So you’ve decided that you have room for a proper pair of binoculars in your life.
Whether it’s for bird watching, nature loving, sports involvement or just to be able to check out your painting handiwork on your garden fence from your kitchen window, somewhere out there are the binoculars for you.
Tracking down said binoculars can however, prove difficult.
Click here for more reviews of Bushnell Excursion HD Binoculars
In a saturated market it’s tough to know what to buy, which brands are best and what it is you actually need.
The first step is to figure out exactly what it is that you want these binoculars for.
Bushnell Excursion HD Binoculars Video Review – Watch Below
If it’s for bird watching, game tracking or for getting closer to the action on the sports field, then the answer you’re looking for could be found in the Bushnell Excursion HD binoculars.
At just under $150, they are easy on the wallet as well as the eyes. But are they worth the purchase, will they meet your requirements or fall a foot short of that expertly painted garden fence of yours?
Take a look at our comprehensive review below to find all the answers.
You can also see our list of Top Bushell Binoculars or the best hunting binoculars and our list of the best birdwatching binoculars.
Nikon Action Ex Extreme Binoculars Specifications
| Bushnell Excursion HD 8x42 | Bushnell Excursion HD 10x42 | |
|---|---|---|
Size | 8x42 | 10x42 |
Eye Relief | 15.5 mm | 15.5 mm |
Field of View | 341 ft/1000 yds | 341 ft/1000 yds |
Close Focus | 6.5 ft | 6.5 ft |
Lenses | Fully Multi-coated Optics | Fully Multi-coated Optics |
Weight | 23.5 oz | 23.5 oz |
Dimensions | 7 x 6.1 x 3.4 | 7 x 6 x 3.4 |
| READ REVIEWS | READ REVIEWS |
Main Usage Bushnell Excursion HD Binoculars
As mentioned in the introduction, these binocs are perfectly suited to bird watching, game watching and getting closer to the sports field without having to fork out more than the cost of the binoculars for front row seats to the game.
There are a couple of reasons why these binoculars are better at fulfilling those functions than others.
For a start, the lockable central focus knob makes it a breeze to keep your target in crystal clear view. Often, with moving targets, if they stray out of focus they are hard to relocate.
However, when you lock the focus in, you can easily track the movement of your target just by moving your head.
Combine that with 10x magnification over a 42mm objective lens, and you’ve got yourself as clear an image as it is wide. Optimised optics ensure that an HD resolution picture is delivered straight into your eyes, making watching multiple targets a real joy.
Furthermore, you can easily attach these binocs to a tripod, for those longer viewing sessions or just to add a little stability.
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Glass/Lens
Where these are a cheap set of binoculars when compared to other manufacturers, it’s good to see that Bushnell didn’t back them full of cheap glass.
These binoculars feature fully multicoated BaK-4 roof prisms to ensure phase correction of light transmission, giving an excellent image quality.
Furthermore, all the glass used in this product is lead free, so is exceptionally environmentally friendly, which I’m sure is high on all nature lovers list of priorities.
Magnification
Weighing in at 10x magnification, with an exceptional wide field of view provided by the 42mm objective lens, the Excursion HD’s are perfect for bird watching, game watching, and for the sports fans like myself that don’t mind hopping in the cheap seats.
The field of view is wide enough to see enough of the surround environment, but focus enough to bring you that much closer to the action.
Image Quality
The optics employed by Bushnell in their Excursion line help create a great standard of image quality.
They display a detailed image, with a high level of clarity and colour fidelity, to a level that is suited to their HD name tag.
Fully multicoated, as well as using a roof prism design with phase coatings to ensure optimal transfer of light, these binoculars hit the nail right on the head.
A easy to access lockable focus knob also ensures a crisp and focus image throughout your viewing.
Eye Relief
As we have come to expect from any pair of binoculars, the eye relief here is more than ample.
Measuring in at a sizeable 15.5mm, there is plenty of space there for you and you thickest pair of glasses.
With eyecups that you can twist up to your own optimal degree of comfort, peering through these binoculars is a real pleasure.
Pros
One major positive present in these binoculars, is the lockable central focus knob, which keeps the
point of interest that you’ve focused on in constant clarity, regardless of bumping or moving the binoculars.
Combine this with a breathtaking wide field of view, and you’ve got yourself a top quality viewing experience for a top quality price.
Cons
The main drawback present in these Bushnell binoculars, are their weight.
There are most definitely not lightweight, meaning extended periods of viewing can become increasingly uncomfortable.
Furthermore, the instructions that come with the binoculars are unclear, making attachment to a tripod and using the straps a challenge in itself.
Conclusions
All in all, this is a solid attempt from Bushnell at addressing the gap in the budget binoculars market.
Where these have a rugged housing, and are tripod adaptable, as well as ergonomic with their soft thumb notches, the weight of the product lets it down. However, this shouldn’t take away from the high resolution, top quality image that they deliver.
The lockable focus knob is an added bonus, and makes viewing as a beginner exceptionally easy, so they are a good choice for the amateur.
When it comes to a professional, who is looking to use binocs for a long period of time without having to carry a tripod, it may be worth continuing your search and parting with the extra cash for a lighter pair.
