Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42 Binocular

I am very happy with the Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42 Binoculars that I purchased. We recently went to Iceland and they were very useful. The only negative comment about the Binoculars is that the front lens covers should be attached more securely.

lens covers leave a lot to be desired but the optics are great
have enjoyed my time in the woods immensely, easy to focus and tho not lightweight they are easily handled

I really like these binoculars. The clarity is great & they seem to be well built. I do have one big complaint with them and that is that the lens covers on the front due not fit snuggly at all and constantly fall off. I hunt a lot & it is very inportant to have good lens covers on a pair of binoculars. Eagle optics provided great service when I purchased these as always.

I have recently purchased a pair of Atlas Intrepid Ed binocs 8 X 42's. I have used them on 3 Christmas Bird Counts in the last 2 1/2- 3 weeks and have been favorably impressed. They seem to have very good resolution, a wide Field of view, and do well in low light condictions. They also are capable of focusing in very closely on an object. In fact,I can actually read my name off an envelope 5 1/2' away. My only criticism of these glasses is that the objective cap covers do not fit very tight on the barrel of the binocs and can fall off fairly easily. Despite that, I would recommend the Atlas Intrepid ED's.

Tough gear, I got these capable bins a year ago and was as others very impressed. I have used them when checking game populations, hunting, birding, and general mountain living on the border of Shenandoah National park. I put them down to help a neighbor with his jeep deep in the woods, forgot where they were and looked in vain. Two months later I was about to order another pair when my dog found them while we were walking the same trail. A little cleaning and they were as good as new! Great equipment.
Thanks,
Ted G

I found EO Ranger to be the best for me.

Atlas Intrepid
Pros:Nice feel for thumb indentations, open hinge design.
Cons: Heavier than other binocs, slack in focus wheel, drag in focus wheel, lens caps too loose.

Vanguard Endeavor
Pros: Focus wheel very smooth, nice thumb indentations, comfortable grippy enterior, open hinge design, long strap for over the shoulder, very nice case.
Cons:heavier, slight slack in focus wheel, too short focus travel(270 degrees)

EO Rangers
Pros:light weight, nice feel, smooth focus wheel, comprable optics for me
Con : short strap

Special thanks to Ben at Eagle Optics.

I was looking for a nice binocular to give to a family member as a present and noticed these were on sale. Basing my purchase on a past visit to the Eagle Optics store (great staff)and the reviews written on the site, I decided to go through with this purchase. In some of the reviews there were comparison to Swarovski binoculars (which I have the new 8.5x42) regarding clarity of the optics. I found these comparisons to be on the mark - clear, crisp and comfortable...as a package, they aren't the quality of the Swarovksi, but they are a great binocular. For the price, these binoculars are a great deal. The family member I gave these to was asked if he wanted to return and he responded with "no, these are keepers". Very clear optics, nice construction...like other reviews state, the lens covers aren't the best and the case is flimsy...but the binoculars themselves are a great value.

I am a beginner birder and purchased these on the recommendation of a very experienced birder. His primary pair are Leica but these are his backup pair. For the money he told me I couldn't go wrong. I wasn't about to spring for a high end brand at this point. I am very impressed with the optics and the comfort. Field of view is great, colors are clear and bright. No compromise on sharpness and brightness even though these are very budget friendly. They feel sturdy but not heavy in the hand. The case is not the best but I wouldn't judge these binoculars based on that. Also, I have solution for those who are concerned about the objective lens covers slipping off. My remedy is to buy a cheap set of ponytail elastics sold in the hair accessories section in the grocery store or pharmacy. I'm talking about the really skinny elastics which come about 30 to a package in various colors. Placing one over each end prevents the rings from slipping off. The added bonus is that they help in distinguishing my binos from my husband's. Mine have yellow elastics, his have green. Yes, I was so happy with these binoculars that I bought another pair so he could join me. These won't disappoint. Well done, Atlas!

I am very impressed with the clarity and brightness of the image seen through these binoculars. For the price, they cannot be beat.

