When you hardly notice the weight in your hands while you are watching some curious little warbler in the brush, you know you have purchased a good pair of binoculars for yourself. With good binoculars you sometimes feel like you are looking with your own eyes only the view is closer, magnified and clear. How big do you want that image to be? Well, that will depend on many things. How heavy will the binoculars be with extra magnification? Can you hold the binoculars steady if they are magnified more than 10 times (10x)? How heavy will the binoculars be with extra magnification?
So tell me, how much of the area can you see around the bird? That is your field of view. Field of view refers to how much you will see through the binoculars in relation to a fixed distance from the object you are observing. It will be helpful to have a wider field of view to be able to find small birds in the brush and across wide expanses of ocean or desert terrain. In addition to weight and magnification and comfort in the field, you want to keep in mind how much you can see. What is the field of view for those binoculars?
Bulky binoculars are harder to handle. Your hands will tremble while you are viewing the object. You may need a tripod stand to view birds without shaking with a bigger objective lens. You should select your own binoculars, especially if you have any vision impairments.
Those numbers can be confusing when you first get started. Here is a simple way to understand them. Let’s say the binoculars are 10×32. The 10 means the bird or other object will appear to be 10 times closer. That is the level of magnification for the eyepiece. The second number refers to the size of the objective lens, listed in millimeters. So in this example the diameter of the lens is 32 mm. The size of the objective lens is directly related to how much light can enter your binoculars to allow you to see clearly. The first number refers to the eyepiece and the second number refers to the lens at the other end of your binoculars.
Waterproof binoculars are essential for me. Are these binoculars sturdy, durable and compact to fit my hands? Will they be able to withstand being dropped now and then? Of course, if you wear your strap around your neck all the time they are less likely to fall, but, just in case, are they sturdy? I have lost a lot of lens covers at overlooks.
Take your time and read some reviews. Every manufacturer has a website full of detailed information and there are plenty of reviews online for you to compare while you are still looking. The binoculars you buy are intended to enhance your field trips or birding expeditions, so don’t stress out over them. Buy the best binoculars that fit you that also fit your budget and you will be a happy birdwatcher and even have some cash in your pocket for lunch, maybe.
Among some of the best binoculars I have used are my favorite Leupold binoculars 10×32. They are a nice compromise size. They fit my eyes and my hands well and I know I have a fine pair of excellent quality binoculars that are waterproof, fog proof and guaranteed for life. They are a little larger than my compact Bushnell Binoculars at 8×25 that I carry with me wherever I go, just in case I see interesting birds, butterflies or flowers in the field.
To tell the just plain truth, when your binoculars feel like an extension of your hands and you can see clearly and well, you have just found your best pair. Remember to stay within your budget and check on the field of vision and depth of field while you are looking. That is what it takes when you get right down to the details.
Tags: Outdoors