By Dave Workman | Senior Editor
Drum roll, if you please.
Author Workman warmed right up to the GPO 8x32mm Passion ED compact binocular. It’s a rugged model with lots of plusses.
When it comes to binoculars, suffice to say that in more than 50 years of roaming the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Alaska, the value of good binoculars never diminishes. There have been times when good optics made the difference in deciding to shoot or not shoot; in locating game big or small, and acting on the visual information.
Earlier this year at the National Rifle Association’s convention in Indianapolis, my longtime pals Karen Lutto at Hunter Outdoor Communications and German Precision Optics (GPO) owner and CEO Mike Jensen turned me onto a pair of 8×32 Passion ED binoculars that have been delightfully surprising.
Notice that the eyecups twist up or down to accommodate people who wear eyeglasses, or who don’t need them. Also notice that big center focus knob.
I’ve used some top-name binoculars over the years from names that would be immediately recognizable, and honestly, for the asking price of this GPO model, it’s a steal with quality exceeding one’s expectations.
At 17.6 ounces, this compact binocular is a lot easier on the neck than other 8X models that are larger and heavier. It comes with a padded neck strap made from neoprene, and carries well, heading up or down.
One contributing factor to what makes the 8×32 Passion ED a winner in this writer’s humble opinion is the ocular end. For the guy who wears glasses, the twist-in eyecups adjust in a snap, and during a jaunt to eastern Washington a while back, whatever we looked at came through in a sharp edge-to-edge image that left nothing to guess about.
Each binocular comes with a lens cover that slips over and protects ocular and objective lenses, and attaches to the neck strap.
One thing that is eye catching is the two-tone exterior, featuring kind of a desert tan and black rubber armor that is as tough as it is handsome. That armor covers a magnesium body and micro-bridge, which helps keep the weight down. The binocular is nitrogen purged and lens surfaces feature GPObright coating technology.
Checking the specifications, we found that the field of view at 1,000 feet is 410 feet, which gives one a pretty good downrange view. We’ve looked at elk and other game, and even though it is only mid-summer, autumn is not that far away and that’s where this binocular is really going to strut its stuff.
Another feature that shines is the large center focus adjustment knob. In the winter, with gloves on, one can still work this knob without any trouble.
The Passion ED fully extended is only 4.6 inches wide, and at 4.9 inches long, this GPO entry will tuck neatly into a daypack or backpack. It should also carry well in the cargo pocket of a down vest or hunting parka.
Workman really liked the neoprene neck strap for carry comfort.
Another plus is that this binocular, and others in the series, comes with ocular and objective covers to protect the lenses when not in use. These covers attach to the neck strap so they won’t be lost.
GPO provides a hard case that has its own strap into which the binocular with its neck strap safely tucks. The case zips up and seems sturdy enough to ride around all season in the back or on the floor of a pickup or SUV.
According to the spec sheet, GPO also offers Passion ED models in 10×32, 8×42, 10×42, 8×56 and 10×56, all of which fall within the realm of binoculars we’ve seen in the field over the years, in the hands of professional guides, devoted solo hunters, guys in the backcountry and folks on the plains.
GPO provides a hard carry case for its binoculars, and this thing seems tough enough to spend a hunting season bouncing around in an SUV or pickup truck.
GPO says the Passion ED is waterproof, fog proof and has fully multi-coated lenses, which is no small consideration out here in the wilds of Washington state. Hereabouts, when it’s not raining during the fall, it’s getting ready to rain and there is enough moisture in the air at times to do the laundry without taking it off!
Covered by a lifetime warranty, the 8×32 carries an MSRP of $389.99, which is far less than I’d expect to shell out for a binocular that seems to perform as well as this one has so far.
