Blog-Binocularsworld Gold Coast | Choosing the right binoculars

Whether you are a birdwatcher, wildlife enthusiast, or a star gazer, a pair of binoculars is one of the essential tools you must carry with you on your expeditions. However, when choosing the best binoculars Australia, most people are confused. But not all binoculars are created equal, so choosing the right pair is a monumental decision. If you also struggle with the question of which binoculars to buy, this article might help you. Read on to learn more about choosing a pair of binoculars.

Knowing what type of binoculars you need

The first and foremost step is to decide on the type of binoculars. It largely depends on what you would use the binoculars for. At this stage, you should decide on the magnification you need.

1. General use:

If you plan to buy it for general use, a pair of binoculars with a 7X or 10X magnification will suffice. A magnification of 7-10 times is adequate for most activities. Moreover, you will get good image quality even when your hands shake slightly.

Furthermore, the binoculars usually come with two sets of numbers, such as 7X35 or 10X45. The first number indicates the magnification, and the second shows the diameter of the primary lenses in millimetres. So, 7X35 lenses mean they are 35 mm, and 10X45 mm means they are 45 mm in diameter. Smaller the magnification, the sharper the pictures and the wider the field of view. So, choose a pair with lower magnification if you are looking for binoculars with a wider field of view – for watching football from the higher stands.

2. Long-range hunting:

If you wish to use your hunting binoculars in the mountains or open areas, go for devices with larger magnification. You should get a minimum of 10X. However, the higher the magnification, the dimmer the image and the narrower the field of view, which means you’ll find it hard to keep the image focussed. Hence, if you plan to buy long-range binoculars with a magnification of 10 times or more, it would be better to get one with a tripod socket so that you can use it with a tripod to enjoy steady images.

3. Opt for larger lenses for birdwatching:

Binoculars with larger objective lenses with wider fields of view are good options for birdwatching binoculars. They can gather more light, so it is easier to spot birds with them. However, if you are into astronomy, you can get a large objective lens of 70mm and the lowest magnification. It will help you to see large, dim objects such as Andromeda galaxy or nebulae. Opt for larger magnification and smaller lenses if you wish to see distant objects clearly and in detail.

Remember: the larger the lens, the heavier the binoculars. Standard-sized binoculars come with a lens diameter larger than 30mm, and compact-sized binoculars come with an objective lens diameter smaller than 30 mm.

4. Determine your budget

Once you have decided on the type of binoculars, you should decide how much you are willing to spend on them. Usually, the more expensive and top-of-the-line devices offer high-quality images and are more durable. But if you are worried about your budget, you can find cheaper variants with reasonably good optical quality and durability. Don’t feel compelled to spend beyond your limit to get a top-of-the-line piece when a more affordable variety could do the job for you. Also, think carefully about how often you’ll use it and where you’ll use it the most.

5. Give a thought to the weight

As mentioned earlier, a pair of binoculars with higher magnification and larger lenses tend to weigh more. Think over how heavy a device you can handle, especially if you will hold it over a more extended period. Also, if you travel long distances and don’t have enough storage space, it might be better to settle for powerful yet lighter binoculars. Although you can mount the binoculars on a tripod or hang it around your neck, it is always better to go for a model you can carry comfortably in your hands. However, what matters the most is the intended use. A set of heavy binoculars can be too cumbersome to carry around with you every time you go on a hike.

6. Consider the features you need

You’ll find several feature-rich binoculars in the market. For instance, you can get waterproof binoculars or one with night vision. But if you don’t plan to use your binoculars in wet conditions or at night, you needn’t buy a pair with these features. However, if you plan to take it with you on your skiing trip or white-water rafting, you should get a pair with waterproofing. Also, if you plan to observe wildlife or birds at night, you might need night-vision binoculars. Most of the binoculars in the market today are high-definition binoculars. But every feature will mean added price, so you should ask yourself if you need those features.

7. Choose lenses carefully

Glass lenses offer better-quality images, and most binoculars come with glass lenses. Although glass lenses partially reflect the light hitting them, the correct coating can prevent this. So, if you want excellent image quality, buy a pair of binoculars with glass lenses. Binoculars with ED (extra-low dispersion) glass produces the highest quality images, but they are also among the most expensive lenses.

Pay attention to the lens coating codes.
C – only some surface is coated with a single layer
FC – all the glass lens surfaces are coated
MC – some surfaces coated with multiple layers
FMC – glass lenses coated with multiple layers

Multi-coatings are better but add to the overall cost of the binoculars. Also

8. Evaluate the eyepieces

The eyepiece lenses are crucial, and they should rest at a comfortable distance from your eyes (farther if you wear glasses). Usually known as eye relief, it ranges from 5- 20 mm. If you wear glasses, you’ll need eye relief of 14 to 15mm or more because most eyeglasses rest from 9 to 13 mm from the eye. Most binoculars come with rubber eye cups around the eye relief to enable comfortable viewing while using the binoculars. For glass wearers, binoculars with eyecups that retract or flip out of the way are best.

9. Test the focus

You must check how closely you can focus the binoculars and measure the distance between them and the object you view. You’ll need a pair of binoculars with great focus for spotting tiny details from a distance. Generally, the binoculars have a centre post mechanism and dioptre corrector to enable better focus. These days you’ll find focus-free or auto-focus binoculars.

10. Check the prism design

You should look at the prism design to determine the quality of the images. Most binoculars have their primary lenses spread out wider than the eyepieces because of the Porro prisms they use. Although it makes binoculars larger, it makes the images appear three-dimensional. Binoculars with roof prisms have the primary lenses resting in line with the eyepieces allowing the binoculars to be more compact. However, the image quality suffers in this case.

Less pricey binoculars employ BK-7 prisms, which might square off one side of the image. The more expensive binoculars come with BAK-4 prisms that offer more light and sharper, rounder images.

11. Be mindful of the brand

While buying a specialised device like binoculars, it is wise to check out the reputation of the manufacturer and the guarantees on offer. Consider how long the maker has been in the business and if they specialise in optical products. Do pay special attention to the guarantees and warranties in the offering. You wouldn’t want to be left high and dry if the expensive pair of binoculars you bought became damaged.

Contact our experts today if you have any other questions or need more information on choosing the best binoculars in Australia. Also, check out our wide range of binoculars from leading brands such as Nikon binoculars and Pentax Binoculars and other optics on offer.