Bushnell Forge Binos

[Danrobberg]

I believe these are pretty new. I had a chance to look through them last week at the accuracy international match at Altus and was very impressed. For the money I theink they could be very good but my expiersnce with Binos is very limited. Has anyone else had a chance to check theses out?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I've got both the 10s and the 15s. There were quite a few sets running around the AI match, but there's a chance you looked through mine, depending on where and when you did it.

I've been really damn happy with them. I got the 10s for pack use and 15s for the tripod, but I'm slowly leaning more and more towards the 15s for most uses unless I am just not carrying a tripod.

 

[Danrobberg]

I believe they were yours. They were on the tyl stage on day two. Great shooting by the way.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I believe they were yours. They were on the tyl stage on day two. Great shooting by the way.

Yeah, my wife was one of the ROs on that stage, and she had both my 10s and 15s with her. We had several sets of 15s in my squad, so I didn't see the need to haul an extra set.

Thanks. It felt good to put up a good finish after a rather poor performance across the board last year.

 

[Primus]

Where are they made?

 

[_Windrider_]

Where are they made?

I’m almost certain it’s chhhhhii......I can’t say it.

 

[Primus]

People paying Jap/euro price for chicomtrash always make me laugh

 

[Airw4ves]

People paying Jap/euro price for chicomtrash always make me laugh

Well they’re certainly not in the euro price range at all. And most of the $1K range binos from euro makers are from Japan.
For $400 (10x’s) they fit along with the other China made optics out there.

And to be fair, if the glass rivals optics 3x the price, then I dont see the benefit of going euro. They’re binos after all, most people baby the shit out of them in chest packs, and never see recoil or repeated impacts that make most Chinese Scopes fail.
If you’re glassing Sheep on a $40K hunt, sure I get going Swaro, but for spotting impacts on a static range, Im not convinced I need to shell out $2.5K for some Swaro EL’s. But Im not here to tell anyone how to spend their cash. Im just saying for the money they are a great buy and punch well above their weight class.

 

[Primus]

Metopro are the same price and quality glass. Just saying.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Metopro are the same price and quality glass. Just saying.

Have you actually looked through the Bushnells for comparison?

 

[TheMammoth]

People keep comparing these EXTREMELY favorably to much higher cost options in FB groups, but when I look at the profile of some of the posters they appear to be either sponsored by or huge fan boys of Bushnell. Has anyone seen an impartial write of the 15x model?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

People keep comparing these EXTREMELY favorably to much higher cost options in FB groups, but when I look at the profile of some of the posters they appear to be either sponsored by or huge fan boys of Bushnell. Has anyone seen an impartial write of the 15x model?

Bear in mind, the 15s started shipping to dealers and distributors only a month or so ago. Most of the people that have had a chance to play with them will be associated with Bushnell in some way as a result.

Personally, I'm one of those Bushnell folks, and I try to be pretty open about it. That said, I've let a lot of people play with my 10 and 15 power Forge binos, and every single person that's tried them has walked away impressed. I've even let people try them side by side with the Swaros, and (keeping price differences in mind) I have yet to have someone say they'd buy the Swaros. One of my friends has a set of 15x ELs, and after looking through my Forge binos, he said he'd be buying the Forge 10s for a hunt.

 

[Primus]

Everything we know about optics to date is you get what you pay for. There is no cheating the man here. With a $1000 Jap/euro/USA scope you are getting a quality product thats just the price they sell at due to manufacturing costs.

The chicom garbage vortex ,bushnell and others peddle cost a fraction to manufacture and have much more profit margin built in. That's why vortex can replace a scope 2 or 3 times and still be ahead of the profitability curve. You make more money selling 100k u it's with 300% profit than 5k units at 50% profit even when one product costs $3k and one $500.

So knowing this it makes zero sense to try to disprove something that has been proven 10000/10000 times.

The ONLY reason a company goes to China for production is to increase profitability and that is almost never in the best interest or benefit of the end user.

Stay away from choicom optics is a rule to live by.

 

[TheMammoth]

Everything we know about optics to date is you get what you pay for. There is no cheating the man here. With a $1000 Jap/euro/USA scope you are getting a quality product thats just the price they sell at due to manufacturing costs.

The chicom garbage vortex bushnell and other peddle cost a fraction to manufacture and have much much more profit margin built in. That's why vortex can replace a scope 2 or 3 times and still be ahead of the profitability curve. You may more money selling 100k u it's with 300% profit than 5k units at 50% profit even when one product costs $3k and one $500.

