Bushnell Infinity

Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: Bushnell Infinity

Folks,

What are your expert views on the Bushnell Infinity 10.5 x 45 binocs and why the weird size?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

Buy it because you want that body style for handling and balance, not necessarily for the optics, though optics are reasonable for a $350 bino. Not in the class of an Elite E2, however.

Size is only slightly weird, compared to a conventional 10x42. The extra .5x and extra 3mm of size is not significant.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003

Guest · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject:

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi

You need to compare on a model by model basis - general conclusions about brands are simply not accurate. Bushnell makes everything from low end disposable binoculars to excellent, premium class binoculars. Even Zeiss offers binoculars at various price points and quality levels.

By all means, if you liked that particular Bushnell, buy it, especially if you cannot see a difference between it and a more expensive binocular, but there are differences bewtween it and a binocular at even $500 if you take the time to do a critical inpsection, either on an optical test target or out in the field where it counts. Casual looks in a store don't tell the whole story.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Since I am recommending taking a crtical look, I should offer some help on how to take a critical look when you are in a store.

To seriously test a binocular for optics, you don't have to be an expert or a lab technician, but you must 1) put the binocular on a tripod or other rest and 2) use an optical test chart or, at the very least, a sign with letters or fine detail. Simply handholding a binocular is as much a test of your ability to hold a binocular steady as it is a test of optics. Taking a general view of things with a binocular is fun, but provides very little in terms of useful information.

If the store cannot supply a tripod, at least rest the binocular on a display, but a tripod is best, since it can be adjusted for your height. When you have placed the binocular on a tripod - and it can simply be rested on a tripod, rather than attached, for the sake of convenience - and have set the diopter correctly for your eyes and assuming you do not detect any unusual eye strain (sign of misaligned optics), it is time to find a suitable target with enough fine detail to be a challenge to the optics. You want something at the very edge of being detectible at that magnification.

Once that is done, begin testing by checking for image brightness, keeping in mind that the lighting in the store can be quite different than what you will have in the field, especially in low light. Now it is time to check for sharpness at the edge of the field. Very few binoculars will be sharp right to the edge, but you should expect nearly any binocular to be sharp across three-fourths of the field. Next, check for distortion at the edge of the field by moving the binocular back and forth while viewing something with straight lines. Any distortion will make the straight line appear to bow in and out. Next, check for color fringing by focusing on a bright light or other bright object. Most binoculars will show just a trace of color, but cheap binoculars will show much more. Now check for contrast. Is the difference between light and dark areas vivid or do things appear to be washed out? Finally, resolution - the ability to see two very closely spaced objects as individual objects. Take your time, focus very carefully and take note of the smallest detail you can see clearly, then take another model of the same magnification and try again. Yes, a side by side comparison of binoculars is by far the best test between models. In the end, if you take the time to be critical about what you see, rather than allow yourself to be swayed by brand or advertising, you will see a good many differences between models.

While you are at it, check mechanical features, especially focusing. Speed, effort and smoothness of focus varies greatly from model to model, even within a brand. This is also time to check how the binocular balances and feels in your hands. Only you can decide which model feels best. Lastly, remember that some things that affect price cannot be tested in a store. Durability and ruggedness are very important binocular features, but other than obvious defects or quality issues, only time will tell. Here, you are going to have to rely on reputation and also price. If you expect to get a binocular that can stand up to continued hard use, be prepared to pay. A binocular made to last a lifetime of hard use will never be cheap.

Hope this helps next tme you are in a store.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003

ET · Guest

Guest, Bushnell probably sells more than any of those by volume. Yet, some stores do not carry Bushnells. I have had some junk stuff that were Bushnells, the styles and models are all over the place.

The high end of Bushnell may not get as much exposure in advertising. There are no famous peole, birders or hunters, that I rememeber advertising them.

One of my favorites to carry around is a Bushnell 8x32 Legend. It is not listed anymore, but the other Legends are pretty good. To get anything similar, I would need to go to a 8x32 Pentax.

The high end is pretty good, I just never see it in my town. Mostly we have Excursions in local stores. And lower models.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5669

Hi ET

Yes, that seems to be the trend in optics. Getting very difficult to find a store, anymore, that offers any kind of selection, let alone knowledgeable sales people. Best place to check are the mega hunting stores like Cabela's if you want to try before you buy. Then, of course, you come to OpticsPlanet when you want to buy.
_________________
Thanks for posting with us
Joanie K - Your personal optics expert

Forum: http://www.opticsplanet.com/msgboard
Blog: http://blog.opticsplanet.com/
Store: http://www.opticsplanet.net/

Phone: 847-513-6201
Fax: 847-919-3003