Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars

Bushnell have recently introduced two new binoculars to their range, the very impressive Legend Ultra HD binoculars that come in 8x42 and 10x42 configurations and are priced under $300 on Amazon.comand currently unavailable in the UK. They are sure to make a splash with some impressive stats:

Light Transmission

According to their website, there have been some independent tests comparing these new binoculars with the very popular Nikon Monarch Binoculars with the results showing the Legend Ultra HD Binoculars to have superior light transmission across all the visible light spectrum, on average they are said to have an impressive sounding 77.25% more light transmission than Nikon Monarch across the entire visible light spectrum. Bushnell say this is achieved by using their new new Ultra Wide Custom Band anti-reflective lens coating that give you the most amount of brightness at peak shooting hours, when the warmer colors prevalent.

On top of this their ED Prime Glass provides sharp, color-true detail, for a the best HD image.

Ultra Wide Field of View

Another claim, which I will be looking into when I get my hands on a pair of Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars, is that they have a field of view that is 12% wider than other 10x binoculars in their class.

The Legend Ultra HD 10x42 has a field of view of 340ft at 1000 yards. If you compare this to other 10x binoculars that I have reviewed:

• Minox 10x42 BV Binoculars: 342 at 1000 yards
• Olympus 10x42 Magellan Binoculars: 314 at 1000 yards
• Bushnell 10x42 NatureView Binoculars: 315 at 1000 yards
• Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD Binoculars: 336 at 1000 yards
• Zeiss 10x42 Victory FL Binoculars: 330 at 1000 yards

Compare all 10x binoculars that I have reviewed here.



Main Features Include

• RainGuard® HD water-repellent lens coating
• Wide field-of-view
• ED Prime Glass
• Ultra Wide Band Coating
• Long eye-relief (15.2mm for the 10x and 17.2 for the 8x)
• Lightweight body made from magnesium
• Waterproof and fog proof
• Soft touch grips
• Locking diopter
• Comes with carry case, neckstrap, microfiber lens cloth and deluxe binocular harness.

Shoppers in the USA

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Binoculars on Amazon.com

Shoppers in the UK

Not available yet!

$350 Leica Rebate on selected Binoculars

Leica Binoculars are offering a US$350 rebate on many of their new HD-series of binoculars including the popular 10x42 and 8x42 Ultravid binoculars.

To qualify for the cash back rebate from Leica all you need to do is purchase any NEW full-size Leica Ultravid or Ultravid HD binocular or Geovid BRF from any Authorized North American Leica Retailer, between now and September 30th, 2009.

Now as you may know that Leica binoculars do not come cheap, but as with most things, you get what you pay for and with a pair of Leica Binoculars you are getting some of the best binoculars in the world.

The offer excludes compact 8x20 and 10x25 binoculars and Geovid HD binoculars.

Authorized Leica Retailers
I am not sure of all the Authorized Leica Binocular retailers taking part in this promotion, but do know that you can get the rebates from Eagle Optics.

Leica Rebate Form
Click here to download the Leica Rebate form for this offer.

For more take a look at my reviews on:

• Leica Binoculars
• Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD Binoculars
• Leica 8x42 Ultravid HD Binoculars
  

Video Reviews of Binoculars

I have recently added a video review section to the website that I feel will help with one of the biggest obstacles to buying binoculars on the web.

I find that not only with binoculars, but many products when you can not be sure of the it's size, it is sometimes difficult to get a sense of proportionality. Even though on every binocular review, I list the binoculars dimensions and weight, I feel that it can still be difficult to visualise just how compact those great Steiner 8.5x26 Wildlife Pro's are.

Another ingenious use of video for binoculars is this video created by Yachting Monthly to demonstrate just how well the image stabilization works on the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40 Image Stabilized Binoculars:



You can see all the video reviews on this page: Binocular Video Reviews or the video link will be on the specific binoculars main review page. So for example look for the video link on the Steiner 10.5x28 Wildlife Pro Binoculars page to view it.

At the moment I have a video of most of the Steiner binoculars that I have reviewed, but in the future I plan to not only get videos of more binoculars, but also hopefully start producing some of my own.

I hope they are of use to you, in helping you find the best binocular for your needs.

New Binoculars from MINOX

One of the lesser known German makers of binoculars, MINOX has announced the release of a new line of binoculars, with what must be one of the most user unfriendly names for binoculars in the business, The MINOX APO HG 8.5x43 BR asph. and the MINOX APO HG 10x43 BR asph binoculars!

Ok, so lets get our heads around the names and work out just what MINOX binoculars are offering:

The two binoculars in the range are an 8.5x43 and a 10x43: 8.5x magnification and 10x magnifications with the diameter of the Objective lens letting the light into the binoculars of 43mm in both. If you need more information on what these numbers mean check out the Binoculars Glossary

The binoculars weigh only 23.3 ounces and are focused via a single knob for ease of use and the body of the binocular is made from magnesium with a rubber coating to add drop protection.

So what Does the APO HG bit stand for?
working in co-operation with MINOX Binoculars were a company called SCHOTT AG who are glass engineers, based in the city of Mainz. They designed the required glass composition for the APO technology. The high quality ED glass (N-PK 52 A) awards the new HG binoculars apochromatic properties that are said to provide an exceptional optical performance. The APO HG optical system is said to offer natural colour rendition, high contrast and also minimizes glare. The Aspherical lenses inside the eyepieces are said to guarantee consistent sharpness from the centre right into the edges.

