By Dennis Johnson MD, PhD. Capt USN (Ret) and Carolyn Johnson, RN
During the 2016 SHOT SHOW we surveyed binocular venders. After visiting display booths for 3 days, we discovered Meopta MeoPro HD 8x32mm Binoculars..
United States -(AmmoLand.com)- During the 2016 SHOT SHOW this year we surveyed binocular vendors.
After visiting display booths for 3 days, we discovered Meopta, an American company founded in 1933 in Czechoslovakia (Optikotechna). We were especially impressed with their MeoPro HD 8×32 Binoculars offering a superb ocular:objective lens ratio which optimizes magnification with light delivery.
Meopta MeoPro HD 8x32mm Binoculars
After spending my career depending on a myriad of microscopes to make critical diagnoses, take it from me, it’s all about lens quality. Meopta manufacturers its own lenses with the rigor and stringency afforded precious gems. They begin with high quality Schott glass fortified by fluoride which stabilizes the silicon crystalline structure maximizing light transmission to nearly 100% by virtually eliminating internal reflection and absorption. This ensures the highest image resolution and color fidelity. All lens surfaces undergo ion-assisted multicoating which eliminates glare and reflection. External lens surfaces are hardened by further coatings to augment abrasion resistance.
We field tested these binoculars on our farm in central Tennessee which is a mixture of dense timber and pasture. Binoculars are an essential tool for land owners in this part of the country. We routinely utilize them for hunting and observing wildlife behavior but, more importantly, they are an indispensable monitoring system for livestock and pet predators. Our major problem is stray dogs that instinctually form small feral packs. Binoculars are a necessary early warning device for protecting one’s property from animals that kill indiscriminately.
Despite being a precision optical instrument they exceed military specifications for durability. The rubber-armored aluminum alloy frame has objective lens and ocular covers. The hardened external lenses effectively prevent scratching. They bounced around in our 4-wheeler for weeks without functional deficits and endured daily field abuse and still came up ticking! These nocs will last a lifetime, guaranteed.
The binoculars are light,compact, and user friendly. In less than a minute you’re ready to rock and roll. Quick adjustment of the interpupillary distance with the center hinge; focus the right eye with the center wheel and then diopter ocular ring to compensate for any visual disparity between eyes. A twist of the ocular sheaths accommodates spectacle wearers and a central threaded insert readily adapts to tripod use.
We really put these binoculars through an intense, real-life field trial. Images were consistently sharp and clear at over 100 yds. They were especially efficient in low light conditions when wild-life are most active. The lens system floods the eyes with light and scanning the shaded timber margins for stealth critters was accomplished without eye strain. Color fidelity is impressive with easy recognition of the diacritical markings of bird species.
The Specifications of the Meopta MeoPro HD 8x32mm Binoculars are:
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens (mm): 32 mm
- Light Transmission/Lens Surface: 7%
- FOV at 1000 yards: 414 ft.
- Eye Relief: 17 mm
- Close Focus: 5.6 ft.
- Exit Pupil: 3.0 mm
- Twilight Factor: 16
- Dioptric Correction: +/- 3
- Height: 5.2 in.
- Width: 5.2 in.
- Weight: 21.1 oz.
- Rubber-armored magnesium chassis
- Waterproof & Shockproof
- Nitrogen Purged
- Lens Coatings: MeoBright, MeoShield
- Country of origin: Built in the USA
- North American Lifetime Transferable Warranty
- 2016 MSRP: $632.49
Over the years, we’ve spent too much money on binoculars that perform well in the store but fail in pragmatic field use. We’ve finally found the best.
In conclusion, we can recommend the MeoPro HD 8×32 Binoculars without reservations. We are keeping them.