Bushnell 10x42 Powerview Binoculars

The most surprising thing about these binoculars is the focus mechanism. In the model I used for tens years I had no trouble maintaining focus. They are not too heavy and deliver reasonable images handheld. After ten years of use their optics have been bumped out of line. What more can you expect from a binocular in this price range? I don't think I'll bother having Bushnell reset them. So I am on this site looking for a binocular upgrade. The extra wide field is distorted 2/3's of the way out but when new it is quite crisp in the center. I've used them for birding and stargazing and enjoyed them in both pursuits. Now that I am ready to retire these old lenses I think I will miss the focus mechanism most of all. I've read so many binocular advice articles that tell ... MoreThe most surprising thing about these binoculars is the focus mechanism. In the model I used for tens years I had no trouble maintaining focus. They are not too heavy and deliver reasonable images handheld. After ten years of use their optics have been bumped out of line. What more can you expect from a binocular in this price range? I don't think I'll bother having Bushnell reset them. So I am on this site looking for a binocular upgrade. The extra wide field is distorted 2/3's of the way out but when new it is quite crisp in the center. I've used them for birding and stargazing and enjoyed them in both pursuits. Now that I am ready to retire these old lenses I think I will miss the focus mechanism most of all. I've read so many binocular advice articles that tell you to avoid this type of quick focus. All I can say is that in the binoculars I bought ten years ago it still works super and holds the focus better than some other similarly priced center focus wheel type design. So all in all this is a great binocular for the price. It your planning on doing your observing in poor weather these probably won't suit you, although I have taken them out on cold wet days. They fog up and I hold them in front of the air vent in the car for a couple of minutes. It's that or pay a lot more for nitrogen purged glasses. Cheers, Jake...

Not much to dislike - good quality and value.What I liked:- Multi coated optics & Bk7 prisms (borosilicate crown glass)= clear, sharp image.-Large 50mm objectives = good light gathering capability.I have used them for moon- and star-gazing, birdwatching, general outdoor use and have used in the field under even more demanding conditions while on duty in the US Army. They have performed well in all cases.- Image quality. On a par with the Army standard issue "M22" Steiner bino I used when deployed to Anbar Province and Baghdad, Iraq on a US Army Military Transition Team (MiTT) mission in 2006-2007: 7x50 porro-prism watrproof/fogproof fully multi-coated nitrogen-purged bino with a mil-scale reticle. Civilian version sells for $800.00+.- These Bushnells also ... MoreNot much to dislike - good quality and value.What I liked:- Multi coated optics & Bk7 prisms (borosilicate crown glass)= clear, sharp image.-Large 50mm objectives = good light gathering capability.I have used them for moon- and star-gazing, birdwatching, general outdoor use and have used in the field under even more demanding conditions while on duty in the US Army. They have performed well in all cases.- Image quality. On a par with the Army standard issue "M22" Steiner bino I used when deployed to Anbar Province and Baghdad, Iraq on a US Army Military Transition Team (MiTT) mission in 2006-2007: 7x50 porro-prism watrproof/fogproof fully multi-coated nitrogen-purged bino with a mil-scale reticle. Civilian version sells for $800.00+.- These Bushnells also compare favorably with some of the expensive Nikon, Zeiss, Zeiss/Jena, Leica and Hensoldt/Wetzlar binos I have had the opportunity to use during a 24-year career in the US Army. However, I do NOT believe that, for most use, the increase in image quality in those far more expensive binos justifies paying 10 to 20 times the cost of these Bushnells.- Toggle lever focus system. Bushnell calls it "InstaFocus", works well, I have found it precise enough for small focus adjustments once I got used to it. Particulary useful for tracking/identifying moving objects in the field such as ground vehicles, aircraft in flight and personnel moving across terrain at varying distances. I have also found it works exceptionally well for tracking moving animals and birds moving through trees / in flight.- Rubber armor. Covers the entire body of these binoculars = easy to grip even when wet and should serve well to protect optics from damage if they see some rough use.- Wide woven neck strap. Works well for my use, does not dig into neck/shoulders during field carry. For those wanting increased comfort and utility, buy an upgraded strap or even a bino harness system.- Padded nylon case. Suitable for average use, same as what came with some far more expensive Nikons I bought recently. For more protection, I use an aftermarket case that is more water/humidity/dust resistant, better padded and shuts more completely with a zipper. Most of these aftermarket cases, such as the FieldLine tm brand models, are reasonably priced and often come with additional internal and external storage pockets.Other notes:- Minor color fidelity issues (called chromatic aberration) under some conditions & slight image distortion/bluriness at the edges of the field of view. Be aware that routing light through any lens system will cause these conditions, thus they also occur in more expensive binoculars to varying degrees. It is not an indication of any manufacturing or design flaw.-Everything in the center of the field of view is in color-correct crisp focus with no distortion, so I do not find these issues objectionable given the relatively large field of view of 341 feet @ 1000 yards.- Lens covers. The ones that come with binos work well to protect lenses, fit tightly. Problem is they are not attached to bino body, so one could conceivably lose them. I bought lens covers that stay attached to bino - available at Adorama as well as most optics stores and online optics vendors.- Close focus distance is 20 feet. You cannot bring anything into focus that is closer than this. Not a flaw or malfunction, just how Bushnell designed the optics on these particular binoculars. Has not caused any problems as I seldom have had the need to look at anything that is closer than 20 feet. May be an issue for some close-in observation such as may happen in birdwatching, etc...- 5mm exit pupil. Makes prolonged use of this bino easy on the eyes.- 26 oz weight. Among the lighter 10x50 binos you will find (Our family-use Nikon Action Egret 8x40 binos weigh more than these, and they are smaller.) Light enough to be easy to carry for prolonged periods of time. While hiking, walking: if I'm not planning on using them soon, I keep them in my bino case - case on my belt or slung over my shoulder until I need them; easier to carry.- Fold down eyecups and 10mm eye relief allow those who wear glasses to use these easily. I wear glasses but I personally find it easier to remove my glasses before using binos, so I leave the eyecups up.- Right side adjustable diopter. Makes it easy to adjust to your individual eyesight requirements.- Even though these binos are not waterproof or fogproof (ie: not O-ring sealed and dry-nitrogen purged) they have proven to be weather resistant thus far. No internal fogging/moisture buildup during short term use in light rain/drizzle, nor in warm humid conditions or when they went from warm to cold temperatures. However I intentionally do not use them in pouring rain since they are not waterproof and I try to minimize subjecting them to extreme temperature fluctuations.If you do need a waterproof/fog-proof bino, highly recommend the Bushnell Legacy series porro-prism binoculars: 8x42, 10x50 & 10-22x50 zoom. They have the more newly developed BaK4 (Barium Crown Glass) prisms, and two have better close focus (8x42=12ft // 10x50=18 ft). This will likely be my next Adorama bino purchase as Adorama has the absolute best prices on these I have found anywhere - from $ depending on the model - with free shipping in the US!

Just a novice in using binoculars, but we are very happy with this Bushnell PowerView 10x50. Gives us clear images over distance and is easy to use. Because of the lenses being 10x50 they are best used for distance viewing. Others have said about swaying ruining image etc. But we hand held ours and don't have that issue. (steady hands). We love them and are looking forward to using them more very soon on our travels.