Are Costco's Sporty Binoculars Worth The Money? Outdoor Enthusiasts Chimed In With Reviews

Whether you're gathering your gear for a day at a national park or for a weekend spent camping and hiking, a good pair of binoculars can be an essential item to bring along. From scanning the trees for birds to watching a bison safely from a distance or simply taking in distant mountain views, binoculars can elevate the entire experience. At Costco, the Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars promise to deliver sharp visuals with a user-friendly design. But the question is: priced at $169.99, are these binoculars worth it? Most reviewers say yes.

On Costco's website, the binoculars currently hold a 4.5-star rating with more than 250 reviews, which suggests many buyers are happy with their purchase. Some of the top picks for binoculars can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. So Costco's price is appealing for anyone who wants a quality set that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Experts at All About Birds describe the Pirsch 8×34 model as lightweight, with large eyepieces comfortable for people who wear glasses and a sleek open-hinge design that makes them easy to grip. But they also point out that sharpness drops at mid-to-long distances and edges of the image can look fuzzy or distorted. In other words, they're reliable in bright, close-to-mid-range conditions but not the tool of choice if you need superior clarity for faraway details.

For hikers, birdwatchers, or campers, these compromises likely aren't deal-breakers. The lightweight build (just 0.97 pounds) and nylon carrying case make them practical to carry in your pack. And at Costco's price point (backed by the store's generous return policy), they're a decent option for everyday outdoor use.

Reviewers tend to agree that for casual users, Costco's Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars are a solid mid-range pick. Reviews often mention them as reliable companions for hikes, travel, or backyard birdwatching. One Costco customer named Steve wrote, "For the price, it would be difficult to get better optics than this." Costco reviewer Sleepy added, "These binoculars are as good as my much more expensive and larger Vortex pair."

Best Binoculars Reviews says this Bresser Pirsch set is "well worth considering if you are after a reasonably high performing binocular, but also on a fairly tight budget." As for downsides, the review highlights lower-quality lens covers and a weak minimum close focus distance (meaning they won't be ideal for users interested in up-close details of small things like flowers). Some Costco reviewers agree, mentioning the unimpressive lens caps. One reviewer also says the clip-on covers fall off easily, but still rated the set with four stars. A shopper going by Barker describes them as a "very good product for an entry level binocular" that's a "great starting point if not used excessively for detailed birding."

So if you're a weekend hiker, casual birder, or packing for a budget backpacking trip, the Bresser Pirsch Compact Binoculars makes our list of awesome Costco items that will improve your experience. On the other hand, if you're more serious about wildlife observation or need top performance across all conditions, you may want to splurge on a higher-end pair.