A good pair of binoculars is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any wildlife observer, hunter or hiker. The same model can work brilliantly in the mountains and fail completely at dusk in the forest — it all depends on the specifications. Here is a short guide.
What the numbers on the housing mean
Marking 8×42 or 10×50 is the magnification and the objective diameter in millimetres. The first number tells you how many times the observed object will be magnified, the second how much light enters the binoculars. The larger the objective, the brighter the image at dusk, but also the greater the weight and size.
Magnification: 8x or 10x?
- 8x — a wider field of view, easier to hold steady in the hand, good for the forest and handheld observation,
- 10x — more detail at a distance, but hand shake is more visible; better for open spaces,
- 12x and more — practically require a tripod or a support.
Prism and coatings
In binoculars we find Porro prisms (classic, wider shape, often better image depth) and roof prisms (slimmer, more durable, usually more expensive). Image quality is also determined by anti-reflective coatings — fully multi-coated optics give a clearly brighter and higher-contrast image.
Resistance to conditions
For use in the field choose binoculars that are waterproof and gas-filled (nitrogen or argon), which do not fog up with changes in temperature. A rubberised housing protects against knocks and improves grip, also in gloves.
What else to look out for
- interpupillary distance and diopter adjustment,
- eyecups for people who wear glasses,
- weight — after several hours of walking every 100 grams matters,
- strap and case included.
If you do not know where to start, the 8×42 is the most versatile choice. In our shop you will find binoculars and monoculars in the category Optics.
Photo: FieldsportsChannel.tv, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
