Hi Andy,
I own the Blaser Primus 8x30, which, since I bought it in 2017, has now been renamed “Globetrotter 8x30”.
With their binoculars, Blaser is clearly targeting the hunting market and currently sells the following four models:
Blaser “Globetrotter” 8x30
Blaser 8x42
Blaser 10x42
Blaser 8x56
Holger Merlitz (known to most here, I guess) visited the Blaser stand at the IWA 2018 and wrote the following remark on March 11 on a German optics forum:
“Blaser hat wieder seine Fernglasreihe vorgestellt. Ordentliche Geräte, Leistung mindestens obere Mittelklasse, allerdings mit Preisen aus der Premiumliga. Braucht man das wirklich?”
In fact, with their prices, Blaser position itself in the premium segment, the 8x30 being in a price range in which you would find e.g. the same size Ultravid HD+.
Here is my personal opinion of the 8x30.
The bino is marked “Made in Germany”, but I think I have reason to believe that they are to some degree manufactured in Japan and that only the final assembly and maybe some further production steps occur in Germany. However, this is speculation, not firm knowledge.
The specs look quite good: FOV 8.2 degrees = 144m, eye relief 18mm, close focus 2m, weight “naked” 475g (acc. to spec), with caps and strap 518g (measured); diopter adjustment range is +/- 6dpt (spec). They operate at full aperture (measured: 30mm).
Picking them up, holding and using them, they make a very good impression: The finish is superb, and they are mechanically excellent (focusing, central hinge, dpt adjustment, eye cups), everything feels solid and worthy.
Optics: very good central sharpness, with a nice wide field and well controlled CA. The edge sharpness convinced me a bit less, it is okay but not comparable to e.g. the Swaro CL (new) or Monarch HG. Stray-light suppression is not perfect but definitely quite good for a 8x30.
In summary: nice and well finished binocular with excellent mechanics and upper middle class optical performance at a premium price.
fwiw Canip