Reviews You Can Rely On

Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof Review

Budget friendly, with high scores in comfort and above average in field of view, but otherwise a below-average performer
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nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $95 List
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Manufacturer:   Nocs Provisions
By Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 6, 2022
38
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#16 of 16
  • Clarity - 45% 2.9
  • Brightness - 25% 3.2
  • Comfort - 10% 7.0
  • Field of View - 10% 6.0
  • Ease of Adjustment - 5% 4.5
  • Close Focus Range - 5% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof aren't as incredible as other binos we tested in our test group, but it was a difficult comparison to make given the compact and small nature of the 25mm lenses. Aside from some good marks for comfort, it trailed the majority of products we tested, across all of our major test metrics. Nocs may advertise their optics as top shelf, but real-world use and objective testing put these optics towards the rear of the test group. While they are a very compact-sized pair of binos, and inexpensive, we really hoped that they would do a better job transmitting light, as the viewing experience was dim. Overall, its performance in our tests was consistently lower than more premium models and models with larger lenses. See how it compared to its peers in our individual tests below.
REASONS TO BUY
Light
Good grip
Very comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor light transmission
Poor close range focus
No eye covers

Compare to Similar Products

 
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Price $95 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Though very comfortable, and budget friendly, poor light transmission might leave you wanting more than an easy-to-hold pair of compactsAmong the best optical clarity and brightness we've seen for the priceThe best choice for those on a tight budgetDecent clarity and compactness make these an good budget option for backpacking and hikingA good choice for someone on a budget and who could use a pair of binoculars that let in a lot of light
Rating Categories Nocs Provisions 8x2... Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Celestron Nature DX... Nikon Trailblazer A... Nikon Aculon A211 8x42
Clarity (45%)
2.9
7.1
5.8
5.0
3.3
Brightness (25%)
3.2
8.6
7.7
3.9
7.7
Comfort (10%)
7.0
8.1
5.6
6.4
3.2
Field of View (10%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Ease of Adjustment (5%)
4.5
8.0
7.0
4.9
4.5
Close Focus Range (5%)
4.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Specs Nocs Provisions 8x2... Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Celestron Nature DX... Nikon Trailblazer A... Nikon Aculon A211 8x42
Glass Type ED ED Bak-4 Eco-Glass Eco-Glass
Multi - Coating FMC FMC FMC FMC FMC
Magnification 8 8 8 10 8
Field of View (at 1000 yards) 357 ft 335 ft 388 ft 342 ft 420 ft
Close Focus 13.0 ft 8.2 ft 6.5 ft 11.5 ft 16.4 ft
Eye Relief 10 mm 19.5 mm 17.5 mm 10 mm 12 mm
Prism Roof Roof Roof Roof Porro
Waterproof/Fog Resistant? Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A
Measured Size (Length x Width) 4.3 x 4.0 in 5.7 x 5.1 in 5.3 x 4.9 in 4.1 x 2.9 in 7 x 5.9 in
Measured Weight 12 oz 22 oz 22 oz 12 oz 26 oz
Tripod Adapter No Yes Yes No Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - while it's an easy-to-handle model, the nocs provisions 8x25 did not...
While it's an easy-to-handle model, the Nocs Provisions 8x25 did not perform the way we had expected.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Performance Comparison



nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - our testers look at all aspects of a pair of binoculars, including...
Our testers look at all aspects of a pair of binoculars, including material construction and strap quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Clarity


You won't get the exceptional clarity, as you might from a multi-thousand-dollar pair of binos, with the Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof, but it will get you by. At this tier of binoculars, there is an understandable level of color fringing at the edges of what's visible, and significant distortion at the outermost edge. The viewing experience is a good way off of the most premium models we tested, but it also underperformed the more modest models in our round-up as well, earning it a below-average score for clarity.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - don't expect great clarity with of this budget pair of binos
Don't expect great clarity with of this budget pair of binos
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brightness


The observed brightness and the measured brightness of the Nocs Provisions left a little to be desired compared to its peers, and it earned a lower score than those other models for the brightness metric, based on that performance. The small 3.1mm exit pupil, though bigger than the exit pupil on other models, let in less light than those other models. Viewing in the early morning light was not as easy as models with larger lenses that allowed greater light transmission. The smaller lens, by the nature of its design, also couldn't compete with larger 45mm lenses in evening, low-light situations.

Comfort


The comfort factor of a good pair of binoculars is only complementary to its brightness and crystal clear clarity, and not a major factor affecting function in and of itself. The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof is a fairly average model when it comes to comfort, and that average comfort does not compliment a great performance in either clarity or brightness.

The entire binocular is textured, making it nice and even ergonomic to grip, and the eye cups are very comfortable. However, that is the extent of accolades our test team could give it. The included strap is shoestring-like and uncomfortable. More attuned to its cheap price tag than a quality optic.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - the compact size makes this a comfortable pair of binos to hold.
The compact size makes this a comfortable pair of binos to hold.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Field of View


The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof has a fairly average field of view compared to the entire test group and earned a commensurate average score. The 320-foot field of view that our team measured earned this model a score that happened to be the statistical mode — or in layman's terms, the most repeated score we saw from all the models our team tested.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - the provisions offer a fairly average field of view.
The Provisions offer a fairly average field of view.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Adjustment


Continuing a trend, the Nocs earned a below-average score in our ease of adjustment metric, when compared to the other products we tested. The focusing knob offers resistance, while it also offers more extreme focal-length changes with slighter movements. That could be good or bad depending on a user's preference. This model, like so many average models, does not have a locking diopter. While the eye relief does lock, it is rather short, which could make them difficult to use for some.

Though the Nocs Provisions offered below-average performance for ease of adjustment, context matters. We put them up against some really exceptional, multi-thousand-dollar models, which created a really difficult field of competition for a more modest model like this one. So while they are below the average, they are still completely usable and a viable option for many.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - a short eye relief made adjusting this model for optimal viewing...
A short eye relief made adjusting this model for optimal viewing difficult.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Close Focus Range


The Nocs Provisions finished our tests leaving us desiring a little more in our last test metric, close focus range. We could not get the Nocs to focus on objects less than 17.2 feet, which is not as good as the manufacturer's stated specifications and common in our testing. However, it was also the longest close focus range we recorded, perhaps due to the small lens and 8x magnification, but it probably isn't the best choice if you are visiting a butterfly house.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - one of the worst close focus ranges we've ever measured.
One of the worst close focus ranges we've ever measured.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof?


We'd be remiss to recommend the Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof to our readers, because of the large number of better-performing binoculars on the market. Its price may be one of the lowest you can find, but that does not make it a great value.

nocs provisions 8x25 waterproof binocular review - a bag instead of lens covers is provided to protect the lenses of...
A bag instead of lens covers is provided to protect the lenses of the Nocs Provisions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Binoculars Should You Consider?


For just a few dollars more than the Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof, you can purchase the much better Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof 10x25. While also not the best pair of binoculars, they offer a lot more performance at a comparative price. However, with budget and performance a concern, we recommend considering a more expensive model, like Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 which is a great buy in a compact format, or one of the best overall values we tested, the Nikon Monarch M5 8x42.

Benjamin Hickok