Way back in 2018 Pete Gamby was kind enough to submit to an interview, (https://www.birdforum.net/threads/interview-with-opticrons-top-manager.366708/ ) and in the course of this he said, “Price-wise we certainly won’t go above £800 as this region is occupied by Zeiss with their Conquest HD and Leica with their Trinovid HD”. Well, Opticron have launched their new flagship 42mm binocular, the Aurora BGA VHD, priced at £799 and I have an 8x42 on loan. I plan to review this by taking it to the island of Islay, just off the west coast of Scotland and within sight of the north coast of Northern Ireland. When this will happen depends on the easing of Covid lock-down measures in both England and Scotland, but is hopefully only a few weeks away. In the meantime I couldn’t wait to open the box so let’s take a look inside.
Actually, before we look inside I should mention that this Opticron, as befits a flagship model, comes in a smart black carton with an up-market magnetic closure and comes inside a black slip-case. Inside we find the neoprene neck-strap neatly held together, and a tough-looking ‘Cordura’-type case, plus the User’s Guide/Guarantee, a good quality microfibre cloth in a plastic wallet (useful to keep the cloth clean and not gathering detritus that could scratch the lenses) and an enigmatic black envelope with ‘Thank you’ on the outside.
Inside the case, which has a simple closure consisting of a flap with a hole pushing onto a metal stud, we find the Aurora with both rain-guard and objective covers attached. The binocular itself has two different textures to the armour and feels good in the hands. A quick turn of the focus wheel reveals a smooth, medium torque, mechanism, with a central lockable dioptre adjuster and a fiddle with the eyecups reveals they have 4 positions that feel secure.
Naturally I couldn’t resist taking a look outside. I wear spectacles and with the eyecups fully down had some kidney beans but lifting them up one notch got rid of these and I could still see the full field of view. I can say with absolute confidence that these are definitely worth the asking price and I look forward to putting them through their paces on the wild coasts of Islay.
One last thing: the mysterious black envelope contained a delightful origami Red-crowned Crane, noted in Japan, where these binoculars are made, for their association with a long life and good fortune.
Meanwhile here are some pics of the unboxing.
Lee
Actually, before we look inside I should mention that this Opticron, as befits a flagship model, comes in a smart black carton with an up-market magnetic closure and comes inside a black slip-case. Inside we find the neoprene neck-strap neatly held together, and a tough-looking ‘Cordura’-type case, plus the User’s Guide/Guarantee, a good quality microfibre cloth in a plastic wallet (useful to keep the cloth clean and not gathering detritus that could scratch the lenses) and an enigmatic black envelope with ‘Thank you’ on the outside.
Inside the case, which has a simple closure consisting of a flap with a hole pushing onto a metal stud, we find the Aurora with both rain-guard and objective covers attached. The binocular itself has two different textures to the armour and feels good in the hands. A quick turn of the focus wheel reveals a smooth, medium torque, mechanism, with a central lockable dioptre adjuster and a fiddle with the eyecups reveals they have 4 positions that feel secure.
Naturally I couldn’t resist taking a look outside. I wear spectacles and with the eyecups fully down had some kidney beans but lifting them up one notch got rid of these and I could still see the full field of view. I can say with absolute confidence that these are definitely worth the asking price and I look forward to putting them through their paces on the wild coasts of Islay.
One last thing: the mysterious black envelope contained a delightful origami Red-crowned Crane, noted in Japan, where these binoculars are made, for their association with a long life and good fortune.
Meanwhile here are some pics of the unboxing.
Lee
