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Binoculars review

Bushnell Legend 10x42

Bushnell Legend 10x42
8 January 2010
Optyczne.pl 
A new series of the binoculars from the American Bushnell company consists of porro and roof prism systems instruments. Porro prism models are available in the following versions: 8x26, 10x26, 8x42, 10x50 and 12x50 and roof prism models include: 9x25, 12x25, 8x32, 8x42, 10x42, 10x50 and 12x50.

The binoculars are characterized by a very solid casing and physically light weight. All the instruments from this series are waterproof and nitrogen-filled. There’s a central focusing system.

Pictures
  • Lornetka Bushnell Legend 10x42
  • Lornetka Bushnell Legend 10x42
  • Lornetka Bushnell Legend 10x42
  • Lornetka Bushnell Legend 10x42
Manufacturer data

Manufacturer:

Bushnell
web site

Distribution / Sales:

Militaria
web site

Magnification Lens diameter Angular field of view Prisms Eye relief Weight Price
10 42 105/1000(6o) BaK-4/roof 15 mm 844 g 1635 PLN
Results of the review
Real front lens diameter Left:   41.93+/- 0.05 mm
Right:  41.91+/- 0.05 mm
8 / 8.0 pkt
Real magnification 10+/- 0.15x 3/3.0
Transmission 74+/- 3% 7/25.0
Chromatic aberration Medium. 5.5/10.0
Astigmatism Slight. 6.8/10.0
Distortion The distance of the first curved line from the field centre compared to the field of vision radius: 71% +\- 8% 8/10.0
Coma Slight. 6.3/10.0
Blurring at the edge of the FOV The blur occurs in the distance of 78% +\- 4% from the field of view centre. 5/10.0
Darkening at the edge the FOV Low but noticeable. 3.7/5.0
Whiteness of the image Almost perfect. Minimal cream. 4.6/5.0
Collimation Exemplary. 5/5.0
Internal reflections
Left: Right:
Bushnell Legend 10x42 - Internal reflections - Left Bushnell Legend 10x42 - Internal reflections - Right
Negligible.
4.6/5.0
Housing Very solid, very comfortable to hold. Profiled. Eyecups with four stops. No objections! 8/8.0
Focusing Very comfortable central screw which can be turned by 450 degrees. A big and convenient ring on the right eyepiece which moves the outer lens. 4.6/5.0
Tripod There is a comfortable exit. 3/3.0
Interpupilary distance from 58.5 to 74.3mm 5/6.0
Closest focusing distance 1.7 m. 2/2.0
Eyepieces FOV Apparent field of view of 60.3 deg (according to simple formula) and 55.6 deg (according to tangent formula). 11/20.0
Field of view Measured by us amounted to 6.03 +\- 0.03 degrees and it was in accordance with the specifications. 5/8.0
Quality of the interior of the barrels Inner tubes black but not matt to the very end. Bottom gray. Minimal specks of dust on a prism. 4.2/5.0
Vignetting
Left: Right:
Bushnell Legend 10x42 - Vignetting - Left Bushnell Legend 10x42 - Vignetting - Right
OL: 0.9%, OR: 0.0%.
7.5/8.0
Prisms quality Good quality BaK-4. 8/8.0
Antireflection coatings Greenish everywhere. Low intensity. 4.5/5.0
Warranty [years] 5 3.5/6.0
Final result
70.4%
19th place in global rank of our test of 10x42 binoculars
133.8 / 190 pkt
Econo result 10th place in Econo rank of our test of 10x42 binoculars 7.6pkt.

Summary

Pros:
  • very solid housing,
  • negligible distortion,
  • slight coma and astigmatism,
  • excellent whiteness rendition,
  • negligible flares,
  • good blackening and workmanship inside,
  • sharp image already from 1.7 meters.

Cons:
  • minimally truncated left pupil,
  • the transmission level could have been higher.

It is a well-made product of that widely-known American company. Especially impressive is the build quality. The device got the maximum score for the housing which means that none of the critics from our testing team found any reason to deduct even half a point - it happens really seldom. In other categories connected with workmanship like blackening, focusing, coatings, prisms’ quality, IPD or tripod the Bushnell Legend also reached results close to perfect.

If the optical categories’ scores, are added to that performance, and they are in the range from medium to very good without any serious slip-up, we must reach a conclusion that this instrument can be recommended to anybody without reservations.