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Posted by Ken Schneider on 15:07:40 10/02/06
In Reply to: Binoculars-recommendations appreciated posted by Georgiana
I had to send my 25+ year old B&L 10x42 Elites in for warranty repair and finally had an excuse to shop for back-up compacts. After quite a bit of research I settled on Bushnell (previously branded B&L) Custom 7X26 Long Eye Relief Compact 12-0726 Binoculars, based on quality of optics, close focus, small size and light weight, good price/quality tradeoff and customer reviews. They have the same lifetime warranty as former B&Ls. Only negative is that they are not waterproof. They are sort of "reverse porros" in that the objectives are closer together than the eyepieces. Bushnell appears to be providing the same high level of customer support under the B&L warranty. The field of view is surprisingly wide. I wear eyeglasses and found the eye relief to be so long that I can use them without retracting the soft rubber eyecups, which results in less side reflection that I experience with other models. I have been so satisfied that they may become my binos of choice for close-in birding. I still prefer my 10x42's over water and for long distances, but they are much heavier.
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