Well, having a pair of both the lower cost Radians and the Sky Kings I was rather reluctant to get these even when I knew what an outstanding value Atlas Optics are for the money. However the sale price, open bridge design and the promise of ED glass was enough to seduce me. I have had these for several months now and in no way have they disappointed me, an outstanding glass at a bargain price. Are these an Alpha glass? Of course not. However they are probably the best bang for the buck out there, if I never own anything better than this Intrepid then in no way will I consider myself hard done to. Any complaints? One minor one, the case is very basic, however it keeps dust and dirt off if not offering a high degree of protection. All in all an outstanding optic at a give away price.

I just purchased these and really love the brightness and sharp clear view! I would recommend these to anyone! The price was excellent !

The Atlas Intrepid ED binoculars are outstanding, especially at their low price. Compared to other binos at this price they are very clear with lots of light. They are comfortable to hold. The best part is now I can really distinguish all the details of the birds I see, even in low light! I am very happy with my purchase. The only small flaw in design is the front optic covers are not secure and can fall off the barrel of the binos. A small dot of glue has cured this issue.

Hello All,

After years of using the Ranger PC from Eagle Optics, I upgraded to the Atlas Intrepid. The optics quality of the Atlas is better. The Atlas is a bit larger and heavier, but that did not prove to be a problem. The only complaint that I have is that the eyecups are very hard, and they are uncomfortable against the bare eye. I asked the customer service about upgrades, but they are not offered. This is only a problem if you do not wear glasses.

Best bang for the buck. This is a very high quality product but very reasonably priced. I read several other reviews that said the same thing prior to buying these Binoculars and they proved to be accurate. WELL DONE ATLAS! Also the Eagle Optics website is fantastic.

I'm fairly new to birding, and I had a relatively cheap pair of binoculars that I was using. I decided to invest in a higher-quality pair, but when I began my search, I was a bit overwhelmed. However, after much research and comparison, I narrowed my search down to a couple of models.

I'm glad I chose the Intrepids for a number of reasons. First, the optics are extraordinary. Clear, crisp images even in low-light situations. Vibrant colors that make bird study truly an eye-opening experience.

Second, these binoculars are much more user-friendly than the older porro-prism binocular that I had been using. Yes, there's still a bit of weight to these for a roof-prism binocular, but I believe that's due more to the sturdy construction than anything else. The Intrepids are much easier for me to carry into the field and to handle.

And finally, I'm glad I chose the Intrepids because of the price. Don't let the "low" price fool you. You will be hard-pressed to find a binocular with the options on the Intrepids at the same price. In fact, I would venture to say you'd spend hundreds of more dollars for similar binoculars. If you are on a tight budget--as I was--these binoculars are an excellent option if you don't want to break the bank in order to enjoy quality views.

The objective lens covers are rubber cups that are tethered to the binocular, which I find more useful that the other covers I've used in the past. The rainguard is soft rubber, again more useful that others I've used in the past. If there is one that isn't very useful with this binocular, it would be the bag. There's very little padding, so there's not a lot of protection for the binocular. However, I will be buying a replacement bag for less than $20, so it's not a big deal.

The customer service at Eagle Optics is some of the best I've ever encountered. All of my questions were answered promptly and thoroughly, so I felt very confident that my choice was the right purchase for me. Turns out it was.

These binoculars live up to all my expectations. I can now see individual trees, instead of just the forest. I mean these babies are outstanding in every way. Distant views, close ups, you name it.
Thank you Eagle Optics for giving me eyes to see again.

I am a novice bird watcher and at first used a couple of different binoculars I had on hand. As they were too big and heavy , I asked an experienced bird watcher what he would recommend. His recommendation, The Atlas Optic 8x42, made a huge difference and I am now hooked on bird watching.

I am a novice bird watcher and at first used a couple of different binoculars I had on hand. As they were too big and heavy , I asked an experienced bird watcher what he would recommend. His recommendation, The Atlas Optic 8x42, made a huge difference and I am now hooked on bird watching.

