Introducing the Explore Series Binoculars

Since the year 2000, Oberwerk’s entry-level product line has been the LW (LightWeight) Series. When first introduced almost 25 years ago, they played a major role in lowing the cost of larger-aperture binoculars (50mm and up) for amateur astronomers, and they were big sellers for Oberwerk. But over the years, with an increasing number of mass-marketers trying to outdo each other on lowest price, their popularity has waned, so it was time to retire them and build something new. As a small manufacturer of specialty products, we can’t always compete on price, but we can compete on value.

We’re pretty excited about our new ES (Explore Series) binoculars. They have all the features you’re looking for: high-quality fully broadband multi-coated optics, BAK4 prisms, twist-up eyecups, and enough eye relief to use with glasses. The ES models average 96% “effective aperture,” which is unheard of at their price point (low-90s is more typical). They’re fully waterproof and nitrogen-filled, and they have an updated look that really sets them apart from everyone else.

Every ES receives a laser-engraved serial number only after passing our Quality Assurance Checklist, and that hand-written checklist is included in the box. All this for a price that’s only slightly higher than the LW models that they’re replacing! The 8×42 and 10×50 are available now, with a 15×70 and 20×80 coming next month. Ultimately there will be a 12×60, but that’s a few months away. The one LW model that remains is the 6.5×32—still popular due to its extra-wide IPD range, which uniquely makes it usable even by young children. It always had all the other features of the Explore models, so it’s simply being rebadged as the 6.5x32ES (no price change).