Have a set of 15x Forge Binos that I’ve had for about 2 years. Absolutely loved them.
I recently had my tripod blow over on a concrete pad (it was really windy and the tripod caddy served as a parachute of sorts). Binos hit hard, broke the stud for mounting them. Didn’t think anything of it so I submitted a warranty request, boxed them up, and sent them out.
Went through the warranty process as normal. Got them back about 2 weeks later. Stud was fixed but it came with the attached note. Basically said “the prisms and focus mechanism are trashed… too costly to repair, but here you can buy a new set for $400.” Sure enough, look through them and they don’t focus properly.
Fine print on the warranty reads:
“This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage; damage caused by failing to properly maintain the product; loss; theft; damage as a result of unauthorized repair, modification, or disassembly; intentional damage, misuses, or abuse.”
You can read the full thing here:
Hunt Shoot Accessories
www.bushnell.com
What I’m failing to understand is where “wind blowing a tripod over” would be included in any of the above verbiage. At least these were sub $500 Binos. I’d hate for the same BS to happen to someone with one of the new XRS3s.
Anyway, let it be a word of caution… sure as hell makes you appreciate companies like Vortex and others that will replace stuff no questions asked.