German Precision Optics (GPO) is one of the new kids on the block and has nine different binoculars in their line up. There is the HD line with five models which I think of as the approximately $1,000 sub alpha class and then their is the ED line which I consider the $350 entry class for roofs. I consider anything with a retail price between $200 and $499 in this class because of all the promotions, sales and other pricing fluctations in this range.
The GPO Passion ED 8X42, selling for a suggested price of $379.99, caught my eye immediately because of the 426 ft. at 1,000 yards (142 m/1,000 m) field of view (FOV). Most of the popular models in this class state a FOV of around 380 ft. The 426 ft. stood out so I wanted to see if GPO was able to produce a nice binocular in this price class that had a FOV noticeably greater than the current leading models in the same general price range.
http://gpo-usa.com/products/experiences/hunting/5/passion-8x42ed?c=42
The models were announced earlier this year but the ED line just started to hit the market recently. Optics Planet showed one 8X42 in inventory so I ordered it with a coupon code and it arrived yesterday. It was a preorder that was not picked up. The box contained the binocular, a hard case, a case strap, a binocular neck strap, eye piece rain guard, a cleaning cloth and a multi language instruction booklet. According to the GPO USA web site, there also should have been objective covers, a thank you card and a GPO sticker but those items were missing. It could have been a packing error but since this was most likely the first unit of this model to arrive at the seller, they may have took a look at it and failed to rebox everything. I will be contacting GPO about obtaining the missing items.
I have spent some time with it yesterday afternoon and this morning. My initial over all impression is that it is a very good binocular. However, binoculars in that price range are not perfect, but that is also true for the top tier models.
Below are some of my initial observartions and impressions of the model. I consider the approximately $350 class the entry point for roof models. Many of the roof models that I have seen below $200 (excluding sales) in 42 mm had to many oddities to be considered for regular serious use. However some of the models over $200 do provide a very satisfying and functional view and they are something I could use all day and be a happy birder. A couple of examples are the Zeiss Terra and the Vanguard Endeavor ED II. It just so happens I have both in the 8X42 and did some comparisons with them and the GPO. Most of the following comments are about the GPO but I will comment on the Terra and Endeavor at times. The Terra is the prior model but it is the same optically as the new armored model introduced earlier this year.
Big Plus Items - FOV, Color Balance, Styling and Solid Build
The large 426 ft. FOV is there and it is noticeable. I did not get that initial looking through a tube impression that I get with the Terra (375 ft.) and the Endeavor (377 ft.), so that is a big plus for this price range. The other big plus is the color balance which is as close to neutral as anything I have seen in this class. Very nice. It may be ever so slightly on the warm side, but the change is slight. I am having a hard time telling exactly where it leans. Other positives are the nice styling and the solid build. The body is magnesium. I did find a very small label inside the hinge that says China so I assume that is where it is made.
Armoring and Feel
The armoring on it is thin and it ends up flush with the ends of the objective tubes so it may not be as well protected if dropped compared to other models. The up side is it has a nice slim fit in the hands and helps to keep the weight down. I really like the feel of it. The binocular is on the small side for a 42 mm and has a nice balance. The balance of the Terra is similar but the Terra feels larger probably due to the thicker armor. Both have a nicer feel and balance compared to the Endeavor which is much more front heavy. The GPO web site says it weighs 23.6 oz. but it felt heavier than that to me when I first picked it up. My postal scale says it weighs 26.0 oz. without strap or covers.
Focus & Diopter
Focus rotation from close to infinity is counter clockwise which is also true for the Endeavor. The Terra is clockwise and that seems to be the more popular direction of travel. The focus is very smooth and consistent for the full rotation of travel. There is a small amount of free play when switching directions (see photos). There is somewhat of a dampening feel in the free play range so it does not cause me significant problems. Hopefully the free play will not increase with use. It has remained constant so far. There is very little free play in the Terra and Endeavor. There is some resistance but it is no problem focusing with one finger. Subjectively, it is slightly on the stiff side which is where I like it.
Focus knob rotation from close focus to infinity is just under 1 1/2 turns. There is approximate 1/4 turn remaining past infinity. My ideal would be about 1 1/4 turns from close to infinity so this is slightly slower, but I prefer that to a fast focus. The Endeavor is the fastest of the bunch with a little less than 3/4 of a turn from close to infinity and the Terra is 3/4 of a turn. Both are much faster than I like since most of my viewing is closer to infinity and such a fast focus makes for touchy adjustments at that range. If I lived in Ohio warbler county I would be chirping a different tune and would go for the faster focus. The Endeavor has about 1/8 of a turn remaining past infinity and the the Terra has about 1/4 of a turn similar to the GPO.
