When it comes to binoculars, you only want the best, most rugged set you can get your hands on. They need to be reliable and able to take the abuse you might give them out in the wild, whether you’re exploring an untamed mountain side or searching for that deer you’re certain you just pegged. With the Bushnell PowerView Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars, you’ve certainly got a good start.

Huge Field of View

This set of enhanced spectacles comes with a 170-feet field of view at 1000 yards, giving 20x magnification with a 50mm objective diameter. To put that into perspective, an object a mile away would look like it was only 264 feet away. Best of all, they come with a 45 foot focusing distance; this means that you can focus them in on a specific object within your view. This makes them fantastic for spying on animals from far away.

One Touch Focus

Bushnell’s patented single touch focusing system helps to keep a specific object in very close focus with just a single touch. If your hands have a tendency to shake, this system will allow you to keep your target in view at all times, even if you can’t rely on yourself to hold still. The Insta-Focus works for moving targets, as well. This is a great set of binoculars for bird watchers.

Night Vision

Okay, so they don’t actually have ‘night’ vision – but things do seem a bit brighter when viewed through the lenses. This makes it much easier to see targets in the dim light of dusk, making these a great choice when hunting in the early morning or later in the evening. The lenses feature multi-coated optics which transfer light more effectively when there is less to transfer, allowing you to see more clearly.

Portable

At just 30 ounces, the Bushnell Powerview Surveillance Binoculars are easy to carry with you when you need them. They’re equipped with nonslip rubber armor. Not only are they easy to hold onto, but if you do happen to drop them, the rubber surrounding the binoculars will absorb the majority of the shock and keep them in one piece. These binoculars are designed to go long and hard in all conditions. When not in use, the fold-down eye cups will protect the lenses from harm.

Easy Set Up

The Bushnell Powerview Surveillance Binoculars have an initial set up that owners will need to go through when using them for the first time. Taking the time to do this helps you learn to use them quickly in the future, rather than spending precious time fiddling with the focus to get it just right. This set up also establishes your own papillary distance, setting the binoculars to work specifically for you rather than someone else.

Affordable

Starting at just $49.99, these binoculars are practically a steal. They come in a variety of sizes: 10x50mm, 12x50mm, and 20x50mm. The cost for each size varies depending on a number of factors, but the Bushnell Powerview is, on average, more affordable than comparably priced models.

No matter what you need a set of binoculars for, whether it’s hunting, paintball, or spying on people at the beach, this set won’t let you down. The Bushnell Powerview Surveillance Binoculars are a good entry-level set that isn’t likely to confuse beginners, making it a great gift for someone interested in getting a set of binoculars for themselves.

We had a few people ask about a brand that was making the rounds on Google, so we decided to check them out: the Eagle Eye Z100 Binoculars

This brand invested a ton in advertising earlier this month, so they received quite a bit of attention with their flashy website. When we purchased our pair, the website itself was doing even more than it is currently — there were countdown clocks and flashing signs urging us to buy now before the price goes up, and buy right now before they’re all sold out.

The site always claims they’re nearly sold out and that 800+ of 1000 have been sold.

This type of advertising can be a bit manipulative, so we weren’t big fans right off the bat. I went looking for some reviews online to see if anyone reputable had tried these out yet. Unfortunately, the only reviews available are obviously fake.

Google Results for “Eagle Eye Z100 Reviews.” Note the domain names.

The site claims that they’ve been featured on major media outlets (thus, they are now almost sold out). I have been unable to find Eagle Eye Z100 on any of those outlets they claim.

On one of the landing pages, too, the design mimics Amazon review layouts, so it gives the impression that there are many 5 star reviews (and probably on Amazon). These are not available on Amazon, so any of these reviews would come from somewhere else.

Despite our misgivings about the practices of this brand, we took a chance and ordered anyway, paying around $100 plus $9 for shipping. The website and ordering process assured us they would ship within 7 days.

Two weeks after ordering, I emailed back and asked about the order as we never got a shipping confirmation and they had not yet arrived. No one responded, so we planned to file a chargeback through the credit card company. A week later, they arrived, having been shipped priority 2-day from a fulfillment place in Georgia. (And they never did respond to my email!)

The binos and packaging

As you can see, the packaging is completely generic. The company’s logo does appear on the top, but nowhere else. It’s pretty easy to tell when a pair of binos is generic simply by looking at the focus knob — if there is no logo there, the brand likely bought in bulk and slapped a small logo sticker on.

Additionally, there’s a very generic manual that does little to explain how to use the binos, and there is no information anywhere about specs.

These kinds of binoculars do not have ED (extra-low dispersion) HD glass, which is what you want in a good pair of binos. The focus knob on the pair we got is very loose, which makes it much harder to focus.

