Binoculars are a versatile tool with multiple uses for a variety of activities. If you’re new to binoculars, it’s best to think about them as a pair of telescopes arranged in a parallel configuration. They produce an image of the same size that is viewable with both eyes. The user can observe distant objects in a more comfortable manner than what they could with a single eye alone.
The perspective of two telescopes creates a 3D effect that makes the viewing experience easier and enjoyable. But, binoculars can vary a great deal depending on the manufacturer, model and their intended use. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to choose binoculars to help you make an informed choice.
What Are The Best Binoculars?
As we hinted in the article introduction, this is a hard question to answer because people have different requirements, budgets and preferences. The better way to answer this question is to think about what you need the binoculars for and the features you need. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s better to explain the features first because they are directly related to how you will use the binoculars.
2 Key Binocular Features Explained
1. The Objective Lens And Binocular Size Relationship
A pair of binoculars can vary in size from a compact foldable model up to a large pair that are carried in a case and used for astronomy. When you’re researching how to choose binoculars, you will notice that they have a pair of numbers that are separated with “x”, such as: 8×42 or some other combination.
This first number represents the magnification and the second is the size of the front or objective lens in millimeters. The objective lens size will determine the size of the binoculars and the light that can enter them. More light equates to a brighter image, but the tradeoff is the binoculars with larger objective lenses are larger and heavier. So, most people need to find the ideal balance of portability and image brightness that meets your needs.
To put this into some perspective, a 42mm objective lens is generally considered to be full-sized. This should be regarded as a “standard size” for viewing wildlife, bird watching and other outdoor viewing activities. A 42mm lens diameter allows the viewer to notice subtle color differences at dawn and dusk or overcast conditions. These binoculars would typically weigh at least 1.5 lbs which may be a little heavier for a long backpacking trip.
A 28mm objective lens is considered to be compact and binoculars with these lenses tend to weigh less than 1 lb. But, there are drawbacks if you choose this lens size and it will perform poorly in low-light conditions. This translates into an image that lacks color details and the images may be silhouetted.
Some binoculars have a 32mm objective lens which many people consider to be an ideal balance of performance and weight. If you’re primarily interested in stargazing, it’s important to gather as much light as possible to get a clear image. There are binoculars on the market with a 63mm objective lens that are designed for this purpose but they are heavy.
2. Magnification Requirements
The number before the “x” is the magnification, so the above example 8×42 would mean those binoculars have eight times magnification. The easiest way to think of this is that those binoculars would make something look eight times larger. Most modern binoculars range from 8-12 magnification which is sufficient for bird watching and viewing wildlife.
There are no hard and fast rules, but newbies may want to choose binoculars at the lower end of the magnification range. Although greater magnification is desirable for close-up viewing there are a few disadvantages if you’ve never owned or used binoculars before.
First, larger magnifications provide you with a narrower field of view which means that you may miss things. Some birds or animals will not fit into the field of view at all and framing can be tricky. The time it takes to raise and train the binoculars on a distant object for fast viewing is a skill that takes time to develop. Choosing a wider field of view with 8x magnification is more forgiving for beginners. As you get better at using binoculars you can upgrade to 10x or even 12x magnification.
Effects Of Using Binoculars When Your Hands Are Shaking
Another consideration is handshaking which will make the image blurry. This is very pronounced at higher magnifications when the viewer has little experience. This can be offset with a tripod, but most people new to owning binoculars will want to try something simple to see if they like them. With experience, handshake issues become less of a problem and then an upgrade to 10x or 12x makes more sense.
If you need an optical instrument capable of more than 12x magnification, you may want to look at other options. When you reach these higher magnifications, handshake is a real problem and even experienced users may struggle. For stargazing, there isn’t much difference between 10x or 12x magnification because stellar objects are light years away anyway. But, if you are serious about astronomy a tripod mounted telescope is probably a better option.
How To Choose Binoculars By Activities
Now that you understand the objective lens and size relationship and magnification, it will be easier to make a choice. All you need to do is match the activity to these features and you can narrow your search to a manufacturer and model. Let’s take a look at some typical binocular viewing scenarios and the type of binoculars you would need, they are:
Birding And Hunting
Compromises can be made to make the binoculars lighter and easy to use quickly. But, don’t go overboard, you need an objective lens in the 35mm up to 42mm range. Moving up to 50mm is possible but the binoculars will be too heavy for most people. In terms of magnification 7x, 8x, and 10x will provide sufficient detail in low-light conditions. In open areas, you may want to go with 10×42 but dense woodland is viewed better at 8×42 because the field of view is wider.
Travel And Hiking
Size and weight are a primary concern and most hikers will be well served with an objective lens in the 20m up to 32mm range. Many compact folding binoculars have magnifications of 6x,7x, 8x, and 10x. The sweet spot for many experienced hikers is 7x and 8x and a popular binocular size is 8×25.
Marine Viewing
Out on the water you need waterproof binoculars that are light, durable, and easy to use. Choosing a magnification of 7x or 8x will suffice because you may be viewing from a pitching boat. A large objective lens of at least 35mm is recommended and 7×50 is a popular choice.
Astronomy
A large objective lens of 42mm or larger will gather sufficient light for stargazers. This will make the binoculars heavy and you may want to consider a tripod mounted product. The magnification for a handheld pair can be 8x up to 12x and larger magnifications will definitely require a mono-pod or tripod. A popular choice is 10×50 or you may want to look at telescope options.
As you can see, how to choose binoculars will depend on your hobby and preferences. Once you narrow down what you want to do with your binoculars, shopping will be far easier.
Conclusion: Finding The Right Binoculars For You
Choosing the right binoculars doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding key factors such as magnification, objective lens size, field of view, and lens coatings, you can find a pair that perfectly suits your needs—whether it’s birdwatching, stargazing, hiking, or attending live events. Always consider where and how you’ll use your binoculars, and don’t overlook comfort, durability, and weight. Taking the time to compare options and test them out if possible will ensure you make a smart investment that enhances your viewing experience for years to come. Happy exploring!