Eagle Optics
Ranger 32mm

A Review

by Michael and Diane Porter

We already knew thePlatinum Class Ranger was a great buy in binoculars. But we hadn't tried out the new 8x32 Ranger until we looked at it for the January, 2005 review of mid-sized binoculars for Bird Watcher's Digest.

We were pleasantly surprised.

Wow! Look at your sox! (Or if you have long thighs, look at your knees.) Ok, so you can’t converge the barrels on a target that close. It’s still a lot of fun to magnify near objects like that, even with just one eye open. Besides the tour de force of a 3-ft. close focus, the 8x32 Ranger has a focus knob that’s smooth and fast to turn.

Although the stated eye relief is 16mm, our judges who wore glasses found their field of view somewhat restricted. On the other hand, comparing the Ranger side by side with much higher-priced mid-sized binoculars, our judges found the difference in brightness and resolution relatively small.

Smooth-turning focus knob, hand-friendly rubber armoring, and a central hinge with just the right amount of resistance for quick adjustment make this binocular a pleasure to handle.

The eyecups twist up. The resolution is good—remarkably good for such an inexpensive binocular. Of course, it is waterproof and nitrogen purched. It weighs 18.5 oz. Field of view at 1000 yards is 393 ft.

One of the nice details on this binocular is the way the objective lens caps attach to the barrels, ready to snap shut when you want to drop the binocular in your backpack. With the Ranger, you won't lose the lens caps the first time out of the box! But if you prefer, you can remove the lens covers completely.

Considering the very moderate price, we recommend this binocular.

The Eagle Optics Ranger also comes in 10x50, 10x42, and 8x42.