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.
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? While there are many considerations to make when purchasing binoculars, one consideration depending upon the desired use, is 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.
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.
Those numbers can be confusing when you first get started. Here is a simple way to understand them. Let’s say the binoculars are 10×32. The 10 means the bird or other object will appear to be 10 times closer. That is the level of magnification for the eyepiece. The second number refers to the size of the objective lens, listed in millimeters. So in this example the diameter of the lens is 32 mm. The size of the objective lens is directly related to how much light can enter your binoculars to allow you to see clearly. The first number refers to the eyepiece and the second number refers to the lens at the other end of your binoculars.
Waterproof binoculars are essential for me. Are these binoculars sturdy, durable and compact to fit my hands? Will they be able to withstand being dropped now and then? 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.
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. The binoculars you buy are intended to enhance your field trips or birding expeditions, so don’t stress out over them. 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.
I have found Leupold binoculars 10×32 are a nice compromise size for me. 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. I know I have a fine pair of excellent quality binoculars that are waterproof, fog proof and guaranteed for life.
When you get right down to it. 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. Just remember to check the field of vision and depth of field, too, if you are comparing types of binoculars so you get your best view for the best value.
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