FrankD
Well-known member
I felt the need to start a new thread on this binocular despite the fact that it has been discussed previously. My reasoning is because of the current price on this model considering its list of features and performance level.
I bought one of these a couple of years ago right when they first debuted. At the time I compared them directly with some of the other binoculars I had on hand including one of the Zen Ray ED models (can't remember if it was the ED or ED2). At the time my comments/thoughts on the model were favorable. The view is wide at over 420 feet plus the introduction of ED glass into the Legend model created very good color correction in the centerfield of the image. The only major negative that I remember posting about was the size of the binocular's "sweet spot" of image in focus and relatively free of distortion. I do remember it being smaller than that of its chief competitors. In its defense it is a smaller and lighter package plus it was/is less expensive.
After seeing some of these units show up on Amazon for the measly sum of $130 I decided to order another one to, once again, compare to what I have on hand. My findings are entirely comparable to what I originally discovered with this binocular. A very nice, compact full-sized binocular with very good centerfield performance. The sweet spot is still smaller than I would prefer and the type/severity of the edge distortion is more distracting than that of its chief competitors. However, when you consider the price these can now be had for (average around $200) plus a $50 mail-in rebate it is really hard to ignore them.
None of this is entirely new though so you may wonder why I chose to post this. Well, I had some time the other night so I took many of my current binocular selection out back to do a little "resolution comparison" between models. This isn't a true resolution "test" as I did not use a booster or a line chart for comparisions. What I did do was pick out a specific object to focus on. In this case it was a birdfeeder that I have set up approximately 20 yards from the backporch. One of the small access "holes" to the feeder had various seeds and granules located within it. The back of the hole is dark so it provided a nice opportunity to not only compare in terms of apparent sharpness but also contrast and CA control (black hole on silver colored feeder). What I found was particularly interesting....
This was a tripod mounted test.
Though the sweet spot of the Ultra's image is smaller than I would like the performance within that sweetspot is exemplary in terms of the areas I just mentioned. I was actually able to resolve finer details in that sweet spot than I could with any other binocular I have on hand. The only other binocular that allowed me to see the same small details was the Nikon SE 8x32. None of the other units I compared to the Bushnell were able to equal this accomplishment. I found that somewhat surprising considering some of the other models feature ED glass in the design. What surprised me further was the level of CA control and contrast available in that sweet spot as well. Both characteristics were, again, exceptional in my opinion.
Now, don't take this as a glowing endorsement for the optical performance of the Legend Ultras. They are certainly above average overall for their price point but the edge performance of these binoculars is their one weak point optically. CA is noticeably evident in the area not within the sweet spot (about 50% of the image) plus the distortion is fairly noticeable in regular use. But, when you consider the physical package the image is presented in then it is hard not to like them overall.
As a side note, I am going to have the opportunity to try out Bushnell's warranty/customer service. Yesterday afternoon I managed to drop the Ultras while getting into my car. They landed, sadly, on the edge of the eyecup. The binoculars are now out of alignment and the eyecup will not twist out of the body. The rubber armor around the eyecup is also a bit torn at this spot.
Still, for the $80 I ended up paying for them I am not overly concerned. I look forward to using them again.
I bought one of these a couple of years ago right when they first debuted. At the time I compared them directly with some of the other binoculars I had on hand including one of the Zen Ray ED models (can't remember if it was the ED or ED2). At the time my comments/thoughts on the model were favorable. The view is wide at over 420 feet plus the introduction of ED glass into the Legend model created very good color correction in the centerfield of the image. The only major negative that I remember posting about was the size of the binocular's "sweet spot" of image in focus and relatively free of distortion. I do remember it being smaller than that of its chief competitors. In its defense it is a smaller and lighter package plus it was/is less expensive.
After seeing some of these units show up on Amazon for the measly sum of $130 I decided to order another one to, once again, compare to what I have on hand. My findings are entirely comparable to what I originally discovered with this binocular. A very nice, compact full-sized binocular with very good centerfield performance. The sweet spot is still smaller than I would prefer and the type/severity of the edge distortion is more distracting than that of its chief competitors. However, when you consider the price these can now be had for (average around $200) plus a $50 mail-in rebate it is really hard to ignore them.
None of this is entirely new though so you may wonder why I chose to post this. Well, I had some time the other night so I took many of my current binocular selection out back to do a little "resolution comparison" between models. This isn't a true resolution "test" as I did not use a booster or a line chart for comparisions. What I did do was pick out a specific object to focus on. In this case it was a birdfeeder that I have set up approximately 20 yards from the backporch. One of the small access "holes" to the feeder had various seeds and granules located within it. The back of the hole is dark so it provided a nice opportunity to not only compare in terms of apparent sharpness but also contrast and CA control (black hole on silver colored feeder). What I found was particularly interesting....
This was a tripod mounted test.
Though the sweet spot of the Ultra's image is smaller than I would like the performance within that sweetspot is exemplary in terms of the areas I just mentioned. I was actually able to resolve finer details in that sweet spot than I could with any other binocular I have on hand. The only other binocular that allowed me to see the same small details was the Nikon SE 8x32. None of the other units I compared to the Bushnell were able to equal this accomplishment. I found that somewhat surprising considering some of the other models feature ED glass in the design. What surprised me further was the level of CA control and contrast available in that sweet spot as well. Both characteristics were, again, exceptional in my opinion.
Now, don't take this as a glowing endorsement for the optical performance of the Legend Ultras. They are certainly above average overall for their price point but the edge performance of these binoculars is their one weak point optically. CA is noticeably evident in the area not within the sweet spot (about 50% of the image) plus the distortion is fairly noticeable in regular use. But, when you consider the physical package the image is presented in then it is hard not to like them overall.
As a side note, I am going to have the opportunity to try out Bushnell's warranty/customer service. Yesterday afternoon I managed to drop the Ultras while getting into my car. They landed, sadly, on the edge of the eyecup. The binoculars are now out of alignment and the eyecup will not twist out of the body. The rubber armor around the eyecup is also a bit torn at this spot.
Still, for the $80 I ended up paying for them I am not overly concerned. I look forward to using them again.
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