GPO Passion HD 10x50 Review

[@oracleocp]

Thank you for your time to do the review. Do you know what the usable eye relief is? Like you, eyeglass wearer and I need just shy of 15mm of usable eye relief. I know the listed relief is 19.5 mm but I've seen two measurement for usable - 17 mm and 15 mm. I know you've sent this back, but would you know what the usable eye relief is? Or if not, perhaps which of the two values it's most likely? Thanks in advance.

[@davidlytle3974]

I would think that 17mm is closest to the true usable eye relief. It is quite unusual for a bino with 15mm E.R. to work for me. I had no problem at all seeing the full field with the HD while wearing my glasses. A really nice, well thought out piece. Thank you for the nice comment and good luck to you in your decision.😊

[@oracleocp]

@@davidlytle3974 I got confirmation from GPO that the distance from the ocular lens to the edge of the eye cup when fully retracted in 3.3 mm so that would give a usable eye relief of 16.7 mm which would be more than enough. It's between the GPO HD and the Meopta Meopro Air at this point. Difficult choice given I can't see either in person first :( Thanks again for your time.

[@davidlytle3974]

You are most welcome to my time and I hope that you will let us all know what you discover between the GPO and Meopro - I'd like to know. It is tough when you can't find them together to compare them.

[@rodenreyes6320]

Are WW2 military issue binos outstanding as pricey ones of today? I have a 15$ Bausch and Lomb Navy issue(2nd steward scribed on it) and it's so, so bright and sharp.

[@davidlytle3974]

My opinion, as an answer to your question, is YES. I've had no less than eight military variants of the basic B&L design. All of them equalled or out performed modern 7x50 binoculars of equal or greater cost. Some people may not appreciate the slight warmth of view that they offer but I actually like it. I don't know this as a fact but I have read that, in adjusted dollars, these WW2 era binoculars cost the government over $1000.00 a piece. They are indeed outstanding, as you put it - so long as the glass hasn't been damaged by abuse or neglect. At $15.00, you are the winner.

[@sundin5646]

I just spent a couple minutes with the Leica Geovid perger-porro 10x42, swaro 10x42 el range and 10x42 nl pure. it was inside a scheels but the nl's were unreal. Huge fov and perfect edge to edge. $3000 and they might be worth it. how much are kidneys going for?

[@davidlytle3974]

Thanks for the morning chuckle. I need my kidneys to filter my Drambuie. Yes, the NLs are truly amazing. If I had the spare $3000, I would lay it down in a heartbeat 💓. The Perger-Porro wasn't too bad either, in my experience. What did you think?

[@sundin5646]

@@davidlytle3974 My time with them was very limited. I was on a long weekend shopping trip visiting a Scheels and other non-outdoor stores. Day 1 we scouted their shooting supplies and I looked through the NL and EL Range. Day 2 was buying day (picked up a MagnetoSpeed v3 chrono for $250 off) and I checked out the Geovid 10x42, Geovid 10x32 (not enough eye relief, I have very thick glasses, my good eye is -8.5), and Sig image stabilization binos (can't remember the model or magnification, the IS is pretty incredible though.) Biggest difference between nl and geovid was FOV. nl is 399 ft, geovid is only 342, kinda disappointing. NL also seemed brighter but that could've been from the natural light coming through the big skylight on different days and different times of day (mid afternoon day 1 and mid morning day 2.) Didn't detect CA in either. Would've been great to spend 5 minutes outside with both. If I had a need for the Geovid electronic gizmos I'd strongly consider them.

[@sundin5646]

@@davidlytle3974 I thought i posted a reply here but it seems to have gone missing.

[@sundin5646]

@@davidlytle3974 my time with them was very brief. i just with they sold them without the electronics. also spent a minute with Sig image stabalizing binos which were amazing, image quality was alright but the IS is no joke.

[@sundin5646]

is youtube deleting comments here? ive responded to your question 2 or 3 times but it aint here no more

[@davidlytle3974]

KZbin must be doing the deleting because it isn't me. Please, resubmit for all our sakes. Everyone should be able to pile on here.

[@wrighty338]

another 70% sweetspot? this is mid range territory at this point why not try a fujinon FMTR-SX or its chinese clone the APM MS ED 10x50

[@davidlytle3974]

Hi wrighty, thanks for checking in. I do have the FMT-SX. It is better in every way, optically. But, it's heavy and with independent focus that doesn't snap. That's what I'm trying to get away from. Give me some central focus designs that can do better, that aren't from the big three, if you know of any. I'm up for trying them. Otherwise, I think that I'm going to have to lay down some real money and go Swaro or Leica.

[@wrighty338]

@@davidlytle3974 Rave reviews on the Sky Rover Banner Clouds, but i think you've already said they wont work for you? and without spending 2 grand what about Razor UHD 10x50 from Japan? Kamakura ED optics, Abbe Koenig prisms and edge sharpness likened to the Fujinon's. I dont know what an ultravid HD retails for stateside, but id guess its a damn sight cheaper than in rip off Britain. best of luck, looking forward to the next installment

[@davidlytle3974]

Thank you for the well wishes. Short of having a flat field, the Vortex may be a good choice. I certainly enjoyed the feel of it and the view was pleasant. I'll have to check out its sweet spot. Somehow I doubt that it will equal the BPOs 90 percent. That's why I may break down, get the EL and end my search. 100 percent focus is hard to beat. I can pick one up for around $1900 vs $1700 for the Vortex. Maybe it's worth it?

[@wrighty338]

@@davidlytle3974 Since the EL's were discontinued in light of the new 52mm NL's they've been on deals, so yeah you could be onto something there. Im super glad astronomy is a totally different ball game, you're into binocular telescope territory at that point, 70mm, 80mm, and beyond

[@davidlytle3974]

My old 16x80 ED turned out to be a good servant under dark skies. What's your go-to astro bin, if I'm permitted to ask?

[@sundin5646]

hi

[@davidlytle3974]

Hi.

[@trident8872]

GPO Optics is better than Swarovski and worst company ever Leica

[@davidlytle3974]

Don't stop there, tell us all about it.😮