David in NC
Well-known member
A comment in another thread by Samandag got me on THIS old bandwagon of mine again...
Also the thread where the lack of "true" "American made" bins being made might be influencing me also...
And while I don't HAVE to have a strictly American made bin, I guess I did think back to some of B&Ls products (?)
I would just like to see the old Bausch and Lomb name applied to a top tier binoc again, and/or see Bushnell really finesse the Elites and/or rework the Legends into a more quality feeling piece of equipment.
I totally realize so much of this post and opinion is subjective, and this is just for stimulating conversation.
I have looked through some Elites several years ago and was positively moved, but not "wowed". In fact the same shop had a Vortex Razor (1st Generation) and I was way more impressed with that. The shop owner however said he had chosen the Bushnells and they were his pick of all he had sold in several years (again subjective and I TOTALLY respect his opinion.)
About 9 years ago my wife and I decided on spending $200 - $300 on a pair when we decided to "get into" birding as an occasional pastime. My final choice was the Bushnell Legend Roof Prism. These were an older version of the current ones. They were heavier but felt VERY solid and rugged. In my opinion the version now feels like a toy. My wife decided on the Nikon Monarch, so we went with it (wives ALMOST always rule :t: ). But I STILL personally preferred the Legends, both in "feel" and in "view". I understand that the optics have been improved by I only handled a pair at a gunshow-I could not see a NOTICEABLE improvement in the building (and no great surprise here.)
A few years ago, an older lieutenant in my department (a local sheriff's office) and I got to talking bins (he a hunter and me just a binocular geek/sometimes birdwatcher.) He had a number of Nikon, Pentax, and Leupold binocs, but preferred the Pentax and the "polds!" as he called his Leupolds. He did tell me that his "best" pair was a pair of older military Bausch and Lombs. I forgot about this conversation and a few days later he yelled at me in the parking lot and called me over. He had brought the B&Ls and wanted me to try them. I *think* they were 7x50s, definitely porro prism, and definitely heavy (!) but OH MY GOD! They had one of the best (if not THE BEST) "views" I have ever seen through any set of optics. The view seemed wide, exceptionally bright, vivid, and clear. I would NEVER use these for birding mind you but knowing this view was possible, I have "hoped" ever since. Now I don't mean/want to get the "porro versus roof" debate to start again (because in this case the porro definitely won-no questions!) but I would love to see the OTHER areas that have been improved (coatings, glass, etc.) be used to recreate this level of view in a manageable ROOF prism that COULD be used for birding.
Anybody else waiting (hopefully not IN VAIN!)??? :gh:
Also the thread where the lack of "true" "American made" bins being made might be influencing me also...
And while I don't HAVE to have a strictly American made bin, I guess I did think back to some of B&Ls products (?)
I would just like to see the old Bausch and Lomb name applied to a top tier binoc again, and/or see Bushnell really finesse the Elites and/or rework the Legends into a more quality feeling piece of equipment.
I totally realize so much of this post and opinion is subjective, and this is just for stimulating conversation.
I have looked through some Elites several years ago and was positively moved, but not "wowed". In fact the same shop had a Vortex Razor (1st Generation) and I was way more impressed with that. The shop owner however said he had chosen the Bushnells and they were his pick of all he had sold in several years (again subjective and I TOTALLY respect his opinion.)
About 9 years ago my wife and I decided on spending $200 - $300 on a pair when we decided to "get into" birding as an occasional pastime. My final choice was the Bushnell Legend Roof Prism. These were an older version of the current ones. They were heavier but felt VERY solid and rugged. In my opinion the version now feels like a toy. My wife decided on the Nikon Monarch, so we went with it (wives ALMOST always rule :t: ). But I STILL personally preferred the Legends, both in "feel" and in "view". I understand that the optics have been improved by I only handled a pair at a gunshow-I could not see a NOTICEABLE improvement in the building (and no great surprise here.)
A few years ago, an older lieutenant in my department (a local sheriff's office) and I got to talking bins (he a hunter and me just a binocular geek/sometimes birdwatcher.) He had a number of Nikon, Pentax, and Leupold binocs, but preferred the Pentax and the "polds!" as he called his Leupolds. He did tell me that his "best" pair was a pair of older military Bausch and Lombs. I forgot about this conversation and a few days later he yelled at me in the parking lot and called me over. He had brought the B&Ls and wanted me to try them. I *think* they were 7x50s, definitely porro prism, and definitely heavy (!) but OH MY GOD! They had one of the best (if not THE BEST) "views" I have ever seen through any set of optics. The view seemed wide, exceptionally bright, vivid, and clear. I would NEVER use these for birding mind you but knowing this view was possible, I have "hoped" ever since. Now I don't mean/want to get the "porro versus roof" debate to start again (because in this case the porro definitely won-no questions!) but I would love to see the OTHER areas that have been improved (coatings, glass, etc.) be used to recreate this level of view in a manageable ROOF prism that COULD be used for birding.
Anybody else waiting (hopefully not IN VAIN!)??? :gh:
