Introduction
GPO is an optics manufacturing company that hasn’t been around for long. Even though the name is fresh, the people behind its name are old hands in the field of sports optics. Their offer ranges from Chinese to high-quality European-made products, but designs, engineering and quality management is all done in Germany. When I visited their booth at IWA 2019, I was amazed at how well their products perform for the money. GPO is currently, without doubt, one of the best price/performance companies in the field of sports optics.
GPO Rangeguide 2800 10x50
GPO is on track with one of the latest trends – presenting one’s own rangefinding binoculars. One glance at these is enough to grasp the company’s style – black, elegant housing with plenty of attention paid to details. They used magnesium for the housing, providing a robust, durable construction. Interpupillary distance of 58–76 mm makes it possible for these to be used by most people out there. The number ‘2800’ in its name hints to the maximum range of detection – 2800 meters. If aimed at trees, it can display numbers up to 1000 m, while it works up to 700 m for game. Once the button is pressed, the value is displayed in 0.25 s.
GPO RangeGuide 10x50
GPO RangeGuide 10x50
For those who shoot at an angle, which is common in the mountains, the Equivalent Horizontal Range will be of much help. If you are tracking a moving target, you can press the measuring button to activate scan mode – the distance will be updated continuously. The device boasts a temperature sensor and a compass. The display is of the OLED type. The optical quality is incredibly high, and the field of view is not bad either – 110 m at 1000 m. The user can choose between Best and Last mode.
GPO RangeGuide 10x50
GPO RangeGuide 10x50
Rangetracker 1800, Flagmaster 1800
GPO also brought their brand new Rangetracker 1800 to IWA 2019. This is a series of rangefinding monoculars, currently available in two colours. They also made their own rangefinder for golf which they named Flagmaster 1800.
Rangetracker 1800 works at a 6x magnification and has an objective lens diameter of 20 mm. It displays distances up to 1800 yards (1650 m) and is equipped with the equivalent horizontal range function, an indispensable tool for inclined shots (for non-reflective objects such as trees it works up to 700 yards / 640 meters). The HLCD display works marvelously. For moving targets, Scan mode is added, and the user can switch between Best and Last mode depending on the circumstances. At 94 mm length, 76 mm height and 148 g weight, these are in the compact zone.
GPO Rangetracker 1800
For Flagmaster 1800, GPO used the same form factor, but you will recognize this model for its unique white colour. Except for the colour, the physical characteristics are the same as with Rangetracker, and the same goes for its range of detection. Because Flagmaster is made for golf, it has some fine additional features. It boasts a Hyperscan Mode, making it capable of providing 3 measurements per second. It also combines two PinSeeker technologies – if there are flags with prisms or other reflective material on a golf course, Flagmaster is going to detect it. Flags that have no reflective material on them will also be detected thanks to an additional technology used. GPO calls this Dual PinSeeker Technology. Since it is intended for golf, it has slope correction – when displaying the distance, the device will take the terrain angle into account. This mode can be turned off if you plan on using the device in official tournaments where it is prohibited. Below the objective lens, there is a visual ‘legal indicator’, so that everyone can see when and if the slope mode is enabled or disabled (the indicator will flash if the slope mode is activated).
GPO Flagmaster 1800
GPO Flagmaster 1800
Conclusion
GPO is gradually expanding its offer. You can tell that this company is run by optics experts who know what they are doing. We are impressed with all the rangefinding products that they have exhibited at their booth this year in Nuremberg and can’t wait to test them out in the field.
