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Last Updated on September 17, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Bushnell Ultra Legend HD Binoculars Review
The Bushnell range of binoculars is increasingly gaining in popularity. Many customers and industry experts found the optical ‘bullseye’ or ‘sweet spot’ slightly smaller than the average provided by most binoculars. However, the image’s power in that sweet spot will sell the binoculars and compensate for the smaller size of the optical sweet spot.
Key Takeaways:
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- The Bushnell Ultra Legend HD Binoculars are built on a lightweight magnesium frame, making them durable and easy to carry for long periods.
- Equipped with ED glass and multicoated lenses, these binoculars offer sharp image quality and enhanced color reproduction, though the optical sweet spot is smaller than in high-end models.
- They are waterproof, fog-proof, and feature a water-repellent lens coating, ensuring durability in harsh weather conditions.
- The rubber-armored grip with a gel pad improves comfort during extended use. However, the eyecups may not fully accommodate users who wear glasses, and the lens covers are prone to damage.
- The diopter adjustment system is user-friendly, with a secure locking mechanism to prevent accidental shifts during use.
Bushnell is providing all these advantages at a very affordable price. Read on for the rest of our Bushnell Ultra Legend HD Review.
The binoculars were captivating enough to draw our attention to the new developments in the image reproduction mechanism, which, supported by the low dispersion ED glass, have resulted in a very fulfilling user experience.
Bushnell Ultra Legend HD Features and Build Quality
Even though it is a little uncommon at this price, Bushnell’s product design department made the right call to build the HD binoculars on a magnesium frame. Magnesium provides a sturdy architecture at a lower weight than an aluminum build, it was discovered, and the binoculars were reasonably easy to carry around for long periods without experiencing fatigue in the hands. The Bushnell binoculars are not as high or tall as other models, either.
The 10X42 model stands at 5.75 inches with their eyecups fully extended.
It possessed the identical “soft-touch grip” that many other versions have. These Bushnell binoculars feature a gel pad beneath the rubber armoring, allowing people with various hand sizes and grip styles to hold the binoculars comfortably for long periods.
The rubber armoring is also somewhat flexible, so users vividly feel the gel pad’s effectiveness. Most customers appreciate the gel pad, which they consider the main reason they can use the binoculars for long periods without any numbing sensation in their hands.
A stock version thread tripod adapter is at the front of the hinge of the bridge connecting the lens tubes. This is expected from a standard-sized binocular and, especially with the ED glass, ultimately makes for better utilization of this optical instrument. Bushnell binocular fans and any other user of a decent-quality standard-sized binocular should also buy a tripod and a tripod adapter to provide image stability in the field.
The Bushnell binoculars are waterproof and fog-proof, using dry nitrogen gas instead of regular air. The Legend HD also has a water-repellent coating on the outer surface of the lens, which, according to the organization, is there to stay permanently. The characteristic behavior of this coating is that it will cause water, snow, or any form of moisture to slide off to produce a better view.
Consequently, one advantage of this binocular is that it allows the user to wash it very conveniently anywhere, making it the ultimate binocular for a “no-fuss” trek.
Eye Relief and Eyecups
The eyecups installed onto this magnesium frame are a two-step design. If the binoculars are just pushed towards the face, they can extend halfway and return to the original position, which is a very convenient feature. The increments that can be made after the halfway mark are 3mm each. The levels of eye relief for the Bushnell Legend binoculars differ for different models.
The 10X42 model has a lower-than-average eye relief of 15.2mm, while the 8X42 model possesses the most, with 17.2mm. A handful of customers also complained that these eyecups do not extend enough to offer an easy and comfortable viewing experience to people who wear glasses. However, most appear to do well with them.
Rain Guard and Lens Covers
The rain guard installed in the Bushnell HD’s optical pieces is soft rubber. Because of friction, the rubber is very stable wherever you place the binoculars on your face. The rubber is not so smooth that it would be damaged by regular use but is flexible enough to be used roughly in extreme conditions.
The objective lens covers are the same rubber material as the rain guard. While that rubber material was a perfect fit for the rain guard, it seemed a bit brittle for use in lens covers, so we were concerned about losing the lens caps. Instead of risking misplacing or, even worse, losing them, storing them in the binocular case’s pouch is advisable.
Case and Strap
The binocular case is a hard-shell, molded case with zippers along the three sides and a fabric hinge on the bottom. Two zipper runners make opening the case very easy within a short time. A protrusion between the binocular tubes fits into both to keep them steady during storage.
The other side has a net coming down almost halfway, making a very good-sized “pocket” to hold lens covers and other optical peripherals. Of course, the storage case is big enough to store the binocular harness.
The strap provided with the Bushnell HD is comfortable—but it is a bit more than that. It possesses a series of nylon-covered cushioning structures that distribute the load over the neck strap. This is done so that the nylon cushions help keep the strap off a person’s perspiring, sore neck.
With this functionality, this pair of binoculars would be accepted by anyone who has spent at least one humid afternoon with a neck strap sticking to their neck.
