When I saw the article “Are there any USA (or at least non-China) made binoculars?” I knew it was time for me to do some research and see what binoculars were out there that weren’t made in China.
Like almost all other products, probably most of the cheaper binoculars are made in China. So if your only criteria for buying binoculars is the price, then this article is not for you. If you want binoculars that may not be as cheap as some manufactured binoculars in China, but are made in a country that respects human rights and with higher quality standards, then this article is for you.
However, conducting comprehensive research, cross-checking information from various sources, and providing precise details on the manufacturing location of the binoculars are imperative. Since sellers often hide the country of origin, sometimes it is necessary to spend a lot of time to find the right information about the made in label on the binoculars, as well as on other products.
When investigating the origin of a product, it can be a very hard task to gather all the necessary information. Therefore, I hope my quest will make yours easier. Also I hope that, as I am non-native English speaker, you will not blame me too much for some mistakes in writing in English.
What I can guarantee you is that, unlike other sites, there will be no knocks and errors and it will not be written for some binoculars that they are made in the USA when it is quite clear that these binoculars are made in China. On the list of binoculars you will only find binoculars that are 100% NOT made in China.
Wide range of different binoculars NOT made in China
The binocular industry is no exception, China has taken over almost the entire production of binoculars. But all of you who are looking for binoculars that are not made in China know that their quality standards are not the same as in other countries. Not to mention respect for human rights in China.
There are many reasons why we all need to have an accurate source of information, as well as the origin of the products we buy. I hope the information I gathered will make it easier for you to buy non-Chinese binoculars. This is a list of binoculars for which I have determined with certainty that the made in label meets our criteria.
Binoculars made in Germany
Steiner BluHorizons Binoculars are compact and lightweight, making them perfect for outdoor activities and sporting events. These binoculars feature a 26mm objective lens diameter and 10x magnification maximum. The autobright lens technology adjusts brightness for clear viewing in any lighting situation, while the fast-close-focus system provides quick and clear vision. The binoculars also have ergonomic eyecups and textured rubber armor for a secure grip. They are waterproof, providing all-weather reliability.
All Steiner binoculars are manufactured in the Steiner manufacturing facility in Bayreuth, Germany.
In many places I have seen and received confirmation that all Steiner binoculars are made in Germany and that is why I will list the Steiner binoculars available on Amazon that have a made in Germany label. The Made in Germany label itself always stands for a high-quality and long-lasting product.
There are other German brands that still manufacture binoculars in Germany. Some have moved their production to China, some to other Asian countries, and depending on the model and the year of production, it depends on where the binocular models were made. Only those models that I am 100% sure are non-Chinese, will be listed here.
The Bresser 8x34 Pirsch Binoculars are made in Germany and feature a rubber armor for a solid grip. With a magnification of 8 and a lens diameter of 34mm, these binoculars offer a field of view of 122m at 1000m and a brightness of 10.56. The binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging, with a high-contrast phase coating and fully multi-coated BaK-4 glass optics.
The TwistUp eyecups are adjustable for eyeglass wearers, and the package includes a nylon bag, shoulder strap, lens caps, lens cloth, and an instruction manual. These lightweight (442g) binoculars are the perfect travel companion for outdoor enthusiasts.
Bresser is a German company that was founded in 1957. Bresser binoculars are known for their quality and affordability. They have factories in both China and Germany.
Where are German Precision Optics binoculars made?
German Precision Optics (GPO) binoculars are made in multiple countries, including Germany, Japan, and China, depending on the model. Note: I haven’t found any models that I’m sure weren’t made in China.
Swarovski Binoculars – made in Austria
Swarovski Optik, a company known for its high-quality binoculars, is a family-owned business that was founded in 1949 in Absam, Austria. And still in 2023, Swarovski binoculars are still manufactured in Austria at the company’s production facility in Tyrol.
Swarovski’s manufacturing facility in Austria is known for its state-of-the-art production techniques, which use cutting-edge machinery and quality control systems to ensure the highest level of precision and quality. The facility houses a team of highly skilled technicians and engineers who work to design, manufacture, and test Swarovski’s binoculars to ensure they meet the company’s high standards.
