How To Buy Best Binoculars
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When it is time to see a rare bird up close, the binocular is the go-to optical tool for almost every serious birder. Unmatched portability and convenience make the binocular one of the best devices available for spotting and indentifying birds in their natural habitats.
In this first segment of a four-part series, we will discuss what to look for if you are looking for binoculars for birding, or some things to consider if you are already a birder and looking to upgrade your optics.
Binoculars are almost de rigueur for anyone looking to observe birds in the wild. Some birders use spotting scopes and others use cameras with telephoto lenses, but you may be hard-pressed to find a serious birder without a pair of binoculars at the ready.
The first decision a birder needs to make when buying binoculars is what magnification binoculars to get. When looking at binoculars on the Web (and on the box and the binoculars themselves) you will usually see two prominent numbers. These refer to the magnification and objective diameter. An example is: 8x42. This indicates the magnification of the binoculars is 8x power and the objective (front) lens is 42mm in diameter.
The natural tendency for most people new to binoculars is to get the most powerful binoculars they can find. After all, the idea is that you want to get a view as close to the bird as possible. However, there is a drawback to high-powered viewing: image shake. The higher the magnification, the more small movements and vibrations will be translated into your image. Also, high magnification usually has an impact on minimum focus distance (more on why that is important later) and it also narrows your field of view.
Because of this, most birders prefer binoculars that are between 7x and 10x. In the past, 8x was the standard median power between 7x and 10x. Today, some manufacturers offer 8.5x and even 9x as a compromise between the power of the 10x and the steadiness of the 8x. In general, when 8x is mentioned, the term embodies these other pairs as well.
The larger the objective lens, the more light gathering power the binoculars have. The downside is that larger lenses are heavier. A difference of a few ounces on a specifications sheet might not look like much until you are several hours into your hike and the weight of the binoculars is starting to make an impression on your neck and shoulders.
Birders tend to gravitate toward the 40mm range for their binoculars. Binoculars with 40mm, 42mm, or 44mm objectives serve as a good medium compromise between low-light capability and portability. Objectives smaller than 35mm will lead to a more portable package at the expense of light gathering, and a 50mm or larger objective will give you a very bright image along with, potentially, the aforementioned sore neck and shoulders.
Another advantage of the larger objective diameter is a larger exit pupil at the rear element of the binoculars, where your eyes are focused. With two binoculars of the same magnification, the circle of light hitting your eye is larger, with a larger objective. Therefore, an 8x42 binocular will have a larger exit pupil than an 8x35 binocular. A larger exit pupil generally means a more comfortable viewing experience.
Binoculars come in two basic configurations: Porro prism or roof prism. The Porro prism gives that type of binoculars the traditional binocular shape. The roof prism binocular features a narrower and compact, straight design. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but, in general, the Porro prism design is less expensive to manufacture and, therefore, gives you more bang for your buck as far as optical quality and features. The relative compact size of roof prism binoculars makes them generally more popular for birders, as optically similar Porros will be larger.
Birding can be a casual activity or it can be exacting scientific field work. Because of this, optical quality in binoculars should be of great importance to you. Premium optics will allow you to discern subtle color patterns on the breast and mantle and examine plumage on the wing bars. If accurate identification is your mission, you will want the best view you possible.
Not all birding is done on sunny days. You will definitely want a pair of binoculars that is waterproof, as even fair-weather birders might get stuck in a passing rain shower from time to time. Fogproof is also a good feature to look for, as this will keep your binoculars from fogging up when transitioning to the outdoors on a cold day from a warm living room, where you were just perusing the latest Audubon magazine or Sibley guide.
A quick word on monoculars: There is certainly a market for these devices. Basically, the monocular is half of a binocular; one of two optical tubes that are connected to form a binocular. The monocular gives you half the binocular, less than half the weight (there is no bridge), and often a proportional cost savings. The disadvantage is that one-eye viewing is more tiring than viewing with both eyes, and you lose the stereoscopic advantage of the binoculars. However, if your vision is poor in one eye, or nonexistent, the monocular makes a ton of sense.
