REVIEW: VIKING OPTICAL BADGER 8X42 BINOCULARS
18 February 2022
By Dave Rowntree
By Dave Rowntree
The Badger range from Viking has been designed for the casual or birdwatching beginner and I recently had some time with the all-rounder, 8x42 model. At sub £100 - could this be the ultimate option for those who are looking for a cheaper binocular? Without further ado - let's find out...
What's in the box?
- Badger 8x42 Binoculars
- Carry Case
- Rubber Rain Guard
- Carrying Strap
Images and coatings...
The Badger range has been designed, quite simply for the casual or birdwatching beginner. Despite the relatively cheap price tag, the 8x42 version has been manufactured with excellent optics including fully multi-coated lenses and folding rubber eyecups for complete comfort with or without glasses.
For those of you who are maybe reading their first binocular review and have found us via a popular search engine, the use of multi-coated optics helps to increase the transmission of light through the binoculars giving the observer sharp and clearly defined images. It is thanks to these coatings that the 8x42 Badger can provide very bright images in low-light conditions such as short, winter days in woodland.
I'm pretty certain these binoculars are suitable for all birding seasons and occasions, as features such as nitrogen in the lenses will prevent any fogging and unpleasantness while observing and can eliminate any dust or dirt from building up within the lenses. This will help to maintain the overall condition of the lenses over time.
Of course, at this price point it is not all good news and there were some instances of colour fringing at the edges of the image but this is only to be expected from a sub £100 pair of binoculars. However, this does not detract from the overall very good quality of image here, with the only way to effectively avoid colour fringing would be to opt for binoculars which are made with the more expensive, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass such as the Viking Kestrel ED binoculars or the top-end Viking Peregrine ED binoculars.
Performance and handling...
The rubber armouring around the Badger 8x42's provides a secure and comfortable grip, as well as added resistance. The relatively lightweight (606 grams) and compact build design feels great to hold and the size of the binoculars makes them extremely portable which is perfect for slipping in your coat pocket for long walks along the canal or when observing birds at your feeders.
The Viking Badger 8x42's felt well put together and this held up throughout testing. The rubber-armour finish protects these binoculars from any potential damage and ensures that they are waterproof. The chunky focusing wheel is quickly adjustable, although felt a bit 'tinny' compared to its more expensive big brothers but again don't let this put you off as the Badger provides quality adjustment at all observing ranges.
The twist-down eyecups also provided convenience and comfort throughout use and if there was one downside to make me grumble, I would say the strap is a bit too basic for my liking and doesn't exactly fit like a glove. You may want to look at an upgrade on this or consider other options for carrying.
Protection and value...
The Badgers are fully waterproof and come with a 5 year guarantee from Viking Optical.
Verdict
At sub £100, the 8x42 Badgers are a very good and lightweight binocular option for anyone starting out on their birding journey or for the eager bird feeder observation enthusiast. Viking are rapidly becoming the go-to-brand in this segment.
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
- Design: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Performance: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Weight: ★★★★★★ 8/10
- Value: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
📦 Buy now: vikingoptical.com/badger
🏷 Price: £99.95
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