The 10 x 32mm Merlin has a compact size and shape that works well for observers with smaller hands. It is also a good choice if size and weight considerations are important for traveling, health, or other reasons.

The Merlin has good optics, with surprisingly bright images for its high power and limited aperture. Excellent color fidelity and a close focus of less than 9’ make it very usable for close-in woodland birding. Physically, the 4.5” long 10 x 32mm is surprisingly light at only 20 ounces, making it easy to carry on short walks without tiring – or all day long, for that matter.

This high quality compact roof prism can handle most high power birding and wildlife observing situations where extreme light gathering is not required.

Features of this binocular . . .

Body construction: H-body roof prism with internal center focus. The body is clad in noise- and shock-absorbing rubber armor. The armor’s unique dark brown earth tone was formulated to absorb light, rather than reflect it, making the binocular less visible to wildlife. Ribbing on the body provides a sure grip. Raised thumb rests on the underside of the barrels help position the hands for a very precise balance that reduces fatigue during extended observing. The armor provides a comfortable grip in all temperature and weather extremes. A 1/4”-20 thread tripod adapter port is built into the front end of the center hinge and covered by a thread-in plastic cap when not in use.

Eyecups/rainguard: Rolldown soft rubber eyecups are flared at the side to block ambient light for those who don’t wear glasses while observing. Contrast is visibly increased compared with conventional flat eyecups. The eyepiece rainguard is flared to fit the eyecups.

Objective lens covers: Flipdown soft rubber lens covers are attached to the underside of the binocular objectives so they hang down out of the way when the binocular is in use. The attached covers can’t be lost in the field. For those who prefer to do without objective lens covers, or for those observing hawks directly overhead where the covers might inadvertently flip up and cover the objectives at an inopportune time, a simple push with a ballpoint pen or paper clip on a recessed quick release button in the armor releases the lens covers so they can be removed.

Focusing: Large ribbed focus knob can be used with either hand, even while wearing gloves or mittens. Two quick turns of the focusing knob moves from an infinity focus down to a 9’ close focus or better (Steiner specifies 8.5’).

Case/carry straps: Semi-rigid case has Cordura-type nylon sides, with rigid, but resilient, thermo-molded protective front and back panels. A wide woven case strap is provided, as is a wide and soft neoprene comfort neck strap. As with the objective lens covers, the binocular neck strap can easily be removed by simply pushing on a recessed quick release button in the armor with a ballpoint pen or paper clip. However, accidentally releasing the neck strap is virtually impossible.

Optics: Fully multicoated on all air-to-glass surfaces for good light transmission and contrast. Excellent color fidelity makes it easier to resolve subtle species differences. Low geometric distortion (very little bowing of straight lines at the edges of the field). Astigmatism and curvature of field are well-controlled over the critical central two-thirds of the field. The 16mm eye relief is quite long for a 10x binocular, but will somewhat vignette the field for those who must wear eyeglasses while observing.

Diopter adjustment: Ribbed rotary collar on left eyepiece adjusts for individual eyesight differences.

Weather proofing: Waterproof and guaranteed not to fog internally or leak.