Opticron Binoculars

Opticron is a British optics house based in Luton, Bedfordshire, better known to UK birders than American ones. Its two models compared here share one trait that ties them together: unusually long eye relief at their price. That makes the brand worth a look for anyone who keeps glasses on while birding.

The Oregon 4 PC 8x42 at $189 is the entry point. It has phase-corrected prisms, a step many binoculars under $200 leave out, and 22mm of eye relief, more than many flagship binoculars offer. Owners describe a bright, clean image with natural color, and some who compared it directly with pairs costing twice as much preferred its comfort. Their complaints are glare when looking toward a low sun, a 24.2 oz weight, and no ED glass at this level.

The Traveller BGA ED 8x32 at $550 is the light travel model. It weighs 15.9 oz, has ED glass and a 429 ft field, one of the widest of any 8x32, and keeps 19mm of eye relief. Owners say the ED glass visibly reduces color fringing on birds against a bright sky and call it an easy binocular for children and small hands. Their reservations are a polycarbonate body where the earlier model used magnesium, objective covers that fall off, and sharpness a half-step behind the leading European brands. Opticron backs the Traveller with a 30-year guarantee. Because few US shops stock the brand, most American buyers order it without trying it first.