All about the binoculars of the USSR

Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine an inveterate hunter or tourist without good binoculars - an optical device designed for observation. Many specialists still purchase Soviet-made optics, and therefore it is quite in demand, and all thanks to its high quality performance and trouble-free functioning in any conditions.

In Soviet times, the following types of popular binoculars were produced:

• army models;
• field instruments;
• marine equipment;
• theatrical samples.

The army varieties of the times of the USSR will differ from the known models of the field model of the same time by the only important parameter - they will all have a rangefinder reticle. Wartime models also have diopter adjustment on two eyepieces at once.

Marine binoculars have water resistance and excellent image quality when observing near water, powerful magnification, high resolution, a special type of optical enlightenment.

Theatrical binoculars made in the USSR are very popular among civilian optics of the Soviet era. These accessories look decent and have excellent optical qualities.

Consider the most famous manufacturers of the Soviet era.

ZOMZ - Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant (started work back in 1935).

In the Soviet years, the plant was called "the brainchild of the 2nd five-year plan". In 1945, periscopes with a large increase in PBUs began to be produced here - they were actively and successfully used during the storming of Berlin and earned the highest praise from the military.

In 1950, the first Soviet night vision devices were produced at the plant.

In 1983, the production of binoculars BPC 20x60 begins. - This is the most popular device in our country and abroad at the very end of the XX century.

KOMZ - Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant (1935).

During the war years, the plant produced 700 thousand binoculars, 30 thousand sights for guns, mortars, tanks. In the late 1980s, a whole collection of Baigish night vision devices was produced here for civilian use. They began to produce civilian binoculars, pseudo binoculars, various monoculars and sights. Today JSC KOMZ continues to serially produce daytime observation equipment.

LOMO - Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Association (1914).

LOMO JSC today is considered one of the leading domestic enterprises that produces optical, optical-electronic, optical-digital and optical-mechanical devices, as well as systems and complexes. In 1924, the plant created the first domestic stationary film projector "Rus" using an arc lamp. In 1930, the serial production of the first Soviet mass amateur camera "Photocor number 1" was started, and many film projectors were also produced here.

LZOS - Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant (1934).

The instrument-making enterprise was created for the production of searchlight installations with mirrors up to 150 cm in diameter. LZOS was instructed to manufacture many complex optical parts, such as: quartz windows for the Salyut long-term orbital stations and Soyuz spacecraft, glazing elements that carry the main temperature loads when passing through the dense layers of the Buran's first tier, and other devices.

Here is a rating of the best Soviet binoculars with their brief characteristics.

The abbreviation BPC translates as "prism-type binoculars with focusing in the center." One of the most successful Soviet optical models. It is a powerful field tool that comes in handy for active observation of the natural environment or distant objects. The rise in temperatures is from -40 to +40 degrees. The increased resolution and high magnification are appreciated by many experts these days.

This model was produced in the 1980s. It is a powerful and reliable tool with:

• good optics;
• great PORRO prisms;
• reliable body;
• weighing 1.5 kg.

Differs in clear, smooth tuning. The body of this device is in a unique braid so that the hand does not slide over the device, and it is almost impossible to drop it.

Such devices were used to constantly monitor moving objects or at a significant speed of the ship.

In the 1980s, the serial production of the BPC 20x60 device began - it is still popular in our country. Binoculars with aluminum inserts visually give a sharper and clearer picture, are ideally blackened and have internal diaphragms. The sharpness of the resulting "picture" was very high, since excellent eyepieces were used here, lenses with less chromatism were also used in the objectives. The best model was produced in 1983.

With its help, it was possible to observe distant objects, various spectacles held in an open area.

Binoculars of high magnification ZOMZ B12 are considered to be a very rare item. Has an individual focusing type, wide-angle eyepieces.

The angular grid guarantees the ability to measure angles in 2 planes, the device accurately determines the distance to specific objects, if their parameters are known. The features of this device can be considered its versatility, compact parameters, powerful magnification, as well as short objective tubes, which is extremely important for constant use of the device.

Field type binoculars manufactured by KOMZ. A compact model that could be used in many places (from hunting to hiking). Differs in eightfold magnification, absence of the effect of "jitter" of the picture, when the observation is carried out from the hands. It has a wide field of view - 150 m, it is convenient for tracking moving natural objects.

Features of the model:

• lenses have a multilayer coating;
• center focusing;
• Bak-4 prisms - clear image without distortion.

Super high-aperture prismatic binoculars with center focusing. The device is intended for tourists, professional hunters, sports enthusiasts or natural landscapes to observe distant objects both in the daytime and in the coming twilight. And at the same time - in a well-viewed area. The temperature range is from -30 to +45 degrees. Excellent resolution, improved image quality, 10x magnification.

Design features of this model:

• there is a goniometric measuring scale-grid in the field of view;
• the location of the grid is in the right monocular;
• separate (individual) focusing.

These models are extremely rare. And therefore, most often they can be seen in the collections of lovers of Soviet optics.