A few years ago, I made one of the worst mistakes in my hunting career. My old pair of binoculars was, well, getting old and I wanted something new and shiny instead.
Now, from previous experience, I realized that I should spend a little more and get better quality (never let it be said I don’t learn from my mistakes sometimes). That’s why I let the guy at the shop convince me to lay out $280 on an import.
To be fair, they were from a reputable company, so there shouldn’t have been problems. There were a few minor issues, but nothing I couldn’t live with.
It was after the warranty expired that I realized my mistake. One of the eyepieces broke. Now, for close on $300, I expected more. I thought that the company would come up with an equitable solution to get the eyepiece repaired.
They did, for the company that is. I could get the eyepiece fixed, but it was going to cost me close to a hundred bucks. It was an offer that I could take or leave.
I couldn’t believe the bad service. I took my grievances to the net and found that several others had had similar service issues. That’s when I decided that enough was enough. I was going to create a resource to prevent others from falling into the same trap.
This website was a result of that decision. It’s also a reason that I keep it up to date with new reviews. So, after all that preamble, welcome to my latest Bushnell binoculars review.
My Top Choice
Which model wins in this Bushnell binoculars review? Drumroll please, the top model is the Legend Ultra HD. It’s got all the features you need and more, and you can’t beat the price.
Reviews of Bushnell Binoculars
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 – Best Bushnell Binoculars for Those on a Budget
If you’re looking for a great deal under the $100 mark, these could be right for you.
Key Features
- 10 x magnification
- Lens diameter of 50mm
- Porro prism
- 300 ft field of view at 1,000 yards
- Close focusing range of 25 ft
- 9 mm eye relief
- Fully coated lenses
- 27 oz. weight
- Eyecups fold down
- InstaFocus lever
What I Like About This Product
When you’re working at this price point, you learn to manage your expectations. You’re in for a pleasant surprise here, though. The clarity of the lenses gives you an idea of what you’ll get from more expensive models.
These are not a match to Swarovski’s in terms of performance, but they’re perfect for spotting deer. The InstaFocus lever is also a nice feature that helps you focus fast on the go.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
Of course, something has to give at this price point. Here it’s with the lens coating and accessories. The lenses haven’t been multi-coated. That’s not going to matter during the day, but in low-light conditions, it decreases visibility.
I’d recommend buying a new neck strap to replace the one provided too.
Pros
- Great price
- The InstaFocus lever is a nice addition
- Great performance
Cons
- Could be more streamlined
- Doesn’t do well in low-light conditions
These perform pretty well for a set at this price point. It won’t be the last set you ever buy, but it will be with you for a fair amount of time.
Overall Rating
3 ½ out of 5 Save money and still get great results.
Bushnell Trophy 10×42 – Best All-Purpose
No Bushnell binoculars review would be complete without including these all-purpose glasses. These are not the most advanced set that the company produces but they’re great value for money.
Key Features
- 10x magnification
- Lens diameter of 42 mm
- Roof BaK-4 prism
- 330 ft. field of view at 1,000 yards
- Closest focus range is 10 ft.
- 15mm eye relief
- Multi-coated lenses
- 25 oz. weight
- Nitrogen-purged
What I Like About This Product
These are a great set of all-purpose binoculars. They won’t break the bank but still deliver exceptional results. You get a clear image and a decent field of view.
This is a great set for tweens. The build quality is excellent, and it will take a lot of punishment.
If you’re going out at dusk or dawn, the lens coatings here make it easy to distinguish shapes in the low light.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
If you’re a long-range hunter, these are not for you. They’re clear up until 250 yards or so, and then the images start losing detail.
Pros
- Decent optics
- Price is good
- Lifetime warranty
- Durable
- Easy to grip
- Comes with nice accessories
Cons
- Long range detail leaves something to be desired
If you don’t have a fortune to spend, these make a good alternative. They’ll do well if you’re out bird watching, or if you’re out hunting. Long-range hunters will want a different option, though.
Overall Rating
3 out of 5 Get more value for your money.
PermaFocus 10×50
This set offers excellent performance for the price. It’s great for sports fans and birdwatchers.
Key Features
- Multi-coated lenses
- 10X magnification
- 296 ft. field of view at 1,000 yards
- Focuses from 10 ft.
- Fold-down eyecups
- 12mm eye relief
- Focus-Free feature
- Rubber armor
- Shock resistant
What I Like About This Product
Attending a sports match is fun. That’s is, as long as you’re not sitting so high up you’ll get nosebleeds. With this set and its focus-free feature, you don’t have to worry about that. You’ll feel like you’re right there amongst the action.
The lenses perform well in low-light conditions. The fold-down eyecups are ideal for those who wear glasses.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
This model is definitely better for longer distances. It’s also not ideal for hunting because it is neither fog-proof nor waterproof.
