Ferrari-branded 'Visio' binoculars
The third Taiwanese brand to join the fiesta is Williams Optics, with its Ferrari-branded 'Visio' binoculars. Williams is a Taiwanese optics company that's working hard to raise brand awareness.
Following the launch of a pair of Ferrari-branded telescopes, these binoculars are aimed squarely at the consumer on the street. Beguiling their small size, they are reassuringly heavy and solidly built, and all the controls and adjustment are pleasingly damped in the way that expensive equipment always seems to be. The red paint and slice of carbon set atop the lenses leaves you in no doubt where the design is drawing its inspiration from, but the designers have restrained themselves from going too over the top with manic automotive detailing.
If I was going to niggle, the focus adjustment for the right eye seemed to interfere with the geometric adjustment that allows the lenses to sit straight to the face. I also might expect that they can be transported in something of higher class than a nylon case. Overall, though, I would say that if you removed the Ferrari badges, you would still be left with an appealing, well made product. For those that want to buy a pair of compact binoculars and fancy sporting a famous logo, these fit the bill nicely.
As Taiwan continues in its quest to build brands, you can be sure that more cooperation with unrelated Western companies will occur. It strikes me that, while it might be good for short term sales and visibility, it will mainly provide an advertising platform for the foreigners. But, if you fancy a slice of Italian automotive fantasy, and posters of erotically-lit Ferraris still adorn your wall, do go ahead and indulge yourself.
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