Neil English Reviews the Oberwerk 15×56 ED Ultra
Dr. English shares our love of Porro prism binoculars. When we released our updated ED Ultra Series, he was drawn to the 15×56 ED Ultra. You may be wondering why he opted for 15×56 over larger objective sizes, such as the 15×70 and 20×70 ED Ultras.
“One final reason I settled on a 15 x 56 format is that it serves up far more aesthetically pleasing views of the twilit heavens. From mid-May through mid-July, there is no true darkness at my far northerly latitude(56 degrees north). Having a smaller exit pupil renders the background sky darker, allowing the summer stars to be viewed with more contrast and thereby enhancing the views.”
Dr. English goes on to praise the exceptional optical performance of the 15×56 ED Ultra, noting its sharpness, contrast, and edge-to-edge clarity. He highlights the binocular’s excellent control of chromatic aberration, even on bright targets like the Moon and Venus.
He also commends the build quality, describing the binocular as robust and well-balanced, making it comfortable for extended handheld use. While he acknowledges that a tripod can enhance the experience, he finds the 15×56 format versatile enough for both handheld and mounted observations.
Ultimately, Dr. English concludes that the Oberwerk 15×56 ED Ultra is a top-tier choice for those seeking high-quality optics in a more compact, versatile package—perfect for astronomy and long-distance terrestrial viewing alike, concluding “what’s not to like?”.
Our marketing agency, The Next Wave, had the opportunity to meet with Dr. English earlier this month. Look out for some interesting interviews to drop soon!
Dr. Neil English is a celebrated author of eight books in amateur and professional astronomy. We recommend checking out his latest book, Choosing and Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts. You may recognize the binocular on the front cover.
