When Buying Compact Binoculars, Here’s What You Need To Look For
Here are some things to look for in a binocular and the best ones in each category. Binoculars are an essential item when hiking or trekking or bird watching in nature
Too many options? There are many options and choices, but you may also wonder why the most expensive and least expensive instruments cost so much more than the ones in the middle.
Then there are all the optical terms and numbers to learn, so I can see how someone new to optics might find it hard to know what to look for when buying binoculars.
But don’t be afraid!
In this guide to buying binoculars, I’ll explain everything from the basics to advanced features and insider tips in a way that’s easy to understand. This way, you can be sure you know what to look for and buy the right pair of optics for your needs and interests at a price that fits your budget.
We’ve all seen and used binoculars, but few of us take the plunge and buy one. This is because we don’t have a specific use for the product and only want one when we’re on vacation and in a beautiful place. But there are a lot of people who take their binoculars very seriously. Among them are sports fans, people who like nature, and bird watchers. When they buy a device, these users know exactly what specs they need. But what about a typical user? Here are some tips on what to look for when buying compact binoculars.
What to look for when buying compact binoculars
- Magnification
The number written with the x is a binocular’s magnification. So, if the binocular says 10x, the subject is magnified ten times. For example, a bird that is 1,000 meters away will look like it is 100 meters away from the naked eye. The best magnifications for regular use are between 7x and 12x. If the magnification is higher than that, it will be hard to use without a tripod.
- Size of the objective lens
The lens on the other side of the eyepiece is the objective lens. This lens’s size is important because it controls how much light gets into the binoculars. So, when there isn’t much light, a bigger objective lens gives you a better picture. After the x is the lens size in millimeters. The best ratio is 5, which is the same as the magnification. With its bigger diameter, the 8×40 lens makes a brighter and better image than the 8×25 lens.
- Quality of the lens, coating
The coating on the lens is important because it cuts down on how much light is reflected and lets the most light in. On the other hand, the quality of the lens makes sure that the image is clear and has good contrast. Because they let in more light, the best lenses work better in low light. They also ensure the colors don’t get too light or too dark. Users who wear glasses should look for a high eye point.
- Viewing Angle/Exit Pupil
FoW is measured in degrees and is the diameter of the area seen through the glasses. The more area you can see, the bigger the field of view. The exit pupil, on the other hand, is the image that your pupil sees on the eyepiece. You get the exit pupil when you divide the lens diameter by the magnification. A 7mm exit pupil lets the most light into the dilated eye and is best for use at dusk and in the dark.
- Weight & Eye Strain
Before buying a pair of binoculars, a person should consider how much they weigh. Think about whether using binoculars for a long time makes you tired. Use a pair of binoculars to see if it hurts your eyes. Normal binoculars are hard to use for more than a few minutes at a time, but high-quality ones don’t cause much eye strain and can be used for long hours if necessary.
- Waterproofing
Since binoculars are mostly used outside, they need to be waterproof somehow. This is usually marked with the letters “WP.” Normal models can only stay under a small amount of water for a few minutes. On the other hand, high-end models can stay underwater for a couple of hours without getting damaged.
The Best Features For Certain Uses
Binoculars for Starters
OLYMPUS 7X35 DPS I S Rs 3,895
This is a good choice for a buyer on a budget because it has a 7x magnification, a porro (double) prism, and a central focus.
CELESTRON UPCLOSE G2 10X50 Rs 3,591
This binocular is also great for everyday use. It has a 10x magnification and a lens coated with many different layers.
NIKON SPRINT IV 10X21CF MB is priced at Rs 4,450.
This small, light model has a multi-layer coated lens that makes the image clear and bright.
NIKON ACTION 7X35CF Rs 4,950
This model has a 7x magnification and a 35mm objective diameter, which makes it great for sports and everyday use.
MID-RANGE Binoculars
NIKON TRAVELITE VI 12X25CF Rs 9,950
This small device is great for traveling because it is small and has a rubber armor coating and a multi-layer coating on the lens.
