Meopta Mondays have been happening here at the web site for the past few weeks, as an unofficial nod of the head to a company that has helped us for a while now. Meopta is a company based in the Czech Republic and is well-known for producing superior optics of all types. I was aware of Meopta and very shocked by how well their various models of red dot optics held up and performed. This week I have spent a great deal of time using our featured product the MeoPro HD 8 x 56 binoculars.
In May of this year we brought you a quick view of the newly released 8 x56 HD binoculars but there is only so much that can be put into a press release or an article. Like most optics produced, the way to really see how well they perform is to put them up to your eyes and start to survey the surroundings through the glass. Before we go diving head first into how the field tests went with these binoculars lets do a quick recap of the specifications of the Meopta MeoPro HD 8 x56’s.
Manufacturer: Meopta
Magnification: 8 X
Objective Lens Size: 56mm (2.2″ diameter)
Weight: 2lb 6.8 Oz
MSRP: $999.00
Objective lens is roughly 2.2″ in Diameter. Very clear even in low light
Impressions
I wasn’t sure at first what all the fuss was about when it comes to binoculars, because to be honest I hardly used them and never did when I was in the military. I know many serious hunters and bird watches spend large amounts of money on binoculars and I never understood why. That was UNTIL I used the Meopta MeoPro HD’s. To say that Meopta made a believer out of me is an understatement. I could go on and dazzle you with the technical specifications that the company puts on their website and in the informational packets but that would be a waste of letters. I don’t understand the science behind it and to be honest anyone who does can explain it a lot better than I ever could, so I won’t try.
What I will tell you about is my experience with the 8 x56 binoculars, where I used them and how amazed I was with them. In my opinion you can have all the science behind the glass and coatings that you want but if you can’t explain how they perform its disingenuous to all parties involved. I started my testing and evaluation period with the binoculars in my own backyard here in Alaska. Now that may not sound like a huge ordeal to some but here on my property I am fortunate to have a mating pair of  Dryobates Pubescens or the Downy Woodpecker that I can observe. The woodpeckers are lively and constantly going between their nest and the grounds near it which made for a perfect chance for me to sit and stalk the birds.
Once I spotted the birds it took me a few minutes to get the binoculars dialed into my eyes, it was at this time that my lack of binocular prowess was on full display. Once dialed in I was all set to quietly sit in the lawn chair and watch nature unfold. It was over the next hour that I became very aware of the ergonomics of the MeoPro HD 8×56 and how the engineers must have spent hours holding these binoculars as well during the research and development period. While sitting quieting giving my eyes a rest I noticed the smooth indention cut into the bottom of the cylinders and how it provided a natural point for users to rest their thumbs.
Little things to ease the strain on eyes and hands make these a wonderful set of binoculars
I’ve used these binoculars on several days with no clouds and a few days that featured high soft clouds and the light gathering and crispness of the glass lenses are fantastic. I also worked with the focus controls to switch between medium and far objects and the controls are smooth, and dial the lenses into a razor-sharp focus. While I was free ranging and roaming with these binoculars I chose to switch my focus between objects of varying sizes to see if they somehow picked up objects differently. The MeoPro HD 8×56 had the same sharpness no matter the size of the object I was viewing, and to be that was impressive.
As of the time of this article I have used the MeoPro HD 8 x 56 to track down and watch moose, bears, bald eagles, cranes, geese, and just about every other variety of small or large animal I can find here locally. There is no sugar-coating that these binoculars are large, heavy and fairly expensive but you get what you pay for. The company offers a lifetime transferable warranty and warranties the binoculars against any failures due to fog, rain, snow or humidity. I almost forgot to mention that the binoculars come with a case and rubber covers for both sets of lenses.
It is hard to fully capture in words how well these binoculars have been performing for me here in Alaska, I will say that if you ever get a chance to look through a set, grab the opportunity. I will also say that it will be a very sad day when I have to box these up and send them back to Meopta when my 90 day test and evaluation period has concluded. Are you looking for a high end set of binoculars? Im curious as to what brands or models other people are looking into.
