Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 Review
Why would anyone want to buy a binocular from a little-known manufacturer such as Alpen Shasta when there are countless inexpensive optics from well-established brands?
Well, there are a couple of reasons why buying an Alpen Shasta binocular is a good idea. For starters, this South California-based manufacturer was awarded the Great buy award in 2008 by the Outdoor Life Magazine. This award was sufficient to get me interested in the company’s products.
It is for this reason that in 2009, I bought a pair of Alpen Shasta Ridge 10X42. And so far I cannot say that I regret my purchase. When I compare this binocular to others that have features similar to it, I cannot help but agree with Outdoor Life Magazine. Here is my Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 review.
Binoculars Guru's Honest Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 Review
- BAK4 optics for clear, bright, high resolution images
- Ergonomic styling for tireless use and comfort
- Rubber armoring for protection and durability
Fully Multi-Coated Optics
Alpen offers a special web price of below $200, so naturally, I bought my Ridge Binocular online. When you purchase the binocular from a brick and mortar, you will have to part with $100 more than it would cost you to buy it online. Surprisingly, this binocular has fully multicoated optics meaning that it matches the optical performance of other pricier optics such as the Nikon Monarch 5 and the Celestron Trailseeker.
Check other Best binoculars under $200 or , Best Binoculars For Hunting on Binoculars guru.
Phase Corrected Roof Prisms
Another surprising feature of the Alpen Shasta Ridge Binocular is its phase corrected roof prisms. Normally, binoculars in that share this pair of Alpen binoculars 10X42 configuration and price feature a Porro prism design. Thus, the fact that Alpen invested in the more durable roof prism design is a testament to the company’s high standards. After doing some little digging on the Alpen Shasta Ridge, I found that its impressive image quality was courtesy of its Bak-4 prisms. These Bak-4 prisms is another thing that surprised me about the Shasta Ridge as not many binoculars in its price range have Bak-4 prisms.
Ease Of Use
The adjustable eye cups on the Alpen Shasta Ridge 10X42 are also impressive. Alpen opted for a long eye relief of 16 mm, which I found to be sufficient for people who wear glasses. Also, the eyecups twist up and down. Thus, in regards to ease of use, the Alpen Shasta Ridge ranks high. The center focus wheel turns effortless and has enough resistance to prevent it from turning by accident. At 330 ft for 1000 yards, the field of view of this binocular is not too shabby either.
Make
Weighing 26 ounces, make this binocular more compact and lightweight for outdoor use, especially when compared to other binoculars in its price range such as the Polaris Optics Wide view, which weighs 1.65 pounds. Regarding size, the binocular measures 5.57 inches in length. The entire unit is waterproof thanks to its tough rubber exterior. Furthermore, it is also fog-proof thanks to its nitrogen filled barrels.
Pros Of Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 Review
- Affordable online price
- High-quality Bak-4 prisms
- Is a lightweight and compact binocular
- Has a great eye relief that can accommodate glass wearers
- Offers an exceptionally clear and bright view for a binocular in its price point
- Offers great value for your money
- Has fully multicoated optics
Cons Of Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 Review
- They are not the lightest Binocular in their price range and holding them for an extended period of time can cause discomfort
Features Of Alpen Shasta Ridge 10x42 Review
- 10X magnification
- 42 mm objective lens
- Bak-4 Roof prism with phase coating
- Fully multicoated optics
- Nitrogen filled barrels
- Rubber rain guards
- 26-ounce weight
- Alpen’s lifetime warranty
- Twist lock eye cups
Frequently Asked Questions
- what kind of strap does this binocular come with?
Answer: In addition to a carrying case, the binocular is also accompanied by a premium grade neck strap that is as durable as the binocular itself.
- Is this binocular a standard full-size binocular
Answer: This binocular is not what you would call a standard size as it is smaller than other binoculars especially bird watching binocular. Thus, it is just the right size for hunting
- How much does it weigh?
Answer: The binocular weighs 26 ounces or 1.4 pounds
Final Verdict
There is a probability that you have never heard about Alpen Shasta especially if you are new to the optics industry. However, if you have read other Alpen Binoculars review, you know that do Alpen makes high-quality binoculars that are inexpensive. The Alpen Shasta Ridge 10X42, in particular, is a great piece of optical hardware that will come in handy on one of your hunting trips. Thus, it is one binocular that I strongly recommend to anyone looking for an inexpensive hunting binocular.
Last update on 2024-03-22
