Purchasing a pair of binoculars is quite complicated these days, and that’s because there are countless options out there that you ought to consider. Regardless the many specs and features that the model you might be considering might come with, the first thing you should keep in mind to make sure you’re able to pick the right pair is to think of your own needs.
Many people and those who have never used binos before might be tempted to choose a model that comes with the highest magnification setting they can afford. Unfortunately, things aren’t all that easy, and we’ll explain why below.
The right size might matter more than the magnification
If you go online and search for binoculars, you’ll see that there are two numbers specified for any model you might stumble upon. The first is the magnification power and the second is the objective lens size. What do these two do? It’s obvious that the first translates to how much zoom you’re going to be able to use. The second is an indication of how much light can go into the binoculars so that the image you’re looking at is brighter.
The fact is that most binos that have superior magnification and a bigger objective lens are hefty and heavy to carry around your neck. You wouldn’t want that to ruin your whole trip, right?
Image stabilization
It’s pretty hard keeping the binoculars steady in your hands, and if you know that you have issues with doing that, you do not have to get a pair that comes with a magnification power higher than 7x or 8x tops. Otherwise, to stabilize the image, you’re going to need a tripod. And who wants to carry a tripod, too, when they go on a trip?
A rugged build
Depending on the environment you’re going to use the product in, you might need to pick a waterproof and fog proof model. If you want to use your binos for hunting or tracking on the moves of certain bird species, you need to make sure that they’re as durable as possible. Some settings, such as the woods or other places, can be rather humid, and so you don’t want the optics inside the device to be affected by moisture.
On top of everything, you should consider getting a pair that comes with a rubber case or at least some areas where you can place your fingers and rest assured that the product won’t slip out of your hands.
Who’s going to use the device?
Kids have close-set eyes when compared to adults, so it is a good idea to get them a separate pair for the purpose of looking at animals while you’re traveling. If not, you can just get a compact model that comes with an adjustable interpupillary distance.
Finally, our last tip would be to go through some reviews before making up your mind about the specific model you want to get. Other buyers just like you might have experienced various issues, and those you need to know about.