The MINOX APO-HG binoculars also have SCHOTT fluoride ED-glass lens elements and so the apochromatically-corrected binoculars are said to offer a brilliant colour fringe free image. The new type of MINOTEC multi-coating on the lenses helps to repel dust, water and soiling from the external glass surfaces and can be simply wiped off.

The MINOX APO HG binoculars come in a wooden box and have a leather case included and are set to a retail price of US $1799 for the 8.5x43 MINOX APO HG and US $1849 for the 10x43 MINOX APO HG.

Where to Buy Minox Binoculars:

USA Shoppers:
Minox Binoculars on Amazon.com
All the popular size binoculars from Minox are available on Amazon.com, including the popular Minox 10x42's and 8x42's and often sell minox Binoculars at the best price.

Minox on Binoculars.com
Binoculars.com also seem to have the full range of Minox Optics, including Minox Monoculars and Minox Spotting Scopes.


UK Shoppers:
Minox Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk seem to have almost the full range from Minox Binocular, including the popular Minox 10x42's and 8x42's excellent as a bird binocular.

You can also read my full and detailed review on MINOX binoculars here

New: Steiner Safari Pro Binoculars

The German optics company Steiner has re-introduced it's popular Safari series of binoculars, this time the line will be known as "Safari Pro Binoculars"

This line of binoculars is aimed at the travel an sporting market as the binoculars are all light weight with a tough armoured covering and offer bright image resolution. The Safari Pro series will offer 3 models within the series, the Safari Pro 8x30 Porro Prism Binocular and the Safari Pro 8x22 and 10x26 Roof Prism compact binoculars.

Steiner Safari Pro 8x30 - Steiner Safari Pro 8x22 - Steiner Safari Pro 10x26 Binoculars
The first impressions are good, with improvements to the original Steiner Safari binoculars including longer eye relief and what is said to be an improved ergonomic focus wheel position on the two compact roof prism binoculars. On top of that all three models feature a more durable body and strong new outer armouring that is long lasting as well as comfortable.

Auto Focus Binoculars
The Safari Pro 8x30 is housed in a rugged Makrolon, armored and shockproof chassis that offers a one time adjustment, which Steiner call "Sports Auto-focus" from approximately 20 yds. to infinity. And are there for Auto focus or more accurately Focus Free binoculars (See my Article on Auto Focus Binoculars)

Entry Level Performance Binoculars
Both the compact Roof Prism 8x22 and 10x26 Safari Pro Pocket Binoculars make the perfect First Performance Binocular. The optics filter out harmful UV light, are shockproof rugged, and priced at a level as to make both binoculars very good value. The 8x22 and 10x26 Safari Pro Binoculars are perfect for travel, watching sporting events and Wildlife viewing. With new restrictions on baggage allowances on many flights, these handy little Safari Pocket Binoculars are perfect for travelling with. Good binoculars increase the enjoyment and fulfilment of any travel and especially safari holidays by bringing everything closer to the eye and enriching the outdoor experience.

I can't wait to get my hands on them, especially the Safari Pro 10x26 binocular and give it a full review. As entry level travel and Safari binoculars these seem excellent.

More information on Steiner Binoculars

Rangefinder laser on new ZEISS binoculars

The new Zeiss Rangefinder Binoculars are primarily aimed towards hunters, as they have a built in laser range finder so that you can tell the exact distance away the object is that you are looking at.

“The Victory 8 x 45 T* RF and Victory 10 x 45 T* RF binoculars not only features very bright and powerful optics with LED displays, its integrated BIS™ ballistic information system also delivers the information required to correct the holdover in a fraction of a second.”


The Victory 8×45 T RF and Victory 10×45 T RF binoculars also feature a unique design that incorporates a folding bridge without separate transmission optics and boast fast rangefinding capabilities that can determine the distance from an object up to 200 meters (300 yards) away in less than one second with an accuracy down to one meter.


The digital range-finding function uses a Class 1 invisible laser beam to make the measurement immediately after you press and release a button to minimize the effect of shaking. The distance information is then displayed on a self-illuminating, four-digit LED read-out designed to handle all lighting conditions.


All Victory RF models of binoculars feature a lightweight magnesium housing and shock resistant rubber armouring plus recalculated ZEISS optics featuring the company’s “LotuTec® coating” which transfers the surface characteristics of a lotus leaf to the lenses and eyepieces so that water beads off the lens without residue. Phew, that is quite a mouthful, but what it means in plain English is that they can be used in the rain and glass surfaces are easy to clean.


The ZEISS Victory binoculars also include removable eyecups that can be locked in four positions, a neoprene carrying strap and a Cordura carry bag.

Follow the link to check out my in-depth page on Carl Zeiss Binoculars to find out more as well on where you can buy Zeiss Binoculars.

Where to Buy Carl Zeiss Binoculars:

USA Shoppers:

Zeiss Binoculars on Amazon.com
Amazon.com have most of the Zeiss Binocular range including the popular Zeiss Rangefinder Binoculars.

Zeiss on Binoculars.com
Binoculars.com are authorised dealers in North America of Carl Zeiss Binoculars and have the entire range of Zeiss Binoculars and Scopes.

UK Shoppers:

Zeiss Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk have a few Binoculars from Zeiss and it is always worth checking them for price comparison.


Zeiss Binoculars on Jessops.co.uk
Jessops stock a small range of Zeiss Binoculars and sometimes have great deals on Binoculars so are worth checking for price comparison.

The German recommended price for for the Victory 8×45 T* model is €2,550 with the 10×45 model set at €2,650.