OLYMPUS 8X25 WP II

For casual skywatchers, the portable Olympus 8x25 WP II boasts an excellent optical system for views of the Moon and bright targets with superb contrast

- Gemma Lavender

Stylish and versatile, the Olympus 8x25 WP II binocular is built with the outdoor explorer in mind, featuring a nitrogen filled fogproof and waterproof design that promises to breeze through even the most inclement weather. It is also lightweight and comfortable to hold thanks to a rubber-coated finish and weight of just 260 grams (9.2 oz). For even more ease of use while travelling, the Olympus 8x25 WP II can be folded away and slotted into the carry case. A neck strap is included for those needing to achieve magnified views without fumbling to unpack this piece of kit. A grooved central knob for focusing makes this a winner for observers wanting to just get viewing without any complications.

Most importantly, manufacturer Olympus boasts a BaK-4 porro prism design for their WP II model, and fully multi-coated lenses – the objectives of which are 25mm in diameter – for superb brightness, clarity and contrast whatever the observer chooses to magnify on their travels. Meanwhile, the eyepieces are protected with caps when not in use. We advise storing these caps in a safe place during your observations – without being tethered to the Olympus 8x25 WP II, they are easy to lose!

Out of the box, the Olympus 8x25 WP II certainly lives up to the hype – this piece of kit is a delight to hold. They may be light – our arms didn’t get tired when sweeping across the night sky for a good five minutes at a time – but manufacturer Olympus hasn’t skimped on the quality. No part of the housing felt flimsy to the touch, promising to last for many observing sessions to come, whatever the conditions.