Happy New Year to all, (just in case I don’t get another blog done before Friday).
It’s been another busy year in the binocular world with two trends developing. The first binocular trend is to replace standard versions of long time favorite binoculars with an HD, ED or similar version of the same model. A good example is the long-time favorite, Bushnell Legend binocular. The Legend now carries on as the Bushnell Ultra Legend HD binocular, which, by the way, is a completely different binocular than the old Bushnell Legend, both in terms of optics and construction. (Nevertheless, if you can still get the old version of the Bushnell Legend, it is a great choice in its price range.) In a similar fashion, one of the world’s most famous binocular, the Swarovski EL, is getting an optics boost in the form of the new Swarovski EL HD (Swarovision model), which should be available in January. The new EL also gets a sleeker and more contoured body and flat field eyepieces.
Speaking of the Swarovski EL, the other trend has been to offer more and more Swarovski EL style open bridge body designs on lower-priced binoculars. The open bridge design on a binocular improves handling and balance, at least for most people, but the open bridge binocular design typically adds a bit more to the price tag than a conventional binocular. Bottom line, though: you can now buy an open bridge body design binocular at a much cheaper price than ever before. Good examples include Bushnell Excursion EX and the Nikon Monarch EX. In other words, there is now an EL style binocular in just about everyone’s price range. Is the open bridge binocular right for you? Get one in your hands and decide for yourself. The way a binocular handles and balances in your hands is personal call.