New Binocular Bargains Thread (2 Viewers)

[winginit]

B&H is doing their mega sale again for another day or so. Several binoculars on sale, Zeiss, Vanguard, Steiner and others. There's also a discounted Vanguard scope.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/mega-deal-zone/deals/Binoculars/ci/1010

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1769244-REG/vanguard_endeavor_hd_82a_bdl_endeavor_hd_82a_spotting.html

 

[Gdavis248]

I don't think even running over them with a car would do that to a pair of binoculars. In this YouTube video, they ran over a Zeiss Conquest HD with a car, and it did not crush the binoculars and the Zeiss Conquest HD's are made of aluminum which is not any stronger than the magnesium alloy in the Zeiss SF's.

I think it had to be something heat related, or perhaps they were mad at them because they kept getting the orange crescent at the bottom of the FOV, and they smashed them with a sledgehammer and then went out and bought a Swarovski.

That Desert Sellers1896 username makes me think they left them out in the sun too long. 😁

"Magnesium alloys have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum alloys, and they can be twice as stiff as aluminum when they weigh the same. Magnesium alloys are also more energy absorbent than aluminum alloys, and they have the potential to replace aluminum in structural applications."

View attachment 1585838

Do we not think it's just the rubber coating coming unglued from the frame underneath? 🤔🤔

 

[nicolas1970i]

Not sure how long they've been discounted for, but the Geco Gold (GPO Passion HD rebrand) 8x42 are on sale for 479€ at Astropshop.eu :

Geco Binoculars 8x42 Gold

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.astroshop.eu

 

[Paultricounty]

Not sure how long they've been discounted for, but the Geco Gold (GPO Passion HD rebrand) 8x42 are on sale for 479€ at Astropshop.eu :

Geco Binoculars 8x42 Gold

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.astroshop.eu

These are imo the best bargains out there. We’re talking Upper mid level ($1000 range) think MHG, Conquest, Trinovid for half the price. Only thing to consider is warranty and who’s going to service them. Even with the known maker GPO, one has two consider if they’ll be service five years from now if they go out of business. But at under $500 this might be worth the risk.

 

[PatR]

These are imo the best bargains out there. We’re talking Upper mid level ($1000 range) think MHG, Conquest, Trinovid for half the price. Only thing to consider is warranty and who’s going to service them. Even with the known maker GPO, one has two consider if they’ll be service five years from now if they go out of business. But at under $500 this might be worth the risk.

These are stunning bino's.

I had the offer of a Trinivod HD 8x42 at a very attractive price last year so off I went to RSPB Conwy to test them alongside my Geco 8x42 Golds.

To my suprise and delight, the Geco's bested the Leica's and not just on price.

 

[PatR]

Not sure how long they've been discounted for, but the Geco Gold (GPO Passion HD rebrand) 8x42 are on sale for 479€ at Astropshop.eu :

Geco Binoculars 8x42 Gold

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.astroshop.eu

Fantastic bino's, well spotted.

 

[sudsdetailing]

RSPB Sale now on in UK - Leica Noctovids £1700.00 and Kowa 85mm scope reduced by £400.00 iirc

 

[tenex]

Not sure how long they've been discounted for, but the Geco Gold (GPO Passion HD rebrand) 8x42 are on sale for 479€ at Astropshop.eu :

There is also the 12.5x50, rather nice (better FOV if same as GPO)

Geco Binoculars 12,5x50 Gold

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.astroshop.eu

 

[forent]

There is also the 12.5x50, rather nice (better FOV if same as GPO)

Geco Binoculars 12,5x50 Gold

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.astroshop.eu

Completely by chance I came across the same offer yesterday and after a little research I ordered it. Now I'm eagerly waiting for the delivery. I may be disappointed because the technical data on the GPO website states a dioptric compensation range of only -2.5/+2.5 dpt for the 12.5x50 (and many other GPO models) - an extremely low value compared to competitors, therefore possibly incorrect. In any case, for me it would be a deal breaker because my diopter difference r/l is almost 4 dpt. Wait and see...

 

[tenex]

For a small extra fee, why couldn't one order these binoculars with one's own name on them? Smith bins, Müller bins, all absolute premium class.

 

[Paultricounty]

Completely by chance I came across the same offer yesterday and after a little research I ordered it. Now I'm eagerly waiting for the delivery. I may be disappointed because the technical data on the GPO website states a dioptric compensation range of only -2.5/+2.5 dpt for the 12.5x50 (and many other GPO models) - an extremely low value compared to competitors, therefore possibly incorrect. In any case, for me it would be a deal breaker because my diopter difference r/l is almost 4 dpt. Wait and see...

