During the month of May I received from Axel Müller, the Senior Global Director of the GPO (German Precision Optics) the GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars costing 440.83 EURO. In reality, the ED series includes countless formats: PASSION™ ED 8×32 / 10×32, PASSION™ ED 8×42 / 10×42 PASSION™ 8×56 / 10×56. I, however, preferred to have the format most used by naturalists and hunters sent to me. It is also available in three colors: black, green, and sand.
German Precision Optics (GPO) was founded and run by executives who have worked for years in the sports optics industry for well-known European brands. Their experience has led them to create an innovative system capable of producing high-quality instruments without significantly raising consumer prices. The design, engineering, and quality control phases are entirely carried out at their headquarters in Germany. Their ED binoculars are apparently produced in China, while the more expensive HD ones are made by a well-known Japanese company in the sector.
As you can see in these images, the packaging is truly professional and practically identical to the HD model, which is offered at a significantly higher price. Inside the elegant dark box, there is a foam material where the binoculars are set, while on the left, instead, a rigid neoprene shoulder strap has been inserted, inside which have been placed the instruction manual, a cleaning cloth, the neoprene shoulder strap, the rigid shoulder strap, the eyepiece caps and the objective caps.
Fig.1 – A close-up of the binoculars and the accessories included in the package
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
A shoulder harness system with integrated case is available to purchase separately and may prove essential for heavy field use.
MECHANICS AND FIRE SYSTEM
To cost just over 400 euros, The GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars have an excellent finish and look like a product with a significantly higher price. I really appreciated the dual-color rubber armor, featuring black and green, and an orange peel texture on the outside for improved grip. There's a tripod thread under a dark cap. The magnesium frame has a central micro-bridge design with a single hinge. The binoculars are decidedly light and compact. My electronic scale estimated their weight at 740 grams. With the lens hoods extended, they're also well-balanced, and holding them closer to the eyepieces allows you to operate the focus knob with your index finger in an optimal position.
Fig.2 – In this image the following are clearly visible: the focus knob and the ring on the right eyepiece for diopter compensation
It's waterproof and nitrogen-filled, of course. The focusing system is handled by a generously sized knurled rotor, easy to use even with winter gloves. The movements are fluid and precise, without any jamming or friction; the snap test shows a single focus point. I measured a minimum focusing distance, with my eye relief of 1.6 meters. From this distance, you need to rotate the dial counterclockwise by almost a turn and a half. Diopter compensation is handled by a simple knurled ring with no lock. It requires a significant amount of force to move it, making it virtually impossible to accidentally move it during use or transport. Being an 8x, the golden rule would be to have a full depth of field starting at 64 meters (the square of the magnification). With subjective eye relief, you will achieve better results.
Fig.3 – The GPO PASSION ED uses low dispersion glass
OPTICS
Goals The GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars use, as its acronym suggests, Extra Low Dispersion glass. On-axis images are sharp with excellent contrast for its price range, bright, saturated colors, and a slightly warm tone that accentuates micro-contrast compared to other solutions. The lenses are inserted into the optical tube at a depth of approximately 9mm, a solution I believe to be excellent both for protecting them from light rain and impacts but also for preventing some glare that can be noticed even in binoculars costing up to five times more.
Fig.4 – The lenses are recessed into the optical tube by a few millimetres
Eyepieces
The eyepieces provide a wide-angle field of approximately 65° of apparent field, this allows for excellent immersion in the scene. The lens hoods are protected by a rubber layer that ensures comfort, and they can be rotated with a pre-set extraction system (stop, first position, second position, fully extended). Eye relief is good and allowed me to perceive the entire field of view while wearing sunglasses (Serengeti). The lens hoods cannot be unscrewed, but thanks to their large diameter, cleaning the field lens (22mm) is easy.
The interpupillary distance I measured with the digital caliper was between 57 mm and 78 mm. At a distance of 65 mm, the distance between the eyepieces is about 23 mm, making these binoculars very comfortable to use.
Fig.5 – The GPO eyepieces proved to be comfortable as well as capable of providing a wide-angle field
Prisms The GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars use Schmidt Pechan prisms, I noticed an exit pupil, the exit pupil is perfectly circular, only a very slight vignetting at the edges of the field when observing a bright white background. Furthermore, if you examine the exit pupil very carefully, you can notice some reflections, which are however less than those of many higher-priced products.
Anti-reflective treatment As you can see in this image, I had the opportunity to compare it to a non-branded Chinese roof prism binocular, and the quality of the anti-reflective coatings on the GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 is decidedly better. In the former, in fact, you can notice a greater perception of the details of my face, which is almost absent in the GPO 8×42 ED binoculars, a symptom that the light passes almost entirely through the lenses without being reflected. In fact, the containment of stray light is excellent in this price range. The declared light transmission is 90%. Another good piece of news is the presence of a dielectric coating on the prisms, a decidedly atypical process (because it is expensive) in this price range and which should guarantee "on paper" a light transmission of 99%.
