Bushnell Forge Binos

[Ruskin]

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?

I'll take a swing at this. I was at the Gap 2018 and made the terrible mistake of looking through someone's 15x Swaro binos. I was running a Vortex Razor HD spotter at the time. The difference was dramatic. Although the Razor was much higher power the clarity and field of view on the Swaros sold me. When I got home from the match I started doing a mental inventory of stuff I could sell to be able to buy a pair of Swaros. Before i could sell a bunch of stuff I got wind of the Forge 15x binos and thought I would give them a try. Now after having the Forge binos for a few months I offer this simple comparison. I think the Swaros have a ever so slight edge on clarity but considering I paid $700ish for the Bushnells after rebate I love them!

 

[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.

Any word if the tripod mount is availible to purchase separately for those of us with 10's?

 

[Ruskin]

Any word if the tripod mount is availible to purchase separately for those of us with 10's?

The Bushnell mount is good but this is the shit. Got one mount for my tripod and an adapter on each of my Bono’s.
https://outdoorsmans.com/products/outdoorsmans-pentaxkahles-binocular-stud
https://outdoorsmans.com/products/outdoorsmans-binocular-adapter

 

[chadrp]

Any word if the tripod mount is availible to purchase separately for those of us with 10's?

I called Bushnell a few weeks ago to see about getting another stud for another pair of lrf binos to use the same amount. They said the studs would not be available by themselves but someday the entire tripod mount might be available to purchase but not at this moment. I wasnt waiting around so I ordered the outdoorsmans where the studs are available by themselves.

 

[MOUNTIC]

I just had a pair of the Japan made Bushnell Elite 10x43 binos go down last week. Couldn't get the diopter to adjust far enough now for some reason. Couldn't get it to focus even when it was maxed out. These 10x43 and the 8x43 elites are the only quality pair of Bushnell binos I would buy. I do own the latest Swaro 10x42 EL's and these Japan made 10x43s hold there own. Not as good but darn close. I paid $1,300 for the Elites back in 2007 I believe. They didn't sell that well I believe because of the high price and Bushnell revamped the elite line and lowered the price to 600 or so. These newer lower quality elites were 10x42 if memory serves me and didn't even compare to the earlier 10x43 elites.

So I called bushnell for the lifetime warranty and explained to the guy what my issue was. He says oh those are no longer made and we'll just replace them for you with a set of Bushnell forges. As he continues on to say how good they were. I asked him if he's ever looked through a pair of the 10x43 elites and he said no that was years before he worked there. And goes off again to say... Trust me, these forges are the best thing Bushnell has made. I politely said we will have to agree to disagree. He then looks up the MSRP of them new when they were first introduced in 2005 and he said, wow, your right. Big price difference.

We agreed to make many notes in my return that these would need try to be repaired to the best of their ability and not replaced. Not sure what's going to transpire from this and if I'm going to be stuck with a new pair of forges as a replacement. Guess I'll have to ask for the 15x if it comes to that...

Sucks when you have something good with a lifetime warranty on it and they want to replace the Japan made elite binos with Chinese stufd and try to just pass it as "just as good". It's like buying a S&B PMII 10 years ago and they replace it with a Simmons. I don't even mind paying for the fix if they can do it. Just not happy about the marketing and hype that goes into the new stuff. Just as good huh... Sure. Whatever you say!

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Any word if the tripod mount is availible to purchase separately for those of us with 10's?

The mount is listed in the new product catalog I got after the NRA show, but no solid date yet.

 

[BANG...ping]

To anyone considering a spotter, ask a RO who is looking through glass for HOURS at a time what he thinks. Ask the RO who is on a 1000 + yard stage with paint worn steel blurred by mirage if he can spot those 105 grain 6mm impacts on a plate that does not move. Take note at your next match on how many RO's using Swarovski glass get contested calls. When it comes to glass spend as much money as you possibly can. You will regret the cost only until the check clears.

