We here at Optics Den are big fans of Upland Optics products, so we were excited to try out the new high-end binos offered by the brand.
The recently released Venator 10×42 binoculars are significantly more expensive than their bestselling Perception HD, but the increase is well worth it overall.
First, here are the specs:
- 10x optical zoom, 42mm objective lens
- 114m field of view at 1000m
- 15mm eye relief
- Waterproof & fogproof
- Includes carrying case, lens cloth, neck strap, and lens caps
- Dimensions: 5.5″ x 5″ x 2″
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
The Venator offers the highest quality optical clarity through top-of-the-line Extra Low Dispersion Glass. That means exceptional clarity no matter the situation, and it means you can expect an amazing visual experience in every hunt, birding excursion, or other event.
In addition to the ED glass upgrade, the Venator is notable for its high-quality build. Holding them in your hands you can feel the attention to detail and the solid durability of the body. We like the thumb grips and the texture of the rubber on the body — this doesn’t feel like a pair of binos that will go sliding out of your hands when the weather is inclement. Additionally, they feel sturdy, so if they do take a tumble out of your hands or pack, they feel like they’ll hold up. The design is open bridge, which helps reduce overall weight and enables a sleeker design than less-expensive single-hinge binoculars.
Technically speaking, the Venator offers higher light transmission percentage, which means more light is allowed into the binos. This feature means that you’ll find these are excellent in low light conditions. The upgraded glass is a higher technology than most, with advanced proprietary lens coatings for supreme anti-reflection, anti-fog, and other technologies making them an extremely high quality of glass with actual purposes beyond clarity and precision.
Between the high quality glass and the functional, solid design, the Venators are built for extreme weather conditions. These are the kind of binoculars you want on a long hunt in inconsistent and extreme weather.
There’s a lot to love about the Venator, but here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Lifetime warranty: This is huge. Few companies stand behind their binos for a lifetime, but Upland offers this on all their products.
- Incredible optics: The Venators blow plenty of the competition out of the water with their top of the line optical technology
- Superior build: You can take these on any excursion without worrying about whether they can handle the heat, wind, fog, cold, rain…whatever.
It’s worth mentioning price here, as the price is both a plus and a minus. It’s difficult to even talk about the Venator in terms of competition, as there really aren’t many binoculars at this price point, period. It’s tough to know what the price might be if Upland was sold in stores (they keep their prices low by offering their products online only), but it isn’t too far out of line to say this pair could save you several hundred dollars versus competitors with over $1k price tags. Bottom line? The Venators offer you an option for a high end feel at a lower price.
Of course, there are a few drawbacks to discuss as well.
- Price: Though I mentioned this as a plus above, these binoculars are still going to be out of budget for plenty of shoppers.
- Weight: While fairly lightweight, these do still feel a tad heavy.
- Focus wheel tightness: If I’m being nitpicky, I’ll say the focus wheel feels a little tight when adjusting it.
The Upland Optics Venator 10×42 should definitely be on your radar if you are looking for a pair of high-end binoculars. For a high-end pair, the price is pretty stellar, and the construction and optics technology make these a pair to beat. Check them out here to see the current price.
