Customer Reviews

Bushnell Powerview 12x50 Wide Angle Binocular

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

We have three old "beater" Bushnells in the 7x35 range. Finally decided to "upgrade." Found this model on Ebay but with high shipping and no guarantee Amazon's price was lightyear's better.
Turns the binorculars are a GREAT deal. The auto focus feature is especially valuable because my wife and I have such different vision. Now there's no need to fiddle with the focus. We just pass them back and forth and NO problem. Out here with Utah's spectacular distant vistas, these binocs are a blessing. They are also great for watching raptors inflight. No need to fiddle with the focus. They handle well, feel great, look good and perform up to expectations. We wouldn't dare buy a more expensive pair because of the dust and dirt in our travel and camping environment. These binocs are a great compromise for the dollar and we would highly recommend them. BTW, it took less than a week to get them delivered here in the boonies. Sometimes, it is MUCH better to buy retail from Amazon than to mess around with Ebay. The "customer comfort level" which goes with the Amazon reputation is well worth a few extra dollars. Besides, we alla need to support this company--what would we rural people do without it. It's like the Sears Robuck catalog used to be--a household staple! Buy them and ENJOY!

These binoculars are clear as a bell! So easy to use - just point and focus! That's it! There is no zoom feature, just a 12 times closer view.

The "Field of View" is 265 feet, which translated means that at a distance of 1,000 yards you can view a 265-foot width. They are comfortable to hold, lightweight and excellent for bird watching, hunting or field sporting events!

To store them in the nicely padded, soft carrying case, there is no need to readjust settings. When you need them again, just take them out, remove the barrel caps and you are where you left off! These are good quality, inexpensive binoculars. I'm very happy with my purchase!

Well I spent some time comparing the Busnell powerview 10x50, 12x50, 16x50 and I must say all are pretty good for the dough. I chose the 12x50 because they offered the best light, clarity, and sensitivity. The 12x50's gave a nice bright image just as the 10x50's did but were a bit more powerful. But they werent quite as sensitive to movement as the 16x50(WAY TO SENSITIVE W/O A TRIPOD). The happy medium is the 12x50's! I can see an ant on a tree at 40 yrds and read a license plate at over 1000 ft. I took them out at night(no moon) and could see the color of an airliner flying over at 5000ft. Nice utilization of available light at night!
Only disappointment was the CHEEP straps. Oh Well.

Took a chance buying the 12x50's at Walmart. Nothing to lose, can always get refund. Worked out surprisingly well. Only fault I could see was stiff center focus compared to most binocs I've used with smooth center wheel. But once your focused in you won't lose it. Some reviewer's stated *junk*. Ones they received must have been out of collimation or defect in lenses or prisms. This happens sometimes with best of binocs. Some fuzziness around edges but object should be centered for best viewing anyway. Right eye diopter works excellent on 0. I've seen my share of bad & good binocs over past 20 yrs. of being involved in optics.They're as sharp centered as my 12x50 Pentax PCF V's. Spend the $43 or be totally happy with Fujinon's, $600 to $1000 pricetag. Even Orion Nebulae comes in sharp. Even a plane mile up engines, windows & tail logo easily spotted, you be the judge. Great all-around binocs.

Peeps, you have to remember that the higher the magmification the harder it will be to keep an object steady. This magmification (12 X 50) is probably the highest truly hand-held capable magnification on the market. Although my Celestron 15 X 70's out perform my Amazon-Bushnell 12 X 50's on a starry night they are not easily used without a tripod. The difference is this...with my Celstron 15 X 70's I can see four of Jupiter's moons, with my Amazon-Bushnell 12 X 50's I can only see one. That being said, however, with my 12 X 50's I can do so while kicked back in a chair versus having to set my tripod up. It should also be noted that the topography of the moon is moderately noticiable using the 12 X 50's and an amazing sight when viewed by people that have never seen it.
As far as for viewing daytime moving objects the Bushnell 12 X 50's, with their quick focusing lever, are spot on! I was impressed with how easily they could be brought to focus for I had read other reviews where people did not like the focusing lever. One must also remember that the higher the magnification the smaller the field of view is and with less brightness.
These 12X's can find a moving object moderately well. Although 10X's will out perform them regarding picking up moving objects I personally don't want any magnification less than 12X. If you want to count a coyote's whiskers you'll need 12X magnification binocs or greater, simple as that.
I also bought my Mother-in-law a pair of these for Christmas. Hawks, foxes, bald eagles, owls...she loves the clarity and power that her 12 X 50's possess versus her old 7 X 35's, which is the standard magnification that most people already have. She must have called or texted us twenty times after receiving her gift, telling us about all of the visual delights that she was now able to enjoy and I'm pretty sure that you too would be happy with this purchase as well.
UPDATE: Since this last review I have switched to a pair of Oberwerk 9 X 60's. These Bushnell binocs were terrible when it came to holding still on pinpoint images such as star clusters. I then went to the trusty internet and found reviews that pointed me in the direction of the Oberwerks. Folks, lets just say that I am thrilled with their performance! The shake is ever so slight, and is only noticible when observing planets. Yes, I gave up significant magnification, but my goal with this pair of binocs was sky sweeping. I also have a pair of tripod mounted big binocs, as well as a nice telescope to use for more detailed observing sessions.
My Bushnells...I gave those to a friend. He loves them and uses them in a more traditional way during daytime viewing.
Happy viewing pilgrims!!!

I recently bought a pair of these Bushnell PowerView 12X50 Binoculars and have been quite happy with them. The quality is good and the price from Amazon was great. The feel of them is good, not to light and not to heavy. I like the 12X50 fixed power and they focus very well with the "InstaFocus"lever. Looking through them I get a very clear bright view of what ever I'm looking at and the 12 power brings in what ever I'm looking at nice and close. I had another pair of zoom binoculars that were 12X60X70 but they proved to be much too big and powerful for my needs so I sold them and got these and I would defiantly recommend them if your looking for a good general pair of binoculars. Bushnell has been around for a long time and they give a lifetime warranty. It also came with a with a good storage case and although some have reported that the included strap is poor I don't agree and I find it is heavy enough to serve it's purpose of hanging it around your neck. I've had a number of pairs of binoculars in my life and I like these and would recommend them. The lens covers are also fine as well and do what their supposed to do.

These Wide Angle Binoculars are much better than the 20x50 High Powered binoculars. The Wide Angle gives you more field of view where as the High Powered, if you just move a little, you have to keep searching (through the binoculars) for what you were actually looking at.

I bought these to use for sporting events, occasional bird watching and nature viewing. They meet my expectations as it relates to functionality. I've had no issues with double vision or other optical abnormalities. They are a value purchase for me (cheap enough to replace it damaged or lost) so I am satisfied overall.

Ours came with a basic case and a relatively sturdy neck strap. Nothing fancy but wasn't expecting anything fancy. Bought directly from Amazon.com and item arrived quickly and without problems.

No problems with delivery or packaging of the product. For the price I paid is about what the product was worth. The binoculars weight is okay. The focus to me was touchy. I think the clarity is not as crisp as I thought it should be for the 12x magnification. Over all the product is okay but I think I would look into another brand just to see if the clarification is sharper.

When I received the binoculars all I could see was double. Sent them back to Bushnell direct insteasd of the seller. I paid for the shipping back to Bushnell. Bushnell sent me new binoculars (free shipping) and now I see only one of what I am looking at. Very clear and so far so good.