Bang

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

To anyone considering a spotter, ask a RO who is looking through glass for HOURS at a time what he thinks. Ask the RO who is on a 1000 + yard stage with paint worn steel blurred by mirage if he can spot those 105 grain 6mm impacts on a plate that does not move. Take note at your next match on how many RO's using Swarovski glass get contested calls. When it comes to glass spend as much money as you possibly can. You will regret the cost only until the check clears.

Bang

I actually happen to be one of those ROs. I've spent a good bit of time behind the 10 and 15x Swaros, Swaro spotters, and a few other optics.

I'm keeping my 15x Forge binos.

 

[Danrobberg]

I received mine a few weeks ago and brought them to the prs match in Alabama this past weekend.

Overall I am extremely happy with them. They are not sworos but for the money they are darn close. I had no problem spotting impacts at long distance and could see the trace extremely well, even on fast moving 6mm bullets. The only thing I would really like to see an improvement on is the mount. It doesn’t really lock into place so when you are carrying your tripod with the Binos attached they can kind of flop around.

I would 100 percent buy these again and would have no problem recommending them to anyone. If you can afford the sworros than go ahead but if you are looking to save some money I think you will be extremely pleased with these. I was kind of surprised how many I saw at the match and not just by sponsored shooters.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I received mine a few weeks ago and brought them to the prs match in Alabama this past weekend.

Overall I am extremely happy with them. They are not sworos but for the money they are darn close. I had no problem spotting impacts at long distance and could see the trace extremely well, even on fast moving 6mm bullets. The only thing I would really like to see an improvement on is the mount. It doesn’t really lock into place so when you are carrying your tripod with the Binos attached they can kind of flop around.

I would 100 percent buy these again and would have no problem recommending them to anyone. If you can afford the sworros than go ahead but if you are looking to save some money I think you will be extremely pleased with these. I was kind of surprised how many I saw at the match and not just by sponsored shooters.

Agreed on the flopping. The flip side is it lets you get a little up-down for scanning or target transitions without having to screw with the tripod.

 

[Danrobberg]

That’s true. You just have to pay attention to which way you pick up the tripod. I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with them though.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

That’s true. You just have to pay attention to which way you pick up the tripod. I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with them though.

Yeah, I got into the habit of making sure the eye pieces are pointed down when carrying the tripod over my shoulder so they don't flop around. it's really only an issue when carrying the tripod around with the binos mounted.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Took these today through the 15x forge, hope to have some trace video soon...

I'm using a celestron Nexyz 3 axis universal smartphone mount. Temperature was 96 with humidity around 70%

 

[just browsing]

Is there any hope for mounting an Arca plate on these? Or are they confined to the Bushnell mount?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Is there any hope for mounting an Arca plate on these? Or are they confined to the Bushnell mount?

Takes a standard 1/4x20 so if you can find a one piece yes, but do share as I am on the hunt for one. I have my mount on a arca plate but it would bennifit from a true one piece.

@jonaddis84

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Is there any hope for mounting an Arca plate on these? Or are they confined to the Bushnell mount?

As Niles said, 1/4x20 thread on both the bottom of the Bushnell mount AND the front of the binos themselves, so you can also use standard aftermarket bino mounts with the Forge. I've got a cheap Amazon wide rail that my mount lives on, and it's worked quite nicely on there.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Is there any hope for mounting an Arca plate on these? Or are they confined to the Bushnell mount?

I found this one, placed an order and will update after I use it a bit.

Search results for: 'products accessories'

TRACT Optics creates premium optics designed and engineered to be the best on the market!

www.tractoptics.com

 

[just browsing]

Let us know how it locks up and whether or not it’s better than the one that’s included. Still would prefer an actual plate mounted directly to the Binos, but I understand that is out of the question.

 

[canezach]

Just took a leap of faith and ordered a set of the 10x42 and a set of the 15x56.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Just took a leap of faith and ordered a set of the 10x42 and a set of the 15x56.

I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[canezach]

I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.

