Word has got around among hunters that the products from German Precision Optics offer a very attractive price-performance ratio. The company, which is based in Inning am Ammersee, is once again launching a number of new, interesting products this year. This time, the 2024 range of new products extends from binoculars with or without integrated laser rangefinders to thoroughbred laser rangefinders and the very latest riflescopes. And this is exactly where we want to start our overview.
GPO SPECTRA 8 1.6-13x44i – A compact and powerful all-round riflescope for many applications
The number "8" after the "SPECTRA" identifies the riflescopes in this GPO series as scopes with an 8x zoom. Previously, the Spectra 8 series included the 1-8x24i, 2-16x44i and 2.5-20x50i models. With the SPECTRA 8 1.6-13x44i, GPO is now expanding this line with a versatile and ultra-compact riflescope.
The GPO SPECTRA 8 in 1.6-13x44i is predestined for use with attachments for night hunting thanks to its extremely short 44-mm objective lens, which is reinforced in this area of the housing. As it has parallax compensation starting at 10 m, the lens is also ideally equipped for use with clip-ons.
The new GPO riflescope has a main tube diameter of 30 mm, a compact length of 308 mm and a total weight of only 385 g. The field of view at a distance of 100 m is 25.6 m at minimum magnification and 3.2 m at maximum magnification. The click adjustment works with 1 cm per click at a distance of 100 m and offers a total of 320 clicks, i.e. the scope has an adjustment range of 320 cm in both elevation and windage. GPO uses the G4i fiber reticle with a fine illuminated dot in the 2nd focal plane that can be adapted to all lighting conditions. We have already been able to put the G4i fiber reticle to the test in detail, here you can find our test report on the GPO SPECTRA 6 3-12x56i with this fine fiber optic reticle.
The new GPO SPECTRA 8 1.6-13x44i can also be retrofitted with an optional reticle quick adjustment: the original elevation turret can be replaced with the GPO Ballistic Turret (GBT) in a matter of seconds. The zero-stop function of the original elevation turret can still be used. The GBT has 5 superimposed rings that can be used for a distance of up to 500 metres. The GBT can be locked to protect it from unintentional adjustment. The GPO Ballistic Turret costs 89 euros (RRP).
All of this makes the new GPO SPECTRA 8 1.6-13x44i a real all-rounder for night hunting, driven hunting, stalking or sitting game. The recommended retail price for the GPO SPECTRA 8 1.6-13x44i is €1,099. With its up to 13x magnification, this riflescope also allows hunters to take shots at longer ranges. Our recommendation: If you want to do this more often, you should purchase the optional GPO Ballistic Turret at the same time – it's worth it.
Compact GPO RANGEGUIDE 3200 8x40 and 10x40 – More than just binoculars with an integrated laser rangefinder: features and price
For GPO, the two new RANGEGUIDE 3200 models in the 8x40 and 10x40 versions are a logical addition to the already established RANGEGUIDE 2800 rangefinder binoculars family. This includes the powerful RANGEGUIDE 8×50/10×50 and the particularly compact 8×32/10×32 models (here is the result of our long-term test).
With the new RANGEGUIDE 3200 8x40 and 10x40 models, GPO is responding to the trend towards binoculars with 40-mm lenses. The "40-mm binoculars" have emerged as all-round binoculars that are suitable for sitting game, stalking and mountain hunting. They can also perform well at dusk and are therefore becoming increasingly popular with hunters worldwide.
It was therefore a logical step to include such a compact design in the development of the new RANGEGUIDE series with improved laser measuring range. The RANGEGUIDE 3200 models from GPO have a magnesium housing with magnesium bridge and tripod thread. The RANGEGUIDE 3200 10x40 weighs just 747 g and the 8x40 version weighs only 713 g. With an overall length of just 137 and 132 mm respectively, they are among the most compact laser rangefinder binoculars in their class. The fields of view at 1,000 m are 135 m for the model with 8x magnification and 112 m for the model with 10x magnification. As usual, the new GPO RANGEGUIDE 3200 models are equipped with a highly coated HD lens system and a red OLED display. Operation is also intuitive and very simple. The new GPO RANGEGUIDES are characterised by their imaging performance with a clear and high-contrast image. This means that hunters can rely on lightweight and handy measuring and observation optics without having to compromise on optical quality or use in poor light conditions or the precision of the laser rangefinder. Both versions of the new GPO RANGEGUIDE 3200 are therefore ideal for stalking, mountain hunting or use in twilight conditions.
