A Clear View of Binocular Buying Basics
There are virtually thousands of reasons out there for people picking up a pair of binoculars to use. However, whether a person is bird watching, golfing, hunting, or checking out the new neighbors down the street, there is but one reason they buy binoculars. To get a better view of what they are trying ever so hard to see. Above all else, if you don't have the right type of binoculars for what you are doing, you don't get the satisfaction you are looking for.
Without getting into the technical side of things too much, let's take a closer look at some of the differences and how they pertain to the task we are using them for. First and foremost, what do all of the numbers mean in the descriptions? For example, do I want a 10 x 50, or an 8 x 36, or maybe even a 10 x 25? What these numbers all mean is pretty simple. The front number is the magnification of what you are looking at, while the back number is the size of the objective lens in millimeters. In the examples, naturally, a novice is always going to go for the 10 x 50 because it has the highest magnification and the largest field of view with the large front lens. And please don't misunderstand me, this may often times be the correct choice.
When it is the right choice is when someone that is viewing from quite a distance away and needs to have a large field of vision. Like if you are out hunting in an expansive area and you are searching across a field for that telltale ear twitch or some other type of movement that tells you there are critters out there. In this case the larger objective lens allows up to 300 yards of linear vision at a 1000 yards away. The biggest drawback for a pair like this is the size and the weight. I know when I'm out hunting the 3 to 4 pounds of weight strapped to my chest is not always fun to deal with. Especially if I'm trying to sneak up a ridge on my belly.
Something else to consider is what you are doing. I come from the hunting side because that is what I use binoculars for. If you are a bird watcher and you are walking through a park setting and getting pretty close to your target, a good pair of 8 x 25 binoculars is more than enough power to make the bird seem like he's sitting on your lap. Technology has came so far in the field of prisms that any binocular that you pick up can pull in a lot of light even in low light situations such as evening hours or dense forest, so the size of the objective lens is still an important consideration, but it's light gathering capabilities importance has diminished over the years.
With technological advances being made every day in the fields of optics and photography, it is hard to know what is really the best for you. There are now HD Binoculars on the market that produce even more clarity than a good high quality spotting scope. There are also combo binoculars that now come with a built in rangefinder so that you can not only look at your target, you can see how far it is away. With all of these choices and some of the prices attached to them a person could go broke just trying to see if the new neighbor has a wedding ring on their finger!
Probably the best way to look for the right binoculars is by judging what you are doing with them and what extras do they come with. Most binoculars are waterproof and fogproof, but make sure when buying them you are getting lens caps and possibly a case and carrying strap. Also check the weight to see that you aren't going to buy a pair that may be too heavy for what you want to do with them. The last thing to look at is the finish, either a camo pair or a black matte pair are the usual choices in a hard plastic or rugged rubber. Both are equally durable with the rugged rubber finish being a bit more shock proof in most cases.
Armed with this knowledge I fully believe binocular shopping should be easier for anyone looking to get a better view of the world around them.