I don't think i will be disappointed either. The Sporting Rifle Match at the NRA Whittington Center is going to be their first match and I can't think of a better place to put them through their paces

 

[Niles Coyote]

I ran my 15x's at their first match today, overall I was pleased. The tripod I was using could have been better though... with the wind present it would put just enough shake into the glass to keep me from spotting trace about 50% of the time. The match went out to 600 and the only problem spots were making out impacts from a AR chambered in 223 on heavy steel plates that were grey from heavy use. Mirage was heavy so that certainly didn't help.

 

[Airw4ves]

Looking at the 15x hard but waiting on them to pop up on EV. Anyone know if its just due to stock levels that they have not been put up?

 

[broncoaz]

The 10x are down to $293 on Amazon right now.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Looking at the 15x hard but waiting on them to pop up on EV. Anyone know if its just due to stock levels that they have not been put up?

Honestly, I am not sure. If you qualify for EV you likely qualify for the other discount program (done by email only), and they should be availabile through there. If you need the info, shoot me a PM.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

The 10x are down to $293 on Amazon right now.

Wow, you're not kidding. That's a screaming price on the 10x42s.

 

[canezach]

Honestly, I am not sure. If you qualify for EV you likely qualify for the other discount program (done by email only), and they should be availabile through there. If you need the info, shoot me a PM.

This! I emailed and I have a set of the 10s and the 15s shipping on Friday. Screaming deal on the 15s!!! That Amazon price for the 10s is an incredible deal as well!

 

[broncoaz]

They have gone up to $308 on Amazon right now.

 

[CageFighter]

who has deals on the Forge 15x right now?

 

[canezach]

who has deals on the Forge 15x right now?

Are you a veteran or law enforcement?

 

[CageFighter]

Are you a veteran or law enforcement?

nope, but my bro & dad are. do i need to use them?

 

[broncoaz]

I was thinking about upgrading from my Vortex Diamondback 10x42, are these enough of an upgrade to be wowed by the difference? I was thinking of pushing the budget to $500. Is there something else that I should be looking at in that price point?

 

[canezach]

Bushnell has two programs: one through Experticity and one directly through Bushnell. To go through Bushnell direct, you have to sign up via email and provide your proof of service. I can tell you their Military and Public Service (that's the via email one) prices are OUTSTANDING, like I may use nothing but Bushnell from now on

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

nope, but my bro & dad are. do i need to use them?

If they were caught letting you use their discount, they can be banned from the program.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Bushnell has two programs: one through Experticity and one directly through Bushnell. To go through Bushnell direct, you have to sign up via email and provide your proof of service. I can tell you their Military and Public Service (that's the via email one) prices are OUTSTANDING, like I may use nothing but Bushnell from now on

I'll add that calling the public customer service line about the MPS program is only going to get you a confused "Huh?" - or at least it did last time I asked.

 

[Airw4ves]

I'll add that calling the public customer service line about the MPS program is only going to get you a confused "Huh?" - or at least it did last time I asked.

Yeah, I called to enquire about it and the lady had zero clue what I was talking about, said she would get a manager, and never got back to me haha.
I think I'll try the email route.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Yeah, I called to enquire about it and the lady had zero clue what I was talking about, said she would get a manager, and never got back to me haha.
I think I'll try the email route.

Yeah, there's a specific person you contact to get MPS going. She actually works on the outdoor side of the company, not the optics side, but the program applies to optics, too. One of the quirks of Bushnell being a pretty big company on its own and being part of an even bigger corporation overall.

 

[Danrobberg]

I used mine this weekend at the Hornady Prc match and loved them. We shot targets out to a mile. For the price point you absolutely can’t go wrong. I am 100 percent satisfied with mine. Also took them to Yellowstone after and grand Teton. Loved them on the tripod there.

