Best Binocular Guide

A simple guide on what to look for in binoculars ...check out also links at end of page leading to articles on choosing magnification, coatings, and more ...

Nowadays, so many reputable companies produce such a wide range of binoculars that, unless you're an absolute expert, it can be very tricky deciding which best suits your needs.

So, what do you need take into account when searching for binoculars?

Here are some basic points to consider:

• purpose of the binoculars you plan to buy
• size
• price
• features which will be important to you

what to look for in binoculars - purpose

A light pair of simple pocket binoculars may be fine for general travel purposes, but not necessarily ideal for, say, birdwatchers.

Low-pricedtheater or opera glasses will not be powerful enough if you wish togaze at the stars in the sky, rather than the stars on the stage.

And, depending on your needs, you may also require specialfeatures, such as infrared,image-stabilized,or compactbinoculars.

So, take a moment to write down exactly what your binoculars will be used for, plus any special features they'll need to provide.

what to look for in binoculars - size

Size and weight are another important consideration. Do you plan to carry your binoculars around in your hand for any length of time? If so, a weighty pair can be extremely tiring.

On the other hand, although the size and weight of compact or pocket binoculars can seem attractive, their image quality tends to be inferior to that of mid or full-sized ones.

So, give a little thought to what would be the best sizefor your needs.

what to look for in binoculars - price

You'll find a terrific difference in binocular prices... from well under $50 to well over $1,000.

Which price should you plump for?

As with most things, you tend to get what you pay for and, if you're a serious binocular user, you certainly won't regret paying more ratherthan less for your binoculars - as long as they're from a company with a good reputation.

Companies such as Celestron, Pentax,Steiner, Swarovski,and Zeiss are all renowned for theirtop-quality binoculars.

Companies such as Nikon, Minolta, Leica, Leupold, Tasco, and Bushnell are allreputed to provide good quality standards, even in their cheaper models.

Generallyspeaking, the difference in quality between very cheap (under $50) and mid-priced models (say $200-$500) is much more marked than the difference between mid-priced and top-of-the-range models.

So, if price is important to you, all else being equal, you may wish to consider mid-priced models from among the second group of companies quoted above.

Along with the price, you'll need to consider the length and conditions of any warranty offered.

Obviously, the more expensive your binoculars, the more important the terms of any warranty.

what to look for in binoculars - features

In order to know what you're buying, you'll need to understand technical terms used to describe basic binocular features.

Main features include:

• magnification
• objective lens/diameter
• field of view
• exit pupil
• eye relief
• porro or roof prism
• coatings

You'llfind magnification covered more fully, here.

Objective lenses are covered more fully on this page.

If you want a wide view, you'll be after binoculars with a bigger field of view and, all else being equal, the higher the magnification, the smaller the fieldof view.

Exit Pupil
The exit pupil describes themagnified image in the eyepiece (the lens nearest your eyes) as it leaves the binocular to enter your eye.

You can work this number out by dividing the size of the objective lens by the magnification.

An exit pupil of at least 4or 5 will provide you with acceptable brightness.

Do you wear glasses?

Then look for binoculars with sufficient eye relief toprovide an unrestricted view.

Read an explanation of porro and roof prisms on this page.

Coatings
Nowadays, binoculars are coated in order to reduce light loss and glare. You'll find different grades of coatings.

Learn about the different coatings, here.

what to look for in binoculars - other features

You may find other features important.

For example, if you go boating, then a pair of waterproof binoculars is a must. Waterproof binoculars are generally sealed, and filled with nitrogen, so that no water or moisture can enter.

Or, a binocular's low light capability may be importantif you plan to stay out late in the woods, hunting.

Take time to think through exactly what your requirements are, and you won't go far wrong.

Related articles

Don't miss these related pages - they'll give you a better understanding of binoculars.