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Bushnell Compact 8x30 Instant Replay 11-8325

*Est. $165

Bushnell Compact 8x30 Instant Replay 11-8325

Camera binoculars with instant replay

pros
  • 5-megapixel camera resolution
  • 30 frames-per-second video with instant replay
  • 6x digital zoom
  • Bursts of three photos at a time
cons
  • Some reports of quality-control issues
  • Fixed-focus camera
  • Minimum camera focus 30 feet away
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 
5 star:
(1)
4 star:
(0)
3 star:
(0)
2 star:
(1)
1 star:
(5)

Average Customer Review

(7 customer reviews)

for $188.49

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Page 12
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Robin from Brooklyn NY, January 6, 2009
I read all the reviews and they were right. The Technology is not perfected. I bought it as a gift for my boyfriend. I wanted to return it, but he wanted to keep it. He was just being nice. The camera doesn't take good pictures. I am not an expert but I do have eyes.
Instant Disappointment, December 29, 2008

I purchased these binoculars as a gift for my husband. We attend a lot of hockey games, and I thought he would get a kick out of the camera/video features. Right out of the box, it became clear that something was not quite right with the product. Only the second time we turned it on, the display indicated the (brand-new) batteries were low. Then, the whole thing started locking up, to the point that none of the buttons (including the power button) worked at all. We had to take out the batteries to get the thing to shut off. The product itself may have been defective, but based on the other reviews here, I will not be buying another set of these binoculars to replace the broken ones. I'm going with a different product next time.

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Disappointment, May 12, 2008
I find that this "camera" takes blurred, dark, unidentifiable images in even the brightest sunlight. I will be returning it for a refund as it does not meet ANY of my needs.
Awesome product! The quality you can;t beat! Videos are terrific on this just like my camera!, April 1, 2008
This came with a high rating, and I think it supercedes the high rating for the money! It has excellent clarity, awesome video quality, easy to use, and easy to transfer! Holds SD card for what ever amount you choose! I love this product and very well worth the money I spent!
Bushnell Compact Instant Replay camera binoculars, January 16, 2008

Don't purchase these binoculars!! I'm in the process of returning my second pair. I called Bushnell about the camera not working properly and they said to return them because they were defective. Well, I just got my second pair and they do the same thing. Bushnell said maybe a bad shipment went out. Picture looks OK in the LCD screen, but when you try to replay it, it's all blurred lines. I've tried everything I can think of because I thought it might be me, but no. Also batteries went to just 2 bars in a matter of minutes. I tried 3 kinds and all were the same. Luckily the seller has been very helpful with great customer service. I'm going to purchase a good zoom digital camera instead, which is what some of the reviews recommended in the first place.

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Where To Buy
 
 

Bushnell Instant Replay 8x30 Roof Prism Binocular with 5MP Digital Still Camera

 (7 customer reviews)
Buy new: $311.95 $190.30   2 New from $188.49

In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

 
 
 

Our Sources

1. The New York Times

This rather outdated comparison review covers an earlier 3-megapixel version of the Bushnell Compact Instant Replay camera binoculars, ranking them highest of four models because of the best balance of features and price. This model also ranks high for image quality, sharing top ranking with a Meade CaptureView model.

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

2. Consumers Digest

This binocular review recommends the now-discontinued 3.2-megapixel Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay. It praises "wow-factor pictures" and an ability to focus as close as 11 feet. The current Instant Replay model has higher resolution but focuses only as close as 30 feet, and the 30mm objective lens makes for a dimmer binocular view.

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

3. The Wall Street Journal

Walter Mossberg, technology expert for The Wall Street Journal, tests three earlier digital camera binoculars from Bushnell, Pentax and Meade, concluding that "all did a passable job" though image quality isn't as good as that from an average digital camera.

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

4. Forbes

This review of an earlier Bushnell Instant Replay digital camera binocular 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.

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

5. OpticsPlanet.net

The 5-megapixel Bushnell 8x30 11-8325 model isn't an Editor's Pick model here, but the sole owner-written review at Optics Planet gives it a perfect five-star rating. However, the review gives so little detail that it's not very credible.

Review: Bushnell 8x30 Digital Binoculars with 5MP Camera, Editors and contributors to OpticsPlanet.com

6. Epinions.com

The three owner-written reviews here cover an earlier Bushnell Instant Replay model, offering very divergent opinions. One owner reports unfair warranty service from Bushnell, another complains about image quality, and the third is very satisfied -- praising the video quality and LCD.

Review: Bushnell Instant Replay 11-8323 Binocular, Contributors to Epinion.com.com

7. About.com

This brief review recommends an earlier version of the Bushnell Instant Replay camera binoculars but gives no evidence of testing or use. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Top 5 Digital Camera Binoculars, Michael Carr, Nov. 2004

Digital Camera Binoculars Runners Up:

MagPix SX3 *Est. $150

3 picks by top review sites.

Meade CaptureView CV-6 *Est. $200

2 picks by top review sites.

Celestron VistaPix 8x32 *Est. $145

2 picks by top review sites.

     
 
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Celestron VistaPix 8x32 3.1 Megapixel Binocular/Digital Camera w/LCD (Champagne Gold)
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