Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Review (2026): Budget Binoculars Tested
As a trusted name in optics, Bushnell has a reputation for producing high-quality products, and the Falcon series is no exception. Bushnell Falcon 10×50 designed with Porro Prism technology, cater to beginners and have gained significant popularity within hunting and birding communities.
With its 10x magnification and 50mm objective lenses, these binoculars provide users with a versatile tool for observing distant details with ease. For less than $50, the Falcons incorporate Bushnell’s “InstaFocus” system, which allows for extremely fast focusing. If you’re comparing affordable optics, our guide to the best binoculars under $50 highlights the top budget-friendly alternatives available today.
However, is the optical performance good? Is the price advantageous? In this review, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and overall user experience offered by the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Binoculars.
Our Hands-On Assessment
We evaluated the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 based on optical quality, ease of focusing, comfort, build quality, and value for money. We also compared them with similarly priced Bushnell binoculars to determine where they perform well and where compromises are expected.
Testing Focus:
- Image sharpness
- Brightness in daylight and low light
- Focus speed
- Comfort during extended use
- Overall value under $50
Bushnell FALCON 10×50 Binoculars Review
Technical Specifications:
- Magnification: 10
- Lens diameter (mm): 50
- Perceived linear field at 1000 meters (m): 100
- Brightness index: 25
- Exit pupil (mm): 5
- Eye relief (mm): 9
- Minimum focusing distance (m): 8
- Dimensions (mm): 175 x 194 x 68
- Weight (g): 765
- Interpupillary distance (mm): 54 -76
- Waterproofing: No
| Feature | Bushnell Falcon 10×50 |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 10x |
| Objective Lens | 50mm |
| Prism | Porro BK-7 |
| Waterproof | ❌ |
| Fogproof | ❌ |
| Weight | 765 g |
| Best For | Birding, Hunting, Stargazing |
| Price | Budget |
Advantages:
- No decrease in sharpness at the edge of the image
- Correct brightness and little vignetting
- Convenient InstaFocus focusing system
- Fairly low weight for Porro Prism binoculars
- Wide enough visual field
- Good general ergonomics
- Good item for a fair price
- Comes with a good case and covers
Disadvantages:
- Chromatic aberrations and comas present
- Lens distortion and astigmatism
- Color rendering that lacks neutrality
- Low eye relief and reflections in the tubes
- No attachment for mounting on a tripod
- No sealing
Optical performance and ergonomics
The definition of the image of the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is passable. The lenses suffer from optical defects that are not properly corrected. The first problem is the presence of chromatic aberrations. These are quite faint in the center, but they become pronounced at the periphery of the image. Spherical aberrations manifest themselves at night with the appearance of comas.
The observed stars have a stretched appearance instead of looking like dots. Distortion is observed over the entire outer half of the image. It gives a curvature effect to the straight lines in this part. If the sharpness does not decrease significantly as you move away from the center. The lenses still show moderate astigmatism: the result is that the development is not done completely homogeneously in all directions.
Correct light transmission but unbalanced color rendering
The lenses of the eyepieces and objectives benefit from a single-coat coating. It imparts a bluish tint to glasses when the tubes are exposed in the direction of light. Porro prisms are made from BK-7 glasses, which are more economical than BaK-4 glasses. As a result, the light transmission is a little lower with a maximum reached 78%. It’s not huge, but it still allows you to enjoy decent light during the day. At night and dusk, the contrast is less marked and you have to concentrate more to spot the stars.
The color rendering is not well balanced; we notice that the image has a stronger yellow tint than the rest of the shades. Vignetting at the image periphery remains low, it appears mainly horizontally.
The exit pupil is truncated in the shape of a diamond, but this is unavoidable with the BK-7 lenses of the prisms. The interior of the tubes is sensitive to light reflections, and certain halos of light sometimes appear around the exit pupil.
Focusing and InstaFocus system
Focusing is done differently than most other binoculars. Here, the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 uses the “InstaFocus” system. The focus is not on a wheel but on a lever that pivots in both directions. It is a system that allows for great speed of adjustment, but which in return decreases the precision. It’s a system that works quite well.
The diopter correction, on the other hand, is identical to the other binoculars. A ring is placed under the right eyecup. With it, you can compensate for any imbalance in visual acuity between the two eyes.
The eyecups are not directly extendable. Instead, it is their rubber part that folds outwards. It’s a simple solution that works, but the only problem is that the eye relief is very low: it does not exceed 9 millimeters. Beyond this value, the field of vision is no longer complete. This aspect becomes particularly sensitive for eyeglass wearers, as the presence of glasses tends to diminish the available margin.
Good ergonomics and reduced weight
In terms of ergonomics, the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is easy to handle. The weight is not that heavy for Porro Prism binoculars. At 765 grams, it’s not a pair that will be too tiring to carry at arm’s length. A lanyard is provided in the package. It has an extra thickness at the neck which limits friction on the skin. For longer hunting trips, many users prefer replacing the standard neck strap with binocular harnesses, which helps distribute weight more comfortably.
