Telescope Reviews: Pro-Optic Binoculars

Hi Ray,

Pro-Optics is Adorama Camera's <adorama.com> house brand. Three years ago Orion and Pro-Optics (and perhaps Parks) were the only ones offering 25X100 ULTRA(!) giant binos. I think they were all made by Vixen but I can't be sure. Orion discontinued their 25X100($1,149) at the end of 2001. I must have purchased the last pair of 100mm ProOptics in March of 2002. I thought I got a good deal because they look identical to the Orion down to the attached mount platform and was only $899.99. Built quality and carrying case is typical Japanese...very good. Went to the 2002 NEAF show two month later and saw Bill Burgess showing his 25X100 waterproof proto type at show special of $299! It took BO till the end of 2002 to start shipping. The rest is history.

I used my friend's Oberwerk 22X100 for a week or two last year. I can tell you the $399 Oberwerk has wider FOV, better edge sharpness, longer and much more comfortable eye relief than my ProOptics. My ProOPtics are good binos, they just can not compete price-wise with the currently available Chinese 100mm binos from Apogee/Burgess/Celestron/Oberwerk. On the other hand, I don't feel an urgent need to replace my ProOptics 25X100. They gather as much light as other 100mm binos from A/B/C/O and are a few inches shorter. I am holding out for 30X120s with 2.5 deg FOV!

Erik D

PS. Are you interested in any particular model Pro-Optics? Perhaps I can point you to a product review or alternatives.