A pair of good binoculars can be the perfect companion for bird watching. That's why we regularly open our doors to Opticron, a UK company specialising in optics, who like to do things differently. Here Rob Laughton, Area Sales Manager, tells us why.
Spill the beans then - what makes Opticron so special?
Opticron has been running since 1970 and is a British company. Unlike other optical brands we cater only to the wildlife fraternity and do not actively promote or bring to market optical products used for hunting. We endeavour to supply our customers with the best value optics at an affordable price whilst also keeping to our company ethos of “Smaller, lighter, brighter and sharper”. The business was started as a binocular repair company by Dezso Baksa in Brighton, then realising that there was a demand for new products, he started his own brand “Opticron” and it grew from there. It's now one of the biggest brands for optical users in Europe.
How does the sales experience differ?
Customers will get expert advice and have the chance to view the optics in field conditions, which is far better than buying in a high street or purchasing products blind online. You would be hard pushed to find a better place to try out binoculars and telescopes than at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - it offers some of the best bird watching in this country. Also, anyone who buys a new bit of kit at one of our events at the Discovery Centre, is helping to support the work of Sussex Wildlife Trust as all the profits go straight back into maintaining and developing the nature reserve.
You sometimes run training days for staff here. Tell us a bit more about that..
As a company representative my job is to visit our retailers and part of that is staff training. Not all members of staff will have used binoculars before, or even if they had, they might not be familiar with our range. When I'm training staff, I go through all the basics on the binoculars, monocular and telescopes. Then we'll go into more detail on the individual products and their selling points, for example what ED glass does and how it improves the image you see in a binocular or telescope.
Do you have a favourite bit of kit in the range?
My two favourites are the Aurora BGA VHD 8x42 for its sheer clarity and wide field of view, and the Traveller BGA ED 8x32 for when I go on holiday. The latter is lightweight to carry around with my photographic gear.
Why do you love Rye Harbour? Do you have a favourite bird or view?
I loved Rye Harbour from the very first time I visited around 20 years ago. It's an amazing reserve with a great diversity of wildlife. I would say my favourite bird to view is the Avocet, as I love their call echoing across the reserve, plus living in Bristol I don’t see many!
To find out when the next Opticron Optics Sale is taking place at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, click here.
This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website
