Bushnell Forge 10x42 vs Bushnell R5 10x42
Quick take: The Bushnell R5 10x42 costs $50 less; the Bushnell R5 10x42 has a wider field of view (390 vs 340 ft @ 1000 yds).
Field of view, to scale
Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Which one to buy
Fifty dollars buys ED glass. That is the core of it: the Bushnell Forge 10x42 adds ED glass, a magnesium body, a locking diopter and 5 ft close focus over the Bushnell R5 10x42, which uses standard glass. Forge owners describe a bright, saturated, high-contrast image, credit its EXO Barrier coating with shedding rain and smudges, and point to a field test that put it on par with premium optics in its price range. Their complaints are bulk and Bushnell's customer support, and a few preferred a Vortex Viper HD.
The R5 fights back with two numbers that matter in the field. Its 390 ft field is far wider than the Forge's 340 ft, which helps you find and follow moving game at 10x, and its 17.5mm of eye relief against 15mm makes it the friendlier choice in glasses. It belongs to Bushnell's new R-series, with dielectric, phase-corrected prisms in an IPX7-waterproof body at 24.7 oz, close to the Forge's weight. It is too new to have a track record.
For most hunters, and especially those who glass at first and last light or into a bright sky, the Forge's glass is worth the $50. The exception is the eyeglass wearer, for whom the R5's extra eye relief and wider view count for more than color correction.
Bushnell Forge 10x42
Worth the extra $50 for hunters who glass at first and last light or into bright sky, where ED glass and a locking diopter pay off.
Bushnell R5 10x42
Best if you wear glasses or want the widest view for tracking game, and can live without ED glass.
| Spec | Bushnell Forge 10x42 | Bushnell R5 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$250 | ~$200 |
| Use case | Hunting | Hunting |
| Magnification | 10x | 10x |
| Objective | 42mm | 42mm |
| Exit pupil | 4.2mm | 4.2mm |
| Field of view | 340 ft @ 1000 yds | 390 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 15mm | 17.5mm |
| Close focus | 5 ft | — |
| Prism | Roof | Roof |
| Glass | ED | Standard |
| Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Weight | 24.2 oz | 24.7 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.6 x 4.9 in | 6.1 x 5.0 in |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Feature comparison
Bushnell Forge 10x42
- ✓ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✓Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✓Magnesium Body
- ✓Locking Diopter
Bushnell R5 10x42
- ✗ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✓Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✗Locking Diopter
What birders say
Bushnell Forge 10x42
- ✓Reviewers called it 'a big leap up from Bushnell's past offerings, and on par with other premium optics in its price range' after extended field testing
- ✓ED Prime glass with wide-band coatings and phase-coated, dielectric BaK-4 prisms - a genuinely premium optical recipe that testers said boosts color saturation, contrast, and detail in all light
- ✓A hands-on budget-glass reviewer said it 'performed well beyond expectations' and ranked it among the best binoculars you can buy for the money in its bracket
- ✓Independent lab-style testing crowd received it as 'a positive surprise' when the measurements came in
- ✓EXO Barrier coating disperses rain and fog into tiny droplets that won't obscure the view - and it's smudge-proof, a real advantage in wet mountain weather
- ✓Tough magnesium chassis and robust build - reviewers noted the whole package, down to the protective case, feels ready for rough handling
- ✓Heft works in its favor for glassing: testers found the weight helped steady the image during long sessions
- ✓Frequently discounted well below its original ~$480-600 MSRP - forum members grabbing it on markdown called it an outright steal at those prices
- ✗Heavier and longer than most 10x42s - the roughly 6.7-inch barrels and near-2-lb heft are noticeable next to trimmer rivals
- ✗Some experienced users still preferred the Vortex Viper HD 10x42 optically after comparing both
- ✗Bushnell's customer support has been described as 'dismal' by at least one owner - a real contrast with Vortex's VIP warranty reputation
- ✗The Forge line has been discontinued/clearance-cycled, so long-term parts and warranty support is a fair concern
- ✗Locking diopter collar adds bulk at the right eyecup, a familiar Bushnell quirk shared with the Engage
- ✗Resale value is soft - Bushnell's brand perception lags the actual glass quality, which stings if you ever sell
- ✗At full MSRP it fought hard against the Viper HD and Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide - it's only a slam-dunk at discounted prices
- ✗Open-country hunters who hike big miles often pass on it purely for the weight penalty versus a Maven C.1 or slimmer Viper
Bushnell Forge 10x42 vs Bushnell R5 10x42: common questions
Is the Bushnell Forge 10x42 worth $50 more than the R5 10x42?▾
For most hunters, yes. The Forge adds ED glass, a magnesium body and a locking diopter, and owners describe its image as bright and contrasty with strong rain-shedding. The R5 counters with a wider 390 ft field and more eye relief.
Which is better with eyeglasses, the Forge 10x42 or the R5 10x42?▾
The R5 has 17.5mm of eye relief against the Forge's 15mm. That extra room often decides whether a glasses wearer sees the full field, so the R5 is the safer choice if you always glass with glasses on.