Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 monocular review

Rugged construction monocular with a large bright lens and bolt-on accessories including belt loop and tripod thread ticks the boxes

Bushnell 10x42 Legend Ultra HD Monocular
(Image: © Gavin Stoker)

Digital Camera World Verdict

A useful 10x magnification and a good-sized 42mm lens make the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 monocular an able observational device for a broad range of pursuits. Broader than less well-specified alternatives it may be, but build quality here stands out as being particularly good, offering not only a reassuring robustness to withstand use in the field and the odd accidental knock, but also waterproofing and fog-proofing with it for use in inclement climates. Observation is comparably nice and sharp, given its size, with the bigger lens helping us when tracking subjects and trying to keep them in view.

Pros

  • +

    10x magnification married to decent sized 42mm lens

  • +

    Waterproofed and fog-proof

  • +

    Robust build should repay investors with years of service

Cons

  • -

    Bulkier than competing 8x25 alternatives

  • -

    High price

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We’ve always found Chinese-made binoculars and monoculars from the US-based Bushnell to provide plenty of bang for our buck – their build quality and performance exceeding what we’d normally expect for the price being asked. This time around the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 monocular adds a slightly futuristic look and accessories like an onboard belt grip for hands-free transportation; its no-nonsense ruggedness resembles something Sigourney Weaver would wield in the Alien movies or Arnie in the Terminator series. 

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Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps.