VISIONARY WETLAND OPTICS PROMISE WATERTIGHT VALUE AND PERFORMANCE A new range of rugged, wide angle, waterproof optics has been designed specially for naturalists, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts, who need serious quality features, design and performance at a budget price. Under the Visionary brand, the Wetland series includes the most popular nature watching sizes of 8x42 and 10x42 in modern style bodies, plus 8x25 and 10x25 models in a more compact dimension, with retail prices starting from £49.99. One binocular feature about which much debate can arise, is the level of protection that justifies describing a product as waterproof. Optical Hardware, manufacturers and UK distributors of the Wetlands, told us that these binoculars will even withstand complete immersion in water, so they would not be damaged if dropped in a stream while walking on moorland, for example. They can therefore be used with complete confidence in foul weather conditions. Bak4 roof prisms and multi-coated lenses are used to ensure optimum image brightness, colour clarity and sharpness. To prevent any internal fogging of the optics, due to temperature changes, the binoculars are filled with nitrogen and sealed. The larger size binoculars are fully protected by a tough rubber coating which is smooth to the touch, with subtle sculptural detailing and a pattern of raised rubber points where extra grip will be required by the user. A standard tripod adaptor thread is fitted beneath a protective cap. The flexible eyecups can be raised or lowered with a simple twist action, which also lets you set them between the click locks at fully extended and retracted positions. This means that you can find a setting that is comfortable with or without spectacles and places your eye at the correct distance from the eyepiece. On the compact models, the waterproof rubber protection is equally smooth on the lower side, where the binoculars will sit in the hand and extra grip has been added on the top side. These versions are fitted with foldable eyecups, so they are easily adapted for spectacle wearers. Adjustment of the Wetlands is made simple, with a large, rubber coated centre knob and an easy-to-grip eyepiece adjuster. Lens caps for the larger, objective lenses are attached to the body by a removable rubber gaiter, to stop them being lost, and the novel eyepiece cap is attached to both sides of the binocular strap, with a slot allowing it to be pushed right out of your way, when the binos are in use. The left and right eyepiece covers are separated by a flexible strip, so you can leave the binoculars at your chosen adjustment, immediately ready for their next use. Although the manufacturers expect the Wetlands to be most popular with those on a tight budget, the almost imperceptible quality difference makes them ideal as a back-up optic to very expensive binoculars, which you may not want to put at risk when weather conditions are bad. Visionary Wetland binoculars are supplied complete with a 10 year guarantee, a good quality pouch case, straps and caps. Suggested retail prices are 8x25 - £49.99, 10x25 - £54.99, 8x42 - £69.99 and 10x42 £79.99 For more information and a stockist list, see www.opticalhardware.co.uk. 531 words, October 2007 Note for editors: To request review samples, please contact Phil Sokell at Optical Hardware Ltd, 
Mount Osborne, 
Oakwell View, 
Barnsley 
S71 1HH
, telephone 01226 203275, or email info@opticalhardware.co.uk. To download the text of this press release and high resolution images, please visit www.opticalhardware.co.uk/press.