As a sports fan, rather than watch a game indoors, I sometimes like to go where the action is. It is more exhilarating and fun.
But I do always carry a pair of binoculars especially when I go to a stadium.
And when am not watching a game, I like to go for nature walks and observe wildlife.
My biggest problem was that I had two pairs of binoculars, each for each activity. When one began misbehaving, I did not want to buy another one that was similar, I wanted to buy binoculars I could use when I go for sports events and nature walks.
And this is when I came across the Nikon Aculon A30. It is typical of me to check the price tag first and then move on to the next product if it is beyond my budget.
But I had to find out why so many people had many good things to say about the product. In any case, I also wanted to know why on earth such small-sized binoculars cost more than the ones I had seen online.
And this is what I found out.
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The Aculon A30 is designed nature enthusiasts and especially the stadium going type of sports fans.
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With roof prism lenses, a compact and lightweight design, these binoculars are easily portable and you don’t need both of your hands to use them. Which is great, especially if you are watching a game and you also want to sip on your drink while doing it.
Advantages and Disadvantages
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- Roof Prism Design
- Lead & Arsenic-Free Eco-Glass
- Anti-Reflection Multi-Coated Optics
- Closed-Bridge Configuration
- Multicoated Lenses
- Weighs less than 10 ounces
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- Good image clarity and sharpness
- Compact design and lightweight
- Rubber housing for better handling
- Fast focusing
- Great eye relief
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- Small objective lens, which translates to a small field of view. So for activities such as hunting and wildlife observation, this would not be the ideal binocular to use
- Some consumers have complained of not being able to get a good focus
- Poorly designed straps
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Features and benefits
Ergonomics
The Nikon Aculon A30 10×25 are small-sized binoculars that you can carry in your pocket and hold them with one hand when viewing a game. They weigh about 9 ounces, so you can hold them for a long time without your hand getting tired.
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Notably, the Aculon A30 was designed particularly for sports, but they can also be used for concerts, bird watching, and sightseeing. And owing to their small size, even your kid can use them.
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Another great feature is their housing. They have a rubber armoring to avoid them from slipping from your hands. The armoring also makes them water and shock-resistant.
But if you drop them from a high height, they can sustain significant damage. But from a low height, they may get damaged a little or not at all.
The focus wheel is another great feature. You can use your finger to quickly focus on some action you don’t want to miss. And this is one the few factors that you should consider when buying a pair of binoculars.
Optical System Features
The Aculon A30 has a small objective lens, just 25 mm in diameter and a 10x magnification. This roof prism binoculars have an eye relief of 10 mm, which is ideal for people with good eyesight and those who don’t wear glasses.
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It has a close focus distance of about 8 feet and a field of view of 240 feet at 1000 yards. This makes this binoculars ideal for close-range viewing.
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Accessories
Nikon is known to package their products in an attractive way. Call it a marketing strategy. It works. The Aculon A30 comes packed in a top-quality bag that is spacious enough to ensure their safety.
The bag has straps that are comfortable and durable. So you can carry them around your neck or over your shoulder easily and comfortably.
Alternative products
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1. Bushnell Spectator 4×30 Review
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- PermaFocus Technology
- Multi Coated Optics
- Compact Mirror Prism System
- Anti-Reflection Coated Optics
- Impact-Resistant Plastic Chassis
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Although the Bushnell Spectator 4×30 is designed for sporting events, unlike the Nikon Aculon, the Spectator may not be the ideal choice for certain sporting events. This is because it has a large objective lens, hence a wide field of view.
So it’s great for watching sports such as soccer.
These binoculars are shockproof and waterproof, and they also have a compact design. The main downside is the slow focusing. So if you are going out to watch a fleet-footed game, you may be better off taking the Aculon A30 rather than the Spectator.
Features:
- They come with a smartphone adapter which enables you to share your view with others
- They are shockproof and waterproof
- They have a large field of view for better viewing
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2. OutNowTech 10×25 Review
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- BAK4 Roof Prism
- Field of View 101 m at 1000 m
- Light Weight – less than 1lb
- Rainproof & Splash-proof
- Heavy-Duty Non-Slip Rubberised Casing
- Neck Strap & Carry Case with Belt Loop
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The OutNowTech 10×25 binoculars are exactly what most people would go for when looking for small size binoculars with good performance. What’s so great about this model is that it can be folded, which makes them ideal for traveling.
So you can put them in your pocket and you are good to go. Also, they are rainproof, splash-proof and shockproof. The difference between this model and the Aculon is the price tag. The OutNowTech 10×25 are considerably cheaper.
Features:
- Foldable and splash-proof construct
- Good magnification
- Compact and lightweight
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3. Hawke Sports Optics 8×42 Review
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- Extra-Low Dispersion Objectives
- Wide 62° Apparent Angle of View
- Phase-Corrected BAK4 Roof Prisms
- Interior Dielectric Prism Coatings
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
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The Hawke Sports Optics 8×42 have a bigger objective lens than the Aculon. This means that the field of view is wider than that of the Aculon. This makes the binoculars great for watching football and other sporting events that occur on a huge ground.
The binocular uses extra low-dispersion glass, which lowers chromatic aberration, hence clear and sharp images.
Features:
- Wide field of view for better viewing
- ED glass for bright and clear viewing
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof
- Good eye relief
Conclusion
It’s not always easy to find a great pair of binoculars that you can use for sporting events such as horse racing and football. But the Nikon Aculon A30 10×25 has proved itself to be a cut above the rest.
With a solid, waterproof build, high-quality optics and a compact design, this product is something you would want to own, especially if you are a sports fan.
