I will dedicate this column to Angelo and Gioia, two professionals from different sectors who have decided to combine their skills to open online shops that also deal with sports optics.
- Hi Angelo, hi Gioia, can you tell us how your company was born and what it does?
- Hi Piergiovanni, Terranova srl specializes in the online sale of sports and recreational items, and was born from the union of our passions and our professional skills.
Gioia has always worked in web marketing and I have worked in the logistics sector, especially in customs.
In 2010 we made a life choice and moved from Milan to Rimini, where we opened our first Mareshop online store, with a catalog for the nautical, diving, and water sports worlds in general. Three years later, we launched the website MHz Outdoor, dedicated to amateur radio communications and the entire outdoor world, with a particular focus on sports optics, and we opened our showroom in Rimini. Over the past nine years, we've grown to a team of five, but our goal remains the same: customer satisfaction. We aim to offer a catalog of quality products and provide our customers with a simple and secure purchasing experience, an efficient shipping system, and comprehensive customer support via email or phone, in five languages, worldwide.
Our customers' positive reviews, certified by specialized companies, are our greatest asset and help us continually improve the quality of our service. But we're not just resellers; thanks to our experience, we offer consulting services to help other businesses enter the world of e-commerce or promote their business through digital channels.
- Are you both passionate about sports optics?
- While Mareshop combines our passions, I must confess that MHz Outdoor is primarily the result of my own personal interests, from radios to binoculars. As a sailor, I've always used marine binoculars. Since we've been in Rimini, I've become more interested in terrestrial optics, thanks in part to trips with friends and family to the Po Delta Park and the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines.
- Visiting your websites, I saw that you strongly believe in the "Sports Optics" and "Outdoor" sectors. What brands do you currently carry?
- As for sports optics, we currently carry Leica, Kowa, Fujinon, Steiner, Celestron, and Sky-Watcher. In the outdoor world, I'd like to mention a few: Led Lenser, a company specializing in flashlights and headlamps; Leatherman, an American brand based in Oregon that produces world-famous multitools; and Crosscall, a French phone company specializing in indestructible smartphones suitable for any outdoor activity. We are also authorized resellers of DJI drones and GoPros. Of course, we carry several brands of radios, often used in various outdoor activities. We always strive to provide our customers with the widest possible selection, so we introduce new brands in each of our segments almost every month.
- Can you tell me something about your website dedicated to 360° marine enthusiasts?.
- Mareshop is divided into three main sections: nautical, diving, and swimming. We began with diving, and now carry all the most famous brands in this sector, starting with world-renowned Italian brands like Mares, Cressi, Seac, Omer, and others. The nautical section also offers a wide selection: from clothing with brands like Helly Hansen, Musto, and Slam, to electronics with Raymarine and Garmin, to accessories and cleaning products.
- If I may be indiscreet: what binoculars do you sell the most?
- I'm not having any trouble answering this question right now. Starting out as a retailer of nautical products, our best-selling binoculars are definitely the Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass. It's been our flagship product since we started out, and it's sold worldwide. As for terrestrial optics, I can't give you a definitive answer yet. It's a sector we believe in, one we're investing in, and, I admit, one where we also have a lot to learn. Can I leave that answer until next year?
- You're a Steiner brand reseller, and your online store carries many Navigator series binoculars. Will you remain loyal to the German brand, or will you offer other brands for the marine sector in 2019?
- As previously mentioned, our alternative proposal to Steiner is already Fujinon, an equally recognized and reliable brand in the world of both professional and recreational boating.
- Angelo, considering you're the avid binocular enthusiast in the house, if you were to travel around the world, which binoculars would you take with you?
- I'll answer by telling you about a personal dream of mine that occasionally pops up: sailing around the world. Right now, I'd choose a brand I'm already very familiar with, Steiner, and I'd rely on their flagship model, the Commander Global 7x50. These are sturdy and very compact binoculars, with exceptional performance in low-light conditions or at night. They also feature a digital compass that provides precise bearings in both hemispheres, essential for fulfilling this dream. Finally, they would be a valuable companion on land in low-light conditions and at twilight. For sunny daytime walks, I'd definitely prefer compact binoculars that can easily fit in a pocket or backpack. Personally, I'd choose the Leica Ultravid HD PLUS 8x32.
Thank you for your availability.
Thank you, Piergiovanni. Greetings to all Binomania readers. We invite you all to visit our websites at these addresses. www.mhzoutdoor.com e www.mareshop.eu
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.
