Bird Binoculars - How Do You Choose?
Will the bird binoculars you choose work well with eyeglasses? Some are better than others for eye relief and eyeglasses. With good binoculars you sometimes feel like you are looking with your own eyes only the view is closer, magnified and clear. You hardly notice the weight in your hands while you are watching some curious little warbler in the brush. 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)? I find it hard to hold 12x steady for any length of time without support. But I have small hands and that makes a difference too.
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?
If you are wear eyeglasses or have macular degeneration or other uncorrected vision conditions, this is likely to affect which binoculars are best suited for you.While you may need higher magnification for viewing, it is harder to hold those heavier binoculars steady and in focus. Consider getting a tripod to help you keep it steady.
Let’s clear up what those numbers mean. If your binoculars are labeled 10×42, it means you will be seeing things magnified ten times. The first number is the magnification, 10x. The size of the objective lens is described in millimeters in the second number. So in this case the diameter of the lens at the other end of the eyepiece is 42mm wide. A larger diameter lens is not only heavier, but it lets in more light and you can see things more clearly in less light than with a smaller lens.
The very next most important characteristic for me is whether the binoculars are waterproof binoculars and durable and sturdy. Or when they are dropped from the edge of an overlook onto the rocks below? 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. I also prefer compact binoculars.
The binoculars you buy are intended to enhance your field trips or birding expeditions, so don’t stress out over them. 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. 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.
If your binoculars fit you, and you can see clearly with plenty of light and magnification and they are not too heavy to hold, you probably have found the ones you need to buy. That is what is most important. 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.
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