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Choosing Binoculars Magnification

This page deals with choosing binoculars magnification ... find links to other informative articles at end of page ...

How do you tell what the magnification of a pair of binoculars is?

The answer to that is easy enough ...

Two numbers tend to be used to describe binoculars, for example 8x21, 10x21, 8x32, 10x40, etc.

The first of these numbers tells you the magnification of the binoculars.

The second number indicates the size, in millimeters, of what is known as the objective lens. In other words, the lens furthest away from your eyes.

But, here we're concentrating on magnification ... which is also called the power of the binoculars.

If that first number - in other words, the one associated with the magnfication or power - is 7, then you'll see the object through the binoculars seven times closer than it is in real life. If the number is 8, it will appear eight times, and so on.

So, the magnification gives you an idea of how powerful the binoculars are.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
Fixed or Variable

The examples quoted above just had two numbers, which means the binoculars would have been fixed-power binoculars.

However, some models offer variable magnification.

With a variable type of binocular, you'll find two numbers appear before the x. For example, 10-50x50.

This means their magnification varies from 10 to 50 times, and they're what is known as zoom binoculars.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
High or Low?

At first glance, you'd immediately presume a larger magnification binocular would always be the better choice ... but life is not straightforward, is it?

The main problem with high power binoculars is that the higher the magnification, the more it magnifies the movement of your hands, resulting in a shaky or blurred image.

Larger magnification also means you'll get a smaller field of view, shallower depth of field, and a less-bright image.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
Low Magnification

Here are the advantages of a lower magnification:

• First, the image you see will be brighter. Because of this, the low-light capability will also be higher, and that will allow you to see things well through your binoculars, even at dawn and dusk.
• Second, you'll have a wider catchment area.
• Thirdly, shaking will be limited and even eliminated, even if you use your binoculars in a moving vehicle, such as a car or a boat.

The most widely encountered magnifications for hand-held binoculars are 7x, 8x and 10x.

The 10x magnification requires a steady hand, plus a little more experience in quickly locating the objects you wish to see.

Anything of 15x and above is definitely too high for hand-held use.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
High Magnification

But maybe you're really set on using binoculars with a larger magnification?

If so, you will find solutions to help reduce the shaking factor...

Binoculars using image stabilization technology allow the use of products with up to 20x magnifications.

With these, a built-in optical system compensates any sudden movements associated with hand-holding, resulting in a clear picture.

Apart from the expense, the drawback to these is they tend to have small apertures.

The other method of reducing the shaking factor on high power binoculars is to use a tripod. But these can be rather cumbersome and heavy and, once again, increase the cost.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
Something to Suit Your Needs

A hand-held binocular with higher magnification is going to create difficulties in keeping a steady image, resulting in an image that is neither clear, nor sharp, nor bright.

These are serious disadvantages so it's not really advisable to buy an expensive,high-magnification model unless you have specific needs.

Binoculars should always fit your needs ...

Planning to use the binoculars only for relatively short distances?

Then settle for a model with a lower magnification.

Is your target likely to be extremely far away?

Consider a pair with larger magnification ... but look also at image stabilized binoculars and/or tripods.

Choosing Binoculars Magnification -
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