A carry-strap for the case is provided, along with a lint-free bag with a drawstring for the binoculars and a microfiber lens cleaning cloth to complete the binocular kit.
Optical Features and Image Reproduction
Bushnell claims the Legend binoculars offer a 340ft field of view at 1,000m. The angular field of view of this particular set of binoculars is approximately 6.46⁰, not what you find in a high-end pair of binoculars. However, the angular field of view for the Bushnell Legend is not bad, as it serves the purpose for which it was made.
Given the resolution and clarity of its images, the Bushnell Ultra HD’s optimal optical spot is indeed a very sweet spot. The optimal optical position is also almost free of chromatic aberration. However, to be precise, the range in which this pair of binoculars provides such results is a tad bit small.
The binoculars’ multicoated glass certainly contributes to image reproduction. The fluorite-coated glasses with extra-low dispersion qualities prevent chromatic aberration and enhance the device’s potential to reproduce better images. The Bushnell binoculars’ prisms are made of BAK4 glass, which also helps increase contrast and reduce internal light dispersion.
The image is even better with the silver coating on these prisms. Bushnell coined the “ultra-wide” coating, which is a portion of the anti-reflective coat used to increase light transmission along the complete spectrum.
The binocular’s optical sweet spot intuitively and automatically adjusts to the object you want to focus on, making it an amazing handheld optical instrument. However, being a handheld optic, it does not provide stability, which can improve the viewer experience because of various factors like breathing and shaking hands.
Aside from the 10X25 pocket variant belonging to the Bushnell binoculars, the exit pupil is quite acceptable. It ranges from 3.60 to 5.30mm and serves the purpose quite well for most adventure enthusiasts. The higher extremes of the exit pupils are more efficient in low-light environments.
The Bushnell binocular’s color reproduction was impressive with the optical heavyweights installed. However, it was found to be somewhat biased toward the yellow tones. Outside of the optical sweet spot, there was a significant chromatic aberration.
The specifications provided for the 10X42 Legend claim that its close-focus distance is 6.5ft. However, various industry experts found that it was 6.0ft. This acceptable range falls within the 8.0ft close-focus distance recommended for bird watchers.
Diopter Adjustment
Most adventurers, travelers, and bird watchers prefer a locking mechanism on the diopter adjustment mechanism because of the accidental changes that can occur in a non-locking framework.
The diopter adjustment system within the Bushnell binocular consists of a ring just below the right ocular cup. With the eyecup fully extended, slowly pulling the ring toward the ocular cup is easy. After hearing or feeling a clicking sound, users can turn the ring to find the most comfortable adjustment suitable for their eyes.
When the user is content with the binoculars’ position, they need only push the ring into the eyecup until they want to change the setting again.
Advantages
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It is built on a magnesium frame, which keeps it light and handy in extreme temperatures.
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Magnesium provides a sturdy architecture at lower weights.
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The flexible rubber armoring and the underlying gel pad enhance the equipment’s ergonomics and comfort.
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The “Rainguard HD” water-repellent coating on the outer lens surfaces enhances the viewer experience instead of obstructing it.
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The binocular is waterproof and dustproof and prevents condensation in the lens tubes.
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The user can wash it conveniently anywhere; it is the ultimate binocular for carrying on any journey.
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Eyecups are very comfortable and easy to use.
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The rain guards are made of very secure rubber.
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The modern, lightweight, durable case provided for the binocular offers multiple compartments for maximum utility.
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The strap’s high-tech cushioned nylon prevents it from sticking to the users’ necks, thus increasing comfort.
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The binoculars use all the highly advanced optical components to reduce chromatic aberration and other defects.
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An acceptable range for the close focus and exit pupil measurements.
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A very convenient and user-friendly locking mechanism is used for the diopter adjustment on this binocular.
Disadvantages
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Eyecups do not extend enough to provide an easy and comfortable viewing experience to users with glasses.
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The rubber material used for lens covers is too brittle and can get damaged or lost.
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The range for the optical sweet spot is small.
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Chromatic aberrations are found to be noticeable out of the optical sweet spot.
Warranty
The Bushnell Bulletproof Guarantee protects the Bushnell binoculars. It guarantees that the optical device will be free of all flaws in materials and manufacture for the complete duration of the instrument’s life. Otherwise, it will be repaired or replaced for a certain amount to compensate for shipping and handling the repaired or new pair of binoculars.
Conclusion
Since the Bushnell binoculars are affordable and sensible, it’s difficult to find serious negative points to offset the price. The Bushnell binoculars are not perfect. However, the Bushnell Ultra HD is an ideal value for the money for anyone who has developed a new interest in sports and adventure activities and needs a pair of binoculars.
The Bushnell Ultra HD is undoubtedly a “solid value for the money” optical device, and anyone would be comfortable recommending it to newbies who do not want to spend a great deal of money but would also like good-quality equipment to pursue their interests. The target market that would be particularly happy with this equipment ranges from hunters to bird watchers to anyone interested in outdoor activities.
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