Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas UHD Gray Binoculars with ED Glass for Adults and Kids, High-Powered Binoculars for Hunting…
Brand: Athlon Optics
Best for
Best for birding
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Current price
$249.99
Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Athlon Midas UHD 8x42 is positioned as a step up in glass quality from the sub-$150 tier, with ED elements that multiple reviewers credit for visibly reduced chromatic fringing. allaboutbirds.org's review called out a very bright, crisp image with good contrast, edge-to-edge sharpness, an excellent focus-wheel feel, and a generous field of view with close focus, all features birders specifically look for. bestbinocularsreviews.com singled out the wide field of view as ranking with much pricier glass.
What reviewers liked
- ED glass meaningfully reduces chromatic aberration per allaboutbirds.org and birdforum.net reviewers
- Wide field of view and good close focus, both important for birding
- Bright, contrasty image consistently praised across expert and community sources
- Lifetime warranty backs the higher price point
Where it falls short
- outdoorgearlab.com explicitly questions the performance-to-price ratio versus competitors
- At ~$250 it's nearly double the Crossfire HD with incremental rather than transformative gains
- Heavier and less pocketable than compact 8x32 alternatives
- Some birdforum.net threads note eyecup and accessory quality is good but not premium-tier
Across the reviewers we read, the Athlon Midas UHD 8x42 is positioned as a step up in glass quality from the sub-$150 tier, with ED elements that multiple reviewers credit for visibly reduced chromatic fringing. allaboutbirds.org's review called out a very bright, crisp image with good contrast, edge-to-edge sharpness, an excellent focus-wheel feel, and a generous field of view with close focus, all features birders specifically look for. bestbinocularsreviews.com singled out the wide field of view as ranking with much pricier glass.
The high-trust dissent is important and we surface it: outdoorgearlab.com's review concluded the Midas G2 8x42 UHD is a good binocular overall but fails to offer enough performance-to-price ratio to rise above its category. In other words, the glass is genuinely good, but at ~$250 it competes against well-regarded options that some testers prefer. r/Binoculars threads are more enthusiastic, with multiple owners describing the brightness and definition as outstanding for the money and the build as confidence-inspiring.
For birders specifically, this is the pick where every meaningful spec, ED glass, wide FOV, close focus, comfortable focus wheel, lines up with the activity. Buyers chasing pure value may find the Crossfire HD closer to optimal; buyers chasing image quality without crossing into $500+ territory tend to land here.
- ED Glass - ED glass gives you an image with little or no chromatic fringe so the final result brings a clearer and sharper image to your eyes
- ESP Dielectric Coating is a multi layer prism coating that reflects over 99% of the light to your eyes bringing you a clear, bright image that displays accurate color reproduction.
- Advanced FMC - Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses gives you better light transmission to bring optimum brightness and true color across the entire light spectrum.
- Argon Purged - Argon purging gives you better waterproofing and thermal stability and Field of view Angular -8.1 degree
- Long eye relief can be particularly important for eyeglass wearers because longer eye relief allows them to still see the entire field of view.Field Of View M @1000 METERS:144 m
Overall, I'm really happy with them. They feel well made and the image quality in terms of brightness and definition is outstanding. In a ...
The Opticron Oregon 8x42's have received very good reviews, and they have 22mm of eye relief for eyeglass wearers. They also have a lifetime ...
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“Review Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas UHD Gray Binoculars with ED ...” · YouTube
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