Review of Bushnell Binoculars

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What To Look For

Nature watchers and birders need binoculars to be all-weather and built for rugged conditions because any set of optics taken into the bush will see plenty of incidental abuse. Also, they need to have a wide range of vision and to be easy to handle with a quick focus. Birders in particular might only have a few seconds with a good line of sight. A good range of vision can add an extra second, and the quick focus makes the most of that time. Bushnell has a wide range of products that fit these requirements.

Common Pitfalls

Never choose the absolute lightest set of binoculars you can find. You will need to carry those binoculars into the field, but saving a few ounces of weight at the cost of losing the time or the ability to see the animals to save isn't smart shopping. Worry about getting the features right first, and only after that start comparing weight.

Where To Buy

Nature watchers sometimes have the leisurely opportunity to watch animals for hours at a time, so they can afford to bargain hunt online. Small differences among binoculars won't matter as much as it might to a birder. Birders will often be measuring their eyeball time on the bird in seconds and need a good, handy set of binoculars that are easy to use. It is therefore a good idea for a birder to go to a store to try the binoculars, especially in the case of first-time birders.

Cost

Given the breadth and depth of its product line, the price tag on a pair of Bushnell binoculars can vary a lot. In 2009, a 10x42 Legend cost $312, an 8x42 Natureview was $143 and an 8x42 Elite E2 went for $500.

Comparison Shopping

Bushnell has a birding series of binoculars, with a Birder and a Natureview product line. This represents its more affordable optics, and the Natureview binoculars are also good choices for nature watchers. At the top end of the product line are the Legend and Elite series, both of which earn high marks among birders.