So knowing this it makes zero sense to try to disprove something that has been proven 10000/10000 times.

The ONLY reason a company goes to China for production is to increase profitability and that is almost never in the best interest or benefit of the end user.

Stay away from choicom optics is a rule to live by.

The gulf is too big between them though. I probably put a set of swaros in my cart 10 times a year when there’s a decent little sale somewhere. But for the cost and the little use I’d get I am really hoping to find something in the 800-1400 range instead of the 3k range.

If these do actually punch above their class I’m willing to try. I’m not willing to do that with rifle scopes but for binos I’m willing to risk.

Idk. Maybe I’ll just bite the bullet and get the damned swaros so I don’t feel remorse lol.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Everything we know about optics to date is you get what you pay for. There is no cheating the man here. With a $1000 Jap/euro/USA scope you are getting a quality product thats just the price they sell at due to manufacturing costs.

The chicom garbage vortex ,bushnell and others peddle cost a fraction to manufacture and have much more profit margin built in. That's why vortex can replace a scope 2 or 3 times and still be ahead of the profitability curve. You make more money selling 100k u it's with 300% profit than 5k units at 50% profit even when one product costs $3k and one $500.

So knowing this it makes zero sense to try to disprove something that has been proven 10000/10000 times.

The ONLY reason a company goes to China for production is to increase profitability and that is almost never in the best interest or benefit of the end user.

Stay away from choicom optics is a rule to live by.

You realize that Bushnell, Vortex, and several other companies don't just have optics made in China, right? Also, just because it's coming out of China doesn't mean it's garbage, especially when the company designing and marketing the optic is doing their own in-house design work and quality control, and only using the factory for the raw manufacturing. There's also limited options for making binos outside of Europe and China, and if you don't want to pay European prices, it pretty much leaves China if you need them in volume. I've been going through that exact conversation with Bushnell the last few months on a new product that has to be made outside of China, and it's making it a logistical pain in the ass to get done.

The gulf is too big between them though. I probably put a set of swaros in my cart 10 times a year when there’s a decent little sale somewhere. But for the cost and the little use I’d get I am really hoping to find something in the 800-1400 range instead of the 3k range.

If these do actually punch above their class I’m willing to try. I’m not willing to do that with rifle scopes but for binos I’m willing to risk.

Idk. Maybe I’ll just bite the bullet and get the damned swaros so I don’t feel remorse lol.

Are you going to be at the PRS matches for MPA, Alabama, or K&M over the next couple months? If so, I will have at least my 15s with me, and probably my 10s as well. You're welcome to check them out and see for yourself how good they are. I can see some slight advantages on the Swaros in certain situations (mostly out at the edges of the glass), but I have yet to come up with enough differences between the two to remotely justify the cost of the Swaros.

 

[Primus]

You don't even have to spend swaro money to get great glass. Take a look at the Zeiss conquest HD and MeoStars : both right under $1k and much closer to alpha glass at 1)3 of the price. The values are out there you just may have to spend more than the China trash to get there.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

You don't even have to spend swaro money to get great glass. Take a look at the Zeiss conquest HD and MeoStars : both right under $1k and much closer to alpha glass at 1)3 of the price. The values are out there you just may have to spend more than the China trash to get there.

Have you actually looked through a set of the Bushnell Forge 10 or 15x binos?

 

[Primus]

FYI I shoot Jap Bushnell and vortex's almost exclusively. They are great products but that doesn't change the fact the shit they both make in China, is overpriced garbage.

 

[Primus]

Have you actually looked through a set of the Bushnell Forge 10 or 15x binos?

Have you done long term testing on them yet? How about durrabillity testing as well as duty cycles to confirm they won't fall apart under anything other than moderate use.

History has proven Everytime that Chinese made optics are junk. There is not one example that disproves this. You are banking on the being these being the exception that proves the rule. I'm a bit more skeptical.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Have you done long term testing on them yet? How about durrabillity testing as well as duty cycles to confirm they won't fall apart under anything other than moderate use.

History has proven Everytime that Chinese made optics are junk. There is not one example that disproves this. You are banking on the being these being the exception that proves the rule. I'm a bit more skeptical.

Thanks for dodging my question again.

