John A Roberts
Well-known member
There’s a wide variety of binoculars available under many brand names e.g. while not exhaustive, BH Photo currently offers just under 1,000 models from 50 different named companies. However, that does not mean there’s nearly 1,000 different optical and mechanical designs, along with 50 manufacturers!
While some optical companies do design and manufacture their own products, they’re a small minority. As with many other industries, most companies market products manufactured by others.
In relation to binoculars, a small number of original equipment manufacturers make the products that most retail. OEM’s frequently offer choices in relation to features such as lens coatings, glass and external coverings. Hence the multiplicity of seemingly near identical models from different companies in the low to medium price range.
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While Athlon has and does offer products from OEM companies, it embarked on an interesting exercise in relation to the Midas line. It commissioned the industrial designer Matus Chlpek to design the RA covering for the Midas.
See both:
Matus’ own site at: http://matuschlpek.com/?portfolio=athlon-optics-binoculars
And additional information and images from Matus at: Athlon Midas 8x42 Binoculars Review
In terms of Initial considerations, Matus in conjunction with Athlon:
• Decided what the target market would be; outdoor activities like wildlife observation, birding and hunting;
• Looked at other companies offerings, and assigned descriptors such as 'sleek, functional, rugged, stylish, tactile and durable', and;
• Then decided which ones to apply to the Midas line.
In addition, Matus observed that people mainly used one of two holds for binoculars; a fingertip grasp or a full palm hold.
Then Matus embarked on the design process as shown in images A) through D).
. . . so a considerable amount of effort and expense to produce a seemingly simple outcome!
- - - -
An example of an even more significant contribution by an industrial designer, is that of Werner Hölbl in relation to the Swarovski SL Porro prism binoculars.
See posts #5 and 6 (and 10, in terms of the effect on the Swarovski Optik brand) at: Swarovski SL porro models
John
While some optical companies do design and manufacture their own products, they’re a small minority. As with many other industries, most companies market products manufactured by others.
In relation to binoculars, a small number of original equipment manufacturers make the products that most retail. OEM’s frequently offer choices in relation to features such as lens coatings, glass and external coverings. Hence the multiplicity of seemingly near identical models from different companies in the low to medium price range.
- - - -
While Athlon has and does offer products from OEM companies, it embarked on an interesting exercise in relation to the Midas line. It commissioned the industrial designer Matus Chlpek to design the RA covering for the Midas.
See both:
Matus’ own site at: http://matuschlpek.com/?portfolio=athlon-optics-binoculars
And additional information and images from Matus at: Athlon Midas 8x42 Binoculars Review
In terms of Initial considerations, Matus in conjunction with Athlon:
• Decided what the target market would be; outdoor activities like wildlife observation, birding and hunting;
• Looked at other companies offerings, and assigned descriptors such as 'sleek, functional, rugged, stylish, tactile and durable', and;
• Then decided which ones to apply to the Midas line.
In addition, Matus observed that people mainly used one of two holds for binoculars; a fingertip grasp or a full palm hold.
Then Matus embarked on the design process as shown in images A) through D).
. . . so a considerable amount of effort and expense to produce a seemingly simple outcome!
- - - -
An example of an even more significant contribution by an industrial designer, is that of Werner Hölbl in relation to the Swarovski SL Porro prism binoculars.
See posts #5 and 6 (and 10, in terms of the effect on the Swarovski Optik brand) at: Swarovski SL porro models
John
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