Burris Signature HD 15x56 Binoculars: Terrific Value

Living in the West and hunting all sorts of species, I believe dynamic utility is the name of the game when it comes to binoculars. Admittedly, I'm a traditionalist, typically selecting 10x42 mm configurations to accompany me on most excursions. But there are many situations when I wish I had more magnification range for long glassing sessions spent picking apart country to reduce strain on my eyes, causing mountain migraines like hours in a spotter does. This is where a 15-power set of binos really shines.

Extra magnification is swell, but it’s a moot point if the optical clarity isn’t up to snuff. Thankfully, while hitting the backcountry hard during pre-season scouting, I found the Burris Signature HD 15x56 extremely crisp and with excellent edge-to-edge clarity, most often found only at price points double the price. Burris’ Bak-4 glass with Phase Correct and dielectric coating enhances resolution and promotes true-to-life color feedback and is void of any weird bluish-green hues that are sometimes prevalent in other glass.

High Vantage Points

Mid-August was a perfect time for these optics to be pressed into action, as I could test their durability and construction while bebopping around and putting in a bunch of miles in the vast landscapes that surround me.

Bouncing around in a pack’s top lid isn’t the riskiest thing, but potentially taking a spill or tumbling down a slope of mountain scree certainly is, and unpredictable things happen while hunting.

Burris constructed the Signature HDs with a shockproof body and durable rubber armor to help prevent damage. Additionally, the no-slip texturing feels solid in hand and adds a level of operator reassurance.

Summertime in Montana has the occasional thunderstorm, but seldom is the weather torrential. What we do have are hazy conditions from annual wildfires in the state or elsewhere that seem to funnel down our canyons and settle in somewhere nearby. Thankfully, these 15x56s are nitrogen-filled and waterproof for reliability in all conditions, and maximum light transmission was consistently evident in tough glassing situations.

Tripod Triumph

“The right tool for the job” is a statement as worn out as Forrest Gump’s red and white Nikes, but it is also relevant advice. 15-power binoculars are a perfect match for use on a tripod. The ability to hold steady and stabilize while gridding is crucially important to perceiving small details. The narrower field of view in relation to lower magnification binoculars was not a hindrance and I never felt the “tunnel vision” phenomenon arise.

Throughout the last few weeks, I was able to turn up plenty of deer, elk, and even a badger. If I were handholding, I certainly would have located less than half of the critters.

Compared to other 15x magnification binoculars I have used, the form factor isn’t on the bulky side, and they will even fit into some of the larger binocular harness pouches—although carrying them on your chest isn’t really what they are designed for.

If you can get stable enough by pinching your elbows inwards and resting them on your upper ribs while glassing, they do fine for a punctuated time—but as soon as your stance fatigues, it becomes hard to focus and distortion creeps in.

Who These Are For

If you are a hunter or outdoorsman that holds quality and value in high regard and is committed to having a tripod setup with you when you deploy the Burris Signature HDs—you will find these to be right up your proverbial alley.

They do an exceptional job at observing antler frames but would be best utilized by those who don’t scrutinize the small details of tine depth or trash that might be present—ultimately equating to inch counting. There are better optic options, such as spotting scopes, for such applications.

As someone who routinely leaves his spotter in the truck or back at home, these give me a perfect middle ground and good reason to bring them along. I can do a preliminary glassing sweep of the terrain to see if I pick up movement and/or animals bedded with my 10x binos and then switch to the 15-power to really break down the scenario.

Burris says, “Whether you’re on foot, on horseback, or cruising in your truck, there’s never a time when you won’t want these with you.” I have no rebuttals, as I am a believer.

Burris Signature HD 15x56 mm Binocular Specs

• Magnification: 15x
• Optics System: HD Roof Prism
• Weight: 43 oz.
• Nitrogen-Filled: Yes
• Exit Pupil: 3.7 mm
• FOV Ft. @ 1,000 Yards: 215 ft.
• MSRP: $960
• Manufacturer: Burris, burrisoptics.com

---