Kern Swiss Military 8x30

Mfr: Kern, Aarau, Switzerland

Serial Number: 68659

Date: 1978

AFOV: ~64 degrees

TFOV: ~8 degrees

Eye Relief: ~12mm

Prisms: high index

There have been several versions of the Kern 8x30 made for the Swiss military over the years.  This version from 1978 is not rubber armored but has rubber eyecups that fold down.  An earlier version has sliding eyecups.  A later version is rubber armored and bears the Leica name (I believe Leica acquired Kern).  These Swiss military 8x30's are commonly available on the market today.  The sample shown has plastic or rubber eyepiece caps (attached to the strap) and a case made of the same material.  A reticle is present on the left side.

The Kern 8x30 has fairly good optical performance.  It is well baffled with no obvious light leaks.  The image has some edge softness and a small amount of pincushion distortion.  I found this binocular to be barely usable with glasses when the eyecups are folded down.  This is aided by the eye lens being flush with the rim of the folded eyecups.