With these new models, GPO has also succeeded in improving the previous maximum range of the laser rangefinder of the 2800 devices, which was 2,800 m, so that it is now 3,200 m in accordance with the model designation. The rangefinder has an integrated angle compensation for horizontal distances. With a measuring speed of four measurements per second, the new GPO RANGEGUIDE models are among the fastest products of their kind on the market. In addition to manually adjustable brightness control of the display in nine settings, they also offer automatic illumination adjustment according to the ambient brightness. In addition, the devices have BEST and LAST target functions and also record temperature, air pressure and humidity. The display of all measured values can be switched between metric and imperial units.
The two new GPO RANGEGUIDE 3200 8×40 and 10×40 models not only score highly in terms of performance, weight, compactness and handling, but also in terms of value for money. GPO lists the RANGEGUIDE 3200 8x40 with an RRP of €1,179 and the 10x40 variant with an RRP of €1,199.
The new GPO RANGETRACKER 2000: 140-g light and compact with a range of 2,000 meters, plus OLED display, practical one-handed operation and a good price
Like the models in the RANGETRACKER 1800 series, the new GPO RANGETRACKER 2000 is designed technically and ergonomically to fulfil all the technical requirements of a compact laser rangefinder. The device weighs only around 140 g and measures 94x33x 76 mm. It has ergonomic one-hand operation for all necessary control and adjustment elements, including diopter adjustment.
The GPO RANGETRACKER 2000 now delivers precise measurement results up to a distance of 2 km, increasing the range of the already proven 1800 series by 200 metres. In addition, the new RANGETRACKER 2000 is also equipped with an OLED display, on which the red display can be dimmed in nine settings to provide precisely recognisable target marks and measured values even in difficult lighting conditions. The RANGETRACKER 2000 features the Hyperscan mode already familiar from the 1800, BEST and LAST target technology as well as SLOPE and TRUERANGE calculation. The housing color is available in black or green. The price for both color variants is 399 euros each (RRP).
GPO PASSION SD series – Compact and affordable binoculars for hunting or entry-level nature observation
With the PASSION SD model series, GPO is supplementing its existing PASSION ED binocular series from the mid-price segment and the current top PASSION HD line with a very affordable binocular line for "entry into the fascinating world of observation optics". In view of their attractive pricing, the new PASSION SD binoculars offer impressive performance. This applies to the field of view, edge sharpness, colour rendition, transmission values and also the close focusing range. The PASSION SD models have an ergonomically designed and rubber-armored magnesium housing with a short center bridge – also made of magnesium – and a tripod thread. The compact binoculars are available in the PASSION SD 8×26, 10×26, 8×34, 10×34, 8×42 and 10×42 models.
The ultra-compact GPO binoculars with 26-mm lenses are an excellent choice wherever a small pack size and low weight are required. If you have more space in your rucksack or coat pocket, you can also opt for one of the models with 42-mm objective lenses and get more light intensity in return. The lenses with the 42-mm lenses naturally also have the greatest light intensity and can therefore be used for longer periods in twilight. But now back to the prices: the PASSION SD binoculars with 26-mm lenses each cost 299 euros (RRP), those with 34-mm lenses 329 euros and those with the 42-mm lenses 349 euros, which is a very fair price for all of them. This makes these new GPO binoculars not only an inexpensive travelling companion, but in our opinion also a recommendable gift that parents or grandparents can use to inspire their offspring for nature observation and ultimately also for hunting.
While some of the products presented here are already available in stores or, like some of the PASSION SD binoculars, are already out of stock and awaiting subsequent delivery, the "roll-out" of other products is imminent. In order not to miss any of the nine products, it is worth taking another look at the GPO website linked below. There you will also find more detailed information on current delivery times or can order the items if necessary. Of course, you can also enquire at your local retailer, where pre-orders should also be possible.
Further information on these and other products from German Precision Optics can be found on the GPO website.
