Optics industry veteran Tim Gardner founded Alpen Optics in December 1996 and brought the company’s first products to market in 1997. Over more than two decades, the company won a record seven Outdoor Life Great Buy Awards, one Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice Award and a Field & Stream Best of the Best Award, all while building an exemplary reputation for providing high quality binoculars, spotting scopes and more to hunters and outdoor enthusiasts of all types.

In early 2018, Alpen Optics shuttered its doors upon Gardner’s retirement. At this point, Explore Scientific stepped in to acquire all of the company’s trademarks and designs to ensure the award-winning brand lives on with the same commitment to product performance and service that Alpen Optics customers have come to expect.