Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black)

bird watching binoculars / birding binoculars / bushnell

What they say about the Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars (Black)

Excellent inexpensive binocular,
"These binoculars perform very well during daytime and are good for the occasional birdwatcher or for viewing any outdoor event. The light weight and the insta-focus make them very easy to use. I bought them for stargazing (very tight budget!) and I am very satisfied with them giving what I paid. I have been able to locate and clearly see many Messier objects (ie. M22, M13, M11, M3, M5 and the great Andromeda Galaxy M31, and many star clusters such as M39 and the coathanger) and double stars with the Falcons, and they give a nice view of the summer milky way although the view is not very bright since the Falcons are not multicoated, but for [money] you really can't ask much. Overall, excellent value. Buy the Falcons and Terence Dickinsons Nightwatch (Turn Left at Orion is another good one) and you can get into backyard astronomy ..."
-Emilio J. Del Toro

Bargain Binocs Get the Job Done,
"I bought a pair of these on sale (from my "gold box" -- 10x50 is supposed to be the ideal for stargazing. I figured that this might come at the price of some chromatic distortion (tolerable) or difficulty focusing (intolerable). Last night was a "clear" night here in the South Bay. I live about a mile inland, on the coastal edge of Los Angeles' vast light pollution. No marine layer, and I quickly pulled the full moon into focus, then adjusted the other eye-piece. They work for me, but if my eyes get much worse ... I'll have to pass them on to somebody younger.
Enough of the moon, already. I wanna see something I don't see on a regular basis. A quick scan of Orion showed some nebulosity visible, even above city lights. They feel steady. I'm looking forward to more star time.

I didn't notice any chromatic aberation. I have only three minor complaints:

1. No tripod socket for making sure that kids can see what you want them too see. No socket was promised ... so this is not a really fair complaint.
2. Lens caps are cheap and tend to fall off. Watch out for them. It wouldn't have cost that much more to manufacture better lens caps--Bushnell ought to fix this one.
3. I would have designed the adjustable lens with a broader range of diopters for those of us who don't quite see as well as we used to.

All in all, a great pear of binocs for searching the night sky."
-Loma Linda

Cheaply constructed to barely do the job,
"These binoculars cost a hair over twenty five bucks on amazon right now - you're not going to beat that deal in terms of value for money anywhere. They have decent optics.

However, don't think you're getting high-quality construction for that money. These literally disintegrated on me on a recent international trip where they were subjected to neglible abuse (they were mostly carried around in a small backpack on long hikes and sometimes tightly packed in my suitcase). The shaft that couples the two eyepieces to the focusing mechanism is held together with flimsy plastic on both ends, and one of the ends simply snapped off, leaving me with an unusable set of binoculars.

The warranty on these is laughable (you have to pay to ship these - at a cost that's well over half the cost of buying a new pair - to Bushnell where they determine whether it's a manufacturer defect and, if so, send you a repaired item in a few weeks), so my options were to buy a new pair or to try to repair these on my own. I opted for the latter.

In so doing, I took a look inside. It looks like Bushnell cut every corner possible when throwing these together. Most metal edges have been poorly milled, resulting in uneven surfaces. A white adhesive substance has unevenly and sloppily been applied inside to hold the optics assembly together. Not encouraging.

That said, I'd buy these again. Even if I burn through one of these every year due to the shoddy construction, I'd have to go a decade of doing so before I'd have spent enough to equal the cost of a well constructed pair of binoculars that gave me 10x50 magnification."
-Mustafa Jamil

Well Worth the cost,
"I am a rookie bird-watcher and I would recommend this pair of binoculars for bird-watching/binocular astronomy. It can be used to track birds in flight with comparitive ease, and this is a big plus. The insta-focus is a nice concept, especially in winter when the standard knob that binoculars usually have, is a nuisance. The weight, too, is quite manageable.

I found this adequate for most birding, except for things like identifing small birds in dim light. For this, a 7x binoculars is what is usually recommended. But, this binoculars is a happy middle-path if you are also considering some binocular astronomy, since the aperture size is good.

However, there was a great deal of misting over of the lens, in damp conditions (in my case, on the Applachian trail in Tennessee). This might be a detriment in wet weather birding (waders?). Also, the shoulder strap is quite thin.
Overall, a good buy considering the low cost."
-Satyadev Nandakumar

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Bushnell PowerView 10x50 Wide Angle Binocular

bird watching binoculars / bird watching scopes / birding binoculars

What they say about the Bushnell PowerView 10x50 Wide Angle Binocular

Incredible value for birders, astronomers, etc.,
"I am an avid birder as well as a star-lover. These binoculars are incredible! I have them on my table at all times to watch birds with, and they go with me on any hike or camping trip I take.