Pros
- Durable build
- Great field of vision
- Works well in low-light conditions
- The focus-free setting makes it easy to watch distant events like sports
Cons
- Better for long distance viewing
- Not waterproof
- Not fog-proof
If you’re looking for impressive magnification at longer distances, this might be the ideal set for you. It’s a good fit if you’re off to see the big game and might appeal to birdwatchers thanks to the level of detail you’re able to see at a distance. If you’re an avid hunter, though, you might want to look elsewhere.
Overall Rating
3 ½ out of 5 We have a winner, sports fans.
Trophy XLT Bone Collector Edition
This is one of Bushnell’s classic designs and one that is highly collectible. It’s not surprising because it delivers excellent overall performance.
Key Features
- 25 oz. weight
- 10X magnification
- Lens diameter of 42mm
- Multi-coated lenses
- Rubber armor
- Waterproof
- Fog-proof
- Shock resistant
- Fast focus feature
- Weighs 25 ounces
- Has flip covers
What I Like About This Product
This is a tough little set overall. The rubber armor keeps the interior optics nicely protected if the set is dropped. They’re ergonomically designed and easy to grip. It has soft-touch grips for your thumb.
The optics are clear and detailed in good lighting conditions. The fast focus feature makes it easy to track game while it’s running or birds on the wing.
The waterproofing means that it’s safe to take them out in the rain. They have been nitrogen-purged to reduce fogging of the lenses.
Check out this video:
What I Don’t Like About This Product
The detail in low-light conditions leaves something to be desired. As a result, if you spent most of your time out at dusk or dawn, these might not be a good match.
While the overall quality is good, I feel that the company dropped the ball with the flip covers. Handle them gently, or they’re bound to snap off.
Pros
- It’s collectible
- High-quality build
- Durable
- Flip lids make it easy to cover and uncover lenses on the fly
- Excellent grip
- Shock resistant
- Fog-proof
- Waterproof
Cons
- Be gentle with the flip covers
- Not great in low-light conditions
Overall this is a good set. Aside from the flip covers, it will take some abuse and will last well.
Overall Rating
3 out of 5 A great start to your Bushnell collection.
Bushnell Powerview Wide Angle – Best Bushnell binoculars for Star Gazing
This set has the highest magnification levels that we’ve got on this page. What does all that power get you? A set of crystal-clear optics that allow you to see for over a much longer distance. Perfect for star gazing, bird watching, or tracking deer on a plain.
Key Features
- BK-7 Porro Prism
- 12X magnification
- Lens diameter 50mm
- Rubber armor
- Compact design
- InstaFocus feature
- Limited lifetime warranty
What I Like About This Product
This is a monster set of binoculars. It offers incredible magnification and clear images. The InstaFocus feature is handy if you’re trying to focus on a moving target fast.
The build quality is good, and the rubber armor and design make these easy to grip. The large lens means that your field of view is ample, despite the level of magnification.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
This is designed more for long distance viewing. It will pick up all the details of a bird in flight. If you typically hunt in a forest, though, you’ll probably want to get something with a magnification of around 8X or, at most 10X.
Pros
- Great optics
- Excellent magnification
- Clear detail
- Good lifetime guarantee
- Shock-resistant
- Insta-Focus feature
- Compact
Cons
- Takes a while to get used to adjusting it
- Slightly heavier than normal
- Not as good for close-up viewing
If you like to see every detail in a game, or on a bird, you’ll love this pair. It’s also great for a lazy evening of stargazing.
Overall Rating
3 ½ out of 5 Reach for the stars with this unique set.
Bushnell H2O
If you’re looking for a great pair of binos that won’t let you down, no matter what the weather situation is, you’re in the right spot.
Key Features
- 10X magnification
- Close range focus of 12 ft.
- 17mm eye relief
- 305 ft. field of view at 1,000 yards
- Lens diameter of 42 mm
- Waterproof
- Fog-proof
- HD quality optics
- BaK-4 prism
- Multi-coated lenses
- Rubber armor
- Ergonomic design
- Twist-up eyecups
- Easy to adjust
- Limited lifetime warranty
What I Like About This Product
Some brands claim that their binoculars are waterproof. Then you find out the hard way that they’re not. This won’t happen with this set. They are designed to be used in wet and rainy conditions.
Every aspect, from the waterproofing of the optics to the textured rubber grip, makes these easy to use in the rain.
The multi-coated lenses work equally well in light and low-light conditions. The images produced are crystal-clear and true to life.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
They’re not the lightest pair that you’ll ever own. They are also one of Bushnell’s mid-range models in terms of price. To be fair, though, that’s to be expected – they’re packed with a lot of features.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Excellent image clarity
- A larger than typical focus knob is conveniently supplied
- Use with the eyecups down if you were glasses
- Useful in both low light and standard lighting
Cons
- Heavier
This set will suit you perfectly if you like to spend a lot of time outdoors. It doesn’t matter if you’re mucking around in the mud while stalking a deer, or birdwatching.
