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Brunton Epoch Binoculars Review

Written by Dave Dukat

Brunton has come onto the high end binocular scene in style with their Epochs. They have not only equaled the European binoculars that have reigned king for many years, but in some ways surpassed them. Brunton has been around for quite a few years, but is fairly new to the binoculars business. When they decided to get into binoculars, one market they wanted to pursue was a set of high-end binoculars to match or beat the top binocular producers in the world. After reading a few reviews, I couldn’t’ resist and purchased a demo model at the end of one of the big shows when they first entered the market.

I own many more binoculars than I need, and have at least one model from Leica, Ziess, and Swarovski, so I have a pretty good reference set when I am judging binoculars. I purchased the 10.5 x 43 Epoch binoculars and with them, received a doubler, a tripod mount and a Pelican hard case for storage and transport. Before we get started on my thoughts, let’s go through the features of the binocular pulled from the Brunton website:

Variable Speed Focus™
36 in. close focus
SF prism glass
State-of-the-art phase coating
AL-HR reflective coating
FlatLight™ full multi-coating
Anti-fog lens coating
Locking, multi-step eye relief system (eyeglass compatible)
Locking diopter adjustment
Waterproof/fogproof
Nitrogen-filled
Magnesium alloy frame w/ ergonomic body armor
Tripod/monopod compatible
Includes tripod adapter, leather soft case and holster, neckstrap, and removable OptiVisors™
HALO™ unlimited lifetime warranty
5.8”x5”x2”
25 oz.
4.1mm Exit pupil
17mm Long eye relief
290 ft. Field of view @ 1000 yds.

Many of these features are standard on the top end binoculars, and several are too technical for this review, so I’ll stick to language we can all understand. If you have decided to make the commitment to purchase great binoculars, there are not a lot of choices. Let me reiterate what many have said before, buy the best binoculars you can afford. Out west, glassing is the best way to find game animals, and many times your only chance of taking trophy animals. I have grown to depend on my binoculars so much, they are as important to me as my rifle or bow. That being said, let’s discuss the Bruntons.

The good. Brunton has started with a sleek, smooth rubber armored body with no frills. When you compare them to the other top of the line binoculars, they are lighter and fit your grip extremely well. I tend to be extremely hard on binoculars, dragging them along on numerous stalks through rain, snow, dirt and sand and these binoculars are tough enough to take it. The focus knob is easily adjusted and studded with rubber to allow easy gripping even when wearing gloves. They are fitted with a threaded hole for tripod mounting which is a necessity if you are serious about glassing.When look through the binoculars, it’s hard not to notice the focusing system. Brunton has developed a variable speed focus that allows detailed focus up close, and a faster focus at greater distances. This cannot be found on any other binocular and is a neat feature, allowing the quickest focusing I’ve found. This can be extremely important when trying to get a look at the buck just before he disappears in the deep timber.

The view once focused is excellent as well. Because of their weight and size, I take these binoculars on all of my mountain and backpacking trips. I have spent countless hours on archery mule deer and sheep hunts, glassing mountains over and over and the glass has never let me down. It is clear all the way out to the edges and amazingly sharp. This is the easiest way to tell an expensive binocular from a cheap binocular, spend a day on a mountain glassing. After thirty minutes or less, you will know the quality of your glass and these definitely have it.

Continuing with the accolades, the Brunton eyecups are also top of the line and better than any competitors. They are sturdy and adjustable at several different eye relief settings. Depending on the light, I am constantly adjusting the eye relief and the Brunton’s are one of the few binoculars that have eyecups that are still working as perfect as the day I bought them. I can’t say that for my Leicas or my Swarovskis. As far as weatherproof, they have been through it all and come through with shining colors.

The bad. The lens covers on the Bruntons are awful. They may have corrected this issue, but my pair had clip in covers for each lens that swung out on a hinge. It took me one trip to lose the first one and they were noisy and after several uses, wouldn’t stay when you opened them. After several trips, they went in the trash never to be used again. A cover for rainy days is important and Brunton needs to come up with a new design.

The next item I noticed about the Bruntons is the viewing color. The Bruntons have a slightly different tint than any of my other top end binoculars and the colors are not as vivid for me. The greys and blues seem to be more prevelant than brighter greens. The glass is excellent, so the difference if very subtle, but if I am doing very little hiking or stalking, I will take another set of glasses for this reason. I can’t knock the binoculars much on this point as the difference is small, but is noticeable.

In closing, the Bruntons are a little cheaper than the competition so a great value. I have also used my warranties on all but my Leicas, and feel Brunton has the best warranty available. I used the binoculars on a mule deer hunt in Mexico and had some black specks on the interior of the lenses. I sent them to Brunton when I returned, and within a week, had a brand new pair waiting at my door. No questions, no long forms, no hassle. Just a call and I had the binoculars back before I knew it.

In a head to head comparison, factoring in all of the hunting I do, I would choose them first. I use all the binoculars I own for different situations, but the Bruntons are around my neck more than anything else.

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