Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: Armadillo on April 06, 2011, 07:53:03 AM

Title: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: Armadillo on April 06, 2011, 07:53:03 AM: I have been looking around for a good pair of binocs for awhile now and I came across these. There arent that many reviews I could find online but Bushnell stands by this glass and they let you try it for a year and if you dont think its the best you've used, they buy it back. I was intrigued by this offer so I bit the bullet and purchased the legend ultra hd in 8x42. They retail for $300 but I found a placed who shipped free at $240 so thats icing on the cake and makes me feel less economically challenged at the end of the day (since im on a college budget). I received these the other day and they come with a nice binoc harness and a semi hard case.

I was almost expecting disappointment in these because Bushnell is known for their cheapie sub $100 pieces that everyone in my family and friends' families grew up hunting with. I was disappointed by the 1st generation vistas I had purchased a long time ago, they were dark and hard to focus correctly. The Bushnells are, how you say...OUT OF THIS WORLD :IBCOOL: I have brought them and compared them side by side with alpha class binocs and the clarity and resolution was very comparable. Of course this was at dusk too. The Swaros and Zeiss were still slightly brighter but we're not talking about a huge difference. I had one of those moments when I first looked through these binocs where I knew I was looking through a premium glass. My nikons, leupolds and vistas can not size up to these (nowhere near). The optics are crystal clear with only a slight hazing at the extreme edges. I am very impressed with the value of these binoculars and if anyone has been looking at these I highly recommend them for great features at a bargain price

http://www.bushnell.com/products/binoculars/legend-ultra-hd/ (http://www.bushnell.com/products/binoculars/legend-ultra-hd/)
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: Armadillo on April 06, 2011, 08:02:50 AM: oh yeah the part that basically made the deal for me was the review that outdoor life did and the rank they gave these binoculars:

1. Swarovski EL 42 Swarovision 10x42

2. Weaver Super Slam 10.5x45

3. Zeiss Conquest 10x56

4. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42

5. Pentax DCF CS 8x42

6. Cabela's Alaskan Guide 8x42

7. Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42

and on...There are 8 more listed.
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: zmhayward on April 07, 2011, 07:00:04 AM: How heavy are those bushnell hd's? I was considering a new pair. I bought some bushnell legends a couple years ago and as the optical quality was decent the weight was a bit much after a long day of hiking around through the thick woods.
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: Armadillo on April 07, 2011, 10:13:26 AM: they are a littile bit heavier than the average glass with their magnesium housing but they come packaged with a really nice neoprene binocular harness which makes the weight a non issue. I like the alloy body because its basically indestructible
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: zmhayward on April 08, 2011, 02:11:35 PM: Have you used the bushnell ultra hd compact spotting scope or know anyone who has? Im considering going with both the binos and the scope as well but I cant find very many reviews for the spotting scope.
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: Steve C on April 08, 2011, 03:07:51 PM: I have the Legend Ultra HD spotter in 12-36x50. It is larger than other 50mm spotters I am familiar with, but still a lot smaller than any 65mm. In my experience, like any spotting scope, don't expect best performance when you zoom the eye piece to less than 2.0mm exit pupil. This one works pretty well to 30x, but the sweet spot on mine is 24-28 or so. It can get a little dim going to 36x and is best in bright light. One thing I can also say is that regardless of what size spotter you have, the best thing you can do for it is to be sure you have it on a good ,steady, and solid tripod. With a lightweight scope that means the tripod may be spendier than the scope.
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: zmhayward on April 11, 2011, 06:49:52 AM: Vorrtex makes a tripod that is very lightweight and compact. The reviews are good for it and for eighty bucks not a bad buy.
Title: Re: Bushnell legend ultra-hd binocular
Post by: MDGrand on April 15, 2011, 09:44:50 AM: Quote from: Armadillo on April 06, 2011, 07:53:03 AM
I have been looking around for a good pair of binocs for awhile now and I came across these. There arent that many reviews I could find online but Bushnell stands by this glass and they let you try it for a year and if you dont think its the best you've used, they buy it back. I was intrigued by this offer so I bit the bullet and purchased the legend ultra hd in 8x42. They retail for $300 but I found a placed who shipped free at $240 so thats icing on the cake and makes me feel less economically challenged at the end of the day (since im on a college budget). I received these the other day and they come with a nice binoc harness and a semi hard case.

I was almost expecting disappointment in these because Bushnell is known for their cheapie sub $100 pieces that everyone in my family and friends' families grew up hunting with. I was disappointed by the 1st generation vistas I had purchased a long time ago, they were dark and hard to focus correctly. The Bushnells are, how you say...OUT OF THIS WORLD :IBCOOL: I have brought them and compared them side by side with alpha class binocs and the clarity and resolution was very comparable. Of course this was at dusk too. The Swaros and Zeiss were still slightly brighter but we're not talking about a huge difference. I had one of those moments when I first looked through these binocs where I knew I was looking through a premium glass. My nikons, leupolds and vistas can not size up to these (nowhere near). The optics are crystal clear with only a slight hazing at the extreme edges. I am very impressed with the value of these binoculars and if anyone has been looking at these I highly recommend them for great features at a bargain price

http://www.bushnell.com/products/binoculars/legend-ultra-hd/ (http://www.bushnell.com/products/binoculars/legend-ultra-hd/)

Glad you like them! I agree they are comming out and playing more aggresively. I bough the Fusion's not too long ago and I had to take them back. They were about 850 bucks and came with some REALLY cool features, but at the low light test, compared to just my old Nikon Monarchs they were darker.. I just couldn't justify the cost for having glass that was darker. I tried your model too and for everyone I tested it against (leupold, nikon, etc) they were just as clear but not as bright.

So, I finally stepped up to the last pair of binoculars I will probably ever have.. Steiner Peregrine XP. Couldnt be happier.

Bushnell is ALMOST there though in my opinion and have some cool technology of their own like the rain guard.. but they just need a bit more tweaking to take over the "best bang for your buck" title.

:twocents: