Review for Oberwerk 9x60mm Binoculars

Author: micag001 {!} , Amateur astronomer & photographer, from Malta, Europe on Jul 3, 2010
Pros:  Very good optics, broadband multicoatings, build quality, built in thread for tripod adapter, diopter adjustment, comfortable & foldable eyecups
Cons:  Lens covers are loose & fall of very easily
Would recommend:  yes

micag001 wrote:

Over the past 4 years, I have been using a pair of good quality 15x70 binoculars for astronomy. Being made in China, they had uneven multicoatings (stronger on the right side), but it was something I could live with. However, a 15x70 pair is quite heavy, and with a 15x magnification it becomes nearly impossible to hand hold. This is why I decided to buy a 60mm binocular. I ordered the Oberwerk 9x60, and after 6 weeks of use, I can only praise this particular model. I use it for astronomy. 60mm aperture is still large enough to collect a good amount of light, and these binoculars have a large exit pupil and are very bright. The binoculars are also considerably lighter than my previous 15x70, and with 9x magnification this means I can easily hand hold them for several minutes. The package includes (apart from the pair of binoculars) a neck strap, carry case, english instructions, a non-static, lint free cleaning cloth, 2 objective lens covers and an eyepiece cover. Oberwerk uses BAK4 prisms and applies superior broadband multicoatings in my opinion. Optics are well collimated and tack sharp to about 75% out from the centre of the FOV. Build quality is above average. The rubberized body feels comfortable and gives a sense of security. The diopter lens actually works (unlike in some other binoculars I've owned). Eyecups are soft, comfortable & can be conveniently folded down. The focusing ring has just the right amount of tension in it; not too loose but not too tight either. There is a standard tripod adapter thread covered with a threaded plastic cap. My only complaint is that the objective lens and eyepiece covers are very loose and fall off very easily, even just by gravity. This might seem a trivial complaint, but if you don't notice them falling off, the great optics are exposed and vulnerable. I have fixed this particular shortcoming myself by applying a length of felt lining tape on the inner rim of the covers. Overall, these binoculars are very good and I would readily recommend them, especially for the price. A final word of praise goes to OpticsPlanet.com. I live in Malta (Europe), and had been looking to get hold of a pair of Oberwerk binoculars for the past year (for some reason this particular brand is very hard to find in Europe). The staff at OpticsPlanet.com was very responsive to my questions and needs, and efficient as well. Thank you.