Swarovski binoculars are highly regarded by nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts for their exceptional optical quality, durability, and performance. The company offers a range of binocular models, including compact binoculars for travel and hiking, standard binoculars for general use, and larger binoculars for specialized uses such as astronomy.
Overall, Swarovski’s commitment to quality and precision has helped to establish its reputation as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-end binoculars.
Binoculars made in Japan
Many high-end binoculars are made in Japan. Some popular brands that manufacture binoculars in Japan are Nikon, Pentax, Kowa and Fujinon. In addition, many models of Canon binoculars are also made in Japan.
Be careful because almost all Japanese brands of binoculars and optics have moved the production of many models to China. If you see a Japanese brand like Nikon selling binoculars at a very good price, then it is very likely that the model is manufactured in China.
Kowa is a well-known brand in the optics industry that produces high-quality binoculars, spotting scopes, and other optical equipment. The Kowa Genesis Series PROMINAR XD Lens Binoculars, 8 x 33 mm, is one of their popular products, known for its exceptional clarity and sharpness. These binoculars feature phase-coated Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms, apochromatic triplet optical formula, and Kowa's C3 coating for superior color transmission and reflectivity. The binoculars are built with a magnesium body and cushioned, rubber armoring for comfort and durability. They also feature a locking right side dioptric adjustment ring.
Kowa binoculars are a high-quality brand of binoculars that are known for their superior performance and reliability. The company was founded in 1894 in Japan and has been producing top-notch binoculars for over a century. Kowa Genesis Series is made in Japan.
Canon Binoculars
Canon is a well-known brand in the world of photography and optics, and their binoculars are no exception. Canon’s binoculars are known for their high-quality optics, which provide excellent clarity and resolution.
Canon binoculars are manufactured in several locations, primarily in Japan. The majority of their binocular manufacturing takes place in the city of Shimomaruko, which is located in the Ota ward of Tokyo.
Other non-Chinese binoculars
Most binoculars that are not made in Germany, Japan, Austria are made in the Philippines and Taiwan and Portugal. I will mention some of them, some of which I am sure are not produced in China still (February 2023).
The PENTAX XCF 10x50 Binoculars offer a good balance of image quality and affordability. With a 50mm objective lens, magnification of 10x and multi-coated optics, images are bright and clear. The center-focus system makes focusing quick and easy, while the full-body rubber housing provides protection from shock and damage. The eyepiece rings can be folded back for the convenience of eyeglass wearers and the binoculars feature a built-in tripod socket.
Pentax binoculars are manufactured in Cebu, Philippines, while digital Pentax lenses are manufactured in Hanoi, Vietnam, under Pentax Ricoh Imaging Products.
Kenko company is based in Japan and has a strong reputation for producing high-quality optics. The Kenko Binoculars were made in the Philippines. Kenko offers a variety of binoculars including the 7x50, 8x30 Wide Angle, 8x42, 10x42 Wide Angle, and 12x50 Wide Angle options, providing consumers with a range of magnification and objective lens diameter options to choose from.
SIGHTRON SII binoculars are suitable for a wide range of tasks, including bird watching, hunting, and viewing the night sky. They have a variety of features, including twist-up and twist-down eyecups for perfect eye relief, fully multi-coated lenses, and they are nitrogen gas charged and waterproof. The SIIBL842HD model is green, weighs 23.3 oz, and has a magnification of 8X, an objective diameter of 42mm, and a field of view of 366 ft at 1000 Yds.
Sightron manufacture all their products in their factories located in Japan and the Philippines.
Leica binoculars are made in Portugal and Germany. This particular model is made in Portugal. Compact and versatile binoculars with high-quality optics and innovative HDC multi-coating for superior light transmission and color fidelity. Robust, water-resistant construction with polyurethane armor. Made by Leica in Portugal.
I hope this article will make it easier for you to find binoculars that are not made in China. Over time, I will check whether some new models are non-Chinese manufactured, I will also check whether the production of some of the mentioned models has moved to China. If that happens, I will immediately remove those binoculars from the list of binoculars not made in china.
If you also have a suggestion that you know for sure is not manufactured in China, feel free to let me know in the comments and I will be happy to include those binoculars in the article.
