BUSHNELL SPORTVIEW 7x35 (1 Viewer)

[solium]

Any experience?
Made in Japan. 575g. ER...?

Thanks all.
R.

 

[FrankD]

Looks like a vintage model, most likely single-coated hence the "fully coated" print on the housing but also based on the blue reflections in the eyepiece. I would guess 1970's or early 80's.

The lens surfaces look fairly recessed which means the effective eye relief probably isn't that great especially with it being a wide angle model. However, i did find that the large ocular models, such as this one, seemed to have slightly better eye relief than the average or narrow-diameter ones.

 

[james holdsworth]

Ah, my 2nd ever pair of binos - they still reside in the trunk of my car...pretty much hopeless condition.

 

[solium]

James , and optical quality?

R.

 

[james holdsworth]

James , and optical quality?

R.

Now? Extremely poor, full of fungus....

In their day - wide with very soft edges, OK sharp but dim.....can't offer much else as my reminiscences date back over 30 years when these were in decent condition!

 

[angelo225544]

I recently bought a well preserved pair - didn’t even require internal cleaning or collimation! They are optically excellent. Very sharp in the center, but with greater than average field curvature. The single coatings are well applied and effective. Colors are rendered surprisingly vivid and neutral. Eye relief is short but acceptable without glasses. Prisms are of BAK-7 glass, and the focus mechanism is flimsy. All in all, they exceeded my admittedly low expectations.

 

[ChisaiTori]

SportView is a venerable brand used by Bushnell for decades. There have been many different SportViews over the years (dozens, probably), likely from many different manufacturers. They vary quite a bit optically and mechanically. They were generally positioned as the first step up in a line with five or six steps. The ones I've seen are always Bk7, single coated (or fully single coated), and rocker focus (rare exceptions, apparently including yours). A 7x35 might be anywhere between 9 and 11 degrees, depending on what Bushnell was importing at the time. I recently thrifted a clean 80's SportView, 7x35 9.5*. Optically respectable; mechanically just OK (not a fan of rocker focus). Hard to say from the pictures just which SportView you've got. Echoing the other poster, a good example can exceed expectations.

 

[james holdsworth]

I've had these out again, and compared to my 7x42 Dialyts, there is no way the Sportsview actually achieve the FOV as stated.

 

[angelo225544]

My particular pair is marked “BOL” on the end cap, and J-B207 on the frame. Serial number is FR19063. I also dislike the newer rocker focus, so these appealed to me as they have a focus wheel. I agree with James, the 10 degree FOV claim seems optimistic.

 

[WJC]

I recently bought a well preserved pair - didn’t even require internal cleaning or collimation! They are optically excellent. Very sharp in the center, but with greater than average field curvature. The single coatings are well applied and effective. Colors are rendered surprisingly vivid and neutral. Eye relief is short but acceptable without glasses. Prisms are of BAK-7 glass, and the focus mechanism is flimsy. All in all, they exceeded my admittedly low expectations.

Hi, Angelo:

For what it’s worth, it’s probably Bk7 or Bak4, which was rarely used in those days—especially on inexpensive binoculars—and not BAK7. Bk7 is a very well-refined crown that has been the leading crown glass for photo-visual instruments for decades. Bak4 has come into prominence because it provides better off-axis throughput in SHORT-FOCUS instruments and the average binoculars works at around f3.7-f4.1. Experienced amateur astronomers say a light drop-off of 40% at the edge of the field is IMPERCEPTIBLE TO MOST OBSERVERS. Thus, is it really important?

Is BaK4 a better glass? Across the board, it is NOT! It is better for CERTAIN things.

My mother was illiterate, but she wasn’t stupid. One of the many things she taught me about the workings of the world was:

“Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.”

And with the many folks on bino forums who thrive on finding things to worry about and opto-crap to believe ... the field is white. 'Anyone want an auto-focus binocular? For you, I would offer a great deal on my oceanfront property just northwest of Wichita.

Yes, there is a BAK7—more rightfully H-BaK7. However, I certainly don’t know of a bino using it. It is manufactured by CDGM Glass in China.

I would almost always take a bino with Bak4 prisms over Bk7 prisms. However, only for perceived resale value.

Finally, I don’t mind having fun made of me; I raised 3 to adulthood. So, been there, done that, have the tee shirt. :cat:

Bill

PS The JB 207 means it was manufactured by the Hyoshi Optical Company Ltd.