Alpen Binoculars
Alpen is a respected brand name in sports optical equipment. It makes binoculars that are useful
for many different activities, both indoors and out. They offer many different styles and price ranges.
Why Buy Alpen Binoculars?
Alpen offers a style and a price range of binoculars for every possible need you may have. For
amateurs, people who just want to see better at ball games and graduations, they offer lower end binoculars starting at $14.99, and for
professionals the higher end ones can cost up to $866. There are many brands and styles between these two extremes, as well. They
also offer a lifetime warranty with every one of its 50+ products.
Short History of Alpen
Alpen is a relatively new company, having been established in 1997. Their aim was to fill
a void that they saw in the quality of sports optical equipment. Its founders were senior managers at another optical company and joined
forces to begin a new line of optical equipment. They also produce rifle scopes and spotting scopes.
Common Features
Alpen binoculars come with a wide range of features. The less expensive ones only have a few of
these features, such as 8 or 10 times magnification, hermetic sealing, long eye relief, BaK-4 optics, an ergonomic comfort-fit grip, and a
lifetime warranty. Other models include these features, and may also add features such as phase coating, rubber armoring, twist lock eye
cups, PXA phase coating, A-lock diopter system, extra large BaK-4 prisms, O-ring for waterproofing and fog-proofing, multi-coated optics to
ensure maximum brightness, nitrogen filling, textured body, carrying case, quick release neck strap, quick image focus, extra large lens
elements, fully coated lenses, fold down eye cups, and eyepiece rain guards.
Performance/Ratings
Customer reviews of the lower-priced models, from $14.99 to $60, are uniformly positive.
Customers remark that these binoculars hold up under the harshest of conditions, and that they perform as well after a year as they did when they
were brand new. Mid-priced models, from $70 to $300, received generally positive reviews, with customers praising their usefulness for
indoor use and their clarity even in foggy outdoor conditions. One review did state that the lenses did not stay set where the reviewer had
set them, but others disagreed with this assessment. Other reviews praised their models for working well with their eyeglasses and for a
crisp, clear focus (unlike other sets which were hazy around the edges). The higher end binoculars, from $325 to $875, received high praise
from people such as bird watchers and hunters who require excellent quality equipment.
Popular Alpen Models
Alpen offers many different models of binoculars. Some of these include waterproof, sport
compact, wide angle, Mossy Oak camo design, phase coated, wide angle fixed focus, fixed focus compact, mid-sized, full-sized, roof prism, porro
prism, and long-eye relief. In most cases, they make several different models of each of these kinds in each of the different price
ranges. They also make the Shasta Ridge Waterproof binoculars, which are considered their best model for general indoor and outdoor
use.
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