2020 Best Birding Binocular Award - GPO Passion ED 8x42 (1 Viewer)

[Ontario]

https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/GPO8x42PassionED-235.htm

Lancaster Archery has these listed as their "Pro Pick" and they were also well received at the 2020 ATA show this year, lots of orders per Mike Jensen.https://youtu.be/VhJsse2I6Vk

The 10x42 I looked at had zero free play in the focuser so it looks like GPO has addressed the issue reported by BruceH. Secondly the eye cups on the 10x42 model seem to match the eye relief as I did not have to use MOLCET technique for proper placement.

BruceH commented 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." in addition to this I would add the brightness is very good for this class GPO lists the light transmission at 90% they seemed brighter under cloudy skies than the Razor HD I had on hand.

 

[Ontario]

Has anyone on this board compared the 2018 Vortex Viper directly with the GPO Passion ? specifically the 10x42 models.

Mike Jensen refers to the 10x42 model as the goto model in Passion line up.

 

[GPOSurujh]

Lots of time and effort has been invested to improve the PASSION ED focus to one of, if not the best in its class.

 

[lmans66]

explain

Lots of time and effort has been invested to improve the PASSION ED focus to one of, if not the best in its class.

So what do you mean by this as yes, there appeared to be an issue when these first came out. I have been looking at a 8x32 bin and have been comparing them so owe it to myself to see one of these GPO's...along with Mavens, Meostar's, Conquests, Nikons etc....

So I am curious about the focus issue.

Also, what bothers me is that the ED's are made in China as that was stated to me by the company in an email. But they also state and I quote "we define the optical and build quality by German engineers, and 100% of the finished items go to Germany first, for 100% inspection and quality control. ".... And if that is the case, perhaps it is worth looking at. I realize many parts to all binoculars are made in china and not in other more prestigious optic countries (although China is very capable of quality control but not always so in reality), so they are not alone in that issue. My concern has always been about quality control and if they have fixed the focus issue and have, according to their statement.....control quality by looking at the finished products in Germany, ....well, it might be a good investment for a fairly cheap price point.

Even the Conquest, or Terra...is not quality controlled in Germany. But to physically send the binoculars to Germany? ..... jim

 

[jan van daalen]

So what do you mean by this as yes, there appeared to be an issue when these first came out. I have been looking at a 8x32 bin and have been comparing them so owe it to myself to see one of these GPO's...along with Mavens, Meostar's, Conquests, Nikons etc....

So I am curious about the focus issue.

Also, what bothers me is that the ED's are made in China as that was stated to me by the company in an email. But they also state and I quote "we define the optical and build quality by German engineers, and 100% of the finished items go to Germany first, for 100% inspection and quality control. ".... And if that is the case, perhaps it is worth looking at. I realize many parts to all binoculars are made in china and not in other more prestigious optic countries (although China is very capable of quality control but not always so in reality), so they are not alone in that issue. My concern has always been about quality control and if they have fixed the focus issue and have, according to their statement.....control quality by looking at the finished products in Germany, ....well, it might be a good investment for a fairly cheap price point.

Even the Conquest, or Terra...is not quality controlled in Germany. But to physically send the binoculars to Germany? ..... jim

Hi Jim,

I just can't manage to answer on PM so here my say on this.
I regard brand expressions like the quote you posted as marketing bla bla.
While I have seen no issues with any of the Passions, I found different focus resistance in several bins. Some fluid, some heavier and some just smooth.
All within acceptable limits for me, but quite different.
The ED is of the same performance of the Terra and the HD of the Conquest.
I really don't understand why GPO doesn't bring a 32HD on the market.
Hope this answers your question.

Jan

 

[etc]

I reviewed the same model and it has an Alpha brand vibe (closest to Leica I think) and Alpha picture quality. Very nice.

 

[lmans66]

If might have been tempted if GPO has a 32 in HD, but alas, they don't. But more importantly is the 'play in the focus wheel'. Just way too much for my liking. But the ergonomics and feel....wow, real nice for the money.