£289
Reviewed by David Chandler
German Precision Optics came into being in 2015. Its founders came from Leica, Meopta and Zeiss with, between them, more than 100 years of experience. The Passion SD range includes six binoculars. This is GPO’s “introductory range”, with 8x and 10x binoculars with 26, 34, or 42mm objectives. Suggested retail prices for these “made in China, tested in Germany” binoculars are £265 for the 26mm, £289 for 34mm and £305 for the 42mm models. SD means “substantial definition”.
The image
This not particularly expensive binocular delivers a very good, crisp image. At times, I thought the colours may have been on the yellow side of neutral, but that wasn’t a problem. Sharpness was very good – I saw good feather detail on a Greenfinch for example – and, in good light, brightness was very good. There is a little edge softness, but not much and it’s not an issue. This compact binocular also performed pretty well during my ‘sunset and beyond’ test, with some high cloud after a sunny day. The test involves looking into a close, shaded area and an open, distant area. Thirty minutes after sunset this binocular was still showing some detail in the shade, which looked dark to my naked eye – impressive. By then, focusing was trickier in the open distance, but the view was pretty good. The highlight had come six minutes earlier, though – a Tawny Owl flew towards me then veered off into tree cover, the Passion SD showing me its shape in flight. GPO blurb says the larger objectives – I presume they mean 34mm rather than 32mm – “offer performance reserves in poor light conditions”. Whatever, they passed my test.
Focus precision is very good, as well. The one-finger wide focus wheel moves smoothly against moderate resistance, anti-clockwise towards the birds that really, you would like to be much closer. Full movement is about 1 5/8 turns, but for most birdwatching, a ½ turn does the job.
Occasionally, I saw a bit of colour fringing – on a Buzzard and a Carrion Crow – but it wasn’t problematic. While scanning to look for colour fringing, I found a male Marsh Harrier and then a Kestrel, but no fringing on them. Care with your eye position will minimise the amount of colour fringing you see. The 122m@1,000m field of view is not exceptional, but the view didn’t feel narrow. Close-focus is said to be three metres, which isn’t too remarkable. I measured it at about 2.4m, significantly better – not ideal for insect-watching but fine for birdwatching.
The build
Build quality seems very good. It has a rubber-armoured magnesium chassis and is nitrogen-filled and waterproof. At just under 500g it’s a lightweight and certainly wasn’t tiring to hold. Dioptre adjustment is via a non-locking, but stiff enough, twist-ring. The rubber-coated eyecups have a very good action with one intermediate position. Their extension didn’t feel like it would deliver the quoted 17.4mm of eye-relief and, mostly, I used them held against my brow ridges, though I did also use them closer in, held against my eye sockets. Try before you buy and see how they work for you.
The broad strap is, I’d say, overkill for a binocular this size. But you could use a different one. I also found the rainguard too tight a fit, and, in use, sometimes it would twist an eyecup down. But you can place it lightly and again, you could use a different one.
Great bins, but a ridiculously broad strap!
Half a turn of the focus wheel suits most occasions
Perhaps not a name you know, but a name you should
26 and 42mm objectives are also available
Specs
Size: 130mm x 126mm x 45mmWeight: 493g
Field of view: 7° (122m@1,000m)
Close focus: 3m
Eye relief: 17.4mm
Website: gpobinoculars.co.uk
Warranty: 10 years
Supplied with: Broad neoprene strap, rainguard, objective covers (attach to strap), hard case
Verdict
This lightweight, compact, Passion SD seems well put together and delivers a very good image with very good focus precision. A little less focusing movement might improve it, but as a birdwatching binocular, there’s plenty to like, including the price. GPO has no links to the shooting or hunting market.