TechCamerasNikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars reviewBulkier but brighter than rivals, the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are among our favourite all-round binoculars for safari, stargazing and more. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)T3 VerdictAn excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to useReasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens capsWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechCamerasNikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars reviewBulkier but brighter than rivals, the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are among our favourite all-round binoculars for safari, stargazing and more. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)T3 VerdictAn excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to useReasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens capsWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Bulkier but brighter than rivals, the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are among our favourite all-round binoculars for safari, stargazing and more. Here’s our review
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)T3 VerdictAn excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to useReasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens caps
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
T3 VerdictAn excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to useReasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens caps
T3 VerdictAn excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.
T3 Verdict
An excellent value pair of binoculars ideal for all-round use, the porro prism Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars are a great option for wildlife, stargazing and general use, though they are bulkier and heavier than most rivals.
Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to useReasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens caps
Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Bright and colourful images+Affordable price+Easy to use
Excellent build quality
Bright and colourful images
Affordable price
Easy to use
Reasons to avoid-Bulky size-Can’t focus on close objects-Fiddly objective lens caps
Bulky size
Can’t focus on close objects
Fiddly objective lens caps
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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The Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are not the easiest binoculars to travel with. Weighing a whopping 899g / 31oz, these porro prism binoculars are on the heavy side. They’re also wider than most binoculars, so why do I like them so much? Wearing a tough rubber armour that’s nicely textured and easy to hold, these binoculars are that rare kind of product that seems like it could last for many, many years.
They’re made of tough stuff, and that includes their optics, which help create stunningly colourful, crisp and sharp views both in bright conditions and in dusk, twilight and even during darkness. These factors mean that despite their weightier build, they’re still a consideration for ourbest binoculars for birdwatchingranking.
There’s something else that’s unusual about the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 that I like. They’re a relatively rare example of mid-range binoculars that employ that porro prism optical engine, which is known for both its affordability, but also for the brightness of its images. Here is why I enjoyed using the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 and why you should consider they’re some of thebest binocularsyou can buy if you’re looking for your first serious pair for all-round use.
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: price and release date
The Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 cost around UK£99 / US$120 / AU$159 and originally went on sale in 2013 as binoculars for outdoor activities including birdwatching, nature observation and hiking. They’re one of seven different models in Nikon’s Aculon A211 range, which also comprises models with the following specifications; 10x42, 12x50, 16x50, 7x35, 7x50 and 8x42. ‘Aculon’ combines the words accuracy and precision.
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: design and features
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars specsMagnification:10xObjective diameter:50mmField of view at 1000m:113.2mClosest focusing distance:7m / 23 ftEye relief:11.8mm / 0.46-inchWeight:899g / 31ozDimensions:19.7 x 17.9cm / 7.8 x 7"
Magnification:10xObjective diameter:50mmField of view at 1000m:113.2mClosest focusing distance:7m / 23 ftEye relief:11.8mm / 0.46-inchWeight:899g / 31ozDimensions:19.7 x 17.9cm / 7.8 x 7"
Magnification:10xObjective diameter:50mmField of view at 1000m:113.2mClosest focusing distance:7m / 23 ftEye relief:11.8mm / 0.46-inchWeight:899g / 31ozDimensions:19.7 x 17.9cm / 7.8 x 7"
Magnification:10xObjective diameter:50mmField of view at 1000m:113.2mClosest focusing distance:7m / 23 ftEye relief:11.8mm / 0.46-inchWeight:899g / 31ozDimensions:19.7 x 17.9cm / 7.8 x 7"
The most important features on the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are its 10x magnification and 50mm objective lenses, which make them ideal for all-round use. That 10x magnification is capable of wowing first-time users of these relatively large binoculars while the 50mm objective lenses ensure bright images even in low-light conditions, such as around dawn and dusk, in twilight, and at night.
Unlike most mainstream binoculars the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 uses the porro prism optical design. In use since the mid-19th century, this design sends light through a pair of glass prisms that magnify and correct the image for the lenses. This simple optical design means a really bright image and a wide field of view – two characteristics of the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 I definitely noticed during use – but it also means a slightly awkward Z-shape on each side. That explains why these binoculars are wider than a lot of rivals. They ship with a suitably wide padded bag, which can be used as a shoulder bag in conjunction with the excellent next map also included in the box. That bag also has a belt loop built into it.
The Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 uses BaK-4 glass, multi-coated lenses to stave off reflections and aberrations, and also aspherical eyepiece lenses. The latter are there to reduce image distortion at the edges of the lenses.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
(Image credit: Jamie Carter / T3)
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: build and handling
The Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 is an unusually tough-looking pair of binoculars, but there’s a catch; the use of that porro prism optical design means they’re never going to compete with roof prism binoculars when it comes to portability.
The rubberised materials that completely cover the barrels on the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 are textured, which makes them easy to grip and hold in all kinds of weather conditions. It also lends them a degree of shock-resistance. Despite the fact that the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 is not technically water resistant, I didn’t have any issues with taking them outside in all kinds of weather.
During my time with the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 I found the build quality to be excellent, with the focusing knob nicely resistant to being knocked and the diopter adjuster similarly solid. The eyecups are also solid, though soft enough on the eye sockets (though they do lack eye relief for spectacles-wearers), with an excellent figure-of-eight eyecup cover that’s sturdier than on most binoculars. However, the objective lens caps are slightly annoying. They stay in place well enough, but they’re not attached either to each other or to the binoculars, so they’re easy to misplace.
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: performance
The main problem with the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 is that they’re heavy. At 899g / 31oz I found that my arms got more tired more quickly than when using lighter binoculars. That’s important because the more tired your arms get the less likely you are to be able to hold a pair of binoculars steady. There are lots of techniques to reduce this problem, such as leaning back against the wall or even placing your binoculars on an upturned broom for extra support. You can theoretically attach the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 to a tripod using an L-shaped adapter that can be fastened to a hidden thread between the barrels. It’s hidden under a small coin-sized, Nikon-badged cover. However, at 10x magnification we don’t suppose many people will want to use that (if you do, it’s worth investing in atravel tripod).
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: alternatives to consider
If the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 is too rich for you then consider something a bit more affordable like theCelestron UpClose G2 10x50. Another pair of porro prism binoculars, they’re lighter and so easier to hold for long periods, but lack ultimate image quality and the build quality of the Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211. If you want something as portable as possible for travel, but still want impressive images then consider theCelestron TrailSeeker 8x42roof prism binoculars, which offer less power but are ideal for travelling light.
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 binoculars review: verdict
Nikon 10x50 Aculon A211 Binoculars: Price Comparison
908 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
908 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$106.95View$106.95View$136.95View$139.99View$140.87View
$106.95View
$106.95View
$106.95View
$106.95
$106.95
$106.95View
$106.95View
$106.95View
$106.95
$106.95
$136.95View
$136.95View
$136.95View
$136.95
$136.95
$139.99View
$139.99View
$139.99View
$139.99
$139.99
$140.87View
$140.87View
$140.87View
$140.87
$140.87
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