Blaser Primus 8×30

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  30 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Effective aperture: 30mm (measured)
Exit pupil: 3.75 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 18 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 13.5 mm
IPD: 55  – 73 mm
RFOV:  8.2  degrees = 144 m
AFOV (measured, rounded): 62.5 degrees
Minimum focus distance (measured): 1.7 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3 m to infinity (measured): 170 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (estimate): +/- 4 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 4.5 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 622 g
Made in: Germany
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

Blaser is a newcomer to the binoculars market (Blaser rifles and riflescopes are well known in the hunting trade). They target the high end of the market, with prices comparable to those of the premium manufacturers. Well made, solid binoculars with excellent mechanics and good optics. This smallest Blaser model has more recently been renamed “Globetrotter”.

Ratings:

Review:

With their binoculars, hunting arms and equipment manufacturer Blaser is  targeting the hunting market and currently sells the following four models:

Blaser “Globetrotter” 8×30
Blaser 8×42
Blaser 10×42
Blaser 8×56

The bino is marked “Made in Germany”, but I think I have reason to believe that they are to some degree manufactured in Japan and that only the final assembly and maybe some further production steps occur in Germany .

The specs look good: FOV 8.2 degrees = 144m, eye relief 18mm, close focus 2m, weight “naked” 475g (acc. to spec), with caps and strap 518g (measured); diopter adjustment range is +/- 6dpt (spec). They operate at full aperture.

Picking them up, holding and using them, they make a very good impression: The finish is superb, and they are mechanically excellent (focusing, central hinge, dpt adjustment, eye cups), everything feels solid and worthy.

Optics: very good central sharpness, with a nice wide field and well controlled CA. The edge sharpness convinced me a bit less, it is okay but not comparable to e.g. the Swaro CL (new) or Monarch HG. Stray-light suppression is not perfect but definitely quite good for an 8×30.

In summary: nice and well finished binocular with excellent mechanics and upper class optical performance at a premium price.