How do they stack up? Been seeing more advertisements for em, don’t hear much about em.

Was looking at some online reviews today about them. Seem pretty good. But would be interested to read comments on this thread, then maybe give Doug (you all know Doug) a call. Or maybe he'll just chime in.

The Higher line GPO Passion HD's are right there with alpha quality optics. I know Rick Bin is running one of the 12.5x50's and was very impressed. For the $$$ they are a great find.

Confirmed!

Those are the ones I was researching, Rick.

I'm lusting after a pair of those 10x50 rangefinding binos with the top end HD glass.

I messed with the HD 10x42 for a few days. Build quality is great. They have a premium feel and exceptional eye cups. I think they are about Meostar HD level, glass wise. I know the owners came from Zeiss. If you put the little blue emblem on them, I think they would take a chunk out of the $1k segment. You hear allot about some of the new companies but GPO doesn't seem to be one of them. That was the only thing that steered me away.

If anyone is interested in a GPO Optic, through the end of the month of August, give us a call 516-217-1000 for special pricing

You should google “passion HD”.... there’s some GREAT reviews... laffin

OK, so I was on the road when I saw this thread, and I wanted to put in two cents without actually causing a major auto accident. But I think I'd like to add a bit more.

So I have been evaluating GPOs, and jotting notes, and I figured I would post an excerpt of something I plan to post up here pretty soon.

Spoiler alert: GPOs are the BOMB!

"The GPO’s construction is solid, with emphasis on the details that count. Optically, the view is stunning. Color rendition is especially rewarding. Sharpness and resolution are on par with anything, and I mean anything out there. Mechanically, the Passion HD beats some of the best handily. The focusing mechanism is about perfect, a combination of focusing rate and just the right amount of resistance which allowed for easy microadjustment and a huge sweet spot. Of the half dozen binoculars compared informally, none approached the GPO in terms of ease of precise focusing. Similarly, the eyecups were stellar, which is too often not the case with other manufacturers, especially at this price point. The operation screamed premium, with solid locks at preselected eye relief distances that you could rely upon to stay put! Rubber armoring and aesthetics, again, premium all the way.

GPO is the real deal. As the name more than implies, EXPECT a binocular fully on par with German precision optics. If the fact that the optic is made in Japan bothers you, fine. Go and pay double or triple the price for another bino. Just don’t tell me you’re getting anything appreciably better."

Nice review, thanks Rick.

Ya man no worries. In case I was unclear ( ), GPOs are something else.

I have the Passion HD 8.5x50's for my truck Bino so I use them all year long and I've been blown away by the optical/build quality. I currently own Zeiss & Leica Binos and my hunting partner uses Swaro HD SLC and we have compared side by side and it's all to close to call. The value of GPO is un-deniable.

Very nice RB. I assume you've compared them to the "vaunted" alphas....Z, L, S ????? Any word when the new bino/rf unit will be available? Thanks, nice write up.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...t-value-in-12x50-binoculars#Post13486926

Glad to hear about the quality of the binos. The glass in the Passion 6x 2.5-15x56 was incredible and had notably better resolution, vibrance/color rendition and overall image quality than virtually anything else comparable in the sub-$1500 price range. Unfortunately, the illumination was far too bright on the lowest settings and was not suitable for my intended applications. If GPO ever addresses and corrects this issue, they'll have one of the better low-light scopes available. But 40 minutes after sundown, the illumination became unusable as -- even on the lowest/dimmest setting available -- it glowed like a house afire and negatively affected one's vision. But for the hunter who is regulated by 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sundown restrictions, it makes a HECK of a low-light performer.

Anyway, I'm not easily impressed by optics, but this one certainly got my attention in a hurry.

Are they making all their stuff in China ? I know that the rangefinding binoculars are.

I'll believe I'll be giving Doug a call for a price on on 12.5X50s

I can't speak about the specific binoculars or other models of scopes, but the 2.5-15x56 that I had was made in Japan.I had heard production of the 3-9x40 along with some other low-end offerings took place in China but haven't had one in-hand to verify for myself.

The entry level product is China, the higher line is Japan




I am in this morning then off for the weekend. My brother Joel as well as Neil will be here while I'm out and you can always speak with them

For members here we will take special care of you on GPO, no worries. Give a call

Bummer, I have an early Passion 4-12X40 that was made in Japan. Didn't realize they had moved some production to China.

What do the Passion ED 8x32 compare favorably to?

The only other thing I was wondering about is durability, but I see they have a good warranty. I'm generally careful with my equipment, but stuff happens, and the wilderness can test equipment at times.

This may be a really stupid question but I have to ask anyway....why is the name of the company GERMAN Precision Optics if all of their products are made in China or Japan??

German engineered, I believe. Hawkes are British designed, fabrique en Chine. Tract are American designed, not sure who actually does the math on them. Made in Japan or other Asian places.

The way of the World now. What matters is what I get for my money. Rather pay for an honest Chinese product than throw money at crap put out by a company hiding behind the Flag. I do try pretty hard to buy U.S. when available in my price range; American Danners, Bemidji wool, hopefully Nightforce someday.

After Sunshine stopped making Golden Raisin Biscuits, I was "forced" to buy British Garibaldis. Hopefully, Brexit won't screw those up.

GPO is a German based company. Designed and quality controlled in German

How are the GPO HD binoculars for controlling CA? Are they as good as the Zeiss FL's or HT's?

When they first came out 1 of the members of my hunting club was a factory rep for them. He sold us his samples for 60% off. All that were purchased were mid range scopes and they were all made in Japan. Every one that bought them is happy with them.

The owner of GPO is a former Zeiss executive and the American franchise ran Zeiss America.

How are the GPO HD binoculars for controlling CA?

It is superior to a Zeiss Terra. I'd say on par with a Kowa BD series

Talked to Doug today and I pulled (make that squeezed) the trigger on the 12.5X50 binos. I'm not even an armchair expert on optics but I'll post my average Joe impression soon.

very nice... Looking forward to it..

Lol.

Follow up from above post, the only "good" glass I can compare them to is a 20+ yr old pair of swaros 8X30s.
I would say these are a very nice glass and compare favorably to my swaros. At 12.5X they are better suited to a tripod, but they are clear, focus wheel is right firmness when turning. Eye cups turn out for eyeglass wearers, and I prefer them out even without glasses.
Comes with a tripod adapter, case, strap, and rubber lens protectors. For my purpose and for the money I think they are a good value.

Second this post. They are superb.

The GPO Passion (yeah dumb name) HD are from Japan. The Ed originally were from China, but I'm not sure if that remains the same.

GPO is run by Richard Schmidt in Germany. There are some former Zeiss engineers etc with him there. He is former President of Zeiss Sports Optical. In USA the guy is Mike Jensen, formerly with both Swarovski and Zeiss.