite frankly with plenty of change from £1,000. Highly recommended.

​★★★★★★★★ 8/10

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

​📞 Contact: opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/aurora-bga-vhd-binoculars
🏷 Price: £809.00

The Aurora's are available from all official stockists ​now.
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