Hopefully it’s wrong or it may still work for you. This is some fine glass, I tried the 8.5 and 10x50 (GPO), if all the same, which I’m pretty certain based on my conversation with Mike at GPO you will love these , you’ll love them even more because of that steal.

 

[PatR]

Completely by chance I came across the same offer yesterday and after a little research I ordered it. Now I'm eagerly waiting for the delivery. I may be disappointed because the technical data on the GPO website states a dioptric compensation range of only -2.5/+2.5 dpt for the 12.5x50 (and many other GPO models) - an extremely low value compared to competitors, therefore possibly incorrect. In any case, for me it would be a deal breaker because my diopter difference r/l is almost 4 dpt. Wait and see...

I do hope that these work out for you. I bought several Geco's when they decided to leave the UK market and as well as the 8x42 Gold's I purchased the 12.5x50's.

They are spectacular, ignore the MIC ramblings of a certain poster, these are premium Made In Japan binoculars that can more hold their own against any of the 'premium' brands.

I paid £400 for the 12.5x50's and after using them would gladly have paid double and my only regret is that I didn't buy the whole range that was on the discount/discontinued offer.

 

[dries1]

What is the purpose of having GPO and Geco, is there a difference?

 

[[email protected]]

What is the purpose of having GPO and Geco, is there a difference?

Just rebranding. They are probably both made by Kamakura, with slightly different specifications. That is not a bad thing. Kamakura makes some nice binoculars. They make the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 and the Zeiss Victory 8x25.

This sudden discounting could be to unload left over inventory and GPO could be going out of business. Just a guess. You could have an orphan if you buy a Geco, but they are still a bargain at the prices they are selling them at.

 

[PatR]

What is the purpose of having GPO and Geco, is there a difference?

Different names for different markets.

GPO were initially US-centric and Geco Europe-centric. Same products, different badge and marketing.

When the UK importer decided to end their association with the Geco brand (they did the same with Meopta hence the fantastic bargains to be had which I did take advantage of), GPO saw a niche in the UK market and whilst initially they were only available from a few specialist optical dealers they are now widely sold throughout the UK. Geco has disappeared completely in the UK and I suspect, due to the discount offers, the same is happening in Europe. It makes sense to have one product line in terms of distribution, marketing and research and logistics. Hence the fire sale of Geco branded binoculars however they still retain a very healthy presence in Europe with their (excellent) gun optics.

GPO (Europe) are based in Germany and the binoculars are made in Japan and China with QC inspection done in Germany.

 

[Upland]

GPO Passion ED 10x42 $350

https://www.als.com/gpo-binocular-passion-ed/p?idsku=1328634&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj9-zBhDyARIsAERjds3tSHmGN-Q7IsvXJtv9bUt5mKWDye5_gqvywpeV4zBNNNGWbd6x6BwaAoXDEALw_wcB

 

[dries1]

Thank you Pat for that. Good score on the Meoptas, excellent glass.

Different names for different markets.

GPO were initially US-centric and Geco Europe-centric. Same products, different badge and marketing.

When the UK importer decided to end their association with the Geco brand (they did the same with Meopta hence the fantastic bargains to be had which I did take advantage of), GPO saw a niche in the UK market and whilst initially they were only available from a few specialist optical dealers they are now widely sold throughout the UK. Geco has disappeared completely in the UK and I suspect, due to the discount offers, the same is happening in Europe. It makes sense to have one product line in terms of distribution, marketing and research and logistics. Hence the fire sale of Geco branded binoculars however they still retain a very healthy presence in Europe with their (excellent) gun optics.

GPO (Europe) are based in Germany and the binoculars are made in Japan and China with QC inspection done in Germany.

Thanks for the info, What Meopta did you buy?

 

[PatR]

Thank you Pat for that. Good score on the Meoptas, excellent glass.

Thanks for the info, What Meopta did you buy?

The Meostar B1 Plus 8x56 and the Meostar B1 Plus 15x56 HD.

Stunning optics and built like tanks. Thrilled with them and will, if the opportunity arises, buy more. They are superb.

 

[2Gunns]

Feradyne Covert Optics

8x or 10x42 Binoculars

Msrp500 Sale 129.99

I have both and the glass is worth it!!!

They are about 85% as good as my Kowa 8x42 BD II XD wide angle.

Seriously everyone they have excellent lowlight capabilities, they blow diamondbacks out of the water.
There customer is insanely awesome!

Hard clamshell case, neck strap is great, the Binoculars themselves amazing I bought extra to give as gifts to freinds 🤣🤣 seriously only bc they are this good at 129.99!! Seriously amazing!

Oh and a Center focus diopter.

Do yourself, and your freinds and family a favor

 

[dries1]

Why the huge discounts, I thought they were unloading as sort of a going out of business sale. They were asking near $500 at one time.