Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Binoculars Review: A Hunter’s Perspective

by Dave Chesson

January 23, 2024

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Being a regular at the hunting grounds, I know the importance of owning the right pair of binoculars. The Bushnell Forge 15x56mm caught my attention with their build quality and optical excellence. Ever since, these binos have become my go-to pick for my hunting expeditions and outdoor adventures. In this Bushnell Forge 15x56mm review, I’ll share my first-hand experience with these binoculars, reviewing their optical clarity, build quality, and overall performance.

Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Specs

  • Magnification 15x
  • Objective Lens Diameter 56mm
  • Length 8.7 in
  • Weight 51 oz
  • Exit Pupil 3.7mm
  • Twilight Factor 29.0
  • Prism Type Abbe-Koenig
  • Minimum Focus 12 ft

Specifications and Background of Bushnell Forge 15x56mm 

Bushnell is an American company that specializes in sporting and outdoor products. They make all sorts of optical gear for various uses, like hunting, birdwatching, skywatching, and marine activities. I’m a huge fan of the Bushnell brand and I have a personal collection of Bushnell binoculars. I just love the fact that they have something for everyone and you don’t have to break your bank for a pair of binos with great optical clarity. 

Alright, now let’s take a look at the cool features of these Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars. 

The Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars come with an ED Prime glass and a dielectric prism coating for great clarity and vivid color reproduction. The Abbe König prism and PC3 phase coating add to the increased light transmission, which is supposed to make the images sharp and bright, even in low-light conditions.

The Bushnell Forge 15x56mm comes with an exclusive Exo Barrier protection, to keep out water, oil, and dust. These binos also have an ultra-wideband lens coating and protective lens coating to reduce glare, protect against debris, and maintain a clear vision. The focus type is a central focus and a precise right lens focus that adds to the user-friendly design. 

Having discussed the specs of the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm, now let’s jump into the review of it.

Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Features

Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Features
1 IPX7 Waterproof

The Bushnell Forge have the IPX7 waterproof rating that is O-ring sealed.

2 PC-3 Phase Coating

To enhance the contrast and resolution, the prisms have a PC-3 phase coating.

3 ED Prime Glass

The ED Prime glass used in these binoculars delivers high quality imaging.

Review of Bushnell Forge 15x56mm

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty of the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm. 

Starting off with the boxing, the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm comes in a pretty nice black box, and right on top of it, I got a sheet that outlined the features of these binos and a quick how-to adjust your diopter on the backside of it. I then got a hard case that the binoculars go in where the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm is placed in a soft carrying bag. I also got a chest strap, a regular old neck strap, a strap to hold the case, a tripod mount, a couple of hex keys to put the tripod mount on it, and a Spudz to clean the lens. Having handled several of these packages, I can confidently say that the whole line of Bushnell Forge binoculars comes really well packaged.

These binos are a serious piece of glass. They were rock solid. Not too heavy, not too light, they just felt right. The rubber coating gave me a comfortable grip, which helped to carry them for long durations during my hunting sessions.

Having previously owned a pair of Swarovski SLC binoculars, my expectations were high. However, the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm exceeded them. The glass the quality of the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm is stellar! I have taken these binos on my hunting trips and it’s never been a hit or a miss. They constantly delivered. These binos held up well against dusty environments and even helped me shoot in the rain.

With the combination of the Abbe König prism system, dielectric coating, and a PC3 phase coating, these binos gave me the best light transmission (lots of light) I could’ve asked for during my hunt at dusk. Also, these binoculars have great resolution and contrast, and to my surprise, they managed to pull all the colors and gave me true tones every time I took a peek.

The edge-to-edge clarity of the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm helped me spot specific animals during my hunt and helped me notice their little movements. I mean, I honestly will put the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm against Swarovski SLC and Zeiss Conquest when it comes to edge-to-edge clarity. It was that good!

When it came to the field of view, I’d say the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm did fall short to Swarovski SLC but hey, it’s a fraction of the price of the Swarovski SLC and it did the job very well. The deep field of focus helped me track moving targets more easily. 

Speaking of value, the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm takes the cake. They don’t burn a hole through your pocket and give the best performance a binocular enthusiast like me could ask for. These binos also come with a lifetime warranty. I really love it when a company stands by its products like that. It’s a big thumbs up from me!

Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Pros and Cons 

  • Great color clarity
  • Strong light collection
  • Glass Quality
  • Heavy

Report Card

Durability

The IPX7 waterproof construction and EXO Barrier coating on the lenses keeps these binos running even in harsh conditions.

A+
Glass Clarity

The ED Prime glass is Bushnell’s highest quality glass.

A+
Features

All the features you need in a good set of binos, including a tripod mounting option.

A
Ergonomics

Maye a little heavy, but that can help stabilize the optics.

A
Value

High quality glass at a reasonable price means these are a high value set of binoculars.

A+
Bushnell Forge 15x56mm Final Grade

Our Grade

A+

Reviewed by Dave Chesson

Reader’s Grade

B

Based on 1 Reviews

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Final thoughts on Bushnell Forge 15x56mm

For me, Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars have really knocked it out of the park. They’ve got everything you’d want in a pair of binos. The clarity, the low-light performance, the feel of them – it’s all spot on. They really deliver a performance way beyond their price tag. That’s why I’ve ranked it 5th in my best binoculars for hunting article.

These binos strike a cool balance between performance and affordability. So, whether you’re lining up those far-off targets or just kicking back and enjoying amazing views, these binoculars are all about bringing you those crystal-clear visuals.

FAQs on Bushnell Forge 15x56mm

How is the build quality of the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars? 

The binoculars have a robust build with exclusive Exo Barrier protection that keeps out water, oil, and dust. The ultra-wideband lens coatings and protective lens coating reduce glare and protect against debris, maintaining clear vision. An ergonomic design gives a comfortable grip for extended use during outdoor activities.

How do the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars perform in different environmental conditions?

The binoculars are well-suited for various conditions, holding up well against dust and performing remarkably even in rainy weather. The Exo Barrier protection and quality coatings contribute to their durability and effectiveness in challenging environments.

Are the lens coatings effective in reducing glare during bright sunlight?

The ultra-wideband lens coatings and protective lens coating on the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars reduce glare, and give a clear and comfortable viewing experience even in bright sunlight. This feature improves visibility and minimizes eye strain during long outdoor use.

How does the Bushnell Forge 15x56mm binoculars’ resolution and contrast contribute to spotting specific details during hunting?

The binoculars offer excellent resolution and contrast, which allows users to spot specific details and observe subtle movements during hunting. The edge-to-edge clarity helps users identify and track targets with precision, improving the overall hunting experience.

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About Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson is prior Navy with a specialty in international arms dealing for the US government across multiple countries. Having traveled the world and abided by ATF and ITAR, Roy has a unique background in legal as well as practical capabilities of weapons deployment and use.

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