Alpen Pro 10x42

Guest · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject: Alpen Pro 10x42

Hey folks...does anyone have anything to say about the Alpen Pro's that outdoor life raved about?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

Alpen makes some fine binoculars, but if you are talking about the Pro roof prism, I don't see that much to rave about. It is only multi-coated, not fully multi-coated and it does not have phase correction. For roughly the same price, you can get these important features in a Bushnell Excursion.
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Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:21 am Post subject:

Have you ever looked through them or are you judging based solely off of specs?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

Yes, have looked thought them, but have not read the Outdoor Life review. They are a certainly a decent binocular and a decent buy, but there is only so much you can expect any $150 binocular to do. Look though one and decide for yourself.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

I think we are talking about different models...here is what the NEW Alpen Pro 10x42 (product number 390) has:

Description for Alpen Pro Waterproof 10x42 390 Fogproof Phase Coated Binoculars:

For those who really want to challenge Mother Nature herself, the Alpen Pro Waterproof series with its extra powerful 10x42 magnification 390 Fogproof Phase Coated Binoculars are hermetically sealed and nitrogen filled to assure your Alpen binoculars are not affected by fog, mist, rain, snow, or ocean spray. These Alpen brand Pro 10x42 Waterproof and Fogproof Phase Coated Binoculars feature an ergonomic comfort fit grip for slip free holding comfort in wet conditions. The Alpen PRO Waterproof series binoculars provide great optical performance with fully multi-coated optics, BAK4 high refractive phase correction coated prisms, and long eye relief eye piece design for viewing comfort when wearing eye or sun glasses. For great value and quality performance, choose the Alpen PRO Waterproof and Fogproof Phase Coated Binoculars so that you can enjoy that choice for years to come.

All of this for $150 bucks seems like a steal...I purchased some and will let you know how they compare to my Pentax DCF WP II's.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

Yes, looks like a different bino, or at least an updated version. By all means, let us know how they work for you.
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Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

IIRC This is the same model that was reviewed in the June/July Outdoor Life magazine. If this is true, they are nothing short of amazing for the $$. A friend of mine bought them and ill be honest, it made me want to return my (brand name) glasses that cost 4X as much. If I have one small gripe on them is that they are hard to find locally! Good luck, they are a steal of a deal!

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Thanks for the feedback.
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Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

As promised, I would post some comments when I had the latest Alpen 390 Pro in my hands. For comparison, I matched the nearly identical, in terms of features, Bushnell Excursion aginst the latest version of the Alpen Pro 10x42 #390, since the Excursion has been a best seller at this price point for a couple of years.

Shootout Excursion 10x42, Alpen 390 Pro 10x42

Focusing, Smoothness, Effort, Evenness: Excursion
The Excursion was unusually good for a binocular this price - no high spots or play with reasonable effort. The Alpen required only a little more effort, but had a couple of high spots and some barely detectable play

Resolution: Excursion
The Excursion was slightly above average for a 10x at this price, while the Alpen rated only slightly less. I rate them as very good for binoculars at this price, but not quite at the level of a good $300 binocular, such as the Carson XM HD, which I used as a control.

Brightness: Alpen Pro
The Alpen gave a detectably brighter image, rating it above average for a binocular at this price.

Contrast: Tie
I was very pleased by both - clean images with little washing out or stray reflections

Edge Sharpness: Excursion
The Excursion rated above average at about 80% sharp across the field . The Alpen tested a more average 70%

Barrel Distortion (Least): Excursion
Both about what I expected at this price, but neither was objectionable. The Excursion had slightly less.

Color Correction: Excursion
The Excursion rated a very good, with only a little purple fringing on bright objects. The Alpen had a more noticeable green tint around bright objects. Both are quite satisfactory, however. Should not be an issue.

Handling: Tie
Both binoculars were very similar in size, weight and feel. Typical nice roof prism handling.

Overall, I was quite pleased with what I saw, considering the prices. Binoculars at this price have shown a lot of improvement in optics in the last five years. No, neither binocular matched the $300 Carson XM HD I used as a control for resolution, contrast, color correction and so on, but the differences were not as great as the prices suggest. I would have no hesitation recommending either model for someone on a budget of less than $200. Both great values, but, no, neither is a good $300 binocular, despite enthusiastic reviews.

By the way, I think very highly of Alpen, both as a company and for the quality of their products. I am very pleased to hear thier binocular got a great review by a major outdoor magazine. More people need to take a look at Alpen when shopping for a binocular. Yes, the Pro 390 is a great value, but it does not match up with Alpen's own Apex, which I have also tested and which I regard as one the best $300 binoculars on the market and that is saying a lot, given the competition at this price point.
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Guest · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your review.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

You are very welcome.
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