Alpen Wings 8×34 Binoculars: Our Assessment


Relaxed, mild, affordable binoculars with some flaws in symbol high quality. We rated them within the Heart Floor.

October 26, 2023

At A Look

green-blue and black binoculars
Alpen Wings 8×34 binoculars. Photograph via Hugh Powell.

PROS:

  • Open-bridge design is at ease to carry
  • Light-weight and simple to hold
  • Simple-gliding focal point wheel

CONS:

  • Has hassle with sharpness at heart and lengthy distance
  • Fuzziness and a few distortion at fringe of symbol
  • Deficient shut focal point

STATS:

  • Value: $130 MSRP at press time. Costs continuously differ, so test with shops
  • Shut focal point: Indexed at 8.2 ft (250 cm). In checks, lets simplest focal point those binoculars to about 10.2 ft (312 cm)
  • Box of view: 7.7° (406 toes at 1,000 yds). Extra about box of view 
  • Weight: 16.6 oz. (470 g)—that’s about 1.1 oz. (32 g) lighter than the typical for compact binoculars in our evaluation. Examine binocular sizes and weights
  • Eye aid: 17.4 mm

Viewing Enjoy: The Alpen Wings are a number of the least pricey binoculars in our evaluation, and we discovered that supposed a couple of trade-offs between worth and peformance. Those narrow, light-weight binoculars supply a tight symbol at shut vary, however at heart and longer distances they weren’t all the time sharp. With a Commonplace Grackle on a garden about 250 ft away, we had hassle obviously seeing the yellow eye. The picture had just right colour and used to be reasonably shiny within the middle, however used to be fuzzy towards the perimeters—particularly noticeable when panning or adjusting the focal point. Some testers reported some eye pressure after a duration of viewing. The point of interest wheel had great clean motion, however required many turns to get from shut focal point to far-off focal point. Gazing Tree Swallows zip up and down a stretch of river, it used to be laborious to get the birds in focal point prior to they vanished across the bend. In mottled mild, with grey glare filtering thru inexperienced leaves, it used to be laborious to get a pointy view of a Warbling Vireo’s face trend.

Really feel and Construct: Like different binoculars with an open bridge design, the Alpens are sublime, light-weight, and at ease. The slim barrels and hinge design permit various room to wrap fingers the entire approach round for a positive grip. Blended with the sunshine weight, those can be a good selection for individuals who have a tendency to carry their binoculars with one hand. The eyecups had been at ease and had 3 cast settings. The point of interest wheel used to be conveniently nubbled. The diopter adjuster used to be nubbled as smartly, however used to be very stiff and hard to transport. There gave the look to be a substantial distinction in focal point between the 2 barrels, making it crucial to regulate the diopter. The neck strap used to be broad and at ease.

Testers’ Feedback

  • Light-weight
  • Restricted box of view
  • Relaxed design

This newsletter is one in a chain of mini-reviews. To peer how those binoculars evaluate to others we’ve examined, see our complete evaluation of reasonably priced compact binoculars.  

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