BUSHNELL POWERVIEW 20X50 Rs 8,999
This is good for watching birds and other wildlife with porro prisms. It has an Instafocus control and a diopter controller, and if you need to, you can put it on a tripod.
CELESTRON SKYMASTER 25-125X80 Rs 11,635
This zoom model is great for astronomy because it has a large aperture and a lens with many coating layers. But it does need a tripod.
HIGH-END Binoculars
STEINER SKYHAWK PRO 10X42 Rs 42,426
This weatherproof model has a 42 mm aperture, special coating technology, and high-contrast optics that make it shine brightly even in low light. Perfect for people who like to watch birds.
CARL ZEISS CONQUEST 8X30 Rs 49,950
Even though it is small, this model has a large objective diameter and can see fine details from far away.
NIKON MONARCH 12X42DCF Rs 26,950
This device has a large-diameter objective lens and a dielectric, high-reflective, multi-layer prism coating for the best light. It is also filled with nitrogen gas to keep it from fogging up.
SWAROVSKI HABICHT 1040 W GA 745 pounds
Swarovski binoculars are the best because their optics are so good and well-made. This model promises a wide field of view and bright, contrast-rich images.
A Binocular For Certain Occasions
TRAVEL
Look for small and light models with a field of view and magnification level in the middle.
WILDLIFE AND BIRD WATCHING
You need a wide field of view and between 7x and 12x magnification.
OUTDOORS
Look for tough models that are waterproof, portable, and made to last. The ideal magnification is between 8x and 10x. Look for a large objective diameter and a good coating on the lens so that it works well when the sun is rising or setting.
MARINE
If you can, look for waterproofing, a wide field of view, and less vibration.
ASTRONOMY
The best are binoculars with a large exit pupil and objective diameter that correct for aberration.
THEATRE/MUSEUM
Compact models with a magnification of 4x to 10x can be effective while watching stage performances. In museums, it’s best to use light models with a focusing distance of fewer than two meters.
SPORTS
Look for a large field of view and a magnification of 7x to 10x. Zoom functionality can be an added advantage.
Now that we know the basics, we need to learn more about which features and parts are important and what to look for in binoculars to tell if they are good.
External Features
Not only are a binocular’s external features important for its usability and durability, but they can also tell you a lot about how good the optics are and how good the view might be:
Usually, suppose a company spends time and money paying attention to small details and using better materials to make the outside of an instrument stand out. In that case, it’s safe to assume they did the same thing with the optics and coatings on the inside.
So, even if you don’t know much about optics, you can get a good idea of what level it is likely to be at just by looking at the outside:
Frame Materials
Most modern binoculars have a rubber coating on the outside. Under that is the chassis. This shell is mostly made of Polycarbonate plastic, Aluminum, or, at the top of the line, Magnesium.
Most cheap binoculars are made of Polycarbonate, which, in addition to being cheaper, has other benefits, such as being less likely to expand and contract due to temperature changes than metal alloys. This is important because it can affect the alignment of the optics over time, making Polycarbonate binoculars better for use in extreme conditions. It also weighs very little.
On the other hand, it isn’t as strong and doesn’t have the same feeling of quality and weight as a metal body instrument.
Eyecups
Eye cups are an important part of any binocular. They keep your eyes at the right distance from the ocular lenses so you can see the whole picture.
Even though this isn’t always the case, cheaper, lower-quality binoculars often have simple rubber eyecups that fold up and down to improve eye relief. Most good binoculars have eyecups that you can twist up and down.
These work better and may give you many options and ways to set the right amount of eye relief for your needs.
But remember that some rubber-cup binoculars are of great quality, so don’t assume that all rubber-cup binoculars are bad. This indicator should be used with the others we’ve discussed to get a fuller, more accurate picture.
Diopter Adjustment
Look for diopter adjustment rings that can be locked or part of the central focus wheel. Some high-end binoculars have these, and sometimes small things like this make the difference between excellent and very good.
