GPO Passion 8X42 ED

[@tonyalvarez5815]

I just got last week the 10x42 Passion HD, OMG,, same sharpness and resolution and brightness as my Leica Ultravid 10x42. It really is something else with the quality of workmanship and the optics for sure. Please do a video on an HD please, would love to see what you think my friend. Love your videos!!

[@davidlytle3974]

Alrighty then. You settled that issue. Super thanks for the review John. Please, keep us informed concerning any other gems you run into.

[@davidlytle3974]

Upon second thought, I probably won't be reviewing the Banner Cloud. Based on other reviews that I have seen, it doesn't have adequate eye relief. Practical eye relief of around 11 mm just doesn't cut it for a guy who wears glasses. Add four more millimeters and it still wouldn't work for me. If I discover that these earlier reviews are mistaken then I will definitely snag one and check it out and spread the good word, if any.

[@davidlytle3974]

John, a side by side comparison is exactly what matters. Your report is just what I needed. It comports well with other reports I've heard and I intend to eventually act on it. So, the incremental adjustments provided by the diopter are small enough that you don't end up with a compromised focus between the two barrels? And the focus knob - do you find it performing for you as I described the focuser on the ED model? If yes then you definitely got a winner and I want one.

[@Khaliq08101933]

I also bought the ED version, thanks for the nice Video!

[@davidlytle3974]

Thank you Khaliq for the friendly communication. Now, what is your assessment of the ED?

[@davidlytle3974]

AB-SO-LUT-E-LY!!!!!

[@wrighty338]

Will you be checking out the new Sky Rover banner cloud 8x42 ? Apo 9.1 degree FOV = chinese NL pure at $499? 10x and 12x50 said to be on the way too.

[@oracleocp]

Great review, thank you. I'm torn between the 8x42 GPO Passion ED and the Zeiss Terra ED 8x42. Unfortunately I've only being able to examine the Terra in person not the GPO. If you have any thoughts between the two it would be greatly appreciated, particularly in regards to usable eye relief as I have to wear my glasses when viewing.

[@davidlytle3974]

Thank you for the nice comments. I need that now and again. I wish that I could tell you something about the Zeiss Terra but I've never had one in to review and compare. Everything I said about the GPO holds. I gave it the fairest shakeout that I could. If you get your hands on a Zeiss and it gives you more than 50 percent Sweet spot and no outstanding color under forced conditions then I would go for it, so long as the view is sharp like that of a Trinovid. The realness of the image given by the GPO ED is its strongest feature. Do let us know what you discover.

[@davidlytle3974]

Oh, no problem with eye relief with the GPO.

[@oracleocp]

@@davidlytle3974 I will let you know what I decide on. Right now I have a Nikon Prostaff P7 8x42 and the 20 mm eye relief works well but it also has quite a lip on the eye cups so usable is quite a bit less. The Terra and I think the Passion, both have very little lip on the ocular lens so there's more usable eye relief for me. A Vortex Viper 8x42 which also has 18mm of relief was not quite enough usable relief owing to a taller eye cup lip than the Terra. Curse my myopic vision.

[@tonyalvarez5815]

Darn it David, is there any Bino that has more than 50% sweet spot? LOL.

[@davidlytle3974]

That seems to be the norm, doesn't it? 😢

[@johnnydee7480]

Great review. I have some advice: Take it or leave it. Your audio level (stats for nerds) is reading at -10.3. I recommend turning it up to near -3. You should aim to get your audio at -16 Lufs.

[@davidlytle3974]

Thank you johnnydee. I won't leave it. Is there any review that we have offered that has a proper volume?

[@Paultricounty]

No, this $500 bino is not on the level of a $1000 bino. The ED is a mid level bino in about the same grouping as a Nikon M7, a Zeiss Terra, a vortex Viper and so on. The Passion HD is in the upper mid level , just below the top of the line binoculars. It compares well with the Zeiss Conquest, Nikon MHG, Leica Trinovids, etc. etc. When it comes to optics , you pay for what you get. There’s no free ride.

[@vesselalytle7525]

I appreciate your position - in principle. You've given me an idea for a generally beneficial video on just the topic that You've touched upon. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@Paultricounty]

I’ve seen so many of these videos and because of many , I went down a deep rabbit hole of buying and testing just about everything on the market, as well as some that have been discontinued for years. I’ve even bought and tested vintage high end bins from the 1950’s and 1960’s. One thing that I’ve clearly learned is that most of these reviewers know very little about what their talking about, and seem to have even less knowledge of optics. There are key giveaways when to stop watching , one is when someone says that $500 binoculars are as good as $1000 binoculars . Something to consider is that one $500 binocular really is not better in any profound way than another $500 binocular. The only real thing different are some characteristics of the image.