The way you carry your binoculars is going to have a big impact on your birding experience. You can carry them in your hand all day, or wear them around your neck with the included strap. However, there are more than a few ways to carry your binos. Chest straps, holsters, and quick releases all change the way you handle your glass in the field. Also, many binoculars have threaded sockets that permit attachments for mounting on a tripod or other fixed support.
One of the best ways to test a wide selection of binoculars is by visiting the Optics Department at the B&H Photo SuperStore in New York City. The store has a huge number of binoculars on display for you to look through and hold while you talk to optics experts at the counter. The B&H Used Department also has a constantly changing selection of great binoculars available at discounted prices.
In conclusion, the best binoculars are the ones you fall in love with and the ones that keep you excited about birding. To find that pair, do your homework, evaluate the options, try before you buy, and get the best pair your budget allows. Once you get your pair, we look forward to seeing you smiling beneath your binoculars out in the marsh, woods, or local nature walk!
Choosing binoculars is challenging. There are thousands of optics ranging across many price points. Regardless if your hobby is birding, hunting, or something else, this article will help explain the different specifications, technical data, and features of binoculars you need to know before making a purchase.
As much as you want to shop online and find the perfect choice without ever leaving your house, my recommendation is to go to a local store that sells optics and test and hold as many binoculars as possible!
The purpose of this section is to provide education. I want you to feel confident shopping for and choosing binoculars, and this starts with having a firm understanding of the terms, numbers, features, and specifications you will run across.
For example, look at the comparison table for the three different binoculars below. They all have the same magnification and objective lens diameter, but vastly different fields of view (and prices!).
Eye relief is the distance that a binocular eyepiece can be held away from your eye and still see the whole Field of View. If you wear glasses, eye relief is essential to consider when choosing binoculars.
Companies have developed complex coatings to apply to the glass to help fix the problem of losing light. These coatings can be as thin as a few millionths of an inch! Every company has their own unique coatings, and there is no industry standard, but here are some of the terms you will see when choosing binoculars.
Phase Correction Coating: This coating is also found on better binoculars and is only needed for roof style optics. A roof surface can cause a phase shift of light, which affects the image. The phase correction coatings help to minimize this occurrence and keep the picture clear.
For example, a binocular can have the best ED glass available, be fully multi-coated on all lenses, include a dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating but still have an awful image when it reaches your eye!! These features are important, but useless if the company that made the binocular did a poor job of putting everything together.
I feel very satisfied with the information provided by you. I am planning to have a Retail outlet for binoculars.It is just a start and I get very worthy information. Before I put my money in this I would like to get more information that how I would go with choosing stuff. Shall I go with single company or multi brands. What more I should gather on knowledge point of view. Please guide me.It would be my pleasure if you please send me more details on my mail ID mentioned or advise any other way we can contact.
Our writers and editors look for the best gear available. We test, research and review the best products in different categories with a focus on quality, performance and the overall value for the price.
Vortex Optics is one of the leaders in the sports optics industry today. It has all kinds of binoculars suitable for different applications, as well as different budgets. For hunting, the company offers many quality binoculars that can deliver even in the most rugged conditions. One of these optics is the Vortex DIAMONDBACK HD 10X42 an entry level pair that really excels in terms of build quality.
The DIAMONDBACK has been around for years. As an entry-level pair of binoculars, it has always met, if not exceeded, expectations. However, Vortex Optics decided to give it a major upgrade in 2019, introducing the Vortex DIAMONDBACK HD 10X42.
Like most modern binoculars, the CROSSFIRE HD 12×50 has nitrogen filling and O-ring sealing for optimum performance even in harsh environments. These ensure fogproof and waterproof characteristics, so it does not matter if you are at a high altitude or exposed to sudden temperature changes. 781b155fdc