Bushnell Sportview 7x35 binoculars

gaseousclay · May 24, 2011, 08:40 PM

So I found a nice, used pair of Bushnell Sportview binoculars today at the thrift store for $8 and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on them? at this point I might only use them for bird-watching but I know I may need some glass for hunting at some point. will these particular binoculars be suitable for hunting purposes or will I need some more powerful?

GURU1911 · May 25, 2011, 10:12 AM

Negative---you do not need anything more powerful for hunting purposes. If you do, the size of the optics would be so large & heavy, you would start to make excuses for not carrying them at all. I have had mine since the early 1970's & paid a lot more than $8.00--wow what find !!!!!

Guru1911

gaseousclay · May 25, 2011, 08:12 PM

thanks, guru1911. may I ask what you paid for yours in the 70's? I tested them out today when I took the dog for a walk and they work great. I spotted some mallards on the lake by my house and they looked crystal clear

GURU1911 · May 25, 2011, 10:28 PM

Wow that was almost 40 years ago & anything i say would be pure speculation. Possibly was around $20-25 dollars. In those days i made $1.25/hr at my job while attending college. I am now 60.

Bushnell products made during the 1970's were all top-notch stuff. Keep the lenses cleaned with alcohol & cotton swabs. Keep the protective covers on when not in use & enjoy your excellent find !!!

Guru1911

big al hunter · May 29, 2011, 05:27 PM

I had that exact pair of binoculars in the late 80's. They performed well in the dry Idaho climate but fogged in the rain(inside the glass) in western Washington. After I moved I had to upgrade. I now have a pair of Vortex Diamondback 8x40 porro prism. Clear and no fog 4 years of rain and snow, mostly rain. Test yours out before hunting season to see if they fog internally. Nothing ruins a hunt more than not being able to see through the glass.

PawPaw · June 1, 2011, 07:24 AM

Those were pretty good low-end binoculars back in the day. I had a pair in the late '70s and they worked fine for the purpose. As big al hunter said, make sure that they don't fog. Fogging will ruin a hunting trip.

22-rimfire · June 2, 2011, 06:42 AM

I also had a pair of those and they focused poorly which dated to the 80's. I don't use binocs often, but I was looking at some elk with those and I had to keep focusing and refocusing. Something wasn't right and my eyes got very tired quickly. I like the power for woods hunting or general scanning at distance. I later purchased some Nikon Monarch's (8x) which I like a lot more, and a pair of Leupould Yosemite (6x) which have become my go to woods and general use binocular. I keep them in my truck all the time. They are smaller and waterproof. I carry the Leupolds in canoes and kayaks for game watching.

gaseousclay · June 2, 2011, 04:26 PM

thanks guys. I contacted Bushnell and they said these binoculars are from the 80's. either way, at $8 I can't complain. if they end up fogging in the rain then I won't feel so bad.

May 24, 2011, 08:40 PM	#1
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	Bushnell Sportview 7x35 binoculars So I found a nice, used pair of Bushnell Sportview binoculars today at the thrift store for $8 and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on them? at this point I might only use them for bird-watching but I know I may need some glass for hunting at some point. will these particular binoculars be suitable for hunting purposes or will I need some more powerful?

May 25, 2011, 10:12 AM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Negative---you do not need anything more powerful for hunting purposes. If you do, the size of the optics would be so large & heavy, you would start to make excuses for not carrying them at all. I have had mine since the early 1970's & paid a lot more than $8.00--wow what find !!!!! Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 25, 2011, 10:28 PM	#4
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	MR. GAS Wow that was almost 40 years ago & anything i say would be pure speculation. Possibly was around $20-25 dollars. In those days i made $1.25/hr at my job while attending college. I am now 60. Bushnell products made during the 1970's were all top-notch stuff. Keep the lenses cleaned with alcohol & cotton swabs. Keep the protective covers on when not in use & enjoy your excellent find !!! Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

May 29, 2011, 05:27 PM	#5
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	I had that exact pair of binoculars in the late 80's. They performed well in the dry Idaho climate but fogged in the rain(inside the glass) in western Washington. After I moved I had to upgrade. I now have a pair of Vortex Diamondback 8x40 porro prism. Clear and no fog 4 years of rain and snow, mostly rain. Test yours out before hunting season to see if they fog internally. Nothing ruins a hunt more than not being able to see through the glass. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

June 1, 2011, 07:24 AM	#6
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Those were pretty good low-end binoculars back in the day. I had a pair in the late '70s and they worked fine for the purpose. As big al hunter said, make sure that they don't fog. Fogging will ruin a hunting trip. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

May 25, 2011, 08:12 PM	#3
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	thanks, guru1911. may I ask what you paid for yours in the 70's? I tested them out today when I took the dog for a walk and they work great. I spotted some mallards on the lake by my house and they looked crystal clear

June 2, 2011, 06:42 AM	#7
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	I also had a pair of those and they focused poorly which dated to the 80's. I don't use binocs often, but I was looking at some elk with those and I had to keep focusing and refocusing. Something wasn't right and my eyes got very tired quickly. I like the power for woods hunting or general scanning at distance. I later purchased some Nikon Monarch's (8x) which I like a lot more, and a pair of Leupould Yosemite (6x) which have become my go to woods and general use binocular. I keep them in my truck all the time. They are smaller and waterproof. I carry the Leupolds in canoes and kayaks for game watching.

June 2, 2011, 04:26 PM	#8
gaseousclay Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 1,210	thanks guys. I contacted Bushnell and they said these binoculars are from the 80's. either way, at $8 I can't complain. if they end up fogging in the rain then I won't feel so bad.