Bresser Hunter 7x50 Binoculars 1150750

Bresser Hunter 7x50 Binocular Review

Update 10/23/13: We've been using the Bresser Hunters as a standby for the boat, the car, and the backyard, and it's consistently the binoculars we reach for when something catches our eye in the distance.  They really are standing up to everyday use.  We even took them on an evening stargazing trip, and the performance per dollar is great when you pair them with a tripod adapter and a sturdy tripod.  For $40, we're sold.  

Update 9/20/2013: We had originally posted that the Bresser Hunter 7x50 binocular came in clamshell packaging and included a pretty low-quality strap. The latest units we've received are boxed units, and include a much higher quality strap.  

We've also done some side-by-side optical comparison of the Bresser Hunter 7x50 with it's more well-known big brother, the Bresser Everest 8x42.  First glance shows that the two compare pretty similarly despite their obvious differences.  The Hunter lacks some of the clarity and image resolution of the Everest, but not much that it's a deal-breaker - remember that the Everest has ED glass and is 6 times the price.  Taking that into consideration, we're even more impressed with the performance of the Hunter 7x50.

Most of our customers aren't the type to even consider a pair of binoculars under $50, but we wanted to check them out anyway.  The entire line of Bresser Hunter was conceived and brought to market for big-box store shelves  We admit that our expectations were not very high to begin with, considering the target market and price tag.  Is it possible that we were wrong?

First impressions on build quality were pleasing.  The body on the Bresser Hunter 7x50 binocular is a metal open bridge type porro design, wrapped in black rubber amor, with a moderate weight of 1.75 pounds (28 ounces).  The body hinge is tight, stays where it should, and provides a very broad range of interpupillary distance. The cap on the front of the hinge doesn't feature a logo or branding like other Bresser binoculars, rather it shows a diagram that tries to say, "I'm hiding a tripod thread!"  The molded thumb imprints on the bottom of the body and depressed ridges on top make the Bresser Hunter 7x50 fairly comfortable, and the focusing mechanism is easily operated with one hand.  Overall build quality is on par with some of the binoculars that we've seen in the $100 price range.

The included fabric carrying bag is what we usually see included with binoculars between $100 and $200, so that's a plus.  It's your basic fabric bag with velcro closure and shoulder strap, and has no problem bearing the weight of these binoculars. 

Unfortunately, there are downsides.  The lens caps and rainguards are not attached, so they will eventually get lost.  There are no twist-up eye cups.  Instead there are basic rubber eye cups that do not adjust.  Eyeglass wearers should be able to fold down the rubber eye cups to achieve proper eye relief.  

Of course, the main concern for a lot of people at this price is going to be optical quality.  We didn't find any issues with eye relief due to the lack of twist-up eyecups.  Clarity and sharpness are actually very good at this price, although there is some slight fuzziness.  Edge to edge clarity is impressive, and we've seen worse on binoculars 3x this price.  Right eye diopter adjustment is just as smooth as the center focus, and remains focused very well throughout the entire range.  Surprisingly, there is very little chromatic aberration, even when viewing objects on a high contrast background.  Close focus is a little over 12 feet, closer to 15.  

Another huge benefit, and something you will rarely see with binoculars under $50, is the warranty.  The Bresser Hunter 7x50 binoculars are covered by the same five year warranty as the higher-end Bresser Everest and Montana binoculars.

In conclusion, the Bresser Hunter 7x50 has its advantages, as well as its shortcomings, which is to be expected from just about every binocular under $50.  However, the Hunter 7x50 also excels in some areas, and is a value far closer to binoculars that retail for well over $100.  This is a binocular that you can utilize in casual observation, birdwatching, hunting, boating, or stargazing, and be happy with the per-dollar results.  And if you have children that accompany you into the field, you don't have to hand off your expensive binoculars and put them at risk. The Hunter 7x50 could be a great educational tool as well.

If you're looking for a binocular that you can use to its limits with a minimum investment, the Bresser Hunter 7x50 is a great value that's easily worth far more than the price tag.  We think that these will build quite a following.

The Bresser Hunter series of binoculars is an affordable alternative for hunters, birdwatchers, and amateur astronomers alike.  The Bresser Hunter 7x50 is a prorro prism design, which is perfect for stargazing on clear nights.  This binocular may lack the waterproofing and nitrogen purging of its more expensive competitors, but this is still a great no-frills binocular for those who are looking for a sturdy, all-around binocular for pocket change.