They're binos. They aren't being exposed to recoil forces, just the occasional drop and scuff, or mud bath if it's nasty out. I've had the 10s since January, and the 15s for not quite a month - with the 15s getting to me about 2-3 weeks after they started shipping from the Bushnell warehouse. (Edit: I also had a prototype set on loan for about 6 weeks last year, including using them to RO the Core/Altus Fall Classic before I had to give them back to Bushnell.) So far, they haven't been babied one bit, and the only reason they don't look brand new after multiple range trips and matches is they both have dirt and pollen on them from the AI match a couple weeks ago. From everything I have seen on mine so far, I have no reason to question their long term durability.

If you don't believe me, you're more than welcome to check out both sets at any of the matches I mentioned. I will also be at the Alabama match in September (either shooting or ROing), the GAP Grind in October, the Altus Fall Classic (again, shooting or ROing), and hopefully the PRS Finale.

 

[Primus]

Look guy I heard this same spiell over the last 20 years about the next great Chinese product that is different then the last. Time always proves it false and despite you wishing it otherwise there is a 99.99% chance this is no different.

 

[ToddM]

I do have to agree somewhat, every few years there's a new optic company or line that gets crazy hyped as the next $500-$1000 scope, binocular, spotter that's as good, or so close no one can tell the difference as the $3000+ top optics. It happened with Vortex, it's now happening with Maven and the Forge series, it happened with Meopia, the list goes on. Over time at best those hyped products maintain a reputation as a good budget pick, but it does not take long where no one suggests they are almost indistinguishable from the $3000 optics anymore.

I do think the "mid" priced optics have closed the gap on the high end stuff over the years but prices have gotten ridiculous. 20 years ago there was a massive difference between a $500 pair of binoculars and a $1200 pair of swarovski EL's. Today those EL's are $3000, and we consider $1200 to be a "budget" pair.

There is also the flip side at play, in any hobby there's always tons of people that use it (and the price of their toys) to make a social status statement. They spend as much as possible on every accessory just to show off that they can, and those people will never want to admit that their huge priced accessory, optic, etc. is not 10x better than anything else that costs less.

 

[_Windrider_]

I do have to agree somewhat, every few years there's a new optic company or line that gets crazy hyped as the next $500-$1000 scope, binocular, spotter that's as good, or so close no one can tell the difference as the $3000+ top optics. It happened with Vortex, it's now happening with Maven and the Forge series, it happened with Meopia, the list goes on. Over time at best those hyped products maintain a reputation as a good budget pick, but it does not take long where no one suggests they are almost indistinguishable from the $3000 optics anymore.

I do think the "mid" priced optics have closed the gap on the high end stuff over the years but prices have gotten ridiculous. 20 years ago there was a massive difference between a $500 pair of binoculars and a $1200 pair of swarovski EL's. Today those EL's are $3000, and we consider $1200 to be a "budget" pair.

There is also the flip side at play, in any hobby there's always tons of people that use it (and the price of their toys) to make a social status statement. They spend as much as possible on every accessory just to show off that they can, and those people will never want to admit that their huge priced accessory, optic, etc. is not 10x better than anything else that costs less.

I will say this, as it happens Bushy just emailed the new MPS prices for 2019. At the price these are listed for I’ll buy them and just leave em in the truck. If the get lost stolen or broke no biggie.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I will say this, as it happens Bushy just emailed the new MPS prices for 2019. At the price these are listed for I’ll buy them and just leave em in the truck. If the get lost stolen or broke no biggie.

MPS?

 

[_Windrider_]

MPS?

Military & public servant

 

[TheMammoth]

Military & public servant

They do that direct or though experticity? Curious to see that price as it’ll definitely decide for me to snag a set or not.

 

[_Windrider_]

They do that direct or though experticity? Curious to see that price as it’ll definitely decide for me to snag a set or not.

They do that direct or though experticity? Curious to see that price as it’ll definitely decide for me to snag a set or not.

Direct.

 

[tikkashooter88]

Got an Amazon Warehouse deal on a pair of the 10x42 Forge binos for $260. I've been comparing them to my Vortex Diamondback 10x42 and they are definately a step up in quality. I'm color blind though so I'm not the best reviewer of glass quality and color. Biggest thing my eyes could tell is the edge to edge clarity compared to the Diamondbacks along with being able to see mirage even at dusk. My buddy has a set of Maven's that I want to put them up against and see if there's a noticeable difference for me. At $260 I figured they were worth a try.

Amazon has the best deal on them right now, $390. https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Forge-Binocular-Prism-Terrain/dp/B07F47922Z?th=1

 

[Danrobberg]

I placed an order with Bushnell for the 15 power this morning. The MPS pricing is very good and for the price I really think I will be happy with them.