The initial setup is super-easy, and once you do that, they are some of the best I've used for tracking down and focusing on a moving object. A quick finger-toggle slides the focus for you without losing track of what you're looking at. I've in fact bought many sets of these binoculars for friends and family as gifts because they were so useful for me, and now I have a wide following addicted to these binoculars.

The image of course is fantastic, well lit and good sized!

If you have any sort of interest in nature, astronomy, sports, or just about anything else which involves viewing objects at a distance, these are definitely the binoculars to try. You won't be disappointed."
-Lisa Shea "LisaShea.com"

This is what is meant by the term - User Friendly!,
"These binoculars are the easiest to use of any I have ever tried. The initial setting directions are simple to follow and then you can instantly change the focus from far to near with finger tip ease. We live on a lake and use them for bird watching. I can focus on a bird at our feeder and then watch it flying all the way to its nest. I just touch the instant focus feature with my finger and do not have to take my eyes off it. I can watch a bird across the lake with the same ease. You do not feel like you need an engineering degree to be able to use these binoculars to their fullest potential. What a concept! Something that is easy to use and does what it's supposed to do at an affordable price!"
-anonymous

Have used these just once and already I'm impressed!,
"My dad and I have both become amateur astronomers in the past couple of months. At first, all we would do is just identify various constellations through our cheap 7X35 Tasco binoculars. I had been thinking of getting a telescope for a month until I decided that maybe I should get more powerful binoculars since I didn't think I could afford a first rate telescope just yet.

Well I looked all over the place online and I couldn't find a good pair of affordable binoculars(I didn't want to pay anymore than $60 for at least a pair of 7X50 binoculars). I soon stumbled upon this pair of binoculars at amazon.com. All the reviews were glowing for this 10X50 Bushnell Powerview Binoculars. After reading all the reviews, my father and I decided that this was the best.

I just got my new binoculars today and already I could see a SIGNIFICANT improvement over my old pair of binoculars. I can now see stars that I had no idea were even there. The moon looks as clear as ever, and the bright star Vega couldn't look more beautiful. Keep in mind that I only took a look at the sky for about 15 minutes! It was EXTREMELY easy to focus and use, I really can't wait to use this more and more! Only problem I found with it was that it was a bit on the heavy side(a common, albeit small complaint from many of the reviewers here). Another problem is the cheap strap, however the case the binoculars come with is very nice. This really is the BEST pair of binoculars you could ever get(in terms of price and quality)."
-Archangel972

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Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter

binoculars with tripod / birding binoculars

What they say about the Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter

Celestron 15X70 Skymasters ROCK!,
"I've been an amateur astronomer for about 23 years. I have a broad amount of experience with the kind of optics that are used for astronomy. I have used most every type of instrument and have visited some of the great professional telescopes. I have hand built my own newtonian telescope including machining the german equatorial mount. Soon after completing this instrument I took it to a star party and ended up on my back with a pair of Fujinon SX binoculars. To make a long story short, I preferred the binos to the view in my telescope.

Telescopes are expensive, they are big, heavy, hard to move, hard to store, complicated to set up correctly, and the view through the eyepiece can be crowded and dissapointing. For the casual observer binoculars are the superior choice. They are everything that a telescope is not...relatively cheap, light, easy use. And because they are so easy to use, you will end up using them much more often than you would a cumbersome telescope. That aspect of binoculars alone will make them show you much more than a telescope ever would. The Celestron 15X70 Skymasters are by far and away the best amateur astronomy instrument for the money on the market right now. They are truly and incredible value. You could spend $600+ on Fujinon SX binoculars and have a very fine instrument, but after using these, that would be a hard argument to make. Most everyone's eyes are not able to discern the fine differences between the two instuments. Mind you, I am not telling you that these are as good as the Fujinons, but at about a 10th of the price...well you get the idea. My experience with Celestron is that they are a first class operation. And now with their lifetime no-fault warranty, the best in the industry, you can purchase products from them knowing that if anything ever goes wrong for whatever reason, they will always stand behind their product. If you are looking to get started in astronomy or looking for an excuse to leave your telescope in the closet, these binoculars are a great value and with proper care will last a lifetime and show you more wonders than you will ever see frustrating yourself with a high magnification-small field telescope. Get them, take them outside at night with your kids and wonder why..."
-D. J. deJong "DJ"

More than I hoped for,
"My first night out under dark skies with these binoculars was a terrific experience. In ninety minutes of observing I had great views of M36, M37, M38, M44, M50, easily saw the Trapizium in Orion's nebula, saw the Andromeda galaxy and it's companions streaching across 75% of my FOV. It had taken me two observing sessions with my 5" reflector to find M33, with the Binoculars I found it in two minutes, M81 and 82 were also easy.