However, the big downside is that you can mount the Falcon on a tripod via an adapter because no mounting hole is provided for this purpose. This is a definite drawback for astronomy or for observing from a fixed position. An alternative solution will have to be found.
The spacing between the two lenses leaves plenty of room for the hands. The shape of the tubes guarantees a good grip, even when the binoculars are wet. The part of the eyecups in contact with the face is made of very soft rubber, which presses evenly against the skin. No unpleasant pressure points are to be noted.
Standard build quality but no waterproofing
The manufacturer gives an impression of robustness. No mechanical play is detected in the assembly of the various components and the tubes are perfectly parallel to each other. The frame structure is made from plastic, specifically polycarbonate. An additional rubber coating provides better protection against shocks. The finishes are not exceptional, but they remain suitable.
The Bushnell Falcon 10x50s aren’t waterproof, but that’s no surprise given the price. If this will not be a problem with light rain, it will be necessary to avoid taking them out when it is raining heavily. Ditto, no anti-fog treatment is applied, which makes these binoculars sensitive to humidity. It comes with several accessories, including a nylon storage case, a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lenses, a neoprene strap, lens covers, and an instruction manual.
Large minimum focusing distance
The minimum focusing distance corresponds to the distance below which it is no longer possible to focus. On the Bushnell Falcon 10×50, this distance reaches 8 meters. This is a fairly high but expected value for Porro Prism binoculars. They will therefore be used mainly for observations over medium and long ranges.
The visual field has a fairly good range
The horizontal extent of the visual field is 100 meters at 1000 meters distance. This is a value that is in the average of binoculars with a magnification of 10, and which allows you to take advantage of a wider vision. This is an advantage for astronomy where it is easy to lose sight of your target if you don’t keep a fixed image.
“If you frequently observe distant wildlife or celestial objects and need even greater magnification, explore the best high-powered binoculars for longer-range viewing options.”
Who Should Buy the Bushnell Falcon 10×50?
- ✔ Beginner birdwatchers
- ✔ Casual hunters
- ✔ Backyard wildlife enthusiasts
- ✔ First-time binocular buyers
- ✔ Budget-conscious users
If you need waterproof optics, longer eye relief, or premium image quality, consider stepping up to one of Bushnell’s H2O or Forge series models instead.
FAQs: Bushnell FALCON 10×50 Binoculars
Are the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 binoculars good for beginners?
Yes. The Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is an excellent entry-level binocular for beginners thanks to its affordable price, bright 50mm objective lenses, and simple InstaFocus system. While it lacks premium features like waterproofing and ED glass, it offers solid performance for birdwatching, hunting, and casual stargazing.
Can you use the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 binoculars with glasses?
You can, but the experience may not be ideal. The binoculars provide only 9mm of eye relief, which can make it difficult for eyeglass wearers to see the full field of view. Users without glasses will generally have a more comfortable viewing experience.
Are the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 binoculars waterproof?
No. The Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is neither waterproof nor fogproof. They can tolerate light moisture, but they should not be used in heavy rain, on boats, or in consistently humid environments where internal fogging could become an issue.
What can you see with 10×50 binoculars?
With 10x magnification and 50mm objective lenses, these binoculars are well suited for observing birds, wildlife, distant landscapes, sporting events, and the Moon. The larger objective lenses also collect more light, making them useful during dawn, dusk, and casual nighttime astronomy.
Are BK-7 prism binoculars good enough?
Yes, for most casual users. BK-7 prisms provide decent image quality at an affordable price, although they transmit slightly less light than BaK-4 prisms. If you’re a beginner or occasional user, BK-7 binoculars like the Falcon 10×50 offer excellent value for the money.
Are the Bushnell Falcon 10×50 binoculars good for hunting?
Yes. They are a good choice for casual hunting and scouting in daylight thanks to their bright optics and wide field of view. However, hunters who frequently encounter wet weather or need superior low-light performance may benefit from upgrading to a waterproof model with higher-quality glass.
We highly recommend for hunters looking for an affordable option to explore our expert guide about best binoculars for hunting.
How do the Falcon 10×50 perform for backyard astronomy and stargazing?
The Bushnell binoculars are praised as solid and great for backyard astronomy and provide a clear view of celestial objects like the moon. They are considered a nice and portable set perfect for stargazing.
Our Verdict
Rating: 4.2/5 ⭐
The Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is one of the best budget binoculars for beginners. Although optical imperfections like chromatic aberration and lack of waterproofing prevent it from competing with premium models, it delivers impressive brightness, fast focusing, and excellent value for under $50.
- Best For: Birdwatching, backyard wildlife observation, beginner hunting, casual astronomy.
- Not Ideal For: Marine use, heavy rain, professional wildlife photography, or users who wear glasses extensively.
