Why Optisan?
Why are Optisan Products Superior to its rival competitors?
A chat between Lily (Chief Product Designer) and Philip (Product Manager of Nature observation line)
What is the fundamental reason your optics are superior to the majority of your rivals?
I think that being a family business gives us a superior advantage because we take care of everything from the very beginning, starting with designing, developing, and building the optics, from the prototype to the final product. Nowadays, due to globalization, many product development efforts concentrate more on cutting costs rather than solving real problems, especially when manufacturers are not fully aware of the specific needs of customers, such as bird watchers and hunters. At Optisan, we believe in a different philosophy: we create optical products that are the right fit for solving your specific problems in the field.
How vital is this personal connection with Optisan?
We are fully committed to our products and strive to create optics that have been thoroughly developed and tested from the start, ensuring they last a lifetime for our users.
How important is quality control in Optisan team?
In the production of precision optics, attention to detail is crucial. Starting from the first inspection of lenses and mechanical parts to the final assembly of the product, every step is meticulously checked to ensure the highest quality. Take our latest LR ED 8X34 binoculars for example, they undergo a rigorous process of 50 separate checks before they are released for sale.
Mechanical performance - Is it as important as optical performance?
Binoculars are made up of various internal and external moving parts, and high-quality mechanical components can enhance the user experience by providing smooth, fast focusing and increasing ruggedness and durability.
However, many end-users are unaware that the quality of the mechanical parts is just as crucial as that of the lenses and coatings. The performance of the optics is ultimately dependent on the mechanical components that hold the lenses. Even a slight error in the mechanical parts, such as a tilted O-ring, can significantly affect the optical performance and cause loss of detail in the field of view. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the importance of mechanical components in binoculars as they play an equally critical role as optical components.
What for example increases this mechanical longevity?
An excellent example of our attention to detail can be seen in the twist-up eyecup design featured in our EVR binoculars. The purpose of the twist-up eyecup is to cater to both individuals who wear glasses and those who do not. By simply twisting the eyecup up or down, all viewers can experience the full field of view. Our goal is to ensure that this moveable part is durable, consistent, and repeatable. To achieve this, we use aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum in its construction, ensuring its ruggedness. In addition, we have included another aluminum ring fixed outside of the twist-up part to minimize the angle which can damage the ocular in the event of an accidental drop. Moreover, we have designed the eyecup to be removable so that end-users can turn it clockwise and remove it easily, allowing them to clean the eyecup without worrying about spilling on the ocular lens.
How do you compare the optical performance?
Comparing binoculars can be challenging for users, primarily because the specification sheet does not provide enough information about image quality. While comparing the specification sheet of two binoculars may help, it may not show the difference, even if they have the same magnification and objective size. The only way to compare binoculars is to have them on hand and use some metrics that you can compare with your eyes. These metrics include brightness, color accuracy, resolution, edge distortion, and edge color dispersion. It’s crucial to compare binoculars under the same lighting conditions and with the same object to select the one that is best suited for your needs.
Optisan comes with a slogan “Bridge People to Nature”, Can you tell us more?
When Paul founded Optisan Optics in 1998, his vision went beyond just creating high-quality optical products. He believed that by providing people with a good pair of binoculars, Optisan could inspire them to explore the natural world beyond what the naked eye can see. In a world where computers and mobile phones are taking up more and more of our time, people are becoming increasingly anxious. Optisan wants to be a bridge that connects people back to nature and helps them find inner peace.
To achieve this goal, Optisan collaborates with conservation NGOs and bird watching societies and sponsors binoculars and flyers, especially for beginners’ guides. The company hopes to inspire more people to care about wildlife, the environment, and themselves.