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(More customer reviews)The Bushnell Legend HD binoculars surprised me. I've been birding for over 45 years. I own and have owned dozens of binoculars. Some lasted years, some only months. I've had Bushnells, Trax, Nikon's, Kowa's, and some I have no idea on the brand/mfg. For the past few years I've purchased Nikon's. They are well made, have excellent optics, and carry all price ranges I'm interested in.
For those younger or new to binoculars, the numeric designation 10 x 50, 8 x 40, 7 x 35, 8 x 42 etc refers to magnification/power x Lense Diameter. A 10 power lens brings the subject 'closer' than the 8 or 7 power. (10 times or 8 time 'magnified') The diameter is the diameter of the lense, so 50mm is a bigger diameter than 35 mm or 40 or 42 mm. The magnification and lens diameter are important to understand when picking the right binoculars for how they are going to be used.
I learned three rules to live by if you're going to buy binoculars for birding:
Rule 1. ALWAYS choose MINIMUM of 5 multiplier between magnification and diameter. ( 7 x 35, 8 x 40, 10 x 50) because of the amount of light the lens diameter allows in compared to the 'distance/magnification. Example, a 7 x 25 is fine for sporting events, operas, backyard casual birding because the subject is not very far away, and the lighting is usually good. But in the often low / changing light conditions in nature / outdoors, it's critical you have enough light for the distance you're trying to see. The 5 times rule is also important for Field of View (FOV) usually shown as NNN feet at 1000 yards. That's simply, how much 'real estate/range' can you see in the view finder. If the object is 1000 yards away and you have NNN 'width/field' to locate a bird or object.
Rule 2. Try the binoculars to make sure they're comfortable and easy to use so they're comfortable in your hands and so you don't buy more magnification than you can use. Higher magification requires steadier hand or some sort of prop or surface to rest your elbows or the binoculars on. It's very difficult to really see detail if the binoculars are shaking or moving as you try and focus in. (The same is true of high powered telephoto lenses which is why Tripods and monopods are critical when using anything over a 400mm camera lense) I do still use my Nikon 10 x 50 but only when I need that extra magnification and can steady them for observation. I can sit, rest my elbows on my knees on a table and minimize the shake/movement, but that also restricts my ability to quickly move to a different bird, or different view.
Rule 3. Check the weight of the binoculars. Holding them for a few minutes in a store does not tell you how they'll be when carried for hours. Larger lenses (like the 50 mm) weigh more than a 35, 40, 42, 45 so carrying them around your neck, in a chest harness or in a gear bag can get to be more than necessary. Many Binoculars are simply constructed from different materials. Heavy does NOT necessarily mean 'well built', just as 'lighter' does not mean 'cheap plastic, flimsy, or not well constructed.
So, when I decided to look for lighter smaller binoculars than my Nikons, I knew I wanted at least an 8 x 40. I had settled on the Nikon Monarch (7430 or 7432) 8 x 42 after I tried a friend's pair, and read reviews on what choices I had in the 8 x 40 range because it seemed to be the best in my price range to meet my rules and needs. I tried them and loved them. The fact that they were 8 x 42 instead of 8 x 40 was an 'extra bonus' (2mm more light without sacrificing magnification) Then I went to the sporting good store to buy them. The Sales person pulled out the Nikon Monarch, a couple of Leupolds, and a Swarovski. I tried them all in turn and for my rules (and my price range) decided I was right the Monarch was the choice. I told him 'Monarchs are perfect for me'. The sales person put the others away and as he put my new Monarchs on the counter, casually mentioned the new Bushnell legend that had just arrived a few days before. I said, I don't care for Bushnell (I owned a pair of 'cheap' Bushnell Binoculars about 20 -25 years ago and had no reason to consider Bushnell) but the sales guy was really just being nice and polite so I said ' sure, I'll take a look' fully intending and expecting to find, I would buy the Monarch.
Well, you ever have one of those 'I can't believe it's not butter' moments? It happens once in a while, when the Grilled Steak or chicken, or the pot of Chili comes out just right......or your son comes home beaming with straight A's or a new girlfriend or both. This was one of those moments.
WOW.... the difference of the clarity, light, and feel amazed me. I've never really been a big fan of Bushnell and I was a huge fan of Nikon. These Bushnell Legend HD binoculars blew the Monarch away and for effectively the same price. The poor Sales guy...... I spent the next 20 minutes looking first through the Nikon Monarch, then the Bushnell's viewing the same object or scene with both, then through both again at something else.... I think he was getting worried he'd just confused me and lost a sale. I know he was worried his boss would yell at him to ring me up and get on to another customer. Well he didn't lose the sale. I'm not sure if he missed any other customer sales though. I truly could not believe the difference between them. It was apples to apples comparison. Same 8 x 42, waterproof, weight, price point, you name it.
I'd owned the Nikon 10 x 50 for about 3 years and before the new Bushnell's used them 40 - 50 times per year on birding weekends and birding vacations. Since I bought the Bushnell Legend, a little over a year ago, I've only taken the Nikon's with me once on a birding trip and have not missed them. I still use the Nikons at home, they sit beside my chair in the living room for quick access if I need them. or I let my younger wife use them when she goes birding with me.
The Bushnell Legend HD I bought came with a soft cloth case and a hard case and I've used them both. They also came with a conventional 'neck' strap and a shoulder/chest harness and have used both of them a different time. After over a year of regular use, they still look and perform like new. I've been in extreme heat, cold, rain, wind with them and they've held up better than some binoculars I've owned in the past.
If you're looking for an excellent pair of binoculars in the $200-300 range you can't go wrong. I'd stack these up against most of the $500-900 binoculars out there (Leupold, Swarovarski, and Zeiss)for several reasons. One, if I have to I can replace them 2 or 3 times for the same investment as One of the higher end binoculars. Second, I often Bird with groups of birders and find people using $100 - $1500 binoculars. We often, 'compare' or hand binoculars off to see what binoculars are best. (I wear glasses, so eye relief is important, I'm in my 60's so handling and weight as well as 'steadiness' is important, and the ability to see detail in early morning or dusky light is absolutely critical). After other birders look thru my bushnells, they smile, gasp, say 'really' or just look at the bushnells in disbelief. I even had one tell me "yeah they're nice but I can't really afford $600-$700 binoculars. I'll stick to my $300 range." I offered to sell them to him for $325 then I'd just go buy another pair for under $300 but when he said 'sure' I couldn't go through with it. I told him to check Amazon and pick them up for less than 300 including shipping. I also told him if Amazon was out I'd help him find a pair. He found them on Amazon for under $250. He called me two weeks later just laughing and thanking me. I don't know what he's going to do with his old 'expensive' binoculars. Maybe he'll carry them and find another birder who wants to upgrade.
You can't go wrong with the Bushell Legend HD in whatever magnification and lens you're comfortable with.
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