How to Buy Binoculars

How to Buy Binoculars for Children

Children love to use binoculars, but they aren’t always as careful with them as adults would like. Since children have different needs, manufacturers have designed special binoculars for them, both in size and durability. Manufacturers have also taken into consideration the special needs of children, including weight and size. The following binoculars are great for the backyard adventurer or a child who frequently travels and wants to see it all!

• Audubon Binocular 7x18 Mini – weighing only 6.4 ounces, even a small child can carry these with ease. The Audubon binoculars come with a neck strap so children can run or examine items without setting the binoculars aside and losing them. Perfect for a trip in a field or to use in a museum. The field of view is 488 ft at 1000 yards and a close focus of 4 feet. Price is in the $35 to $40 range.
• Eagle Optics Binocular 8x21 – this children’s binocular comes in a wide variety of colors to suit both girls and boys. These lightweight roof prism binoculars weigh in at 6 ounces and are perfect for sight-seeing trips in the backyard or for watching a baseball game. It comes with a rain guard and neck strap. The field of view is 383 ft at 1000 yards and a close focus of 8 feet. The price range for this binocular is $35 to $40.
• Bushnell Hemisphere 8x32 – these mid-size roof prism binoculars weigh 16.6 ounces. They are durable, but made for older children who will use a little more care with them. The field of view is 345 ft at 1000 yards and close focus at 11.5 feet. They are also tripod adaptable, which is perfect for long days watching animals in the distance. The price range is $45 to $75.

Selecting Binoculars for Adults

There are many different types of binoculars made for adults based on the hobbies that they enjoy. Whether you are a hunter, marine enthusiast or a bird watcher, manufacturers have designed binoculars specifically for your particular hobbies.

If you want to know how to buy binoculars for adults, the following are tips will help you select the right model for the hobby:

• Magnification- the magnification is the first number in the binocular (for example, the 8 in 8x32). The most used magnifications are 7x or 8x. If you need a higher magnification, choose a spotting scope instead of binoculars.
• Objective size- the second number in the binocular. 20mm to 40mm are the usual choices for most outdoor hobbies such as bird watching and hunting. For maximum brightness and quality, choose a binocular with 40mm or higher.
• Prism Type- Roof prisms are the easiest to waterproof (important if you are outdoors in all types of weather and fog). However, they may be more expensive, especially if they are phase-corrected to enhance sharpness. Porro prisms are the least expensive to manufacture. Look for Bak4 glass to ensure brightness and quality of image.
• Focus- Center focus models are best for distance. Individual focus is good for medium to long ranges, but not for short range. No focus binocular models are best left for children’s binoculars.
• Speed of focus- what you are watching will determine the speed of focus you will need. Birdwatchers will need a faster focus while someone watching moose foraging in a field won’t need much speed.
• Eye Relief- users want the best field of view possible. Most binocular manufacturers make their models ready for eyeglass wearers. For optimum view, especially for eyeglass wearers, choose a minimum of 14mm.
• Field of View- for most uses, a regular pair of binoculars is best. Wide-angle lenses may give you a larger field of view, but it will sacrifice clarity. Wide-angle binoculars are a good choice for monitoring movements of large animals, such as deer, but will not be very effective for birdwatchers.
• Waterproofing- if you will primarily be using binoculars in pleasant weather conditions, waterproofing is not necessary. On the other hand, if you will be in extreme conditions such as whale watching or hunting in the rain, waterproofing is a good choice to preserve your investment.
• Lens coating- lens coating is a wise choice if you will be outdoors in moist conditions. Multi-lens coating is best and will help you avoid fogged up lenses. It will also keep dirt and dust out of the inside of your binoculars.
• Weight- the weight of binoculars doesn’t seem important until you wear a pair around your neck for a day. For all day hobbyists, choose a binocular that weighs 30 ounces or less to help avoid neck fatigue.

Popular Binocular Models

Ready to buy a pair of binoculars for adults? The following manufacturers have the top rated models of binoculars by customers:

• Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42- price range is $250 to $350. It can be found at most sporting goods stores and Amazon.com. These binoculars are waterproof, fog-proof and are considered the best binoculars overall for the average user. They come with a 25-year warranty and a lifetime $10 no-fault repair fee.
• Zeiss Victory T FL 8x42- top of the line binoculars for the avid birdwatcher. The price range is $1600 to $1700. This model is waterproof, fog-proof and guaranteed for life. They can be found at Eagle Optics, Amazon.com and most sporting goods stores.
• Pentax Papilio 6.5x21- a nice compact binocular for the camper and outdoorsman, weighing just 10.2 ounces. The average price is $100 to $130. These are not waterproof or fog-proof but the manufacturer offers $20 flat fee lifetime repairs. Many camera stores sell this binocular model, as do online retailers such as Amazon.com and eBay.