I got a close focus distance of approximate 5 feet, 2 inch as compared to 6 feet, 6 inches listed on the web page. I have noticed a large variation with this spec is many models.
The diopter ring does not have a locking position but it is firm enough so it will not easily slip but it is still loose enough so it is easy to make any adjustments. The calibration marks come out close to where they should be for my vision.
The IPD (Inter Pupillary Distance) measured approximately 55 mm to 76 mm as compared to 56 mm to 75 mm in the specs.
Some Possible Negatives- Eye Cup Length and Pin Cushion
The biggest negative is that the eye cups do not extend far enough for the eye relief for me and I have to use the MOLCET technique for proper placement.
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2875979&postcount=8
This is not unique to GPO. So many of the manufacturers do this. I was hoping the Zeiss folks behind GPO would have learned from the Conquest eye cup issues but I guess not. The good news is that I notice very little in the way of black out issues. It has not been unusual to have blackout problems with binoculars having short eye cups and wide fields, the new Leica Noctivid being the most severe example for me. The other good news is the eye cups have four different settings with positive clicks. With four settings, it would have been nice if the fourth was a little longer! Other than the length, I had no problems with the eye cups. I am not sure what material is used in their manufacture. The eye cups do not appear to be removable and I did not want to break anything finding out.
Eye relief is stated as 18 mm. I normally view without glasses but I briefly tried with glasses and I got a full FOV but with no room to spare. That can change between individuals depending on the glasses and facial structure.
There is noticeable pin cushion when getting closer to the edge which may be a consequence of having such a wide FOV. The Terra and Endeavor have noticeably less.
Center View
The center view remains sharp for about the first 75% of the distance from the center to the edge, which I think is fine. That is a very subjective estimate so others and Allbinos may conclude otherwise. The lack of sharpness is more noticeable at the last 5% next to the edge compared to the Terra, but again, that may be the result of the much larger FOV. It is a non issue since it is so far from the center. Some of the lack of sharpness near the edge can be focused out, but not all of it.
CA and Stray Light
There may be two potential optical issues for some. One is CA. I am not sensitive to CA so I really can not pass judgment. My test is to look at a horizontal rail centered in the view, then lower my head so the rail moves upward. It does not take much movement to start to see fringing and it is quite noticeable after about half way up. However it looks like the result is about the same with Terra and I do not recall it being known as a CA machine. I then did the same with the 8X42 Zeiss SF and the fringing was less than half of what I saw in the GPO and Terra. I do not know for sure, but I can see the potential where it may not work out for folks like Super Duty and Justin who are admittedly CA sensitive. It will take a CA sensitive person to give a final evaluation. I did look at various objects against the sky line and did not see CA, but I almost never do with any binocular. My advise to any CA sensitive person is to buy from a vendor with a good return policy just in case CA does cause issues. Hopefully some one will eventually provide an update on CA performance.
The second thing I noticed is lots of false pupils and scattered light with the binocular held away toward an open window light source and looking at the eye piece. I had concerns that it was going to be a Dennis glare machine so I took it outside about 4:30 PM and viewed the mountains off to the west and toward the lowering sun. Guess what, no glare issues out of the ordinary. The view was not crystal clear but that is the case with unaided vision looking at objects toward the sun and with other binoculars. I will have to use it some more to see if glare issues pop up, but so far, so good.
The Endeavor showed slightly less stray light when looking at the eye pieces and the Terra a little less again. I think it is the nature of the beast for the entry class to have stray light illuminate the eye piece outside of the exit pupil. I do not recall any glare issues with the Endeavor or Terra. The Zeiss SF 8X42 looks like midnight so I guess you get what you pay for in this case.
Quality of View
Brightness and contrast are good, especially for this price range. Of course it does not have that extra pop you see with something like a SF or Swaro EL SV, but I was not expecting that. I found the quality of the view to be very nice, very satisfying, and functional. I think it is better in the GPO as compared to the Endeavor and the Terra because of the noticeably more neutral color balance. I was looking at some rocks among some dried out desert growth, all shades of browns, and thought it was a little bit easier to pick out the detail with the GPO as compared to the Terra and the Endeavor. As expected, it was easier yet with the SF, but the GPO did just fine.
