Brunton Lite-Tech 8x42 Full Size Waterproof Roof Prism Binoculars
From Brunton
Wildlife is unpredictable, but your equipment doesn't have to be. Fully Multi-Coated BaK-4 roof prisms protected by a durable aluminum frame with ergonomic body armor.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #141700 in Sports & Outdoors
- Size: 8x42
- Color: Black
- Brand: Brunton
- Model: 81-200676
Bargain Binos Deluxe
Just got my Brunton Lite-Tech 8x42 binoculars and I must say that I am impressed. When you buy an inexpensive pair of binoculars, you can't really expect too much. Basic functionality (that is, not broken) is about the most you can hope for in binoculars under $50.
Maybe that's what makes the Brunton Lite-Tech 8x42's so impressive -- they're not really less-than-fifty-dollar binoculars. Mine cost less than $30 (less than $40 with shipping) from one of Amazon's sales partners. This price is about half the best price I could find for these binoculars anywhere else. Hopefully, this bargain will remain available for awhile.
My usual advice when considering an inexpensive pair of binoculars is to buy a brand that is known for its better, higher-end binocular lines. Usually, this means buying a pair of Bushnell Natureview 8x40 Porro Prism Birding Binocular or Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars (although not for under $50, and not in a roof prism design). You'll be buying that company's entry-level binocular, sometimes actually made by another manufacturer, but that company has a reputation to protect, so even their least-expensive binocular will probably pass the basic functionality test.
Like the others, Brunton makes fine upscale binoculars, too. Normally, these Brunton Lite-Tech's sell in the price range of other acceptable entry-level binoculars like the aforementioned Bushnell NatureView and Nikon Action lines. In that arena, they compete reasonably well with their competition. But at the bargain basement price I obtained mine, they blow the available competition away.
So what does Brunton give you on the Lite-Tech 8x42's that you don't usually see in a sub-$50 binocular? Consider the following:
First, you'll notice the modern design in a full-size roof prism binocular. While style shouldn't be your first concern, you won't have to worry about bino-envy when your friends whip out their sleek binoculars that cost two (or more) times the price.
While optical quality should be your first concern, it's usually a hopeless question in this price range. Not so in this case. The Lite-Techs have BaK-4 prism glass, not the much cheaper and more common BK-7 glass found in virtually every other binocular in this price range. They also feature fully multi-coated optics -- "fully" AND "multi" denoting an advanced level of coating beyond the lesser classes of just "coated optics," "fully-coated optics," or "multi-coated optics." I found the resulting image quality to be well above par in this class -- bright and clear to the edges with moderate aberration and pin-cushion distortion (both to be expected). Good optical design also leads to long eye relief (reported at 17.6mm) and a respectable field-of-view (341ft at 1000yds), although I found that my pair fell well-long (at about 8 feet) of the reported 4 foot minimum focusing distance.
The Lite-Techs sport a black rubber covering, like most other binos even in the low price range, but they also feature true waterproof/fogproof sealed construction and twist-up eyecups (no fold-down rubber eye cups here), two more features of higher-end models. Tethered objective lens covers and a rainguard top-off the list of bonuses.
The Brunton Lite-Techs aren't perfect. The eyecups on mine are rather loose and prone to collapsing back into their lowest position. The focus, while quite smooth feeling, is actually a bit sloppy. And I've heard tell of inconistent quality from others. But these are minor annoyances that one wouldn't even consider among the numerous faults found in other binoculars at this price.
The bottom-line is that you can't go wrong with the Brunton Lite-Tech 8x42s at a cost under $50. They are simply an excellent bargain for birding, hunting, or other general-purpose use. At the more common street price in the $60-$70 range, you should consider other good entry-level binocular from Bushnell, Nikon, and others. Still, you may find yourself coming back to these feature-packed Bruntons.
SO WORTH IT!
I got these binoculars as a spare when not using my Swarovski and I did not know what to expect. When finally got them, I was amazed by its light weight, body shape, and clear vision. One week I decided to take only this Brunton out to the field and the result was an excellent quality and waterproof product. The neck strap is not comfortable; so, better ones are needed. If you can not afford expensive ones this is a really a good product with a low price.
