TESTED: Burris Signature HD Binoculars

Durable, ergonomically efficient, and with exceptional optic quality, the Burris Signature HD binoculars hit the mark for upper-end field glass

by Rob Reaser

A good many hunters will suffer a case of panic attack should they realize that they left their snacks at home or in the truck. As for me…if I hit the field and forget my binos, I think the world is going to end.

A sturdy and reliable pair of binoculars are must-haves, in my opinion, whether you are hunting the wide-open spaces of the American West or simply plying for whitetails in a woodlot. Binos offering good light transmission, a crisp and shallow focus, edge-to-edge clarity, and excellent color rendition allow you to peer through brush to pick out game well before they enter the kill zone. This is especially important for me when hunting the all-too-common dark and dreary days of late autumn in the Appalachians.

This fall, I’ve had a chance to test a pair of binos from the Signature HD series by Burris. The Signature HDs are the top-of-the-line binoculars the company produces and are a good pairing for the Burris Signature HD riflescopes. I chose the 10x42mm model to test since that is my preferred power factor. I find that a 10x bino covers all needs — from spotting pronghorns at insane distances to picking out whitetails through heavy cover at close range. To me, 8x power doesn’t have enough juice for such broad applications, and anything much over 10x is not conducive for close work. That said, Burris offers the Signature HD in 8×42, 10×42, 12×50, and 15×56. If your viewing range is more often counted in miles rather than in yards, the higher power factor Signature HDs may be your best choice.

The Signature HD is built on an open hinge concept. I like this because it reduces overall weight and allows the fingers to wrap completely around the barrels for a secure hold. Here, the primary hinge is just forward of the ocular lenses, with the stabilizing secondary hinge located toward the end of the barrels. This secondary hinge is threaded to accept a tripod adapter, so you can use the binos for supported spotting work. A threaded cap installs onto the front of the hinge when the tripod adapter is not in use.

Again, I like the open hinge concept of the Signature HDs, but there is a tradeoff. Burris designers placed the center focus knob on the ocular side of the hinge (toward the eyepieces). I am accustomed to using either my index or middle finger to adjust focus on most binos because one of these fingers usually falls naturally onto the focus knob. Since the knob on the Signature HD is much closer to the eyepieces, I had to get used to moving my index finger back in order to rotate the wheel. For me, this is a tad awkward.

Offsetting that awkwardness, though, is the robust rubberized knurling on the focus knob and the diopter ring. These surfaces offer serious traction for gloved and non-gloved hands. On far too many binos I have tested, these controls are either too small or lacking in traction, which can make them somewhat difficult to adjust. The Signature HD suffers no such difficulties.

Eyecups on the Signature HD come with four adjustment positions: fully collapsed, fully extended, and two indent positions in-between. If, like me, you require corrective lenses, the collapsed position gives you a full field of view. For you lucky ones with “normal” vision, you can adjust the eyecups as needed. The eyecups are also rubberized, providing a good grip for no-slip operation.

One thing I cannot abide by in a pair of quality binoculars is a slippery gripping surface. Well, you won’t find a square inch of slipperiness with the Signature HD. The barrels and hinges are both treated with rubber armoring. This delivers the kind of traction you need when wearing gloves and it facilitates removal from a pack or bino harness.

As for the internals, Burris steps up the game with the Signature HD series. The lenses are of the HD variety, precision-ground for optimal resolution, clarity, and glare reduction, and include the Burris signature Hi-Lume fully multi-coated and index-match lens treatment made famous on the company’s riflescopes. The binos also utilize the better-performing BaK-4 prisms, which feature phase-correct and dielectric coating to boost color fidelity and enhance light transmission, respectively. In other words, the Signature HD sports some pretty good glass inside those rubber armored barrels.

Of course, the binos meet the expected environmental durability standards with their nitrogen-sealed waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof construction. Getting caught out in the snow or rain is nothing to worry about. And if something were to happen, the Signature HD comes with the Burris Forever Warranty. This is a no-questions-asked repair or replace warranty that automatically transfers to future owners — no warranty card or receipt needed.

The Signature HD comes with a respectable kit. There is a generous carry bag with a detachable shoulder strap, as well as a comfortable neoprene neck strap that secures to the binoculars. Flip-down rubber caps cover the objective lenses, and these can be removed from the barrels. That is what I do when carrying the Signature HD in a bino harness. There is also an ocular lens cover that attaches to the neck strap so you won’t lose it.

I give the Signature HD good marks across the board as far as optical performance is concerned. Low-light visibility is excellent, as is image clarity. I could detect no color aberrations on the edges. Handling and ergonomics are spot on — a nod to the open hinge design, rubber armor coating, and rubber knurling on the controls. My only gig is that the focus knob is too close to the ocular lenses for my preference. Other than that, the Signature HD binoculars by Burris is a solid buy as upper tier sporting binoculars go. With a $600-$960 MSRP (based on model variations), these are investments that pay dividends in dependable field performance.

Burris Signature HD Binoculars (10×42)