What are good mounting options to mount them to a rrs ball head on a rrs tripod?

 

[_Windrider_]

I placed an order with Bushnell for the 15 power this morning. The MPS pricing is very good and for the price I really think I will be happy with them.

What are good mounting options to mount them to a rrs ball head on a rrs tripod?

they come with a tripod mount i believe

 

[Danrobberg]

Perfect

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Yep, QD tripod mount is included with the 15s. I've been pretty happy with it, too. Bushnell is planning to sell the mount as a separate accessory at some point in the future, too.

 

[tikkashooter88]

Yep, QD tripod mount is included with the 15s. I've been pretty happy with it, too. Bushnell is planning to sell the mount as a separate accessory at some point in the future, too.

That mount would be a nice accessory to be able to purchase. Panhandle Precision did a initial review of the 15's that included some info on that mount and it looks nice.

Keep us posted on when it is availible for purchase separately for those of us with 10's.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

That mount would be a nice accessory to be able to purchase. Panhandle Precision did a initial review of the 15's that included some info on that mount and it looks nice.

Keep us posted on when it is availible for purchase separately for those of us with 10's.

Will do. I'm trying to bribe my way into an extra adapter stud for my 10s so I can use them with the mount, too

 

[Rootshot]

I own a pair of the Forge binos. They are clearly high quality pieces of gear. I had the opportunity to take them hunting in December and they really impressed me. Fit, finish, material quality, clarity, features, etc. are all very well done. Very happy with the purchase.

 

[Rthur]

Had a chance to check the Forge out recently.
Our squad had Swaro, Leica, Hendsolt glass to compare these against.
I thought they were solid on clarity and brightness for their price range.
For RO work or tripod/hunting applications they'd do great.

R

 

[Primus]

MPS?

Is it different than expertvoice?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Is it different than expertvoice?

Most of the prices are the same or damn close, a few are different. EV was better on a few, MPS was better on a few.

 

[_Windrider_]

Most of the prices are the same or damn close, a few are different. EV was better on a few, MPS was better on a few.

Biggest diffeence is shipping and extra fees

 

[Danrobberg]

Call bushnell to get put on the MPS program if you qualify. The prices are fantastic.

 

[Primus]

I used to be on it when Alpha ran the program. Need to do that thanks.

 

[just browsing]

Had a quick chance to look through these at the W.A.R. Match today.

Compared to Swaros I don’t think anyone is going to kid themselves into thinking they’re “nicer than the Swaros,” but for spotting from a tripod, and literally less than 1/3 the price... they are excellent.

For those unable to use the MPS program, would recommend giving Scott at Liberty a call. He quoted me an excellent price on the 15s, though he couldn’t promise when they would be shipping.

 

[tikkashooter88]

Amazon keeps dropping price on these... https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Forge-Binocular-Prism-Terrain/dp/B07F47922Z?th=1

 

[HuntinBuddy80]

I would agree with several posters in this thread on the quality of these. I got a pair of the 10x's about 6 weeks ago for free from a redeemed gift card. I have spotted two matches and several practice sessions with these out to 1200yds and have been very happy with them. I have compared them side by side with Swaros on tripods at two matches and have had several people look through both of them and walk away surprised. They're not Swaros by any means but they are VERY comparable, especially considering the cost.

 

[DetroitRearView]

I have not looked through the “Forge” binocular. China is very capable as a nation to manufacture weapons, optics, submarines etc.

There are two issues or me; both personal - albeit admittedly a limited experience.

1) For a few years I worked in a LEO capacity trying to stave off the unrelenting theft of intellectual property by China from USA companies. As a result, as much as possible I will pay more for products not produced in China.

2) Hunting versus PRS. Huge difference in requirements for success.

PRS: Daytime observation targets, splash, trace and hits on steel. No doubt the Forge and others are just fine. Under those conditions you will not see a significant difference between the expensive Alpha glass and those which are lesser in optical quality, coatings etc like mid or lower priced optics.

Hunting: Daytime animals bedded in deep shaded timbered or Sage country. Look for an ear flicker, a horn move versus a wind driven branch, color differential - log, rock or Elk hide? Most importantly the ability to observe as clearly as possible the first and last 15 minutes of legal light is why ALPHA’s are used. Line them up in the aforementioned conditions and the mediocre glass regardless of Country of origin are no comparison to $3K Glass.

