Bushnell combination Binos and Camera

[BelchFire]

I'm currently carrying a small (cheap) pair of 8x binos to the woods. That rifle is just too heavy and bulky to lift only to get a gander at a deer out 80 or 100 yards. And too, I don't want to go though all the motion to lift the rifle when I can tell I'm not going to shoot, but I do want to look.

I'm also carrying a camera so I can "shoot" what I can't shoot (I hunt in a QDM county)

Well, lo and behold: Bushnell offers both in a nice convenient package now. And for only $70 from Cabela's. Have you guys got one? Any ideas? There are others, but Bushnell is a reputable name until you tell me otherwise.

It's a 10x bino, and 8x camera with 64MB internal. USB, but doesn't list supported OS's. Win98 be OK? Anybody?

Do or don't?

 

[MBullism]

Hi, BelchFire-

I have a pair of the "others", I got a pair of Meade "Capture View" binoc/cam for xmas last year. Their o.k., and they do work as advertised, but don't get your hopes up too far. I haven't taken them hunting though (I actually lug a pair of 10x50's in for that, but I digress). I'm not sure of the specs on the Bushnell, but the Meade only takes a 640x180 pic at best, 320x240 at worst, so if your looking for calendar photos, that's out. And if your looking for detail, that's probably out too, ... and don't expect great results in low light. The binoc part of mine has an exit pupil of 2.8mm and the cam is fixed at f5.6 (which is middle of the road if your not up on "f" stops), so there not great in low light (that's part of why I lug the 10x50's...exit pupil =5...)

My opinion, and it's free,you get what you pay for- is that you get what you pay for. I think the binoc/cam idea is a good one that just hasn't been fully put together yet. What would you expect to pay for a pair of 8X Bushnell binocs? Take that and subtract it from 70 bucks. There's the cam part. Nuff said.

If what you want them for is kinda kickin' around, thumbnails etc. under decent lighting their o.k., and they do take a pic under magnification, but for what I expect out of my hunting gear these haven't seen the woods yet-

Oh, yeah... windows 98 you should be all set-

MB

 

[MBullism]

I just popped over to cabelas to peek, Not to belabor my rant, LOL, but the Bushnell binocs part is a 10x25... That's gonna look awful dark in the morning and evening. You'd be better served with a pair of 8x32's... IMHO

MB

 

[BelchFire]

Thanks MBullism. I think I'll hold out until they get a little mre sophisticated. The Meades have been out over a year? Seems like there would be a plethora of choices by now. Sure seems like a good idea; howcum everybody isn't offering them?

 

[pmmx]

Check these ones out. They are 8x42 and has a image resolution of 2MP. Never heard of this company before so I don't know anything about it. I just saw it and though you might want to know about it. It's made by Meade and is only $188.99.

http://www.binoculars.com/detail.asp?PID=18954

Jeff

 

[MBullism]

pmmx-

That's definately not the pair i have, fer sure... interesting. The binocs seem to have a good exit pupil, but i didn't see anything about the cam "f"... be neat to see how they work in low light.... maybe they have put the idea together since last year, LOL.

 

[BelchFire]

How about these? 8 X 32 doesn't seem too bad when compared to their size. Everything's a tradeoff isn't it? What do you think about these?

 

[MBullism]

Everything IS a tradeoff...for sure- 8x40 would be better...I can't say about the camera part, don't see much info. All I can tell you is mine are useless in marginal light situations... wish i could be more help!

 

[BelchFire]

Pentax even makes a pair!

Of those I have seen and reviewed, I'm currently leaning toward the VistaPix in one of the two 8X30 models. That's a trade off on price, size, and feature. I think the 16MB model might be the one, but look at these, and tell me; if you were going to do it, which of the above would you go with?

Anybody and Everybody.

Thanks,