Is the BX-1 McKenzie HD actually made by Leupold in the USA?

No - like nearly all binoculars at this price, the McKenzie line is built overseas to Leupold's spec. What you're getting from the brand is the design, QC standards, and crucially the lifetime guarantee with US-based service in Oregon. Owners report that service will even repair accidental damage like drops, which is unusual backing for glass under $200.

How does it compare to the Vortex Diamondback HD?

This is the exact comparison hunters on forums debate, since they're priced nearly identically. The McKenzie wins on weight and Leupold's service reputation, but several owners who've used both prefer the Diamondback HD, specifically citing clarity and a better diopter adjustment. If you can, look through both - at this tier sample preference matters as much as spec sheets.

Is the 8x42 or 10x42 McKenzie the better buy?

For most people, the 8x42. It has a wider field of view (362 vs 315 ft), a brighter 5.25mm exit pupil for dawn and dusk, more eye relief, and 8x is much easier to hold steady without support. The 10x42 only makes sense if you're mostly glassing open country at longer distances.

Does the McKenzie HD work with eyeglasses?

The 8x42's 17mm of eye relief is workable for most glasses wearers with the eyecups twisted down, but it's not generous, and some owners specifically wish the eye relief were better for glasses. If you're a full-time eyeglass wearer, test fit before buying or consider stepping up a tier.

What does 'HD' mean here - does it have ED glass?

No. Leupold's 'HD' branding on the McKenzie refers to its lens coating system, not extra-low dispersion glass elements - the spec sheet lists standard optical glass with full multi-coating and phase-corrected BAK4 prisms. That's the main optical difference from the BX-2 Alpine HD and Vortex Diamondback HD, which do include ED-type elements, and it's where the McKenzie's color fringing control gives ground.

Full-Size

~$170

Leupold

Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x42

Name: Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x42
Brand: Leupold
Price: 170 USD
Availability: InStock

The Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x42 is a mid-range 8x42 full-size binocular designed for hunting and outdoor sports. It features HD glass elements for sharp, color-accurate views with fully multi-coated surfaces and a 362 ft @ 1000 yds field of view. Backed by Leupold's Lifetime warranty.

Approx. price

$170

Optic

8x×42

FOV @ 1000 yds

362 ft

Use Case

Hunting

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Specifications

What do these mean? →

42mm

5.25mm

362 ft @ 1000 yds

17mm

7 ft

Roof

Fully Multi-Coated

5.6 x 5.0 in

22.2 oz

Lifetime

Field of view, to scale

Why FOV matters →

you2505007501000 yds

Distance200 yds

Leupold BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x426.9°

72 ft wide at 200 yds ≈ 1.8 school buses

typical 8×42 — 79 ft at 200 yds

Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration

Wondering about the format itself? 8x42 vs 10x42 · 8x42 vs 10x50

Key Features

ED Glass

Phase-Corrected

Dielectric Coating

Fully Multi-Coated

Waterproof

Fogproof

Locking Diopter

Image Stabilized

Tripod Adaptable

Magnesium Body

Owner Insights(45 discussions)

The BX-1 McKenzie HD 8x42 is Leupold's high-volume gateway binocular - the pair a huge number of hunters grab at a big-box store because it wears a trusted American brand and costs less than a tank-and-a-half of gas. The sentiment base is genuinely large: hundreds of retail reviews averaging around 4.5 stars, with owners repeatedly landing on the same points - it's light, it feels good in the hands, and the view is surprisingly bright and crisp for the money.

Be clear about what tier this is, though. There's no ED glass, and while reviewers call the image 'outstanding for the price range,' the ceiling is the price range. Some experienced hunters who've compared it head-to-head prefer the Vortex Diamondback HD in the same bracket, citing clarity and a better diopter adjustment, and there are scattered reports of QC misses - debris inside a lens on arrival, and one owner whose pair physically deteriorated. The counterweight is Leupold's lifetime guarantee and US service, which owners report will even handle drop damage, effectively insuring a sub-$200 purchase for life.

This 8x42 is the configuration to pick if you want the McKenzie at its best: the bigger 5.25mm exit pupil is more forgiving of eye position and dusk light, the 362 ft field is wider than the 10x version, and 8x is easier to hold steady offhand. It's right for a first hunting binocular, a truck or loaner pair, or anyone who wants a real warranty behind budget glass. If you can stretch another $60-130, the BX-2 Alpine HD adds ED glass and better accessories, and the Vortex Diamondback HD deserves a side-by-side look before you commit - but as a cheap, light, brand-backed 8x42, the McKenzie earns its sales volume.

Pros

+One of the cheapest tickets into the Leupold brand - street prices under $200 with the company's full lifetime guarantee behind it
+Very light at 22.2 oz, and owners consistently describe it as comfortable to hold and carry through long days afield
+Reviewers call the image quality 'outstanding for binoculars in this price range,' with bright, vivid views from the BAK4 prisms and fully multi-coated lenses
+The 8x42 configuration is the easy-viewing choice: a 5.25mm exit pupil, 362 ft field of view, and steadier handheld image than the 10x version
+Grippy armor over a solid polymer body earns praise for feel and secure handling in wet conditions
+Fully waterproof, fogproof, and nitrogen purged despite the budget price
+Owners report Leupold's US-based service will repair even accident damage cases - one drop-damaged pair was sent in for repair rather than trashed
+Massive retail review base averaging around 4.5 stars, so the sentiment sample is large, not a handful of fans

Cons

−No ED glass at this tier, and some experienced owners find the clarity a step behind similarly priced rivals like the Vortex Diamondback HD
−The diopter adjustment drew specific criticism from hunters who compared it against competitors in this bracket
−Isolated quality-control misses reported by buyers, including one who found debris sealed inside the lenses on arrival
−A minority of owners report durability problems, with one describing a pair as 'literally falling apart' under regular use
−17mm of eye relief is workable but not generous - some glasses wearers wish the eye relief worked better for them
−7 ft close focus is mediocre if you also want to watch butterflies, dragonflies, or feeder birds up close
−This is Leupold's imported budget line - you're buying the warranty and design, not the premium US-made glass the brand name evokes
−Accessories are basic; there's no harness or premium case like Leupold includes with the pricier Alpine line