All this and I don't even have a tripod yet. I may well spend more time with the 15 X 70's than I do with my telescope.

They are also great for terrestrial viewing. Contrast and definition are excellent. Best optical value I've ever seen."
-Terry Durbin

Nice All Around Binos,
"I took these out to some dark skies recently and they were increadible, stars looked like i could touch them, crisp pinpoint stars all around. These were easy to use will laying on my back, however, i must say while standing or sitting up a tripod is recommended to steady the view as they are heavy for hand held observing. I picked up a sturdy but inexpensive tripod with use with these binos which has made it possible to use for birding or bison watching in Yellowstone. The price is terrific i could not find them any cheaper but plenty out there way more expensive. Get these and with the saved cash pick up a tripod and you will be on your way to some great viewing."
-J. S Thomas "Jethro"

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Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)

best binoculars for bird watching / bird watching binoculars / birding binoculars

What they say about the Bushnell Powerview 8x21 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)

Best Little Binocs By Far!
"After using standard size binoculars for years, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use of these compact binoculars. I plan to take them on my next birdwatching outing and I'm sure the minimal weight will be appreciated."

-Judy Weipert

I love it,
"Works perfect, don't have a single negative thing to say about it. Don't worry if you wear glasses, the binoculars can be adjusted to your level vision, whatever it may be."
-Usni

From the perspective of a beginner and amateur photographer,
"I know very little about binoculars. I know a lot about cameras, but have never owned a pair of binocs. I wanted to buy a basic binoculars with a decent range for my photography nature trips. I wanted to survey a scene quickly with light binoculars and decided to get this one. It's cheap, had good reviews and a respectable name. Here are my views after owning it for a couple of months:

PROS:

1. Excellent value
2. Respectable name
3. Small and light
4. Good solid quality
5. Adjusting stereo vision is quick and smooth and stays in place once found
6. Comes with a nice little soft case
7. Folds up nicely

CONS:

1. Eye holes are smaller than I would like. Still see my eyelashes sometimes. This is expected of most compact binoculars.
2. Requires a decent amount of light to work. A little difficult for sunrise photography.
3. Neck string is thin and difficult to replace

Overall, this seems like a very solid product and at this price, it's a no lose choice."
-silent_archimedes 

great little binoculars !,
"I got one of these binoculars for Christmas and these are more powerful than another pair i had from a diffrent company. Bushnell is a trusted and powerful name in the binocular business and this model is small compact and very powerful for its size and price. The only gripe i have about it is that it there are two things you half to use to adjust the focus, so in other words one could be fuzzy when the other is clear, making the view a little distorted, but overall this is a great pair of binoculars by a trusted name, Bushnell."
-Curtis M. Hiott "Movie king"

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Top 10 Tips When Choosing The Right Binoculars

best binoculars for bird watching / bird watching binoculars / bird watching equipment / bird watching gear / bird watching scopes / bird watching telescope / birding binoculars / bushnell

There are a few simple rules to consider and questions to ask when purchasing your first pair of binoculars.

1. Make sure the power (or magnification) is at least 7-power. The power is the first number given in the numerical notation that describes binoculars. For example, a "7 X 35" pair of "glasses" will make objects appear as if they are seven times as close as they actually are. Seven-power binoculars are about the minimum needed to see birds well. Binoculars 10-power or stronger can be difficult for some birders to hold steady. 

2. Make sure that the second number ("35" for a "7 X 35" pair of glasses) is at least five times as large as the power (e.g., "7 X 35," "8 X 40," etc.). This second number describes the diameter, in millimeters, of the large lens that faces the object of interest - the "objective" lens. The larger this lens is, the greater the amount of light the binoculars gather and thus the easier it will be to see characteristics in dim light or on a dull-colored bird.

3. Are the binoculars too heavy for you to carry and use for at least two hours straight? Don't end up with a hunchback because your binoculars act like a yoke.

