Alpen Optics Binoculars may have been established only a few years ago (1997), but they have become very popular in both sporting and excursion activities, thanks to their world-class optics technology. Tony proper and Tim Gardner whose mission was to introduce top quality optical products at affordable prices founded Alpen Optics.
Over the years, Alpen binoculars have swiftly gained reputation for their excellent quality, extraordinary value and stellar performance when it comes to sporting, hunting, and fishing, racing or hiking, thanks to their state-of-the-art optics technology.
You will find over 70 products and accessories available, from ultra-precision binoculars to waterproof rainier. Indeed, you will find a wide range of selections of binoculars from roof prism to compact models at different qualities and prices, depending on what you are looking for. Having such a wide selection of models, you are sure to find everything that you need in an optic binocular from Alpen.
What to look for when choosing the best binoculars for your viewing
Getting a good pair of binoculars will open your eyes into the world you never knew even existed. However, it is important to take time when it comes to choosing the best binoculars for your activities because they come in different ranges, magnifications, objective lenses and field of view. All these are important optics terms that you need to get acclimatized to before shopping for an optics binoculars.
Use this handy Alpen binoculars guide to help you choose the best binoculars for you and get to know all the vital features to look out for when shopping for a new Alpen optics binoculars. If this is the first time you are shopping for a binocular, you need a basic understanding of the basic binoculars specifications we have mentioned above, i.e., ranges, magnification power, lens, and field of view and product prices.
RANGES
The reason you will find Alpen binoculars particularly interesting is that they cover a wide range of binoculars in order to meet all you needs, be it sporting, hunting, fishing, sightseeing or investigations. From their ultra-rugged, high-end precision Rainier range to their lightweight Apex ranges, you will find a binocular of your choice and all their binoculars are waterproof. This means you can go out even when it is raining or go underwater with the binoculars and explore the sea. There is also a Pro range that is fog proof in addition to being waterproof.
MAGNIFICATIONS
Alpen Optics Binoculars come in different magnifications. Simply stated, the magnification power of a pair of binoculars refers to the amount of magnification one is able to get from a pair of binoculars. In other words, what level of viewing are you able to achieve as opposed to viewing the same object with the naked eye? For instance, if your binocular has a magnification power of 7x and you are viewing an object that is 700 meters away, the object will seem only 100 meters away.
So how do you know the best magnification for your binoculars?
Before purchasing a pair of binoculars for you activity, you will have to ensure that your magnification is appropriate to what you want to use the binoculars for. For instance, you are planning to view birds, meaning you will be looking into the distance, you will need high-end binos. If on the other hand you want to see a great deal of details, you will need to go for a high-powered binocular with a large aperture size. However, bear in mind that this will greatly increase the weight and sized of the binoculars.
It is important to note that lower magnifications binoculars are not necessarily low-end, in fact, they are the most popular because they have a wider field of view. These are the best if you need to have a detailed view of a scene especially one that is fast moving. Higher magnification allows you to view long-distanced objects. The downside to a high magnification is that they are hard to stabilize, meaning that any small hand movement results in blurry or shaky images. In addition, higher magnification binos have narrower field of view, which means you cannot have a wider view of the scene.
Having said that, when you are looking for a pair of binoculars, you will discover some numbers in specifications such as 10 x 45. The 10 refers to the magnification. In this case, the binos can enable you view images that are 10 times their original size while the number that comes after the x refers to the objective lens.
OBJECTIVE LENS
The larger the lens of any pair of binoculars the more light they let in. If your binoculars have a large lens size, it means that they are able to transmit in more light to enable you have a brighter image. However, the disadvantage with larger lenses is that they lead to heavier, larger and bulky binoculars which might not be ideal for those looking for compact binoculars.
If you are in need of compact binoculars for easy carrying, look for lens between 20 and 30 mm. Most Alpen Optics Binoculars have objective lenses ranging between 21 and 52mm. it is important to note that the diameter of an objective lenses is directly proportional to the size of binoculars. If you are looking for clearer images, it means you have to sacrifice portability and vice versa.
FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)
Field of View defines the width of the image you will see. This is very important when it comes to exploring the sky, following the movement of a bird, searching for something in the jungle or in sporting activity. Having a binoculars with a wider field of view is advantageous because it allows you more room for errors allowing the object to stay within your focus even if you make some movements. Most Alpen binoculars have failry narrow FOV compared to other models ranging from 221 feet to 448 feet. When a pair of binoculars has a FOV of 221 feet, it means you can see that big of an area from 200 feet away.
Best Binos from Alpen Optics
Alpen Optics SHASTA PEAK 10x42
The Alpen Optics SHASTA PEAK 10x42 utilizes excellent optics and advanced technology to offer a great sighting experience. Many users say the elegant design together with its superb functionality makes Shasta Peak a binocular of choice especially for those who will be looking to traverse foggy and watery territories.
You are also sure to enjoy its razor-sharp image display and fairly good field of view. It comes in silver metallic coating in order to provide good light transmission for impressive viewing experience even in poor lighting conditions.
Specifications:
- Weight: 26 ounces
- Dimensions: 5.75 x 5 x 2 inches
- Waterproof and fog proof
Alpen Optics RAINIER EDHD 10x42
Alpen Optics Rainier is one of the tough binoculars of Alpen. It is shock-resistant, waterproof and ruggedly made to last. Whether you are in the Atlantic Ocean or you are moving through a dense forest, or even on the top of Mount Rainer, Alpen Optics. It also comes with latest optical technology that maximizes light transmission to ensure you get the right view of your objects.
Alpen Optics SHASTA RIDGE
The Alpen Optics Shasta Ridge 10 x 42 waterproof are perfect for hunters, birders, shooters, boaters, as well as outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a brighter, clearer viewing even under darker conditions. While the compact models of this Alpen binoculars have porro prism design, the full-size ones have a sleek roof prism for better performance. Alpen Optics Shasta Ridge is your best bet if you need a binocular that can perfume under extreme weather conditions.
Alpen Teton ED HD BAK4
When it comes to price and quality, Alpen Teton ED HD BAK4 comes second (below Reiner) in the Alpen Optics Binoculars series. It has four room-prism which include the following parameters: 10x50, 8.5x50, 10x42 and 8x42. As their name suggest, Alpen Teton are made of BaK glass. One thing that make Alpen Teton Binocular to stand out is their compact design for field durability and comfort.
This binocular features a bigger FOV for perfect full view of the objects. In addition to that, Alpen Tetoton have been made to withstand extreme water conditions. Using the modern optics technology, this pair of binoculars is designed to obsorb maximum amount of solar energy.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, binoculars are not cheap by any stretch of imaginations. With prices ranging from $20 to $1,200, it means that you can easily get binoculars of your choice. Apart from the technical specifications such as magnification, lens or FOV, the materials used to build a given pair of binoculars is directly proportional. The thing you will love about Alpen binoculars is that they provide some of the best warranties in the country. As regards functionality and performance, most consumers think Alpen binoculars are compact, powerful and waterproof. They are also relatively cheap when it comes models uses and styles. However, most consumers have complained about the fact that they can only purchase online. Many consumers also say that the straps are poorly made