The lighting out here in the desert is harsh this time of year and so spectacular views are hard to come by right now. Degrees of dull and flat are the result no matter what binocular you use. What I like to do this time of year is to look at the eyes of birds to get the satisfying impression obtained from a good binocular. The most common bird for me is the Mourning Dove, but they have dark eyes and so it is not that impressive. However there are a good number of White Winged doves in the summer and they have interesting eyes with contrasting colors and a shine. I had some about 15 yards away this morning and the eyes have it. They looked great through the GPO. As a bonus, Mr. Curved Billed Thrasher, also known as mister yellow eyes, gave a close appearance and again, it was a great view through the GPO.
Which One?
If I had to decide right now, it would be either the GPO or Terra. I think it comes down to how you are going to use it. I like the GPO better just considering optical qualities. The wide FOV and the more neutral color balance are very nice. However if I were in an area with a lot of straight lines, then the smaller pin cushion image of the Terra would be an advantage. The other big advantage of the Terra for me is the more natural eye placement. I am going to have to spend some more time with the GPO before deciding between these two. The Endeavor comes in a close third. Although it is very nice, it really does not offer anything unique over the others. It has a somewhat tube view because of the more narrow FOV, a fast but touchy focus and a heavier forward balance.
Cost is a factor when considering this class so that may give an advantage to the Endeavor since it will sometimes have good rebates and sale prices. The Terra also has some nice discounts at times. If price is the primary concern, then one other to toss in the mix is the Zen Ray ZRS. It is generally the least expensive of the bunch. It is slightly behind in the overall view and build, but it is still very nice and will satisfy many looking for a very nice binocular at a low price.
Conclusion
I need to spend some time with the GPO out in the field to say for sure it is a winner, but so far, so good. My biggest concerns are getting use to the shorter eye cups and to make sure it does not have any as yet undisclosed glare issues. It looks like I am going to be ok on both, but it is still to soon to know for sure. I also need to keep an eye on the focus play to see if it gets worse or if I get annoyed with the current amount of play over time. If I could make just one change, it would be to lengthen the eye cups, and that goes for more than just the GPO!
The large field of view and the near neutral color balance along with the solid build and nice styling make it stand out in this class.
The GPO Passion ED 8X42, selling for a suggested price of $379.99, caught my eye immediately because of the 426 ft. at 1,000 yards (142 m/1,000 m) field of view (FOV). Most of the popular models in this class state a FOV of around 380 ft. The 426 ft. stood out so I wanted to see if GPO was able to produce a nice binocular in this price class that had a FOV noticeably greater than the current leading models in the same general price range.
http://gpo-usa.com/products/experiences/hunting/5/passion-8x42ed?c=42
The models were announced earlier this year but the ED line just started to hit the market recently. Optics Planet showed one 8X42 in inventory so I ordered it with a coupon code and it arrived yesterday. It was a preorder that was not picked up. The box contained the binocular, a hard case, a case strap, a binocular neck strap, eye piece rain guard, a cleaning cloth and a multi language instruction booklet. According to the GPO USA web site, there also should have been objective covers, a thank you card and a GPO sticker but those items were missing. It could have been a packing error but since this was most likely the first unit of this model to arrive at the seller, they may have took a look at it and failed to rebox everything. I will be contacting GPO about obtaining the missing items.
I have spent some time with it yesterday afternoon and this morning. My initial over all impression is that it is a very good binocular. However, binoculars in that price range are not perfect, but that is also true for the top tier models.
Below are some of my initial observartions and impressions of the model. I consider the approximately $350 class the entry point for roof models. Many of the roof models that I have seen below $200 (excluding sales) in 42 mm had to many oddities to be considered for regular serious use. However some of the models over $200 do provide a very satisfying and functional view and they are something I could use all day and be a happy birder. A couple of examples are the Zeiss Terra and the Vanguard Endeavor ED II. It just so happens I have both in the 8X42 and did some comparisons with them and the GPO. Most of the following comments are about the GPO but I will comment on the Terra and Endeavor at times. The Terra is the prior model but it is the same optically as the new armored model introduced earlier this year.