The Eagle Eye Z100 website claims that these are “completely waterproof,” which is likely incorrect. First, no optics can ever be completely waterproof — they are typically weatherproof or water resistant. It’s highly unlikely that this pair has gone through additional waterproofing to ensure they are “completely” waterproof (so don’t drop them in the tub!)

The body looks nice and feels hefty when you hold it, so, aside from the generic focus knob, they seem fine in person. As far as sizing, these are fairly compact but seem pretty heavy.

I was able to get a fairly clear view when I tried them out, but that loose knob is finicky. The lenses are nothing extraordinary, so I’d say these are on par with most inexpensive binoculars we’ve tried out.

Should you buy the Eagle Eye Z100?

We did not have a great experience with purchasing the binoculars, and overall the operation is very suspicious. The manipulative advertising isn’t professional, and the fake reviews and problematic ads are likely to get the company in trouble with search engines.

We’ll give these a more rigorous test next time we go out in the field, but we wanted to share our initial impressions as soon as possible. Because these are so generic, there’s just not anything out of the ordinary about the binos given our experience testing out so many different pairs over the years.

The $100 price tag (after all their pop-ups and extra special discounts) isn’t terrible, but I’m not convinced it’s worth the risk for this particular pair. The $300 list price the company claims is very unlikely to be true — these are simply not $300 binoculars. You can get a pair that is equally as good (if not better) for the same price elsewhere. We’ll keep an eye on this brand, but for now, we just can’t recommend them.

If you’re looking for a pair of versatile binoculars that can go toe-to-toe with much more expensive models, the 10×42 Diamondback by Vortex Optics may be just the perfect thing. The small details about this model, as well as the superior optics, make the Diamondback a popular choice for a variety of uses.

A little refresher course in optics here: the number 10 in the binocular configuration refers to the power of magnification. The 42 refers to the size of the objective (front) lens. Ideally, you want a combination of magnification and aperture that gives you a large, bright field of view without being too heavy, too unwieldy or too outlandishly expensive. The Diamondback 10×42 won’t disappoint in this regard.

At 24.4 ounces and 6.4 inches, these binoculars will fit in a field coat pocket and easily hold steady in your hand, yet give you great visibility even at dusk and dawn (345 feet at 1,000 yards).

Optical Quality

The Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 are roof prism binoculars, with phase correction to eliminate interference between different light phases reflected in the prism (known in optics as phase shift). What does this mean for you? Higher resolution and crisper contrast in every image because the fuzziness that can accompany phase shift has been corrected.

O-ring seals and argon gas purging keep the Diamondback 10×42 fogproof across a wide range of temperatures. They are waterproof, as well, which makes for a great set of hunting binoculars–you won’t miss a thing in the bush with this model.

Waterproofing and fogproofing are essential for birding, too. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Even if you’re birding on a pristine, clear day, changes in temperature and humidity between the house, car and outdoors can cause fogging without a mechanism to prevent it. And of course, some of the world’s best birding takes place in dripping jungle habitat or by the spray of the sea.

Comfort & Design

Most folks will be taking the Diamondback 10X42 out for a full day of activity, so you want a model that’s comfortable and can handle the high use. With their forgiving eye cups, these binoculars will work with or without eyeglasses all day. The rubber outside casing offers a durable, non-slip surface for use with both bare hands and gloves. This is key if you’re going to be hunting in the snow or taking them to the nosebleed seats for some late-season football games up north.

The Vortex Diamondback 10X42 Binoculars have a right diopter to adjust for the difference in vision between your two eyes, in addition to the center focus wheel. You can easily mount them on a car window, and they are also tripod adaptable.

Vortex: A Trusted Brand

If you’re comparing brands in binoculars, you’ll find that a lot of companies out there don’t just make binoculars; they make cameras, electronics and even jewelry and home goods. Vortex Optics specializes in sport optics, so you know they are pouring all their resources into a limited number of related products, like binoculars and rifle scopes. This allows them to offer an unconditional lifetime warranty on their products, the Diamondback 10X42 included. Available at under $300, this model is a steal when you compare it to comparable performance in other lines. Known for their customer service and attention to detail, Vortex Optics is rapidly developing legacy customers, to no surprise.

If you’re going to take your Diamondback 10X42 Binoculars into the field, you might want to consider a few extras. While this model comes with a molded carrying case and strap, a harness might serve you well over bumpy terrain or climbing your stand. Additionally, a lens cleaning kit will keep your binoculars in tip-top shape, so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Overall, there are few drawbacks to the Diamondback. There are still shadows that most binoculars have trouble with when you move them around sharply, but they aren’t a huge deal if you find some sort stabilizer (like a tripod) for them.

