Bushnell Forge Binoculars (Jeff Phillips photo)
January 11, 2019
By Brian Strickland
When it comes to bowhunting, quality optics are arguably just as important as the bow and arrow itself. I’ll concede, a pair of binoculars or spotting scope isn’t going to produce the kill shot, but they are a critical tool to get you in position to do so, especially out west. Today’s optics are amazing, and they seem to get better every year. Not only do they provide clarity, brightness, true color and epic high-definition, but what’s even more remarkable is that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the new glass for this year.
Bushnell Forge 15x56 Adding to the already impressive lineup in Bushnell ’s Forge series is a new 15x56 optical power-house that is sure to be a hit among western hunters. Utilizing ED prime glass with Ultra-Wide Band Coating to deliver brightness, the Forge series provides ultra-clear images in low-light conditions. The DiElectric and PC-3 phase coatings on each prism enhance resolution and contrast, while the EXO barrier protective lens coating repels water, oil, dust and debris from the exterior lens surfaces, even in deteriorating weather conditions. Both water- and fog-proof, these rubber-armor brutes will hold up to whatever you dish out to them.
Hawke Frontier HD X Building upon the successful Frontier series last year, Hawke introduced the new Frontier HD X binocular for 2019. At a price any bowhunter can afford, the Frontier HD X offers stunning high-definition quality with incredible color control and phase correction. Exceptional lens coatings on all surfaces throughout, plus high resolution Phase Corrected BAK-4 roof prisms and dielectric coated prisms, ensure the highest amount of light transmission and clarity. Available in both 8x and 10x42 options, the Frontier HD X is both water- and fog-proof, is built from a lightweight rubber coated magnesium alloy chassis and with Hawke’s lifetime warranty you know you can head to the field with confidence.
Nikon Monarch HG 30mm With a century of optics-building technology at its back, Nikon introduces the new Monarch HG 30mm series. Built with many of the same qualities as its big brother, this new lightweight model features the Field Flattener lens system, which delivers an extremely wide 8.3-degree field of view while maintaining excellent image quality. The extra-low-dispersion (ED) glass and added multi-layer coatings to all lenses and prisms, plus a dielectric high-reflective multilayer coating to the roof prisms ensure up to 92 percent light transmission and true-to-life color fidelity in low-light situations.
