Very good spec for the money. That would some up the Helios Nitrosport 10×26 binoculars in one short line. At the time of this review, the retail price was under £50, making them remarkable value considering them boasting multi-coated optics, BaK-4 prisms and nitrogen waterproofing.

Optics wise, it would be unfair to compare them with other models with fully multi-coated optics and phase coated prisms. But for compact sets in this price range they are up with the best. There is some colour fringing (chromatic aberration), even in the centre. But levels are low, and do not degrade to a large amount towards the edge. On the subject of the edge of field, excellent internal baffling helps gives good contrast and reduces internal reflection.

The twist eye cups are easy to adjust, yet stay in position once set. But be aware eye relief is only 14mm , so may not suit all spectacle wearers. Handling is very easy, with the IPD easy to set (distance between each eye piece) and the focus wheel is large and easy to turn. Which brings us on to one minor gripe. The close focus is 5 metres, which may not be close enough for all users who like to observe insects etc on plants.

The case is a basic nylon with Velcro fastener, but comes with an excellent padded strap that you would expect to find on higher grade binoculars. All the nitrosport range come with these padded straps.

Summing up, the Helios nitrosport 10×26 binoculars are about as good as you will get for under £50. Great value for money, easy to use with better than expected optics. Minor down side is the close focus (the 8x version focuses closer)

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The Helios Nitrosport 10×34 binoculars at first glance offer amazing value for money considering the specs. So lets take a closer look.

Packaging. Often with lower priced binoculars , you ten to get generic outer packaging to help keep the price down. Not so with the Nitrosport range. You get a very nice box, showing images for the contents + full specification of the full range. This box is fairly solid for storage when not in use

Case, straps and lend covers. As with all the current Helios nitrosport range, you get a very nice padded neck strap, which is extremely comfortable to use. To help keep the price down, the case is soft nylon with a Velcro fastener and an internal pouch. A soft nylon strap clips onto the case, and there is a rear belt loop. Objective lens covers are drop – down and can be removed. Eye piece lens caps is a single but flexible unit.

Handling. No issue here. An extremely lightweight 412g body, is much lighter than many 10x32s. The attractive open hinge design allows for a comfortable and secure grip. The neck strap connections do not protrude as far out as some others, meaning they do not push into the hands. The focuser wheel is large , an moves very freely, as does the right eye adjustment. Eye relief is quoted as 16mm, so is just long enough for most spectacle wearers. Eye cups are twist type, and stay in place with each click stop.

Optics. Multi-coated with silver coated BaK-4 prisms. Note that some dealers say they are phase coated. But this applies only to the larger 42mm and 50mm versions. Should not compare these with binoculars in the £129+ range. However, considering the low price, you get a crisp and clear view. Good internal baffling gives no internal reflection , and non of the orange glow you get with some on the edge of field. You get a slight blue tint instead, which is much easier on the eye.

Yes there is some chromatic aberration, even in the centre. But providing you are not looking at high contrast subjects, such as Swans against a dark background, or back lit branches, you hardly notice it. Plus there is not much increase in colour fringing as you go towards the edge.

Compared to the 8x version, field of view is narrower at 106m @ 1000m, but is still a comfortable view if you are not using for tracking fast moving objects too much.  For the low price, colours and contrast are very good.  Close focus at 4m is not as close as many that can focus down to 2m. So maybe not suitable for viewers of small wildlife in the back garden.

Another bonus is they are nitrogen waterproof, and come with a 5 year warranty (check with the dealer for full T&Cs)

Summing up. Great value for money with a very clear image, easy to handle and lightweight. Minor down side is the close focus. But if that is not an issue, these come highly recommended. Click HERE to purchase from Northern Optics

The Helios Nitrosport 12×50 are what you could call the bigger brother of the compact 26 and 34mm models. The extra light grasp and magnification give you that extra reach in many lighting conditions. Unlike the smaller versions which are multi-coated, the 12×50 are fully multi-coated and have the benefit of phase coated prisms.

Case. You get a soft nylon case with a compartment inside for small booklets and cleaning cloths. A Velcro strip keeps it shut, and comes with a belt loop. But given the size of the binoculars, you would be much better advised to use the carry / shoulder strap.

You get 2 straps with the binoculars. One nylon for the case, and an excellent padded one for the neck. Also included is a small microfibre cleaning cloth. Lens caps are stay on / drop down for the objectives, and all in one flexible for the eyepieces.

At 796g, these are about par for 50mm binoculars. Not lightweight, yet I found easy to hand hold for short periods. Optically, these do give some  blue colour fringing when looking at tree branches against a bright sky. But remember these are a fraction of the cost of many other brands with similar spec. 

But plus points, are a good bright image with acceptable levels of contrast. As with many modern binoculars, internal baffling gives a nice dark outer edge for increased contrast.

There is some fall off in sharpness towards the edge, but much better than expected, and have seen much worse in more expensive options. Field of view is quoted as 86m @ 1000m. But I found this a very comfortable view, and easy tracking moving objects such as planes was obtainable. I am guessing these will be used on a number of occasions by plane spotters.

One the subject of field of view, here is a minor gripe (and I mean a minor one). Although these are 16mm eye relief and you can easily get full view with spectacles on, I found for non spectacle wearers the twist eye cup comes out a couple of mm to far. This means you get around 90% field of view. You can twist back part way, but does not seem to stay in place. So for not wearing glasses, I found is easier to twist the eye cups fully in, and either rest them on your forehead just above your eyes, or hold then away from your eyes. But this is easily done.

Close focus is quoted as 4m, but in practice I found it near 3m (or 4 paving slabs in my garden).

But plus and minus points aside. For +/- £100 you certainly get a lot of binoculars with good spec, and can easily compliment a smaller set for looking at distant objects such as planes, ships and long distance terrestrial.

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