Bushnell Prime 8x42 vs Bushnell R3 10x42
Quick take: The Bushnell R3 10x42 costs $20 less; the Bushnell R3 10x42 reaches farther (10x vs 8x); the Bushnell Prime 8x42 has a wider field of view (350 vs 300 ft @ 1000 yds).
Field of view, to scale
Top-down view · drawn to true scale — no exaggeration
Which one to buy
The Bushnell R3 10x42 is the entry tier of the R-series that replaces the Prime line, so this is partly old against new, but it is also 8x against 10x, and that matters more. The Bushnell Prime 8x42 is discontinued, yet it brings a 350 ft field against the R3's 300 ft, 24mm of eye relief against 17mm, and a 5.25mm exit pupil against 4.2mm. It also has phase-corrected prisms, which the R3 lacks.
Prime owners describe an image that surprised even experienced birders for the money, IPX7 sealing, an EXO Barrier coating that sheds water and dust, and eyecups that work well with glasses. Their complaints are color fringing in high-contrast scenes, soft edges, and focus and diopter controls that feel budget-grade.
The R3 is $20 cheaper, lighter at 20.9 oz against 23.3 oz, IPX7 waterproof and argon purged, and still in production, but it is too new to have a track record. For birding and most hunting, the Prime 8x42 is the better binocular while new stock lasts. The R3 earns its place when you need 10x reach for open country or simply want a current model.
Bushnell Prime 8x42
Better for birders, eyeglass wearers and treestand hunters while new stock lasts: a wider view, much more eye relief and a brighter dusk image.
Bushnell R3 10x42
Worth choosing if you want a current, lighter waterproof binocular and need 10x reach more than a wide field.
| Spec | Bushnell Prime 8x42 | Bushnell R3 10x42 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$150 | ~$130 |
| Use case | General Purpose | Hunting |
| Magnification | 8x | 10x |
| Objective | 42mm | 42mm |
| Exit pupil | 5.25mm | 4.2mm |
| Field of view | 350 ft @ 1000 yds | 300 ft @ 1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 24mm | 17mm |
| Close focus | 10 ft | — |
| Prism | Roof | Roof |
| Glass | Standard | Standard |
| Coating | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Weight | 23.3 oz | 20.9 oz |
| Dimensions | 5.5 x 5.0 in | 6.0 x 5.1 in |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Feature comparison
Bushnell Prime 8x42
- ✗ED Glass
- ✓Phase-Corrected
- ✗Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✗Locking Diopter
Bushnell R3 10x42
- ✗ED Glass
- ✗Phase-Corrected
- ✗Dielectric Coating
- ✓Waterproof
- ✓Fogproof
- ✗Image Stabilized
- ✓Tripod Adaptable
- ✗Magnesium Body
- ✗Locking Diopter
What birders say
Bushnell Prime 8x42
- ✓Budget reviewers repeatedly land on the same verdict: probably the best pure-value roof prism you can buy - an excellent image at the most affordable price tested
- ✓Both novice and experienced birders in testing described the image as genuinely superb for the money
- ✓350 ft field of view is on the narrow side for an 8x42, though fine for beginners learning to find birds
- ✓Legitimately rugged: reviewers who took them on rough outdoor adventures called them ideal knock-around glass, backed by Bushnell's lifetime 'Ironclad' guarantee
- ✓IPX7 waterproof and nitrogen purged - real submersion-rated sealing at a price where many rivals are merely 'weather resistant'
- ✓EXO Barrier lens coating molecularly bonds to the glass and sheds water, oil, and dust - a flagship-line feature trickled down to $150
- ✓Reasonably light at 23.3 oz - noticeably easier on the neck for all-day carry than most 42mm glass
- ✓Twist-up eyecups with a listed 24mm of eye relief work well for eyeglass wearers, which owners specifically call out
- ✗No ED glass - chromatic aberration is perceptible in high-contrast scenes, the clearest tell of the price point
- ✗Edge of the field goes soft with visible distortion - sharpness is a center-of-image affair
- ✗Overall sharpness is adequate rather than exceptional; a spec-sheet step below Bushnell's own Engage and Nitro lines
- ✗Low-light performance is respectable for the class but the standard glass and coatings give up real dusk time to ED-glass rivals
- ✗Focus and diopter feel are budget-grade - functional, not refined
- ✗Bushnell's brand reputation has slipped among optics enthusiasts since its premium heyday, and forum recommendations often steer to Nikon or Vortex first
- ✗The accessories (case, strap, covers) are as basic as you'd expect at $150
- ✗Resale value is negligible - unlike alpha glass, these are buy-and-use, not buy-and-trade
Bushnell Prime 8x42 vs Bushnell R3 10x42: common questions
Did the Bushnell R3 10x42 replace the Prime 8x42?▾
The R3 is the entry tier of Bushnell's R-series, which replaces the Prime line, and the Prime 8x42 is discontinued. This R3 is a 10x, though, so choosing it trades the Prime 8x42's wider view and bigger exit pupil for more magnification.
Which is better with glasses, the Bushnell Prime 8x42 or the R3 10x42?▾
The Prime, with 24mm of eye relief against the R3's 17mm. Prime owners specifically praise its twist-up eyecups with glasses, and that extra room usually means seeing the full field with frames on.