Field Tested: Bushnell R5 Rangefinders and Binoculars

As a bowhunter, having good, quality optics is an essential part of the game. However, many archery hunters don’t have an unlimited budget that allows them to drop hundreds of dollars a pop on high-end binos and other equipment. Hence, they look for solutions in their price range that cover the majority of their bowhunting needs.

That’s why Bushnell’s new R-Series line (R5 and R3) is so exciting. These performance-focused optics are designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s whitetail hunters, while at the same time helping them save some of their hard-earned money. The lineup includes riflescopes, binoculars and rangefinders, two of which we put to the test.

R5 2000 AB Laser Rangefinder

After testing a variety of archery-hunting products over the years some tend to stand out as favorites, and I can tell you the R5 2000 is one of them. For starters, two things caught my attention right away. First, I’ve used laser rangefinders that had a red LCD display screen, and the black display on the Bushnell unit contrasts much better and is much easier to see and read under daylight conditions. Second, the R5 2000 AB is incredibly comfortable in your hand, with the battery compartment and contoured bottom of the rangefinder working seamlessly together to form a cradle that makes the unit just feel “right” when you hold it.

As far as its functionality, the R5 2000 provides fast, accurate readings of (±) one yard between five and 2,000 yards, with the ability to detect game like deer out to 650 yards. It also has a Bow Mode that provides True Horizontal Distance readings instead of line-of-sight readings for those steep-angle shots you might encounter afield, such as when you’re shooting up or down a hillside, or when you take aim at a whitetail from your treestand. That’s an important feature that can prevent you from misjudging the shot.

In addition, the R5 2000 offers another mode that bowhunters will find handy — Brush Mode, which allows the rangefinder to focus on objects in the background while ignoring things like brush and tree branches. In this mode, you press the fire button and move the aiming circle onto the object you want a reading for. If more than one object is identified by the rangefinder, it will only provide the distance to the furthest object, and that’s something that could be very helpful if you are trying to range a deer moving through thick cover. I’ve used other rangefinders in these types of thick-cover situations, and there’s no doubt that getting an accurate reading on your target can sometimes be challenging.

The R5 2000 is incredibly easy to use, since all operations are done through the main power/fire button. The unit, which has a 365-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, measures a compact 4.4x1.6x3 inches and weighs only 6.4 ounces. Distance readings can be displayed in yards, meters or feet, and the unit has an IPX4 waterproof rating, which will help it stand up to those dreary, rainy days we all encounter afield.

R5 10x42 Binocular

Let’s start with the 10,000-foot view here. The new R5 binoculars easily cover every situation a whitetail hunter might encounter, with exceptional light transmission and clear, crisp images, even during those minutes right after first light or the time right before dark. Plus, they only cost $209.99-$249.99, depending on the model.

Available in 10x42s, 8x42s and 12x50s, the R5 binos have an HD Optical System, with BAK-4 prisms and fully multi-coated lenses, to generate increased light transmission, contrast and clarity. Bushnell says the lenses all feature its proprietary EXO Barrier glass coating that repels water, oil, dust and debris, essentially making them smudge-, fog-, scratch- and debris-resistant.

As for how they perform in the field, I used the 10x42s during the archery deer season in my home state, and I was impressed with how well I could glass my surroundings even as it was getting very close to dark — in fact, much better than the naked eye.

Manipulating the R5s was super easy, with the center focus wheel providing fast, precision adjustment for incredibly clear focus. As for the feel in the hand, the binos are definitely comfortable to hold and operate, and the hinge keeps them firmly in place when you set them for your eye-to-eye width, which is great if you need to pick them up in a pinch and quickly focus on a moving animal.

The optical system is protected in a rugged, ergonomic, dual rubber overmold housing and the binos are nitrogen purged to prevent fogging from the inside, even in situations where you might experience extreme changes in temperature. Essentially, they’re waterproof (IPX7 rating), shockproof and fog-proof. We can’t call them totally indestructible, but if you have an accident or something stops functioning properly, the best part is you’re covered under Bushnell’s lifetime unconditional warranty. That’s right — Bushnell will replace them at no charge at any time.

The 10x42s measure 6x18x4.92 inches and weigh 24.9 ounces, with a 330-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. All binos in the R-Series come with a Vault Lite binocular pack (case), chest harness and neck strap.

If you’re a whitetail aficionado on the hunt for quality optics at a sweet price, there’s no doubt the R-Series by Bushnell needs to be at the top of your list!

$219.99 (R5 10x42 Binocular); $249.99 (R5 2000 AB Laser Rangefinder) | Bushnell, 800-423-3537; bushnell.com

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