Big Plus Items - FOV, Color Balance, Styling and Solid Build
The large 426 ft. FOV is there and it is noticeable. I did not get that initial looking through a tube impression that I get with the Terra (375 ft.) and the Endeavor (377 ft.), so that is a big plus for this price range. The other big plus is the color balance which is as close to neutral as anything I have seen in this class. Very nice. It may be ever so slightly on the warm side, but the change is slight. I am having a hard time telling exactly where it leans. Other positives are the nice styling and the solid build. The body is magnesium. I did find a very small label inside the hinge that says China so I assume that is where it is made.
Armoring and Feel
The armoring on it is thin and it ends up flush with the ends of the objective tubes so it may not be as well protected if dropped compared to other models. The up side is it has a nice slim fit in the hands and helps to keep the weight down. I really like the feel of it. The binocular is on the small side for a 42 mm and has a nice balance. The balance of the Terra is similar but the Terra feels larger probably due to the thicker armor. Both have a nicer feel and balance compared to the Endeavor which is much more front heavy. The GPO web site says it weighs 23.6 oz. but it felt heavier than that to me when I first picked it up. My postal scale says it weighs 26.0 oz. without strap or covers.
Focus & Diopter
Focus rotation from close to infinity is counter clockwise which is also true for the Endeavor. The Terra is clockwise and that seems to be the more popular direction of travel. The focus is very smooth and consistent for the full rotation of travel. There is a small amount of free play when switching directions (see photos). There is somewhat of a dampening feel in the free play range so it does not cause me significant problems. Hopefully the free play will not increase with use. It has remained constant so far. There is very little free play in the Terra and Endeavor. There is some resistance but it is no problem focusing with one finger. Subjectively, it is slightly on the stiff side which is where I like it.
Focus knob rotation from close focus to infinity is just under 1 1/2 turns. There is approximate 1/4 turn remaining past infinity. My ideal would be about 1 1/4 turns from close to infinity so this is slightly slower, but I prefer that to a fast focus. The Endeavor is the fastest of the bunch with a little less than 3/4 of a turn from close to infinity and the Terra is 3/4 of a turn. Both are much faster than I like since most of my viewing is closer to infinity and such a fast focus makes for touchy adjustments at that range. If I lived in Ohio warbler county I would be chirping a different tune and would go for the faster focus. The Endeavor has about 1/8 of a turn remaining past infinity and the the Terra has about 1/4 of a turn similar to the GPO.
I got a close focus distance of approximate 5 feet, 2 inch as compared to 6 feet, 6 inches listed on the web page. I have noticed a large variation with this spec is many models.
The diopter ring does not have a locking position but it is firm enough so it will not easily slip but it is still loose enough so it is easy to make any adjustments. The calibration marks come out close to where they should be for my vision.
The IPD (Inter Pupillary Distance) measured approximately 55 mm to 76 mm as compared to 56 mm to 75 mm in the specs.
Some Possible Negatives- Eye Cup Length and Pin Cushion
The biggest negative is that the eye cups do not extend far enough for the eye relief for me and I have to use the MOLCET technique for proper placement.
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2875979&postcount=8
This is not unique to GPO. So many of the manufacturers do this. I was hoping the Zeiss folks behind GPO would have learned from the Conquest eye cup issues but I guess not. The good news is that I notice very little in the way of black out issues. It has not been unusual to have blackout problems with binoculars having short eye cups and wide fields, the new Leica Noctivid being the most severe example for me. The other good news is the eye cups have four different settings with positive clicks. With four settings, it would have been nice if the fourth was a little longer! Other than the length, I had no problems with the eye cups. I am not sure what material is used in their manufacture. The eye cups do not appear to be removable and I did not want to break anything finding out.
Eye relief is stated as 18 mm. I normally view without glasses but I briefly tried with glasses and I got a full FOV but with no room to spare. That can change between individuals depending on the glasses and facial structure.
There is noticeable pin cushion when getting closer to the edge which may be a consequence of having such a wide FOV. The Terra and Endeavor have noticeably less.
Center View
The center view remains sharp for about the first 75% of the distance from the center to the edge, which I think is fine. That is a very subjective estimate so others and Allbinos may conclude otherwise. The lack of sharpness is more noticeable at the last 5% next to the edge compared to the Terra, but again, that may be the result of the much larger FOV. It is a non issue since it is so far from the center. Some of the lack of sharpness near the edge can be focused out, but not all of it.
