Viking Merlin 8x42 ED Binoculars

Out of stock

Key Features

  • Rubber-armoured body
  • Extra-low Dispersion lenses for a clearer image
  • Nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging
  • Includes rainguard, case, and carrying strap
  • 10-year guarantee

These Viking Merlin binoculars are a great entry-level option for those interested in ED lenses. Preventing colour loss for a sharper image, they are ideal for birdwatching, as well as a whole host of other hobbies. What’s more, they also have a rubber armoured body for added durability.

High-quality lenses

Viking Merlin binoculars are made with special Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses, which maximises the amount of light which reaches the user’s eye. This ensures that colours are vivid and lifelike. The binoculars also feature dielectric coated, phase-coated BAK 4 prisms for a clear, sharp image. With a wide field of view, these binoculars are ideal for birders tracking moving birds.

Durable build

As well as providing a high-quality image, the Viking Merlin binoculars are also particularly durable. With a rubber-armoured body, they are protected against any bumps or scrapes while in transit. The lenses are nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging, so they can be used in all weathers. The binoculars are even waterproof, and come with a rainguard, carry case, and strap.

Guarantee

As with all Viking binoculars, the Merlin comes with a 10-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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Ash
Good product, good value

Bought a pair earlier this year and was impressed enough to buy a second pair for my son.

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Richard W
Huge step up

Choosing quality optics is about finding the right compromise between size, weight, optical performance, ergonomics, practicality, function and price. Well, I feel that my new Viking Merlin 8x42 ticks all the right boxes!

The Viking Merlin delivers fantastic performance for its relatively modest price tag (compared to similar spec binos from bigger named brands). I've upgraded from a pair of Celestron Trailseeker, which has many of the same optical features of the Merlin except for the ED glass. Mechanically, the Viking is far superior thanks to an all-metal focus wheel, which is smoother and more precise.

I swithered between the 8x and 10x before my purchase but in the end opted for what I'm familiar with. My reasoning was that I would prefer less shake at the lower magnification, and concerns over compromising the optical quality (at 10x you’ll be introducing 25 per cent more chromatic aberration), the field of view will be also larger in general with the 8x model, which is beneficial for tracking birds in motion and enjoying vistas, and of course, brighter images, owing to the larger exit pupils afforded by the lower power for a given aperture.

You can pay considerably more for a top-end models from the likes of Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski but the Viking Merlin is the perfect compromise for me. You get what you pay for and I feel that Viking have done a terrific job at delivering excellent optics at an affordable price.

I strongly recommend the Viking Merlin ED 8x42 as high-quality, solidly built binoculars combining the best of portability and optical performance in a very attractive but no-nonsense chassis. Marrying excellent optics with first-rate mechanics, it will give users years of hassle free viewing in all weathers.

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Patrick
Fantastic choice

Thrilled with this purchase and much prefer them to the previous set that I had been using. Both the build quality and image quality is excellent here. Highly recommended.

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Paul
Oustanding binoculars at this price

Incredibly clear image and exceptionally well made i lve these binoculars.