Opticron Verano BGA HD 10×42 Binocular Review

Opticron Verano BGA HD 10×42 Binocular Review

Editor: Cory McLaughlin

VIDEO REVIEW OF PRODUCT
https://youtu.be/u7GtxjUkzEA

Just the Facts:

Basic Description:
Building on the strengths of previous models, the Opticron Verano BGA HD is designed to deliver a vivid ‘true to life’ viewing experience essential for accurate wildlife observation.
Optically the binoculars offer:
• Large dia. long eyerelief eyepieces with class leading FOV: 8° (8×32), 7° (8×42), 6.5° (10×42)
• ‘PGK’ glass prisms with PC phase correction coating and Oasis prism coating
• F-type combination multi-coating to optimize color contrast
Mechanically the binoculars:
• Feature a double hinge body, nitrogen gas filled waterproof to 3m
• Incorporate smooth action wide wheel focusing with close focus to 2m
• Are protected in a lightly textured natural rubber armor contoured to deliver a positive handling experience with or without gloves
• Include 4-stage twist-type retractable eyecups
• Provide a connection to a photo/video tripod
Verano BGA HD binoculars come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

My Story:

Peek-a-Boo! Everybody remembers that game. It’s the game of hiding your eyes from a child and then moving your hand away while saying “Peek-a-Boo”. Well as I’m sure you guessed when you have your eyes are covered you are blind. Once you move the hand you can see and often the first thing is the smiling face of a child. Who doesn’t love to see a kid smile? I know I do. Well, I feel like I just moved my hand away from my eyes and can see. The comparison is weak I know, but something that I could not see before is now in front of me and like a child I am smiling. Opticron is a well-known name in Europe but here in the states it’s been hiding. It was always there but it was hidden behind the hand of all of those old go to brands. Well kids… Peek-a-Boo! Opticron is here with a great set of binoculars.
While researching optics I often find myself stumbling into birdwatching forums. At first I used to simply click out and try to get back to a more respectable hunting page for what I incorrectly believed to be superior advice. We live and we learn so the saying goes. I soon learned that spending a little time on the bird forums could afford me some fantastic information. These bird people really know what they are talking about. Soon I started to target the bird forums with just as much interest as the hunting forums. The attention to detail that I found from the bird watchers was incredible. Opticron holds it’s own in the bird world and was soon on my radar. As luck would have it our paths crossed while I was working on a review for a lightweight back country tripod. I made arrangements and was soon sitting on a hillside watching deer through my Opticron Verano BGA HD 10x42mm binoculars.
It’s seems that everything is going the way of HD these days. Sure, there is still a place for those $40 enormous binoculars. I mean, the world is full of lots of loose papers that need to be weighted down. Old glass compares to new glass about as well as the older stuff did to plastic wrapped toilet paper tubes. The point is there is a huge difference. Opticron knows this. It is their job to know this and to follow the technology of the times. Have no fear my friends Opticron has done just that. Now is the time of HD. Now is the time of Opticron.

For a hunter who plans of moving through the field the full grain leather case is not something that is a make or break feature. The wide neoprene neck strap is comfortable but would probably be replaced by a harness system. The plastic eyecup and lens protectors may or may not make it into the field depending on the bino harness system. All those features are fantastic for a person who is keeping the binoculars in a bag or vehicle but they do not strike me as items that would sway the hunter one way or the other. So, what is the deciding factor? What is it that should make you choose Opticron? Well, the glass of course.

The Verano’s come in at a nice sturdy weight of 26 ounces and are fully rubber coated. They feel sturdy and they are comfortable. The nitrogen filled tubes that offer waterproofing up to 10ft are a great selling point as well. The large focus ring that would allow for easy focus even while wearing heavy gloves is a great feature too. Add that to an adjustable eyecup and you have a binocular that is going to fit your eyes and feel great in your hand. But what about the glass?
The 10×42 Verano’s have 339FOV@1000 yards and 21mm eye relief are great. The Oasis Prism Coating and PC Phase Correction Coating allow for vibrant colors and fantastic light transfer. I know, I know, the burning question still remains… How does it look? I am just going to come out and say it. It looks fantastic. These binoculars are bright and clear. They function well in low light which is particularly important to hunters as these are peak hunting times. I do notice a bit of distortion when moving my eyes side to side and the edges get a little distorted. It’s nothing terrible but it does force you to move the glasses to center the object. Once centered the image is clear and bright. Picking out detail is a necessity when glassing. Whether you are preseason scouting or in the middle of the hunting season having the ability to see clearly and at long distances is paramount. We as hunters know that you generally get what you pay for. I would say that these binoculars stack up well with other brands in the same price range. Are there better optics out there? Sure there are, but you are going to pay 2 to 3 times as much for them. These are true competitors in there price range and would be an asset in the field.

What could be done better?
I truly feel that these are great glasses. I would put them up against any of the popular brands. The glass is fantastic and the construction is flawless. The only real shortfall is the warranty. The No-Fault Lifetime Warranty is all the rage these days. So when I see the word “Limited” it makes me pump the breaks. There is peace of mind that comes with “No-Fault” I truly believe this is the future of optic warranty and would really bring Opticron up to the next level. Opticron has done a great job otherwise and these are truly a pair of optics that should be on you radar.

Overall rating of 3.75 for the slight distortion and the limited warranty.