REASONS TO BUY
Light
Good grip
Very comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor light transmission
Poor close range focus
No eye covers
Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof Review
Budget-friendly, quite comfortable, and above average field of view, but otherwise a below-average performer with awful clarity
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $95 List
By Benjamin Hickok and Jessica Riconscente ⋅ Dec 23, 2023
RELATED: Best Binoculars of 2024
Our Verdict
The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof aren't as incredible as other binos we tested in the 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 hoped they would do a better job transmitting light, as the viewing experience was dim. Overall, its performance in our tests was consistently lower than that of more premium models and models with larger lenses.
Editor's note: We retested and updated our review of the Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof on December 22nd, 2023.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | Best Travel Binoculars on a Budget | ||
| Price | $95.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $320 List $169.99 at Amazon | $170 List $125.89 at Amazon | $100 List $99.95 at REI | $110 List $79.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Though very comfortable and budget-friendly, this models poor light transmission and clarity might leave you wanting more than an easy-to-hold pair of compacts | One of the best overall values on the market, particularly for mid-range price shoppers | A great choice for birders on a tight budget | Decent clarity and compactness make these a good budget option for traveling, backpacking and hiking | A good choice for someone on a budget and who could use a pair of binoculars that lets in a lot of light |
| Rating Categories | Nocs Provisions 8x2... | Vortex Diamondback... | Celestron Nature DX... | Nikon Trailblazer A... | Nikon Aculon A211 8x42 |
| Clarity (35%) | |||||
| Brightness (20%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Field of View (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Adjustment (15%) | |||||
| Close Focus Range (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Nocs Provisions 8x2... | Vortex Diamondback... | Celestron Nature DX... | Nikon Trailblazer A... | Nikon Aculon A211 8x42 |
| Measured Weight | 12.1 oz | 23.1 oz | 22.8 oz | 10.5 oz | 27.2 oz |
| Measured Interpupillary Distance Range | 58mm -73mm | 56mm - 75mm | 57mm -74mm | 38mm -75mm | 56mm - 73mm |
| Measured Size | 4.3" x 4" | 5.7" x 5.1" | 5.4" x 4.5" | 2.7" x 4.1" | 6.8" x 5.9" |
| Measured Close Focus | 16.1 ft | 5.5 ft | 8.0 ft | 6.6 ft | 11.9 ft |
| Measured Eye Relief | 12.5 mm | 18.0 mm | 18.0 mm | 10.5 mm | 12.0 mm |
| Glass Type | ED | HD | BAK-4 | Eco-Glass | Eco-Glass |
| Magnification | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Objective Lens Size | 25 | 42 | 42 | 25 | 42 |
| Claimed Field of View | 357 ft | 393 ft | 388 ft | 342 ft | 420 ft |
| Claimed Close Focus | 16.4 ft | 5.0 ft | 6.5 ft | 11.5 ft | 13.0 ft |
| Claimed Eye Relief | 10 mm | 17 mm | 17.5 mm | 10 mm | 12 mm |
| Waterproof/Fog Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not mentioned |
| Tripod Adapter | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Measured Lux Reading from Brightness Testing | 224 lux | 1163 lux | 823 lux | 237 lux | 1236 lux |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
While it's an easy-to-handle model, the Nocs Provisions 8x25 did not perform the way we had expected.
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 might get you by at the zoo. 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. Still, it also underperformed the more modest models in our round-up, presenting blurry images.
The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproofs do not offer the clearest viewing.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Brightness
The observed and measured brightness of the Nocs Provisions left something to be desired compared to its peers. The small 3.1mm exit pupil, though bigger than the exit pupil on other models, let in less light than 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.
These binos offer a surprising level of brightness.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Comfort
The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof are a fairly decent model when it comes to comfort, but that comfort only compliments brightness and a wide field of view.
The Nocs are surprisingly comfortable despite the looks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
At 12.1 ounces, these binos are pretty light and easy to handle. This is aided by being surprisingly well-balanced. The entire binocular housing is textured, making it nice and even ergonomic to grip, and the eye cups are very comfortable. The included neck strap has room for improvement as it is a basic webbing strap.
The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof are very light.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Field of View
The Nocs Provisions 8x25 Waterproof has a fairly average field of view compared to the entire test group. Our vertical board fence test counts the number of vertical fence boards that are visible and compares it to the test group average. With the Nocs, we observe 55 fence boards across the entire view within our schope.
The field of view was a pleasant surprise from the Nocs Provisions.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Ease of Adjustment
Continuing a trend, the Nocs earned a below-average score in our ease of adjustment metric 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 the Nocs 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.
A short eye relief made adjusting this model for optimal viewing difficult.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Close Focus Range
The Nocs Provisions left us desiring much more in our last test metric, close focus range. We could not get the Nocs to focus on objects less than 16.1 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 an aviary.
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. We wouldn't recommend this model even amongst other modest binoculars in our review.
A bag is provided to protect the lenses of the Nocs Provisions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Binoculars Should You Consider?
For just a bit more money 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 better overall performance at a comparative price. However, with value and performance in mind, we recommend considering a more expensive model, like Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28, which is a great buy in a compact format.
—Benjamin Hickok and Jessica Riconscente
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