The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars include BaK-4 internal prisms and multicoated optics. These features produce improved vision with brighter resolution, which is of top importance for quality binoculars. Included with the Skymaster Giant 15×70 binoculars are a tripod attachment adapter and a soft carrier case. The imagery processing and visibility are top-notch. Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars’ eyepieces are also excellent.

Key Specs

Let’s take a look at the overall power of these 70mm optics.

• 15x magnification
• Field of View (FOV)-4.4 degrees
  • FOV at 1000yds-230
• Multi-coated lenses
• Diopter range- -4 to 8
• Close Focus Distance 52.5

70mm lens are some of the biggest lenses you can have on handheld binoculars. As a result, you have some of the greatest light gathering power on the market. The diopter settings range from -4 to +8, meaning you can adjust to low or high light situations.

Where some binoculars have trouble focusing and can have a tendency to shift, the Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars have little to no wobble and are equipped with an amazing center-focus apparatus. In addition to this, the Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars offer high quality eye relief at 18 millimeters, which is great news if you wear eyeglasses. You can adjust the eyepieces by taking the big cap off from the exit or objective lens and then looking through to adjust the focus of the center ring between the barrels until clear. You can do this for both the right and left separately to achieve optimum clarity.

These binoculars are lightweight but operate best when they are used with an attached tripod. The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars are optimal for a multitude of purposes, including stargazing at both the terrestrial and astronomical level and bird watching. They can be used during the day as well as during dusk. Although the size may make you rather noticeable, the Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars can also be used at sporting events and concerts. The lightweight nature of the binoculars will allow you to utilize them almost anywhere with very low bounce rate.

The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars sport a 15x magnification and utilize very large 70 millimeter objective lenses. These lenses also assist in providing maximum brightness for both dimly lit and long-distance conditions. The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars have excellent across the field viewing with precise focus. Coated with a rubber protection layer, the Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars are able to provide users with a no-slip firm grip.

Additional Features

In addition to these incredible features, Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars also come with a no fault warranty which covers protection and support for the product. The warranty includes Celestron’s promise that all binoculars are free from defective material and that they are appropriate for a lifetime of usability. Celestron will replace or work to repair the binoculars if they are sent in, with prepaid postage and a proof of purchase. Celestron will replace or fix the binoculars, regardless of how they were damaged, without asking any questions.

The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars are one of Celestron’s most popular models in their Skymaster series, due in large part to their tremendous quality and lightweight functionality at such an affordable cost. The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars exact specifications include a 4.4 degree angular field of view, 4.7 millimeter exit pupil, the near focus is 43 feet, and the binoculars come with an IPD minimum of 56 millimeters and maximum of 72 millimeters. The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars come with caps, a strap, a nylon carrier, and a tripod adapter. The Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars are also water resistant and weigh 48 ounces.

These are incredibly high quality binoculars at a very reasonable price that are perfect for the casual user or for those that are more experienced. Whether you plan to take these on a hike for bird watching, check out the night sky for some amazing star gazing, or a myriad of other purposes which require distance viewing, the Celestron Skymaster Giant 15×70 Binoculars are a perfect fit at an incredible value.

70mm lens are some of the biggest lenses you can have on handheld binoculars. As a result, you have some of the greatest light gathering power on the market. The diopter settings range from -4 to +8, meaning you can adjust to low or high light situations.

Uses

Since these binoculars are made by Celestron, you can already guess what they’re good at. The moon is one of the brightest objects in our night sky and with the 70mm’s variable diopter settings, you’ll have no difficulty seeing it up close when the sky is clear.

These diopter settings work the same during daytime and landscape viewing as well. They come with a tripod adapter as they do weigh about 3lbs free handed. Birding and nighttime sky watching are going to be the biggest and most logical uses for the 70mm’s. 70mm means that you’re going to soak up whatever is giving off light, notably objects in the sky and the moon.

Versus Other Sporting Optics

These binoculars are big, hence why more often than naught, you’ll see them hooked up to a tripod. They don’t make the best hunting binoculars because they are designed for extreme range viewing rather than detailed viewing. Remember, just because a pair of optics has big lenses, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best details of an object.

Swinging these binoculars isn’t going to be easy due to their size and weight. Compared to wide angled binos and other smaller sporting optics, the 70mm’s aren’t the most logical to take on hunts when you’re lugging them around for hours at a time. Unless you plan to stay in given area, you’re better off using a smaller pair.

Overall

It’s astonishing to note that the 15x70mm’s aren’t the biggest or smallest pair of binos in the SkyMaster series. Regardless, the 15x70mms sit in the middle of the SkyMaster series and provide astounding images for a cheap price compared to other Celestron products.

The 15x70mms don’t have the power to see stars or planets beyond the moon up close and personal but provide a sort of middle ground between mainstream sporting optics and telescopes.

Click here to shop the SkyMaster 70mm.