sherri mercier
I owned an older pair of Bushnell binoculars that were 8x23 and made back in the late 80's and early 90's. They were around 30 years old and still worked well, but I wanted something with a little more magnification. So I began looking for a new pair and I read hundreds of reviews and watched comparison videos of just about every brand you can imagine. My budget is much bigger these days, then it was back then, so I would not hesitate to buy a $200 or $300 pair if I thought they would really impact my viewing in some way. I'm not a bird watcher and I use them mainly when traveling. Sometimes I'll see something way off in the distance and want to get a closer look. I also fish a lot and use them when boating on the river. If I see a deer or some other animal as I'm boating, I'll stop and pull them out to see them closer and just enjoy nature.
That being said, I'm not trying to see the details of every little tail feather of a rare bird. So for me, the quality difference between a $300 pair of binoculars and this pair, was not big enough for me to justify the extra expense. I purchased these for $79.05 and I got 5% back by using my Prime card. I immediately took them down to the river and had my old ones in one hand and these in the other. I looked across the river and focused on a log that had washed up on the bank, about 200 yards away. Comparing these to the 8x23, the log looked much closer. Also, with the image was much brighter and I realize that is because the 42 lets in a lot more light than the 23 size binocs. I was actually amazed at how crystal clear these new 10x42's are! I never realized how dark the 8x23 was all those years, until I looked through the new ones.
Now about the build quality for those that are interested. These are superb! They are heavier than my old ones, but again, that is to be expected as they are bigger. They are still small enough to tuck away in a backpack or boat storage compartment without any fuss. Also, the rubberized material on the outside has a very nice feel to it and will help cushion these from any type of shock, should you drop them. I also would imagine that if your a hunter or hiker and you get caught in the rain, the rubber type coating on the outside will help you keep a nice grip and won't be slippery. They honestly feel like they will last me another 30 years, like the last pair. Longer if you don't abuse them. Also, the caps/lens covers on the front of them are attached to the binocs, so you won't lose them. I wish the back ones were as well, but they are attached to each other, so when you take the front caps off, they are easier to keep track of. Even the caps are also thick rubber material well made. They should last the life of the binocs easily. It comes with a carrying case with a shoulder strap attached and inside the case, there is another strap that attaches to the binocs and has a fake leather pad that rests on your neck.
I'm not much on the straps, the one on the case itself was very big, although you can adjust it down. It was permanently attached by little plastic buckles on wither side of the case, so I just cut the strap off and left the little buckles on, in case I ever want to get a strap in the future. This is a personal preference, you may like having the strap to hang over your shoulder. I also don't like the neck strap, but it's just a personal preference as I don't wear them on me. It felt fine and comfortable on my neck if you like it that way, but if I'm being honest, if your a person that will wear these all day, I would upgrade that strap to something with a more softer pad on the back of your neck.
Last but not least, the binoc case also has a large belt loop on the back, so you could hang it off your belt, but I would not want that weight hanging off my hip. If your traveling or hiking, I'd just use a neck strap but again, find one that is more comfortable.
Hope you enjoy these if you get them. They are very clear, very well made and the image is nice and bright. The glare from the sun was not bad at all. They should last you a couple decades if you don't abuse them.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 6.89 x 6.02 x 3.03 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.86 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 12 x 7 inches |
| Item Weight | 709 Grams |
| Brand Name | Bushnell |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty Description | Bushnell Ironclad Warranty |
| Model Name | 181042C |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Rubber |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Bushnell |
| Part Number | 181042C |
| Model Year | 2013 |
| Included Components | Binocular, Case, Strap, 2 lens covers |
