Sight might be one of the most important senses. When it comes to enjoying the outdoors and hunting, a good set of binoculars is a must.
For years now, I have been carrying a pair of simple Bushnell Powerview 7×35 binoculars.
They were inexpensive but still had good optic clarity for the cost, which I thought was a double win at the time.
These binoculars are slightly more than seven inches wide, about 4.5 inches long and slightly less than two inches thick. They weigh slightly more than a pound. The average person would consider them a standard size model.
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Other than the attractive price, there were some features that drew me to the Powerview 7×35.
Primary focus was done with a lever rather than a wheel at the centre of the binoculars, which made for fast adjustment when shifting my view between different distances.
The binoculars have a wide view angle and a viewing width of 487 feet at 1,000 yards. This greatly helps in scanning terrain for wildlife.
The lenses were multi-coated and collected enough light even in dim conditions to create a reasonable viewing image. The magnification was adequate enough to see details at medium distances but not so powerful that it caused too much image shaking.
Above all, the binoculars seemed simple to use.
Although not waterproof, the rubber housing does make the unit somewhat weather resistant. The sealed design makes it useful in the field but not something I would bring on a boat.
The Powerview 7×35 came with a carry case, lens covers and neck strap.
The strap is adequate for wearing the binoculars for short periods.
However, because of the weight of the unit, a binocular shoulder harness is necessary for long wear comfort in situations such as hunting.
The image clarity of the binoculars is reasonable even during twilight but does not compete with more expensive models. You get what you pay for.
Online retailers seem to offer modern versions of the Bushnell Powerview 7×35 for US$45, which is an inexpensive price point for binoculars.
I have my eye on some units around the $200 to $400 mark but cannot yet justify the cost.
The only real complaints I have about these binoculars are their weight, and perhaps I would be better served with 10x magnification.
However, those are small drawbacks when I think about how clearly and reliably this inexpensive model has performed for me with over the years.
