ISO 14133-2:2016

Optics and photonics - Specifications for binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes - Part 2: High performance instruments

ISO 14133-2:2016 gives requirements for high performance binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes. It is not applicable to general purpose binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes which are specified in ISO 14133‑1.

Optique et photonique — Spécifications pour jumelles, monoculaires et lunettes — Partie 2: Instruments haute performance

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 01-May-2016
• ICS: 37.020 - Optical equipment
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 172/SC 4 - Telescopic systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 172/SC 4 - Telescopic systems
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Start Date: 04-Jun-2025
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revised: ISO 14133:2025 - Optics and photonics - Specifications for binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes - General purpose and high performance instruments
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2024
• Revises: ISO 14133-2:2006 - Optics and optical instruments - Specifications for binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes - Part 2: High performance instruments
• Effective Date: 05-Nov-2015

Overview

ISO 14133-2:2016 is an international standard defining the specifications for high performance binoculars, monoculars, and spotting scopes. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard focuses exclusively on advanced optical instruments, distinguishing itself from ISO 14133-1 which covers general purpose devices. Its purpose is to establish rigorous requirements on optical characteristics, mechanical tolerances, and environmental performance to ensure premium quality and reliability.

This standard is essential for manufacturers, designers, and quality assurance professionals involved in the development and production of high-end optics equipment used in various demanding applications. By adhering to ISO 14133-2, products can be confidently marketed as high performance optical instruments that meet internationally recognized benchmarks.

Key Topics

ISO 14133-2:2016 covers a comprehensive range of technical and informational requirements including:

• Optical Specifications

  • Minimum values and tolerances on magnification, field of view, entrance and exit pupil diameter, eye relief, dioptre adjustment, image rotation, and focusing accuracy.
  • Specific limits on disparities in image rotation and magnification differences between the binocular barrels.
  • Requirements for resolution limits to guarantee optical clarity.

• Environmental and Mechanical Requirements

  • Testing against environmental conditions described in ISO 10109-4 for robustness.
  • Adjustments for interpupillary distance and dioptre compensation to accommodate user variability.

• Marking and Product Information

  • Mandatory and recommended product markings such as magnification, entrance pupil diameter, manufacturer details, and country of origin.
  • Consumer information guidelines including technical data like field of view (in object and image space), eye relief, weight, dimensions, and operational temperature ranges.
  • Clear designation to identify compliant instruments as "high performance."

• Test Methods

  • References to standardized test methods defined in ISO 14490 parts 1, 2, and 7 for verifying optical characteristics and mechanical tolerances.

Applications

ISO 14133-2:2016 applies to:

• Professional Optical Equipment
  Utilized by wildlife researchers, military, law enforcement, and search and rescue teams requiring superior image resolution and optical precision.
• Outdoor and Sporting Optics
  High-grade binoculars and spotting scopes designed for enthusiasts, hunters, and competitive shooters who demand precise and reliable optics under varied environmental conditions.
• Scientific and Astronomical Instruments
  Monoculars and scopes built to meet strict clarity and adjustment standards for observation, inspection, and scientific data gathering.
• Manufacturing Quality Assurance
  Ensures production consistency and adherence to high standards with detailed testing methods and tolerance specifications.

By meeting this standard, products guarantee enhanced performance, durability, and user comfort over general-purpose optics.

Related Standards

• ISO 14133-1: Specifications for general purpose binoculars, monoculars, and spotting scopes – complementary to part 2, focusing on consumer-grade optics.
• ISO 10109-4: Environmental test requirements specific to telescopic systems ensuring resistance to weather, temperature extremes, and mechanical stress.
• ISO 14132-1 & 14132-2: Vocabulary standards providing terminology for telescopic systems and related instruments, supporting clarity and consistency of terms used in ISO 14133-2.
• ISO 14490 series: Test methods for assessing optical performance and mechanical tolerances of these optical devices.

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Aligning product design and manufacturing to ISO 14133-2:2016 supports compliance with rigorous international standards, enhances product credibility, and delivers superior optics and photonics solutions tailored for professional and high-demand applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14133-2
Second edition
2016-05-01
Optics and photonics — Specifications
for binoculars, monoculars and
spotting scopes —
Part 2:
High performance instruments
Optique et photonique — Spécifications pour jumelles, monoculaires
et lunettes —
Partie 2: Instruments haute performance
Reference number
©
ISO 2016
© ISO 2016, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Specifications . 1
5 Consumer information . 3
5.1 Designation and marking . 3
5.2 Information of the product . 3
5.3 Compliance . 4
Bibliography . 5
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information.
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 172, Optics and photonics, Subcommittee SC 4,
Telescopic systems.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14133-2:2006), which has been technically
revised with the following changes:
— to reduce the exit pupil diameter to 4,0 mm instead of 4,5 mm;
— to designate “close distance (m)” to the column “required”.
ISO 14133 consists of the following parts, under the general title Optics and photonics — Specifications
for binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes:
— Part 1: General purpose instruments
— Part 2: High performance instruments
iv © ISO 2016 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14133-2:2016(E)
Optics and photonics — Specifications for binoculars,
monoculars and spotting scopes —
Part 2:
High performance instruments
1 Scope
This part of ISO 14133 gives requirements for high performance binoculars, monoculars and spotting
scopes. It is not applicable to general purpose binoculars, monoculars and spotting scopes which are
specified in ISO 14133-1.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 10109-4, Optics and op
...