Overall Rating
4 out of 5 These binoculars go where no binos have gone before.
Legend Ultra HD – Best Bushnell Binoculars Overall
If you’re looking for the best of this bunch, this is it. These will work for a number of different purposes. They do their best work out and about in the field, but can also be used when going to a sports match or concert.
Key Features
- Lens coating is water repellent
- HD multi-coated lens made from ED glass
- Magnesium body reduces the weight
- Fog-proof
- Waterproof
- 10X magnification
- Lens diameter of 42mm
- Rain guard HD water-repellent lens coating
- Lightweight, magnesium chassis
- Waterproof & fog proof
- Comes with good accessories
- Limited lifetime warranty
What I Like About This Product
You’re getting great optics for the money that you’re paying. The rain-repellant coating is a bonus. They have a solid feel to them but aren’t overly heavy. They’re easy to grip and shock resistant.
You get some fantastic details and true to life colors. You’ll love it if you’re a bird watcher. The contrast is also excellent, which is crucial if you’re a hunter.
What I Don’t Like About This Product
I would have preferred it if these incorporated some sort of stabilization features.
Pros
- Water-repellant lenses
- Lightweight
- Fog-proof
- Waterproof
- Great field of vision
- HD optics
- Quality accessories
- Good build quality
- Good warranty
Cons
- No stabilization feature
Overall, this is one of the pricier offerings from Bushnell. That said, even their top-of-the-range models are a lot more reasonably priced than most. If you’re looking for exceptional optics and reliable design, this is the set for you.
Overall Rating
4 ½ out of 5 I’ve kept the best for last.
About the Bushnell Brand
The Bushnell story is quite an interesting one. David Bushnell had decided to travel to Japan for his honeymoon in the forties. At that point, American consumers had few choices when it came to binoculars. The ones found in the States at the time were generally poor quality. You could import better models from Europe, but the cost was prohibitively expensive. So, when Bushnell was shown a pair of Japanese binos while on his honeymoon, he had a brainwave. The quality was outstanding, and the price was reasonable.
That’s when the idea for the Bushnell brand came about.
Bushnell returned to the States with two boxes of binoculars to sell. The company itself was founded in 1948 on his return. Despite the somewhat humble beginnings, it soon became apparent that he’d hit on a winner. He started to design his own range of optics. These would then be made up in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. His patented designs proved even more popular, and the company grew from strength to strength.
Bushnell wasn’t going to stop there, though. He expanded the range to Spotting Scopes Tripod and rifle scopes as well. This move further entrenched the company as a household name in the States. Bushnell ran the company himself until 1971 when he sold it to Bausch & Lomb. Since then, the company has changed hands several times.
They’ve never lost sight of the founding principle, though – providing quality optics at affordable rates. The company has since won several best binocular awards and has maintained steady growth. It’s incredible to think that the company most recently sold for around $800 million, especially when you consider its humble beginnings.
One of the things that keep the company so popular is that it’s never rested on its laurels. It continually innovates so that it can meet the changing demands of the market head-on.
The range now includes:
- Binoculars
- Riflescopes
- Red Dots
- Rangefinders
- Spotting Scopes
- Night Vision
- Trail Cameras
- Laser Aiming
- Telescopes
- Speed Guns
You have everything from a very basic set of binoculars through to very high-tech rangefinders and telescopes.
The company ensures that its products are priced affordably. There is something there that will suit every budget. The features may not be as fantastic on the lower-priced models, so that’s a compromise you have to make.
One area where the company won’t compromise, though, is on quality optics. So, while you might be getting a pared-down version at entry-level prices, you’re getting above-average optics with it.
Also, many products within the company’s range are covered by a limited lifetime warranty. This allows clients to buy them with confidence, knowing that they have the backing of the company. They take customer service seriously and aim to provide the best possible service and products. I, for one, think that they deliver.
Overall, though, these are solid products. A number of them make it to our list of best binoculars. Look after them well, and even the budget models will last you through many adventures.
Of course, if you want something with all the bells and whistles, and can afford to drop a bit more cash, you’re covered here as well. As I mentioned earlier, they do have an extensive range. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you aren’t looking hard enough.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my choices for the best that Bushnell has to offer. The Legend HD is the clear winner here, but the other models also put in a good showing. Bushnell has proven itself as a brand that Americans can trust.
No other brand quite delivers the same value for the money or options. If you’re on a tight budget, get yourself started with my budget pick – the Falcon 10 x 50. If you’re looking for an all-purpose pair, the Trophy 10 x 42 is a good choice.
Any of the models on this list will serve you well. Have fun selecting your favorite.
Swarovski is another great brand of binoculars. Check out their products here.