4. Can you flex the barrels of the binoculars fairly easily? To test to see if they are too flexible, spread the barrels out as far as possible and then hold onto only one of the barrels. Does the free barrel slip or fall from the spread position? It shouldn't.

5. When held a foot away, do the large objective lenses reflect a bluish or purplish tinge? If they do, the lenses are color-coated. This coating reduces internal glare in the binoculars and increases the amount of light that actually comes to your eyes. Check lenses to make sure the coatings are free of any blotches or scrapes.

6. Can you bring the barrels of the binoculars close enough together so that the image you see merges into a single, clear image within a single, perfect circle? If the image isn't singular or clear, the binoculars may be out of alignment or the eyepieces may not come close enough together to accommodate your eyes. These two problems may lead to eye strain and severe headaches.

7. Do you wear prescription eyeglasses? If you do, your binoculars should have rubber eye cups that fold back. This allows you to put your eyeglasses up closer to the eyepieces of your binoculars and gives you a much larger field of view.

8. Do the binoculars produce a clear image of an object only 20 feet away? Some binoculars do not focus on objects this close, so you may miss the sparrow or warbler that skulks in a nearby bush.

9. Look at a sign with large lettering. Do the letters close to the edge of the field of view appear as precise and well-formed as the letters in the center of the field of view? Image distortion towards the edge of binoculars is common in bad binoculars - like looking through a fish-eye lens. Look for a pair that has minimal distortion

10. When you focus on a license plate or small sign two blocks away, are the letters and numbers clear?  If they're not, choose a different pair!

One thing about binoculars is that you don't always have to have the best specs for bird watching.  Any binoculars are better than none at all.  The thing to remember is that you need to have something to magnify the birds you will be looking for.  If you are serious about bird watching, take heed of the tips for buying binoculars given above.  They will be well worth the money!

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Bird Watching Binoculars

best binoculars for bird watching / bird watching binoculars / bird watching equipment / bird watching gear / bird watching telescope / birding binoculars

You need binoculars to better see the birds. You will soon discover an ironic fact. The best birders have the best binoculars -- even though they can identify a bird 100 yards away by its silhouette. Newcomers with a cheap binocular see a fuzzy ball of feathers and don't have a clue which bird it is. There is an unbelievable difference between a $59 binocular and a $900 binocular.

Binoculars are a birder's eyes on the world, and they can greatly affect the quality of a bird outing. Good binoculars make for good birding, while bad binoculars can lead to missed birds and severe headaches induced by blurred images, double vision, and eye strain.

Binoculars come in many different shapes and forms and carry such descriptions as "roof prism," "close focus," "armor coated," etc. At the outset, you don't need to spend too much time deciphering this arcane lexicon. If you really get hooked on bird watching, you can learn more about binoculars later and trade in for a better pair. A decent pair of binoculars will run you around $60 depending on where you live.

There are a few simple rules to consider and questions to ask when purchasing your first pair of binoculars.

Practice Using Your New Binoculars

Before using your binoculars, it is important to adjust them so they compensate for the differing strengths of your two eyes. Take a lens cap and cover up the right objective lens with it. Then look through the left lens and focus on an object 30 feet away using the main focusing knob located between the two barrels of your binoculars. 

Once you have focused on the object, move the lens cap from the right lens to the left lens. Look through the right lens at the same object (but don't touch the main focusing wheel!) If the image you see is not as clear as it looked through the left lens, adjust it using the focusing ring attached to the right eyepiece of your binoculars. Take note of where you have set the focus on the right eyepiece. Now your binoculars are adjusted to your eyes and ready for action. 

Next, spend some time developing the hand-eye coordination you'll need to spot birds quickly. Most bird watching is definitely not like watching football. With bird watching there's much more action - everything is happening at 1/100 the scale and moves 100 times as quickly over an unlimited expanse of space. It takes time for beginning birders to get the knack of spotting birds with their binoculars. The secret is to learn to spot a bird with the naked eye and then lift the binoculars up to your eyes without ever taking your eyes off the bird. 

Find a comfortable spot at a local park and spend time just practicing spotting objects with your binoculars. Initially, set the focus lever on the binoculars so that an object approximately 30 feet away is in clear view. This is a good average distance from which you can learn to focus the binoculars in and out.

Then begin to look for birds with your naked eyes and then find them with your binoculars. Simply follow the bird around for a while, lowering and lifting your binoculars every so often. Don't worry about identifying birds yet. Just watch what they are doing. Soon, you'll be able to spot and focus like a pro.

Photo credit:  www.sxc.hu/profile/Lekim_mg

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