OPTICS REVIEW: TAKING A PEEK WITH TROPHY XTREME BINOCULARS

The Trophy Xtreme binoculars by Bushnell offer a budget-friendly, comfortable design. (Photo: Chris Scarpitta/Guns.com)

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A successful hunt relies on many factors but one of the most important comes down to being able to accurately view large areas of field and woods. Designed to maximize field of view at medium distances, the 8x56mm Trophy Xtreme binoculars by Bushnell promises to grant shooters a more robust viewing area in a single glance. Bushnell sent over some Trophy Xtreme binoculars for Guns.com to take for a test drive to see if they measure up to the hype.

SPECS

The Bushnell Trophy Xtreme 8x56mm binoculars offer a slim design, weighing in at 30.1-ounces. Its compact build is attributed to the binoculars’ roof prism design. These prisms are coated with Bushnell’s signature PC-3 Phase Coating. The lower 8x magnification and larger 56mm objective lenses yield a greater field of view than the 10x50mm variant of this line. At 1,000-yards you will be able to see an area that spans 300-yards across with this model. The larger forward lenses also gather more light particularly at dusk or dawn when it matters most on a hunt.

Included in the box are a neckband, soft case, and instruction manual.

PERFORMANCE

The binoculars are fog-proof and water-proof which helps when in the field. (Photo: Chris Scarpitta/Guns.com)

When it came to heading out with the Trophy Xtreme 8x56mm binoculars, I enjoyed the fog-proof and water-proof construction. It allowed for unobstructed clarity despite being transported from a warm hunting spot to a cold blind and tree stand. All lenses are fully multi-coated for ultimate clarity and accurate color transmission; though I would have liked to see an additional coating or two on the lenses to help refine clarity and definition further. That being said, I certainly wouldn’t say that the glass was bad.

Aligning the barrels to the eyes is effortless — the hinged assembly sturdy enough to hold its position when worn around the neck. Twist-up eyecups locked into place and worked well regardless of eyeglasses or not. I found the rubberized surfaces to be tough as nails, particularly after being banged around a hunting pack. Attached lens covers also made for one less component to drop in the woods. Additionally, the placement of the gripping surfaces proved to be well thought out as the course areas fit right in the palm of my hand. My thumbs landed instinctually on the rough pads of the underside.

I used the binoculars to peek on a herd of whitetail deer snaking along neighboring woods 10-feet into the tree line as well as an unsuspecting squirrel as he popped his head in and out of a hole tightly situated in a dead tree.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The binoculars are tough as nails and great for hunting. (Photo: Chris Scarpitta/Guns.com)

An MSRP of just $200 certainly classifies these as budget glass, however, they certainly don’t feel cheap. Overall, I have absolutely no reservations taking these on a hunt in any weather condition.