Sharp image, good eye releaf, easy to hold, I like the thumb grips on the bottom of the barrels. Adjustment is good. Once the right eye diopter adjustment is set focused at any distance it is still right on when focused at any other distance,

I bought the Atlas 8 x 42 to augment my pair of 10 x 45 roof prism binoculars. I like the additional power for watching ducks and other distant objects, but I had found that my wife's 8 x 42 Rangers were better for finding birds in the woods. Now that I've used the Atlas Intrepid ED 8 x 42, I find them even better at distance. Perhaps it's the wider field of view, but it's easier to find birds and airplanes in the sky. (I'm a pilot, and I watch every plane in the air.) The slightly lower power is not noticeable because the image is more clear. I'm going to recommend them to my brother who has several pairs of binoculars on his sail boat, and I may give him a pair for Christmas.

Before buying the Intrepids I had been using a set of binoculars that were priced around $65. The less expensive binoculars left me feeling cross-eyed and made my eyes fatigued, even causing stabs of sharp pain. With the Intrepids my eyes feel healthy again and I am able to ID birds with much more certainty. The resolution is vivid and the light gathering capabilities are wonderful. I am able to track birds hidden deep within brush piles and tall grass and am able to see many of the birds’ markings in detail even in very dim light. I have found the close focus to be even closer than the specs claim (5 feet is what I’ve seen). But my experience with the weight of the binoculars has also differed from the specs (my kitchen scale claims they are a couple of ounces heavier) and holding them steady for prolonged viewing has been challenging.

The customer service at Eagle Optics has been extremely helpful in response to my concerns and I made sure to buy a harness with my purchase, so carrying the binoculars is quite comfortable, and upon request the folks at Eagle Optics found a pair of tethered lens covers that fit the Intrepids snuggly. I am really really happy to be using the Intrepids for bird watching. It was a big purchase in my world and one that has left me with no regrets. Would dielectric prism coatings enhance the contrast and brightness of the image? I don’t know; the Intrepid’s light gathering capabilities appear to be absolutely terrific already.

Awesome binoculars , great deal for the $. Optics are top

of the line,service was outstanding and you can't beat the

price. We would highly recommend the Atlas 8x42 Intrepid ED

binoculars.

Living on the Connecticut Shoreline of Long Island Sound is a great opportunity to view birds, sealife, beautiful boats and spectacular views.

My new Atlas binocular has made the views even more dramatic. Its a perfect size and weight and the optics are fabulous. I look at binoculars costing almost ten times as much and the Atlas optics were of equal or better quality. Clarity, ease of focus, and total lack of distortion are simply amazing.

I'd recommned this binocular to anyone looking for unequaled value.

My husband purchased these binoculars for my Mother's Day gift. Wow, what a gift!! They are so awesome. We are birders and these are great for birds. They are easy to focus, not too heavy, everything looks so clear, they "bring in" just the right amount of light(good to use at dusk) and the perfect magnification.
I loved them so much, I purchased my hubby a pair for an early Father's Day gift.
A great pair of nocs at a great price!

Just purchased the Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8x42 over the Eagle Optics Ranger ED 8x42 at the suggestion of their great tele sales rep. "Better price plus better optics," she said.

Received the product within one day of the order....pretty fast, eh? Was dissatisfied with the product ....the right multi-position eyecup was TOTALLY stuck in place. ....."poor CHINESE factory quality control," I would say. Too bad the case, strap, and covers are poor quality.Called customer service that day, told them the problem, and they promptly replace the damaged set.

Couldn't wait to get into the field to do some serious birding. WOWWWWWW...great optics....clear and bright. For the price, ya can't beat them. Da heck with those fancy GERMAN ones.

The moral of the story: Listen to their sales reps...I don't think they're on commission :-)

Having successfully returned from the chase for Yellow-faced Grassquit, my wife and sister decided to follow suit two days later. I loaned my wife my Leica 8 x 42 BN and she returned realizing, in a very practicalway, that my binocular was much better than hers. We discussed the options and decided to purchase the new Atlas Optics Intrepid ED 8 x 42. She is frugal--she wanted a better binocular but did not want to invest $2,500 or more.

