Customer Reviews

Brunton Epoch Full-Size 8.5x43 Binocular

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I have a Brunton 7 X 50 monocular [about $150 when I bought it] which I like, especially when used with a tripod. I wanted a good pair of binoculars that would get a really close focus. These Bruntons close focus to three feet. So - I ordered them from Amazon. These are handsome binoculars that appear to be extremely well made. They appear to be very durable and have nice features like a tripod mount, fast focus, etc. I already have a pair of Zeiss 8 X 32 binoculars, but wanted something with really close focus.

I tried them out. I did the mandatory adjustment to compensate for any optical differences between your eyes eyes. Then I started looking at things near and far away. Viewing objects far away they seem at first to be OK but I noticed as I looked at objects at different distances that I had to continuously change the interpupillary [sp?] distance for things to look right. When I looked at a blackbird in a tree at maybe 200 feet distance I immediately noticed a slight, but clearly noticeable, reddish line around the perimeter of the bird. Not a good sign. Also, I tried the real close-focus. Ghastly! It looked like the lenses were completely out of alignment. I also notice that the "depth of field" was very small and thus exact focus was very critical. The super fast focus mechanism [3 ft to infinity in less than a full turn of the focus wheel] works against you here as there is no room for error.

I really did not want to return these binoculars and wondered if it was just me. I sent an email to several birder friends asking them to come by and see what their impression was. As it turned out, one of them had already tested these very same binoculars with exactly the same criticisms.

My recommendation - buy Swarovskis, Leitz or Zeiss. They are superb although none will close focus to three feet. You won't find this kind of lousy optical performance with them. Remember these Brunton binoculars are not inexpensive costing almost $1400! At this price this level of optical performance is inexcusable.

I am really sorry I have to write this review. I wanted these binos to work well and at first glance they appear great, and are very nicely packaged. But when two people independent of each other come up with exactly the same criticism - well caveat emptor. Thank heavens Amazon has a return policy. On Monday - they go back!

I bought a pair of these a few years ago after trying out a pair that someone had at Yellowstone a few years ago. I am totally satisfied with the clarity and ease of use of these binoculars. My pair has none of the problems that the other reviewer talks about. They are pricey but worth it. I like the way they zoom in to few things within a few feet.
Steve Brown
Mpls