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Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay 18-0833

*Est. $380
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Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay 18-0833

Pros
  • Big, bright image
  • Good controls
  • 3.2-megapixel camera
  • Focuses at 11 feet
  • Instant replay
  • Tripod socket
Cons
  • Mediocre photo quality
  • Slow video frame rate
  • 30-second limit on video

Reviews say the Bushnell Instant Replay 8x32 are the best digital camera binoculars for brightness, with better optics (including BAK-4 prism glass) than competing models. While other digital camera binoculars just add a fixed-focus digital camera between the two binocular barrels, Bushnell builds the 3.2-megapixel camera into the binoculars, so they focus together (down to 11 feet), which eliminates parallax distortion and blurry photos -- major complaints about other digital binoculars. The camera takes stills and 30-second low-resolution video clips, and an "instant replay" feature lets you record the 30 seconds before you hit the "record" button. The Bushnell 8x30 Instant Replay 11-8325 (*est. $170) has a 5-megapixel camera and takes smoother videos, but it doesn't focus as close, making photos harder to compose.

We found the best comparison review of the Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay camera binoculars at The New York Times, where it's tested with three other models. Reviews at Forbes and The Wall Street Journal are also based on comparison tests, but the recommendation in Consumers Digest shows no evidence of testing. A few owner-written reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions are also useful.

Our Sources

1. The New York Times

Testing four digital camera binoculars, technology columnist David Pogue says the Bushnell Instant Replay 8x32 "blows away its competition: the binocular image is the biggest and the brightest, focusing is easy and precise, and the controls are cleanly designed." However, the 3.1-megapixel version of the 8x30 Bushnell Compact Instant Replay takes better photos and is rated best for its balance of features and price.

Review: Sizing Up a New Species: Camera-Binoculars, David Pogue, Mar. 24, 2005

2. Forbes

This review of the Bushnell Instant Replay digital camera binoculars is based on personal field testing, reporting that even without a manual, "we were up and filming in ten minutes." The review focuses on features rather than on the quality of the digital images. It isn't clear which Bushnell Instant Replay model is tested, and no other camera binoculars are rated.

Review: Instant Replay, Editors of Forbes, Apr. 2005

3. The Wall Street Journal

Technology expert Walter Mossberg tests Bushnell, Pentax and Meade digital camera binoculars for picture quality and ease of use – concluding that "all did a passable job," though pictures aren't as good as those from a mid-range digital camera.

Review: New Tool for Birders: Camera Binoculars, Walter S. Mossberg, July 16, 2003

4. Consumers Digest

This review documents no testing and covers mainly regular binoculars, but recommends the Bushnell 3.2-megapixel Instant Replay camera binoculars for their "wow-factor pictures" and ability to focus as close as eleven feet.

Review: High-Performance Binoculars, Len McDougall, Jan. 2005

5. Amazon.com

Half a dozen owners review the Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay camera binoculars here, giving them a fairly high average rating of four stars out of a possible five. Most are quite satisfied, but one owner complains that instructions are inadequate.

Review: Bushnell Instant Replay 8x32 Digital Binocular Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

6. Epinions.com

The two owners reviewing the Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay camera binoculars here give it quite different ratings. One long, detailed review gives it a perfect five-star rating – especially praising the instant replay video -- while the other owner finds it hard to focus.

Review: Bushnell Instant Replay (8x32) Binocular Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com

7. Laptop Magazine

Laptop Magazine recommends the Bushnell Instant Replay 8x32 digital camera binoculars as a gift for sports fans. No testing or field use is reported, and it's not clear why these camera binoculars are rated over competing models.

Review: Gadget Gift Guide 2005, Editors of Laptop Magazine, Nov. 29, 2005

8. About.com

The Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay are ranked second here, but no testing is documented. (Note that ConsumerSearch and About.com share a parent company but are not editorially affiliated.)

Review: Top 5 Digital Camera Binoculars, Michael Carr

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