ActiveOutdoorsOutdoor TechBushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: a super-sharp and solid set of binos for any weatherAs premium build all-weather water binos, the compact Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 promise a best-in-class optical performance. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)T3 VerdictThe Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium constructionReasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over timeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsOutdoor TechBushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: a super-sharp and solid set of binos for any weatherAs premium build all-weather water binos, the compact Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 promise a best-in-class optical performance. Here’s our reviewWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)T3 VerdictThe Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium constructionReasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over timeWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
As premium build all-weather water binos, the compact Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 promise a best-in-class optical performance. Here’s our review
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)T3 VerdictThe Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium constructionReasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over time
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
T3 VerdictThe Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium constructionReasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over time
T3 VerdictThe Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.
T3 Verdict
The Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a solid construction plus class-leading ED prime glass elements and fully multicoated optics to deliver razor sharp views, while remaining portably compact. Thought the weight – a beastly 666g – gets a little wearing with prolonged use, it does help provide a consistently steady, judder-free view of our subjects. Overall, a solid investment.
Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium constructionReasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over time
Reasons to buy+Premium glass elements deliver sharp views+Wide angle of view and lifelike results+Rock solid magnesium construction
Premium glass elements deliver sharp views
Wide angle of view and lifelike results
Rock solid magnesium construction
Reasons to avoid-Heavy in the hand-Rubber lens caps will wear over time
Heavy in the hand
Rubber lens caps will wear over time
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 deals
$199View$369View
$199View
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$199View
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$199
$369View
$369View
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Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars: specsMagnification:8xObjective lens diameter:42mmField of view at 1000m:142 metresClosest focusing distance:2 metresEye relief:19mmWeight:666gDimensions:140mm in length
Magnification:8xObjective lens diameter:42mmField of view at 1000m:142 metresClosest focusing distance:2 metresEye relief:19mmWeight:666gDimensions:140mm in length
Magnification:8xObjective lens diameter:42mmField of view at 1000m:142 metresClosest focusing distance:2 metresEye relief:19mmWeight:666gDimensions:140mm in length
Magnification:8xObjective lens diameter:42mmField of view at 1000m:142 metresClosest focusing distance:2 metresEye relief:19mmWeight:666gDimensions:140mm in length
The core specifications to focus on here are contained in the product name itself – namely a respectable 8x magnification, which is enough to get us up close and personal to a subject without incurring a wobbly image when hand holding, coupled with a generously large 42mm objective lens. The broad rule of thumb here is a larger lens aids light transmission, meaning a better view, and especially so when light levels begin the fall at the end of the day, or if we’re using when it’s overcast.
US manufacturer Bushnell, as a brand, can generally be relied on to provide a high quality construction and performance for less than an equivalent pair of Leica or Swarovski optics. This particular Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 model is one of its pricier options, however, being aimed at serious birders who need thebest binocularsrather than just the casual observer who wants a compact pair to stash in the car glove box for occasional use; and so must be judged on those terms.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: features
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
As well as protective coatings on the outer lenses, special coatings have also been applied to the internal prisms which transmit light within the unit itself, in order to deliver vivid colours, enhance resolution and contrast for the viewer. It feels like we are very much getting a precision engineered pair of binoculars here, and one on which all the ‘I’s have been dotted and ‘T’s crossed, which accounts for the slight premium we’ll be paying to purchase them. A neck strap, cotton pouch and external carry case with Velcro closing mechanism and strap are also provided out of the box.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: design
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
Matte black in colour with rubberised surface and non-slip leather-effect padding on the sides of both lens barrels, plus familiar ridged focus wheel sitting in between possessing just the right amount of ‘give’, these roof prism design Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 appear pretty standard at first glance. That includes its central folding mechanism, which allows us to adjust and control the inter-pupillary distance of the eyepieces in order to match up exactly with our own eyes and produce a perfectly formed viewing circle.
Individual slip-on rubber lens caps protect the front lenses, and can be left permanently affixed. This means the caps hang down still attached when the binos are in use, while a conjoined pair of eyepiece caps at the rear can be threaded through the provided neck / shoulder strap, so they also don’t get lost or misplaced. The design here feels both tactile and practical without much if anything to find fault with.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: viewing quality
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
The Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 binoculars feature a ridged focus wheel that is one of the most tactile and pleasant to use we’ve come across. A lot of these mechanisms are restrictively stiff to the touch, but on this device operation feels fluid enough via a flick of the forefinger to enable us to quickly arrive at a focus sweet spot.
If we’re being picky we did notice instances of purple fringing when viewing high contrast subjects, such as the branches of a tree against a bright featureless sky.
However, when compared to similarly specified but less expensive Celestron Ultima 8x42 binoculars we were testing at the same time, we found the image quality of these Bushnell binos edged it for us. In fact they deliver such a life-like view that we almost forgot we were using binoculars, which is quite the complement. It goes without saying therefore that they’re also comfortable to use, which is equally important, meaning they’re likely to get more use.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: alternatives to consider
There is a wide range of 8x42 binoculars on the market as it’s a fairly standard specification for compact binos. Alternatives to the Bushnell EDX Engage 8x42 of which we’ve personal experience, however, include the slightly wider porro prism design of the Celestron Ultima 8x42 binoculars we mentioned above, which is an affordable competitor, even if the Bushnell is our preference if budget allows. Another very fair all-round option from Celestron is its Outland X 8x42 binoculars, which will be good enough for most casual observers.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars review: verdict
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker)
The Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42 binoculars are very well made, solid feel, bordering on heavy-for-their-size binos capable of being used in all weathers for outdoor pursuits to include wildlife and bird watching in particular. The decent magnification coupled with large-ish objective lens and fully multi-coated optics – to enhance brightness throughout the light transmission process – ensures they deliver a performance best described as life-like.
Bushnell Engage EDX 8x42: Price Comparison
$199View$369View
$199View
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$199
$369View
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