Nocs Standard Issue 8×25 Binoculars: Our Review

At A Glance

PROS:

• Sharp image 
• Attractive and easy-to-hold design
• Large eyecups and focus wheel for ease of use
• Affordable price point

CONS:

• Strong sepia cast affects color perception and limits brightness
• Very limited close focus can interfere with birdwatching at feeders

STATS:

• Price: $95 MSRP at press time. Prices often fluctuate, so check with retailers
• Close focus: Listed at 13.1 feet (400 cm). However in tests, we could not focus these binoculars closer than about 22.6 feet (689 cm)
• Field of view: 6.8° (357 feet at 1,000 yards). More about field of view 
• Weight: 11.9 oz (337 g)—that’s about 1.2 oz (35 g) heavier than the average for pocket binoculars in our review
• Eye relief: 10 mm

Viewing Experience: The Nocs Standard Issue 8×25 offers a sharp image that is hampered by an odd sepia cast and poor close focus. Previously, we’ve admired the performance of the Nocs Pro Issue 8×42, but these smaller binoculars don’t meet the same standard. When looking through them, colors shift strongly to a golden or amber tone, giving the impression of a dim image and making it hard to discern true colors. In strong light, a Carolina Wren prospecting for nest sites was a lovely warm brown, with an eyestripe so sharp it seemed sculpted. But when watching an Eastern Bluebird perched in side light on a low branch, the russet tones were so exaggerated that it took a few extra seconds to realize it was a male, not a female. Added to this issue is the close focus. At about 23 feet, it can really hamper everyday birding; watching a feeder on a back deck, we found we had to move farther back into the kitchen to get the visiting cardinals and White-throated Sparrows into focus.

Feel and Build: We love how Nocs are aiming to bring some fun and style into the world of binoculars. The Standard Issue 8×25 comes in fun colors including canary, poppy, cypress, glacial blue, and cobalt. And with their heavily textured, geometrically patterned armoring they are instantly recognizable. We like the secure grip this provides, though it may not be for everyone. The single-hinge design is practical and secure for birdwatching, though it doesn’t fold down as small as the double-hinge design models. The eyecups are large, rounded, comfortable, and provide good shading and contrast for the image. The focus wheel is grippy but has a rather stiff movement that can be slow to focus. We also appreciated the choice of packaging: recycled cardboard, without plastic, and with fun birding tips printed on the box.

This article is one in a series of mini-reviews. To see how these binoculars compare to others we’ve tested, see our full review of pocket binoculars.