Bausch & Lomb Elite 10x42 Binoculars

[growr]

I bought a set of these binoculars the other day in a local pawn shop for $30.00 thinking that they were the run of the mill B&L/ Bushnell binoculars.

When I look through them outside they are STUNNING!! I cannot seem to locate much information on them, when they were mfg., price point, etc.

To MY eye they are quite in line with my Leica 8x40 BA's......

Any of you eagle eyed members know much about them?

Randy

 

[s&wchad]

Great find!

Those are excellent binoculars and were expensive when they were new. They still have a following today. I believe they were made in the 80's - 90's. I really wanted a set of those back then, but couldn't justify the cost. IIRC, they sold for well over $600.

The Elite were their top of the line series. The early ones were not waterproof, but they came out with waterproof/fog proof versions in the 90's. The waterproof versions cost over $100 more than the previous ones and birders still love them!

I have a pair of Japanese made Discoverer 7x42's, which were a step down. I really like mine and was using them this past week while deer hunting. They're not quite as crisp as my Swarovski 10x42 SLC's, but they're close enough and have excellent eye relief. They're great if you wear glasses. B&L later moved production out of Japan and the newer Discoverer's are not even close to the same quality.

For $30, you stole them! You can probably make over 10X your money if you sold them online, but I'd hang onto them.

 

[Texas Star]

I know a good deal about them. When I wrote about binoculars, I talked with the designer!

I have the 8X42 version in normal leather covering. It came with a wooden case and sold for over a thousand dollars, I believe.

I was told that B&L set out to design a glass that would equal or exceed the Leitz/Leica Trinovid, and frankly, I think they managed! The B&L Elite was a better performer in my tests. It was quite noticeably sharper. And the bridge was better fitted than on some Leicas, less loose.

This has since changed and modern Leica binoculars are on par with Zeiss and as good as can be had.

The lens coating on my Elite is green, not the violet/brown of Euro glasses, but it is quite good.

The designer told me that he balanced the coatings to work especially vividly with reds. The Elite was aimed directly at birders, thought to be the most critical binocular users.

You have a fine glass. If it isn't fogged inside by being left in a hot car, I think you'll be very pleased.

What you have achieved is, in optical terms, about like buying a S&W .357 Registered Magnum for $300!

 

[Onomea]

Extremely cool, Growr! Congrats on your good eye and on your good fortune!

 

[growr]

Texas Star,
Thanks so much for your knowledge on my binoculars!!! They are NOT fogged over from anything.

What would cause a fine set of binoculars to have such a condition? Nitrogen leaking out? Bad seals?

Randy

PS. I am using these on my hunting trip next Monday-Wednesday. Maybe an elk will stand in the viewing area!!

 

[Texas Star]

Texas Star,
Thanks so much for your knowledge on my binoculars!!! They are NOT fogged over from anything.

What would cause a fine set of binoculars to have such a condition? Nitrogen leaking out? Bad seals?

Randy

PS. I am using these on my hunting trip next Monday-Wednesday. Maybe an elk will stand in the viewing area!!

Many used optics have been left in a hot car in summer and the rubber seals vaporize and deposit film over lenses and prisms.

Before buying, alway shine a strong flashlight down through the objective lenses and look around inside.