CA and Stray Light
There may be two potential optical issues for some. One is CA. I am not sensitive to CA so I really can not pass judgment. My test is to look at a horizontal rail centered in the view, then lower my head so the rail moves upward. It does not take much movement to start to see fringing and it is quite noticeable after about half way up. However it looks like the result is about the same with Terra and I do not recall it being known as a CA machine. I then did the same with the 8X42 Zeiss SF and the fringing was less than half of what I saw in the GPO and Terra. I do not know for sure, but I can see the potential where it may not work out for folks like Super Duty and Justin who are admittedly CA sensitive. It will take a CA sensitive person to give a final evaluation. I did look at various objects against the sky line and did not see CA, but I almost never do with any binocular. My advise to any CA sensitive person is to buy from a vendor with a good return policy just in case CA does cause issues. Hopefully some one will eventually provide an update on CA performance.
The second thing I noticed is lots of false pupils and scattered light with the binocular held away toward an open window light source and looking at the eye piece. I had concerns that it was going to be a Dennis glare machine so I took it outside about 4:30 PM and viewed the mountains off to the west and toward the lowering sun. Guess what, no glare issues out of the ordinary. The view was not crystal clear but that is the case with unaided vision looking at objects toward the sun and with other binoculars. I will have to use it some more to see if glare issues pop up, but so far, so good.
The Endeavor showed slightly less stray light when looking at the eye pieces and the Terra a little less again. I think it is the nature of the beast for the entry class to have stray light illuminate the eye piece outside of the exit pupil. I do not recall any glare issues with the Endeavor or Terra. The Zeiss SF 8X42 looks like midnight so I guess you get what you pay for in this case.
Quality of View
Brightness and contrast are good, especially for this price range. Of course it does not have that extra pop you see with something like a SF or Swaro EL SV, but I was not expecting that. I found the quality of the view to be very nice, very satisfying, and functional. I think it is better in the GPO as compared to the Endeavor and the Terra because of the noticeably more neutral color balance. I was looking at some rocks among some dried out desert growth, all shades of browns, and thought it was a little bit easier to pick out the detail with the GPO as compared to the Terra and the Endeavor. As expected, it was easier yet with the SF, but the GPO did just fine.
The lighting out here in the desert is harsh this time of year and so spectacular views are hard to come by right now. Degrees of dull and flat are the result no matter what binocular you use. What I like to do this time of year is to look at the eyes of birds to get the satisfying impression obtained from a good binocular. The most common bird for me is the Mourning Dove, but they have dark eyes and so it is not that impressive. However there are a good number of White Winged doves in the summer and they have interesting eyes with contrasting colors and a shine. I had some about 15 yards away this morning and the eyes have it. They looked great through the GPO. As a bonus, Mr. Curved Billed Thrasher, also known as mister yellow eyes, gave a close appearance and again, it was a great view through the GPO.
Which One?
If I had to decide right now, it would be either the GPO or Terra. I think it comes down to how you are going to use it. I like the GPO better just considering optical qualities. The wide FOV and the more neutral color balance are very nice. However if I were in an area with a lot of straight lines, then the smaller pin cushion image of the Terra would be an advantage. The other big advantage of the Terra for me is the more natural eye placement. I am going to have to spend some more time with the GPO before deciding between these two. The Endeavor comes in a close third. Although it is very nice, it really does not offer anything unique over the others. It has a somewhat tube view because of the more narrow FOV, a fast but touchy focus and a heavier forward balance.
Cost is a factor when considering this class so that may give an advantage to the Endeavor since it will sometimes have good rebates and sale prices. The Terra also has some nice discounts at times. If price is the primary concern, then one other to toss in the mix is the Zen Ray ZRS. It is generally the least expensive of the bunch. It is slightly behind in the overall view and build, but it is still very nice and will satisfy many looking for a very nice binocular at a low price.
Conclusion
I need to spend some time with the GPO out in the field to say for sure it is a winner, but so far, so good. My biggest concerns are getting use to the shorter eye cups and to make sure it does not have any as yet undisclosed glare issues. It looks like I am going to be ok on both, but it is still to soon to know for sure. I also need to keep an eye on the focus play to see if it gets worse or if I get annoyed with the current amount of play over time. If I could make just one change, it would be to lengthen the eye cups, and that goes for more than just the GPO!
The large field of view and the near neutral color balance along with the solid build and nice styling make it stand out in this class.
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