Fig.6 – A comparison with a Chinese ED 8×42 ”no brand” binocular. You can see the better anti-reflection treatment of the GPO which does not make my image mirrored too much.
CHROMATIC AND GEOMETRIC ABERRATIONS
On-axis chromatic aberration
On-axis chromatic aberration is very well contained, practically absent in most lighting conditions, It only showed itself during the test with the USAF CHART (which is a high-contrast image with black and white areas as well as a very thin green-purple halo around the edges of the image and sometimes during the observation of backlit birds of prey). It is a good middle ground between a high-performance apochromatic binocular and an entry-level one.
Lateral chromatism
It is noticeable, but always in somewhat critical lighting conditions, as a slight green-purple halo around the brightest or most contrasty subjects. Fairly in line with many competing products.
Field curvature
It is not a binocular equipped with aspherical eyepieces, so a slight degradation of the images is perceived towards the 85% of the field, however the images always remain quite legible so much so that it is possible to even perceive the silhouette of a person looking out of a window two kilometers away.
Fig.7 – The field of view of the GPO PASSION ED 8×42 is wide angle
Angular distortion
There's pincushion distortion, which I began to notice around the 75-80% in the field of view. This distortion allows you to use it optimally for panning, without a clear perception of the rolling ball effect. As you know, I'm not very sensitive to this condition, but I must admit I found it comfortable when "sweeping" the panorama from right to left.
Other aberrations
In astronomical use, I've noticed some coma and astigmatism at the edges of the field. The brighter the stars, the more noticeable the problem becomes. These binoculars are obviously not designed for this type of observation. At the center of the field, the stars appear pinpoint, a sign of good optical quality.
USAF CHART TEST AT 35 METERS
As always, I enjoyed testing this instrument with the USAF CHART. Aside from a very slight aberration with the sunlit chart, I could see well-defined and contrasting lines, much better than those visible through a pair of slightly cheaper roof binoculars. The 8x magnification didn't allow me (with my visual acuity) to see beyond the classic "1 line" that you've come to know for this type of format. I confirm the good contrast, the blacks are intense, the whites are slightly tinged towards yellow.
Fig.8 – Test with the USAF CHART
FIELD TEST
I must admit that I was quite surprised by the GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars, at first glance they already look very good, with the appearance of top of the range binoculars, both for the finishing and for the quality control and for the magnesium hull I also appreciated the presence of the dielectric treatment on the prisms and the excellent quality of the coating on every optical surface, so much so that a comparison with a non-branded Chinese called ED was almost embarrassing and totally in favor of the GPO also for the twilight rendering where it was brighter.
Fig.9 – During the test at twilight
The binoculars fit well in the hand, the ergonomics have been carefully considered, the position of the focusing knob is optimal and I also appreciated the click-stop system of the eyepieces with clear and very precise positions. The optical quality of the ED glass also allowed me not to notice chromatic aberration in most lighting conditions., although, in those criticisms, it cannot be compared to the top of the range €2000 models. The field of view is wide-angle. Given the ease with which it can be moved from just over a meter and a half to infinity, it will please enthusiasts who often deal with birds flying near hides or who like to pan between close-up subjects and landscapes. On the downside, as always, less travel means more difficult fine adjustment, but I must say that the snap test seems very good for its price range.
PROS AND CONS
Merits
High class packaging, finishing and quality control for this price range
Using ED optics
Wide-angle field of view
Precise and fast focusing
Excellent anti-reflective treatment
Little scattered light at the edges of the exit pupil
Pupillary extraction more than sufficient for spectacle wearers
Defects
Some chromatic aberration is sometimes noticeable in the worst lighting conditions.
IN SUMMARY
Fig.10 – The GPO PASSION ED 8×42 has proven to be a very balanced binocular, with excellent finishing, good mechanics and low dispersion ED optics
I believe the GPO 8x42 ED binoculars are among the best I've tested in this price range. Their wide field of view, build quality, ED optics, and a variety of lens formats between 32mm and 56mm could make them a good choice for enthusiasts who don't have the budget for significantly higher-priced products but still need a reliable, rugged, and waterproof product. I believe GPO has raised the bar for overall quality in this price range with this product, and I believe many competitors will have to follow suit to remain competitive.
PRICE AND WARRANTY
The GPO PASSION™ ED 8×42 binoculars cost 440.83 EURO.
THANKS
I thank the manager Axel Müller of GPO for providing the specimen that was the object of this test, leaving me free to cite my impressions.
DISCLAIMER
Binomania is not a store. On my website, you will only find reviews of sports, photographic, and astronomical optical products. My opinions are impartial, as is the duty of any journalist, and I do not take any percentage of any sales from any product purchases. For this reason, if you would like to purchase or have information on any price changes or new products, I recommend visiting the official website. German Optics Precision, By clicking on the banner, which is the only form of advertising in this article. Thank you.!
Piergiovanni Salimbeni - Journalist and independent tester, founder of Binomania.co.uk, with over 25 years of experience in evaluating optical and digital instruments. It offers practical reviews and personalised advice for informed purchasing choices.
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