GPO Passion HD (German Precision Optics) (1 Viewer)

[dries1]

Thanks gcole, much appreciated, just goes to show ergonomics do play a vital role in glass choice.

 

[gcole]

My recent New purchase of the GPO HD 8x42 on Ebay for $425 was a fluke, made the seller an offer and they sold it to me. I found out from the seller that they were once a sales rep for GPO. Why they were willing to let it go at that price I did not ask. So which binocular would you purchase ? A New Fujinon 8x42 HC for $595 or a New GPO HD 8x42 for $425.

Thanks gcole, much appreciated, just goes to show ergonomics do play a vital role in glass choice.

No doubt, one example is the Meopta Meostar 8x32 . Many here have praised their optical view for being right up there with the best 32x glass you could buy for half the cost of the top European brands but their ergonomics did not fit them for one reason or another. I was one of only a handful here who loved the Meostar’s because they fit my facial features perfectly, from controlling glare to providing just the right amount of eye relief. Getting back to the topic of the Fujinon HC or GPO HD binoculars …. one member here thought the Fujinon’s would be to cold to hold In cold weather, while some thought the focus speed was to slow and they did not like their design. For me personally I loved the Fujinon HC design because they did not conform to the typical look that the GPO’s have. I also loved the really slow focus of the Fujinon when compared to the fast focus of the GPO HD. So in the end when my eyes can not discern a real big difference in the optical view between the two, then my priority’s are always the cost/build quality and which binocular worked best for me ergonomically.

 

[lmans66]

No doubt, one example is the Meopta Meostar 8x32 . Many here have praised their optical view for being right up there with the best 32x glass you could buy for half the cost of the top European brands but their ergonomics did not fit them for one reason or another. I was one of only a handful here who loved the Meostar’s because they fit my facial features perfectly, from controlling glare to providing just the right amount of eye relief. Getting back to the topic of the Fujinon HC or GPO HD binoculars …. one member here thought the Fujinon’s would be to cold to hold In cold weather, while some thought the focus speed was to slow and they did not like their design. For me personally I loved the Fujinon HC design because they did not conform to the typical look that the GPO’s have. I also loved the really slow focus of the Fujinon when compared to the fast focus of the GPO HD. So in the end when my eyes can not discern a real big difference in the optical view between the two, then by priority’s are always the cost/build quality and which binocular worked best for me ergonomically.

I think you stated it well....I too loved the Meostar and still do. My wife uses it and it is her favorite above all others but the eye-cups are just not working for me, thus as you stated....each binocular has to fit your face. I know I love the 7x35 Retro from Leica as they fit my face, but many on this forum state that 'don't...so, the moral of the story is, don't trust what others say, but try on a pair. The GPO by the way is a good feeling pair of Bins as is the Monarch HG.....the Swaro CL is always good one..... anyhow, much out there so best of luck to any that are in the market.... jim

 

[forent]

Yesterday I received the Geco Gold 12.5x50 (see New Binocular Bargains Thread) and today it is going back to the sender. Unfortunately, the diopter compensation is actually only +/- 2.5 dpt - not enough for me. My further impressions :

First of all, the Geco Gold 12.5x50 is absolutely identical to the GPO Passion HD 12.5x50 except for the labeling. In my opinion, they are optically and mechanically excellent binoculars that can easily keep up e.g. with a Leica Trinovid or Zeiss Conquest. The materials and workmanship are of high quality and inspire confidence. The center of the image is very sharp, contrasty and practically free of CA. Field curvature, a drop in sharpness and some false colors can be seen at the edges of the image, but ultimately this is not critical and the sweet spot is large enough. The FOV is only average, but okay. The color balance seems to me to be slightly shifted towards green/yellow. In low light, the image looks bright and vivid. For what it offers, the current special price of 620 euros is a bargain. Highly recommended for those looking for something like this.

Despite this, I in person didn't like it. On the one hand, of course, because of the poor diopter adjustment: the range of +/- 2.5 dpt is too small for my personal diopter difference of about 3.5 dpt - a deal stopper. Besides, I find it annoying that the range is stated as +/- 4.0 dpt in the accompanying booklet. However, you can clearly see from the scale underneath the focus knob and its 10 - by the way pretty hard - click stops (each 0.5 dpt) that the published GPO specification of +/- 2.5 dpt is correct. Probably irrelevant for most people, but not for me and also sloppy for a supposedly premium product. It makes you wonder what else is wrong.

On the other hand, the square edges of the otherwise excellent eyecups are uncomfortable for me and I find the sticky-smooth inner surfaces of the rubber armour unpleasant to the touch (would have preferred a grained surface). In addition, the somewhat muddy movement of the focus knob and the reversed setting direction compared to my Leica binos bother me. Overall, the Geco Gold 12.5x50 simply didn't appeal to me enough, it left me cold, so I probably wouldn't have kept it even if it had a larger diopter range - regardless of the extremely low price. But that's just me and your mileage may vary.

Hence, again: For what this bino offers, its price of 620 euros is a bargain.