A binocular consists of two optical systems that are joined by a hinge and (typically) share a common focusing mechanism. The ability to create an image for both eyes simultaneously provides a realistic perception of depth. Binoculars are available in a great variety of sizes, magnifying powers and features to suit any purpose or preference.
Bushnell binoculars make use of the latest optical technology. These binoculars have been made to last. With over 50 years of experience, Bushnell is the most recognized name in sports optics in the world. Their products have won numerous awards for their quality and innovation in the field and their extensive line of products dwarfs many of their competitors. Bushnell continues to create cutting edge products for all outdoor activities and this is true across all their products from their value priced ranges up to their highest end models. From the value-priced Powerview® series to the uncompromising Legend™ series, these are some of the finest tools available to magnify your life. To build the best, the designers began with a blank sheet of paper. From there, they added the finest components available and a host of industry-leading propriety technologies. 50 years of excellence in the field has led Bushnell to the pinnacle of performance in binocular optics.
The following definitions and explanations will help you to determine which pair of Bushnell binoculars is best suited to your needs:
Coated Optics: Lens surface coatings reduce light loss and glare due to reflection for a brighter, higher contrast image with less eyestrain.
Lens coating: An uncoated lens will reflect about about 10% of the light that attempts to pass through it. Magnify that by as many as ten internal lenses and uncoated optics will produce a very dim image in even the brightest situation. A lens coating can reduce reflection to as little as 4%, and sophisticated multi-layered coating to as little as 2%. So, if properly applied, the more anti-reflection coating applied to more exposed lens surfaces the better and brighter the final image will be.
Types of lens coating:
- Coated: A single layer on at least one lens surface.
- Fully Coated: A single layer on all air-to-glass surfaces.
- Multi-Coated: Multiple layers on at least one lens surface.
- Fully Multi-Coated: All air-to-glass surfaces feature multiple layers of anti-reflective coating. Fully multi-coated optical systems deliver the brightest, highest contrast images with the least amount of eyestrain because only a very small percentage of light is lost before it reaches the viewer ’s eye.
Ultra Wide Band Coating: An anti-reflection coating process that is customized for every lens element in the optical path, in order to allow the best possible light from the front glass all the way back to the eyepiece. The result is optimum brightness and true color across the light spectrum.
Diopter Adjustment: A fine-focus adjustment ring usually provided round one eyepiece to accommodate for vision differences between the right and left eyes.
Exit Pupil: Refers to the size of the circle of light visible at the eyepiece of a binocular. The larger the exit pupil, the brighter the image. To determine the size, divide the objective lens diameter by the power (an 8 x 32 model has an exit pupil of 4mm).
Eye Relief: The distance a binocular can be held away from the eye and still present the full field of view. Extended or long eye relief reduces eyestrain and is ideal for eyeglass wearers.
Field of View (F.O.V.): Field of view is the side-to-side measurement of the circular viewing field or subject area. It is defined by the width in feet or meters of the area visible at 1,000 yards or meters. A wide-angle binocular features a wide filed of view and is better for following action. Generally the higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view.
Magnification (Power): Binoculars are often referred to by two numbers separated by an “x”; for example: 8 x 32. The first number is the power, or magnification, of the binocular. With an 8 x 32 binocular, the object being viewed appears to be 8 times closer than you would see it with the unaided eye.
Objective lens: The second number in the formula (8 x 32) is the diameter of the objective or front lens measured in millimeters. The larger the objective lens, the more light that enters the binocular and the brighter the image.
Resolution: Resolution, or definition, is the ability of a binocular to distinguish fine detail and retain clarity.
XTR Technology: Using 60 layers of coatings on each prism, this revolutionary system harnesses and optimizes available light, boosting Elite® binoculars to their world-leading 99.73% light transmission per lens. It’s exclusive to Bushnell, and the most efficient means for transporting light through an optical system.
PC-3 Phase Coating: A chemical coating applied to the prisms to enhance resolution and contrast for the brightest and clearest images possible.
Prism Glass: Most optical prisms are made from borosilicate (BK-7) glass or barium crown (BaK-4) glass. BaK-4 is the higher quality glass, yielding brighter images and high edge-to-edge sharpness.
Porro-Prism System: In porro-prism binoculars the objective or front lens is offset from the eyepiece. Porro-prism binoculars provide greater depth perception and generally offer a wider field of view.
Roof-Prism System: In roof-prism binoculars the prisms overlap closely, allowing the objective lenses to line up directly with the eyepiece. The result is a slim, streamlined shape in which the lenses and prisms are in a straight line. Roof prism binoculars are less bulky and more rugged than an equivalent porro model.
ED Prime Glass: ED Prime Extra-Low Dispersion fluorite glass delivers amazing color resolution and contrast, and virtually eliminates chromatic aberration and color-fringing to bring out the most distinct details possible in low light conditions.
Waterproof/Fogproof: Some binoculars are o-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for total waterproof and fogproof protection. These models can withstand complete immersion in water and stay dry inside. The interior optical surfaces won’t fog due to rapid temperature change or humidity.
Rainguard® HD: A wet lens or a misguided breath that would fog conventional glass will never cost you a view. This patented, permanent, water-repellent coating causes moisture from rain, snow, sleet or condensation to bead up and scatter less light so you get a clear, bright view when other optics would be rendered useless. |
