![]() How are the weight and balance? Most modern 8×42 binoculars are right around 6 inches long and weigh about a pound and a half (ca. This comes from a combination of field of view and edge-to-edge clarity of the binoculars’ optics. How to Get Crystal Clear Focus With Your Binocularsĭo the binoculars immerse you in the scene? Some binoculars feel as if they light up your entire eyeball from edge to edge, while others give a sense of looking through a tunnel (even if the image at the end is bright and sharp). Note that extending the eyecups or viewing through eyeglasses will reduce your effective field of view, making this stat even more important in those cases. In our opinion, it’s just as important as image quality. Is there enough field of view? This doesn’t get as much attention as sharpness or brightness, but a wide field of view will help you find birds and stay on them as they move. Does the wheel feel good against your fingers? Does it move easily, travel smoothly, and stop precisely? How does the focus wheel feel? You’ll be twirling that knob every time you pick up your binoculars, often racing to get the bird in focus before it flits away. (There’s also the option of striking up a conversation on a bird walk, asking your fellow birders how they like theirs, and possibly even swapping for a few minutes.) It can be hard to find stores that carry a wide range of binoculars to try we suggest specialty stores like Wild Birds Unlimited, or bird festivals where a wide range of binocular companies will set up booths. And because ergonomics have such an effect, there’s really no substitute for feeling them in your hand, twirling the focus knob, and evaluating how well the image fills your eyes as you look at a bird. No two birders look through binoculars exactly the same way. Our #1 tip is to try as many binoculars as you can before you buy. Just remember the higher magnification also means a narrower field of view and will exaggerate any unsteadiness from shaking or jostling. ![]() If your birding involves long-distance viewing-think shorebirds, raptors, seabirds-then you might prefer 10x. Personal preferences vary, but many find 8x binoculars are in a sweet spot: good magnification and a steady, wide field of view (for finding and following birds). Most birding binoculars come in 8x and 10x versions. When testing binoculars, we use the following tips to zero in on what makes one pair better than another. If the sheer variety of models, brands, and specifications seems overwhelming, we can help. In fact, image quality can be so good nowadays that factors like ergonomics, feel, and build quality can make the difference between two similar models. Factored out over 20 or more years of birdwatching, that’s a pretty good deal. You’ll be amazed at the image quality you can now get from binoculars priced at a few hundred dollars. Every time you lift them up to your eyes and dial in the focus, you’ll feel a sense of satisfaction.Īnd in even better news, decades of binocular R&D has made it possible to put advanced materials into lower-priced models. So it makes sense to choose carefully: read reviews, try a lot of varieties, and make sure you find a pair that delivers great views. Why Do Birdwatchers Need Close Focus in Binoculars?īut binoculars are expensive-a long-term investment that starts paying off the day you get them.
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