I am trying to put together a short list of non-commercial websites where you can find reliable tests and reviews of binoculars, and I am addressing both forum members on BF and CN.
Beside the many excellent reviews and tests published by members in forums like the Birdforum, CloudyNights and others, and beside trade journals for hunters, hobby astronomers, birders and the like, which regularly publish instrument reviews (of varying quality!!), there are a few knowledgeable institutions and individuals who run their own websites and regularly report on instrument tests performed by them.
The caveat in all this: such websites are only really useful if their tests are of a non-commercial nature.
In my search, I came across websites such as the “Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews Website”:
https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/
and was at first positively impressed. However, reading further in some of their reviews, I got the impression that many seems overly positive in their results, and when I then discovered at the very, very bottom of the website, far down where you usually don’t scroll to, the innocent-looking little phrase
“Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home”
this made me suspicious – rightfully so, because if you google the term “Madiavine”, this is what you get:
“Mediavine offers full service ad management including …. sponsored influencer marketing”
“Sponsored influencer marketing” – not exactly what I am after when looking for reliable, non-commercial tests of binoculars.
The following is a brief commented list of websites which I have come across and where I found reliable info on binos. I am not saying that I would always agree with the findings on such websites, but I would trust the information as being “honestly” put together substantially without “sponsored influencer marketing” - I hope!
Binomania (http://www.binomania.it/category/1-recensioni/ )
Regularly brings information about new instruments becoming available, and publishes reviews and tests of binoculars and spotting scopes. I find it generally worth reading!! In Italian, but a convenient “translate” button is provided at the top of the website
allbinos (https://www.allbinos.com/binoculars_reviews.html )
A Polish organization providing a large database with specifications of almost 2000 binoculars, and relatively detailed tests of over 200. Well worth reading. I am not convinced that the points they add to come to an overall total rating give always a sensible result, and I also take some of the results, including seemingly scientific data – e.g transmission test results, with a “grain of salt”. But I find this nevertheless a very useful site.
House of Outdoor and Optics
( http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/verrekijkers/verrekijkers-testen-en-vergelijken/ )
Here, you not only find some of the most detailed and sophisticated tests and comparisons of binoculars, but also lots of useful information on technology, optics, history (Swarovski) etc. Some of the tests and other information are in Dutch (so you may need to “google translate”), but many are in English.
Binocular Sky (http://www.binocularsky.com/ )
Dedicated to binocular astronomy. Stephen Tonkin, who runs this website, is also the author of the book “Binocular Astronomy” (which I can only recommend). Lots of useful tips, instrument reviews, links and other information for hobby astronomers
Holger Merlitz (http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ )
Prof. Dr. Holger Merlitz of the Leibniz-Institute of Polymer Research in Dresden, Germany, is well-known here as one of the foremost experts on optical instruments in general and binoculars in particular. He wrote the leading book on binoculars in German. On his website, you can find a plethora of interesting articles on the optics of binoculars, e.g. on distortion, as well as many detailed and highly rated instrument tests and reviews.
Scope Views (http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/ )
Roger Vine, the owner of this site, mostly writes about the good and very good segment of the binocular world, but also brings detailed reviews about scopes, astronomical telescopes, binoculars, and how to choose an instrument. Very nice website. Probably known by many here.
Greatest binoculars (http://www.greatestbinoculars.com/ )
Tobias Mennle, a biologist with the trained eye of the avid photographer, presents some of the most critical reviews and articles on optics and binoculars that you can find. You may or may not always share his views, but Tobias’ devotion to the subject, his competence and independent judgment are beyond doubt. His website features superb images.
Dear BF / CN forum members, kindly add to this list further websites that you find useful in this context – many thanks in advance.
Canip
Beside the many excellent reviews and tests published by members in forums like the Birdforum, CloudyNights and others, and beside trade journals for hunters, hobby astronomers, birders and the like, which regularly publish instrument reviews (of varying quality!!), there are a few knowledgeable institutions and individuals who run their own websites and regularly report on instrument tests performed by them.
The caveat in all this: such websites are only really useful if their tests are of a non-commercial nature.
In my search, I came across websites such as the “Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews Website”:
https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/
and was at first positively impressed. However, reading further in some of their reviews, I got the impression that many seems overly positive in their results, and when I then discovered at the very, very bottom of the website, far down where you usually don’t scroll to, the innocent-looking little phrase
“Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home”
this made me suspicious – rightfully so, because if you google the term “Madiavine”, this is what you get:
“Mediavine offers full service ad management including …. sponsored influencer marketing”
“Sponsored influencer marketing” – not exactly what I am after when looking for reliable, non-commercial tests of binoculars.
The following is a brief commented list of websites which I have come across and where I found reliable info on binos. I am not saying that I would always agree with the findings on such websites, but I would trust the information as being “honestly” put together substantially without “sponsored influencer marketing” - I hope!
Binomania (http://www.binomania.it/category/1-recensioni/ )
Regularly brings information about new instruments becoming available, and publishes reviews and tests of binoculars and spotting scopes. I find it generally worth reading!! In Italian, but a convenient “translate” button is provided at the top of the website
allbinos (https://www.allbinos.com/binoculars_reviews.html )
A Polish organization providing a large database with specifications of almost 2000 binoculars, and relatively detailed tests of over 200. Well worth reading. I am not convinced that the points they add to come to an overall total rating give always a sensible result, and I also take some of the results, including seemingly scientific data – e.g transmission test results, with a “grain of salt”. But I find this nevertheless a very useful site.
House of Outdoor and Optics
( http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/verrekijkers/verrekijkers-testen-en-vergelijken/ )
Here, you not only find some of the most detailed and sophisticated tests and comparisons of binoculars, but also lots of useful information on technology, optics, history (Swarovski) etc. Some of the tests and other information are in Dutch (so you may need to “google translate”), but many are in English.
Binocular Sky (http://www.binocularsky.com/ )
Dedicated to binocular astronomy. Stephen Tonkin, who runs this website, is also the author of the book “Binocular Astronomy” (which I can only recommend). Lots of useful tips, instrument reviews, links and other information for hobby astronomers
Holger Merlitz (http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ )
Prof. Dr. Holger Merlitz of the Leibniz-Institute of Polymer Research in Dresden, Germany, is well-known here as one of the foremost experts on optical instruments in general and binoculars in particular. He wrote the leading book on binoculars in German. On his website, you can find a plethora of interesting articles on the optics of binoculars, e.g. on distortion, as well as many detailed and highly rated instrument tests and reviews.
Scope Views (http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/ )
Roger Vine, the owner of this site, mostly writes about the good and very good segment of the binocular world, but also brings detailed reviews about scopes, astronomical telescopes, binoculars, and how to choose an instrument. Very nice website. Probably known by many here.
Greatest binoculars (http://www.greatestbinoculars.com/ )
Tobias Mennle, a biologist with the trained eye of the avid photographer, presents some of the most critical reviews and articles on optics and binoculars that you can find. You may or may not always share his views, but Tobias’ devotion to the subject, his competence and independent judgment are beyond doubt. His website features superb images.
Dear BF / CN forum members, kindly add to this list further websites that you find useful in this context – many thanks in advance.
Canip