We received them on schedule from the always excellent staff at Eagle Optics. Out of the box, they performed as advertised: bright, sharp and much better than her previous binocular, which were not a beginner's pair. They were $250, but the Intrepid, for a bit more, were much, much better.

We were so impressed that we called other novice birders who were going to join us in High Island and encouraged them to invest in Intrepids. As a veteran birding leader, I knew that people often try birding with poor binoculars and walk away not having truly enjoyed the experience because their view was limited by inferior optics. Two of my brothers-in-law bought three pair of the Intrepids for themselves and a friend and we ventured forth to High Island to test them in the field.

They performed admirably. The quality of each of the four new pair were consistent. They are very bright, sharp, easy to operate and feel good in the hand. Whether a brilliant scarlet tanager, a sublime cerulean warbler, or a swainson's warbler hidden in the dimly lit underbrush, the Intrepid proved itself, living up to its billing. We are all extremely pleased with the purchases. If you want a binocular that provides a stellar view for a modest investment, give the Intrepid a chance to surprise you.

Other reviews have mentioned the action of the adjustable eye cups and the looseness of the rubber objective lens guards. Our experience: the rubber rings attaching the lens guards to the binocular are, indeed, too loose. If you take them into the field you will lose them. As for the eye cups, they do not have the positive feel of binoculars in much higher price ranges, but they worked fine for us.

In summary, nothing beats a great Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss or Nikon in the elite models. But, if for any reason, you want a great glass at a more modest price, you will be very pleased with the Intrepid.

I've had a pair of Pentax DCF WP 8x42 for years and the Atlas Intrepid is brighter, sharper and has a much wider field of view and closer focus. I like the twist up eyecups as well. I've compared them to some "alpha glass" and it's hard to tell the difference. I've read people complain about a stiff focus wheel that I have not noticed at all. The lense caps, neck strap and case do seem cheap but the optics are very good. For the price, these simply can't be beat.

Previously purchased Ranger 8x42 model last year for my wife and found them very acceptable. Decided to try Atlas for myself this year for birding. Based on other reviews I read on this product I also purchased the 50mm (medium) Eagle Optics lens covers figuring I would replace the poorly rated ones that come on the binoculars. The Atlas optics are obviously superior to the Ranger model even to a somewhat novice user like myself. Clearer and brigher image as advertised and worth the extra cost. However, like also reviewed by others, the objective lens caps are much poorer than the caps on the Ranger unit. When I tried replacing them with the Eagle Optics caps I found those caps were just slightly too small to fit properly on the Atlas and had to be forced on to fit. It's too much effort to force them on each time so I have used the same trick as another reviewer and am using electrical tape on the original caps to keep them on. The case that comes with the Atlas arrived with the stiching riped for about one inch on one side. I've repaired the riped section with fishing line so I hope it holds now. Don't understand why such a great optical unit comes with such poor cap and case protection. Even given the packaging shortcomings I would still rate the Atlas very highly.

Here is a quality binocular at a good price. Very comfortable to hold and work with. The focus wheel is a little long, but not too much so that it is an obstacle. The only problems I have with this binocular package, are the objective lens covers and the case is very mediocre. I believe that the Eagle Optics lens covers will solve your problem and at a small price you will come out way ahead in value for a bright and clear binocular. I am a bit geeky and "taped my glasses"; that is, I took some black electrical tape to the rings that hold the objective lens on. A clean job and it's hardly noticeable, but like I said, for the price of new lens covers, it's no big deal. These are bright, clear binocs and with the extra-low dispersion glass and all the other high quality specs, it puts the Intrepid in a class with the high end binoculars. The extras should be as nice as the Eagle Optics package, but you do get their most excellent warranty. This package is like putting the Prom Queen in a potato sack, so who's looking at the dress?! Highly recommended, great value for a high end binocular.