 

[canezach]

My 10x42 and 15x56 arrived today. Initial impression is very, VERY positive. Visually, the glass is very clear. The image quality is very good on the 10s, but the 15s have a real depth that comes with higher mag range. Obviously with increased magnification comes less field of view, but still pretty generous. For me, the eye relief is good. With the eyecups fully extended, I can set the top of the cups just under my eyebrows for a perfect image. If either exhibited any CA, I didn't notice it. I could only play with them for a few minutes before nightfall, but I'll get more of an opportunity in the coming days and weeks. The addition of a tripod adapter with the 15 was a nice touch. I do wish they would've included one with their other magnification binos as well. I'll try to take a few pics tomorrow at the match.

I will use them tomorrow for a local 600 yard match and at the start of August for the monthly sporting rifle match at Whittington, where they'll really get put through their paces, but I really am not disappointed with either, but the 15 is particularly good.

 

[Airw4ves]

Did you guys email someone specifically for the program or just their general email?

 

[broncoaz]

I missed the boat on the 10x42 for cheap from Amazon, now they’re back up to $383.

 

[jsimonh]

Did you guys email someone specifically for the program or just their general email?

I sent an email to the general sells address a couple if weeks ago and still haven't heard back. Not sure who I need to contact but I'd sure like to know!

 

[canezach]

Here are a couple of pics I just took at our 600 yard range. It's a crappy cell phone pic, so don't hold it against the binos. These are through the 15x56. There's some CA visible in the pictures, but that has to be the optic to phone image because it's not present when I look through the binos

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Did you guys email someone specifically for the program or just their general email?

I sent an email to the general sells address a couple if weeks ago and still haven't heard back. Not sure who I need to contact but I'd sure like to know!

It's a specific POC. Shoot me a PM on here if you need it. The general customer service folks at Bushnell don't know about the program.

 

[Danrobberg]

Here are a few from the 15’s

 

[Danrobberg]

Those pics really don’t do the binos any justice. We were all very impressed and pleased with the image quality.

 

[RifleBlog]

(plus a special set of 10s) in the car.

I sincerely hope this means they are putting a reticle in them.

also if someone could shoot me the Bushnell MPS email that’d be awesome.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I sincerely hope this means they are putting a reticle in them.

also if someone could shoot me the Bushnell MPS email that’d be awesome.

Don't expect to see them with a reticle any time soon, unfortunately. Shoot me a PM if you still need the email.

 

[LAW-DOG]

I would bet these bushnell forge binos are very good for the money. Their cheap spotters are a great value & the dmr pro & xrs2 are also some of the best for the money. The new swaro slc hd binos are the best & worth every penny. I ended up getting the meopta 15x56 because they are close to the swaros for a lot less $$ & they are a little better than the ziess hd & leupold 15x56. The only way to get a real comparison is to buy them & compare side by side over a long period of time so you can see the pros & cons of each in different conditions,. Just looking through them at the range or a match real quick isn’t long enough time to get a good comparison. I will probably buy the forge 15x56 when a sale happens & they will probably make a great addition to the group of people I shoot with. Bushnell makes very good optics for money but they aren’t alphas. I have a mix of high end optics, mid level, & cheap & they are all worth the money for what I use them for but some people the higher end isn’t worth it or necessary. It’s different for everyone when it comes to worth & what you can afford. I have some 10x50 el sv that are amazing & even better & more $$ than the swaro 15x56 hd & I do not regret buying them. I use the 10x50 el on my deck for watching ships in the ocean at long range on the tripod & the optics are amazing even better than my Zeiss hd 8x32 & meo 15x56. If you can afford both get both & you can always sell a swaro or Meo easy if you don’t think it’s worth it. If you are on a budget then the forge or the Nikon 16x56 is a good option too & nikon also has a 20x56 that would make a good spotter or long range observer & eBay has grey market nikons at half price $450-550 for 16/20x56. These forge binos look like they will be very good & will probably end up in my collection & I won’t have to worry as much when other people are using them vs my other high end optics.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Any word if the tripod mount is availible to purchase separately for those of us with 10's?

The Bushnell mount is now available separately.