Bushnell NatureView binoculars Test Report by Kurt Papke

I took them outside on the patio and used them to observe some hummingbirds on a feeder in close proximity, close enough that my standard binoculars cannot focus. I was happy to discover that I could see the little birds quite clearly, with no difficulty getting them in focus.

The strap is just slightly too wide for the slot. I'm going to wrestle with this later when I really need the straps in the field.

Summary

Things I Like So Far:

Things That Concern Me Upfront:

Field Report

Field Conditions

In addition to the following backpacking trips I have used the NatureView binoculars on many occasions around my house for wildlife viewing, and on several day hikes and Jeep trips.

Romero Canyon

Local Use

NatureView binoculars in the Tortolita Mtns

Often when we have guests at our home I take them on a Jeep trip up into the Tortolita Mountains near my house. The views are spectacular, but prior to testing the NatureView binoculars I never took any optics along.

I took them with me recently and I really appreciated how much they added to the enjoyment of the venue. I was able to scan the ridgelines for the pack of wild horses that lives in the range, and used them extensively to pick out the features of the North side of Tucson that is visible from that vantage point, as shown in the photo at right. It was great that the binoculars were compact and sturdy - I just threw them in the Jeep and off we went.

It had been a few weeks since I had used them, and it took me a half-minute or so to make sure I had the eye strength adjustment set properly to neutral. It also took me a few seconds to remember to twist up the eye cups.

I have also used the binoculars on numerous occasions to view the wildlife in our backyard. We feed birds, including many hummingbird feeders, and we get everything from Thrashers to Harris hawks coming to our area. It was really great to use these binoculars at close range to view the hummingbirds on the feeders, as I like to sit close and see the details of the plumage. I am trying to learn to identify the various varieties that visit us, and it is nearly impossible to differentiate them with the naked eye, but with the NatureView binoculars I could make out the details of their coloration.

We also have numerous small lizards that scurry across the patio. The binoculars worked very well to zoom in on them to see what they looked like up close and personal.

Myriad types of butterflies also visit our blooming flowers in the Fall, and the binoculars were great to see the colors of their wings. Many of the Arizona butterflies are quite small and do not alight for very long, so the optics really helped to be able to see them as more than just a flash of color.

Summary

I have been very happy with my experiences with the Bushnell NatureView binoculars. They have been reliable, easy to transport and carry, and provide great viewing. I have really appreciated the short focal length when using them for backyard viewing.

The only thing they are missing is a detent for the eye strength calibration. I would think many people have them same strength in their right and left eye, and would appreciate being able to find this setting quickly and easily.

Please stop back in about two months to view my final long-term report on the NatureView binoculars.

Long-Term Report

Field Conditions

Signal Hill Petroglyphs

Samaniego Ridge

Due to the cool Fall weather there wasn't much wildlife to see on this little backpacking trip, but I did use the NatureView binoculars to check out some of the spectacular geology views that this trail provides:

Buster Mountain

It isn't often I discover a new trail close to my house, but this one turned up on a local hiker's blog. I set out on a crisp Sunday morning to do a little exploring. The NatureView binoculars came in very handy for scouting the route ahead, and also for getting a glimpse of some of the birds along the route. I wish I had them out and at the ready when some deer bolted from the brush, but unfortunately they were stowed in my pack. These binoculars are just a little too large and heavy to hike with them strapped around my neck.

Sycamore Canyon

I had never hiked the Sycamore Canyon section of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, and I was looking for a trail with not too much elevation gain/loss for a change, so I set out on a Saturday afternoon for an overnight hike. There were a number of birds along the trail, especially near my campsite which was at Sycamore Reservoir where there was plenty of water. The binoculars were great for checking out the avian activities.

Sutherland Trail

Along the Sutherland Trail This was just a New Years Day ramble through the Catalina foothills. I used the binoculars to scan for the Desert Bighorn sheep which have been recently transplanted to the area as shown in the photo at left.

I didn't see any Bighorn, but the view was great, and I was able to see the details of the Saguaro cacti and the local geography.

Summary

It has been a joy to carry the NatureView Binoculars with me on hikes the last few months. They have encouraged me to look at things and see details that otherwise would have escaped me. My only real complaint is fumbling with the lens covers, but I certainly know that nobody seems to have invented yet a way to protect the lenses that are not a hassle. I intend to continue to bring the binoculars with me on hikes that hold promise of having views or objects that would like to see in more detail than what is possible with the naked eye.

Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Binoculars > Bushnell NatureView binoculars > Test Report by Kurt Papke