Brunton Eterna
Binoculars

This model has been discontinued or redesigned and is no longer available in the form reviewed here, in 2004.

It focuses as close as four feet, closer than you can converge on through the two barrels of the binocular. And although you won’t be using the binoculars to look at a bird that close through both eyes, at least you won’t have to back away if you see something up close you want to magnify. It’s waterproof, nitrogen purged, and phase-corrected.

What makes it stand out is its carrying case, which the manufacturer calls the “BinoGlove™ neoprene protective case.” It’s built for the binocular to wear while in use. It’s a spongy (and somewhat bulky) wrap with Velcro fasteners that open to allow access to fingers and eyes. It may seem cumbersome and overprotective, but it could be useful for rock climbing or other extreme conditions. These binoculars feel as if they will stand up to use in rough conditions.

Even out of the case, the binocular is non-slip rubber armored. The lens covers attach with hinges. The eyepiece covers rotate and can be used to deflect the sun from getting in the user’s eyes. The eye relief of 16mm in the 8x32 may work for some glasses wearers, though our glasses-wearing judges found their field of view somewhat restricted. Eye relief (15mm) in the 10x32 cannot be recommended for most glasses wearers. Both the full-sized and the compact models of the Eterna have longer eye relief than the mid-sized models.