By Benjamen Unten 

ZeroTech has been around long enough that most shooters recognise the name, and the company’s built a reputation for dependable, well-engineered optics. Its Trace range continues that tradition and The Report recently gave me the opportunity to test the 10×45 ED* model. The TRACE series also includes 8×45 ED and 15×56 ED variants, giving shooters options depending on whether they prioritise portability, magnification or low-light performance. 

They feel like quality straight out of the box.

Out of the box 

The Trace binos are supplied with a 45mm wide x 7mm thick, slightly stretchy, padded neck-strap. There are rubber covers for both the ocular and objective lenses, and while the objective lenses do not feature integral rubber keeper-rings, both sets of covers have slots so that they may be threaded onto the neck strap for safe-keeping when not in use. There is a branded cleaning cloth and the binos come in an impressive, profile-matched, semi-hard case. They feature a ¼” female thread between the objective lenses to take an adaptor for tripod mounting. 

Build and handling 

The Trace 10×45 EDs feel solid in the hands. The outer shell is wrapped in a rubber-armour, which includes slightly raised, roughened sections in the key grip areas as well as a slight thumb indent underneath that combines to provide secure grip without being sticky or spongy. There’s no rattling, no loose parts, and it balances well in the hands, which is a bonus if you want to spend a few hours glassing without having your arms go numb. 

They are a larger bino.

Dimensions are approximately 161mm long x 118mm high x 70mm deep. They weighed 915gr on my digital scales so there is some heft, but everything in life is a trade-off (just ask my wife) and a little extra weight is a small price to pay for image quality. They certainly feel like they will last many seasons of hard use, yet light enough to carry comfortably in the field. 

The twist-up eyecups click positively into three positions: fully in, halfway and fully out so glasses wearers aren’t left squinting or guessing where the lenses should sit. Once set, they stay put. 

Optics and performance in the field 

The 10×45 ED delivers sharp, clear images across the field of view. Colour fidelity and contrast are strong and edge distortion is minimal. Fine details are easy to pick out, which is handy when identifying game or spotting targets at a distance – or just confirming your mate really did hit the bullseye. 

Low-light performance is solid; really solid. Early-morning and late-afternoon sessions yielded bright, clear images and the optics maintained clarity across varying light conditions. The 10x magnification offers a sensible balance: enough reach for long-distance spotting without making the image twitchy in your hands. 

Focus adjustment is smooth and precise, and the diopter ring holds its setting reliably. Mechanically, the binoculars feel solid, built to take the occasional knock without drama –  unlike some optics that seem to sulk if you so much as breathe on them wrong. 

Practical considerations 

The Trace 10x45s are portable and straightforward to use. It sits comfortably around the neck or in a chest harness, making it practical for long field sessions. ZeroTech backs the range with a lifetime warranty, summed up by their slogan, ‘Any owner, any problem, always covered.’ That is very reassuring in the field and gives you the feeling that these optics are as tough as you hope they are, and that ZeroTech is happy to stand behind them. 

Conclusion 

The ZeroTech Trace 10×45 ED is a well-made, dependable pair of binoculars. Sharp optics, smooth focusing, strong low-light performance and thoughtful design features make it suitable for hunting, range observation or general field use. 

It’s not boutique glass, and it doesn’t pretend to be. What it does do is deliver consistent, reliable performance day in, day out. They are a slightly larger, slightly heavier glass, but not so much that it is a burden. In fact, the marginal extra weight provided me with some extra stability, which was a bonus. I was very pleasantly surprised by the range and quality of these binos; so much so that I slapped them on my field tripod, which impressed me even further.  

The Trace binos by ZeroTech retail for $899, but at the time of writing, these have been advertised for considerably less than that. See the full range of ZeroTech products and the Australia-wide list of dealers by visiting: zerotech.com.au 

*The ‘ED’ apparently stands for ExtraLow Dispersion. This slightly confusing acronym refers to the type of glass used in the optics. ED glass is designed to deliver better image quality. It does this by providing better colour representation, better light transmission and better contrast.