If I was not such a fanatical hunter I wouldn’t own 10K in glass. It is simply a choice but or any mid range optic is not going to give me the results I desire for hunting.

PRS only, go for it. Especially if you want to support the Country of origin.

Image 3; You would be able see these 1000 plus yard hits through any decent sub $500 glass.
Image 1; (enlarged so you can see more clearly) I watched this nice desert Muley @ 600 yards while hunters walked right by him, glassing with their rifle scopes (!!???) or ______ binoculars.
Image 2: non enlarged same as #2 but with my Austrian manufactured 15x56 binocular I could clearly see this dude.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I have not looked through the “Forge” binocular. China is very capable as a nation to manufacture weapons, optics, submarines etc.

There are two issues or me; both personal - albeit admittedly a limited experience.

1) For a few years I worked in a LEO capacity trying to stave off the unrelenting theft of intellectual property by China from USA companies. As a result, as much as possible I will pay more for products not produced in China.

2) Hunting versus PRS. Huge difference in requirements for success.

PRS: Daytime observation targets, splash, trace and hits on steel. No doubt the Forge and others are just fine. Under those conditions you will not see a significant difference between the expensive Alpha glass and those which are lesser in optical quality, coatings etc like mid or lower priced optics.

Hunting: Daytime animals bedded in deep shaded timbered or Sage country. Look for an ear flicker, a horn move versus a wind driven branch, color differential - log, rock or Elk hide? Most importantly the ability to observe as clearly as possible the first and last 15 minutes of legal light is why ALPHA’s are used. Line them up in the aforementioned conditions and the mediocre glass regardless of Country of origin are no comparison to $3K Glass.

If I was not such a fanatical hunter I wouldn’t own 10K in glass. It is simply a choice but or any mid range optic is not going to give me the results I desire for hunting.

PRS only, go for it. Especially if you want to support the Country of origin.

Image 3; You would be able see these 1000 plus yard hits through any decent sub $500 glass.
Image 1; (enlarged so you can see more clearly) I watched this nice desert Muley @ 600 yards while hunters walked right by him, glassing with their rifle scopes (!!???) or ______ binoculars.
Image 2: non enlarged same as #2 but with my Austrian manufactured 15x56 binocular I could clearly see this dude.

I've got several friends (some that are affiliated with Bushnell, some that are not) that have already taken Forge binos on hunting trips, and they have reported great results with them.

As for the China thing - there's only so many factories in the world that produce high end optics, and not all of them make binos. The Forge binos were designed in the US by Bushnell with manufacturing being done in China, as that was what was available to make them in the quantities needed while keeping the needed quality at the desired price point. While I agree on the issues with theft of IP, not everything being made in China is a case of this - many products are designed and developed elsewhere, then outsourced to China (and other countries) for manufacturing.

 

[DetroitRearView]

I've got several friends (some that are affiliated with Bushnell, some that are not) that have already taken Forge binos on hunting trips, and they have reported great results with them.

As for the China thing - there's only so many factories in the world that produce high end optics, and not all of them make binos. The Forge binos were designed in the US by Bushnell with manufacturing being done in China, as that was what was available to make them in the quantities needed while keeping the needed quality at the desired price point. While I agree on the issues with theft of IP, not everything being made in China is a case of this - many products are designed and developed elsewhere, then outsourced to China (and other countries) for manufacturing.

So what part of my post are you criticizing?

 

[TheMammoth]

I only marginally care where they are made, I just want in depth reviews and comparisons to other binos to start trickling in on the 15s

 

[ToddM]

China is certainly capable of making high end products. It's pretty amazing the counterfeit knives that are CNC'd to clone high $ brands coming out of there now, Even if you were a knife enthusiast some are impossible to tell apart until you start cutting with them or sharpening the blade. I think the big thing with China, and I'm sure it varies is that even high end companies that have products made there, they just don't look at things like we do. You'll see a high end brand being loaded up into a shipping truck and then loaded on another truck to the black market. They companies I know that do business there, you basically need your own crew watching them like a hawk 24/7 both for quality control and theft.

The other thing is as soon as you manufacturer something in China, it never fails if it's a popular product, counterfeit products of the same thing show up everywhere almost instantly, ebay, amazon, etc.. This happened to arcteryx as soon as they started production there.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Anyone that wants to check the 10 or 15x Forge binos out for themselves, I will be at the MPA match this weekend with both. I'll have the 15s on my tripod all weekend and the 10s (plus a special set of 10s) in the car.