Binoculars can be used for hunting, bird watching, astronomy, or watching games or concerts. However, not all binoculars are created equal, and choosing the right one for your hobby will pay off in the long run. By knowing what to look for in binoculars, and how to assess them, you can ensure that you get the right type.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Knowing the Right Binocular Type
Step 1. Choose binoculars with 7x to 10x magnification for standard use
The number before the "x" variable on the binoculars is the magnification factor, or how close the object will appear. If you want binoculars for casual things instead of a particular hobby, binoculars with 7x to 10x magnification are best. Both will provide adequate magnification for most activities and are stable enough even if your hands are a bit wobbly.
- Binoculars are referred to by 2 numbers, for example 7 x 35 or 10 x 50. The second number is the diameter of the main (objective) lens in millimeters; a 7 x 35 lens has a diameter of 35 millimeters, while a 10 x 50 lens has a diameter of 50 millimeters.
- Although the size of the image produced by binoculars with a relatively small magnification factor is not as large as the image produced by a lens with a high magnification factor, a small magnification factor results in a sharper image and a wider field of view (how wide you can see). If you need a wide field of view, for example to watch a football match from the top stand, choose a low magnification.
Step 2. Choose a high-magnification lens for long-distance hunting
If you're hunting in the mountains or open wilderness, it's best to use binoculars with a high magnification, such as 10x or 12x.
- Note that the higher the binoculars, the dimmer the image will be. Even if the viewed image is larger, the field of view will narrow and it will be difficult to keep the image in focus. If you choose a binocular with a magnification of 10x or more, prepare a tripod socket for the binoculars to ride and stabilize when needed.
- If you are hunting in a forest area, binoculars with a magnification factor of 7x to 10x are much more suitable.
Step 3. Prioritize large lenses for monitoring birds or activities in low light
Binoculars with large objective lenses have a wider field of view, which means they are better for finding and following birds while monitoring birds. These binoculars can also collect more light, which is important in low-light activities such as hunting in the early morning or late afternoon. If you are interested in astronomy, get binoculars with a large objective lens (usually 70 mm) and low magnification to see large dim objects like nebulae and galaxies like Andromeda (M31).
- If you are more interested in seeing details of small birds at a longer distance, we recommend getting binoculars with a higher magnification and a smaller lens.
- Be aware that the larger the lens, the heavier the binoculars will feel.
- In general, standard size binoculars have an objective lens with a diameter of more than 30 mm, while compact size binoculars have a lens with a diameter of less than 30 mm.
Step 4. Determine your budget from the start
Usually, the more expensive and sophisticated binoculars do produce higher quality images and also last longer. However, there are binoculars that are cheaper, quite powerful, and have pretty good optical quality. So, determine the price range of binoculars that fits your ability and you don't feel the need to go over this budget.
Think about how you will use binoculars; binoculars that will only be kept at home to look out the window do not need to be as strong as the models to be carried on a mountain hike
Step 5. Determine the weight of the binoculars according to your ability
It was previously mentioned that binoculars with large lenses and high magnification are heavier in mass than ordinary binoculars. If you're planning on traveling long distances or don't have a lot of storage space, we recommend choosing binoculars that are lighter and less powerful.
- You can use a tripod when wearing the binoculars for stability and weight loss, or hang the binoculars around your neck with a strap.
- How you will use the binoculars is very relevant here. If you plan to carry binoculars around your neck while hiking, the heavy type will be very difficult.
Step 6. Consider choosing waterproof or waterproof binoculars
If you're not going to wear binoculars in bad weather, or in conditions that often get wet, you can opt for waterproof binoculars. If this tool will be used when skiing or rafting, choose a waterproof type.
Be aware that waterproof binoculars are usually more expensive than the waterproof type
Part 2 of 2: Assessing Binoculars
Step 1. Choose a glass lens for better image quality
Most binoculars use glass lenses, which usually result in better image quality. Glass also reflects some of the light that hits it, although this can be handled with the right lens coating. If you prioritize image quality, choose binoculars with glass lenses.
- Note that glass lenses are also usually more expensive than plastic lenses.
- Binoculars equipped with Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass produce the best image quality, and are among the most expensive lens materials used in binoculars.
- Lens coatings are described by the following codes: C means that only part of the outer surface of the lens has a single coating; FC means that all glass lens surfaces have been coated; MC means that a part of the surface has been coated with multiple layers; and FMC means all glass lenses have been coated in multiple layers. Multiple layers are usually better than single layers, but binoculars also go up in price.
Step 2. Choose a plastic lens if you want it to last longer
Plastic lenses don't provide the best image quality, but they are much rougher than glass lenses. If you're primarily going to use binoculars outdoors and in harsh conditions that require them to be durable, choose one with plastic lenses.
- For example, binoculars with plastic lenses are a great choice for activities such as mountain climbing and rock climbing, or for children who are holding binoculars for the first time.
- Note that while plastic lenses are inexpensive, plastic lens sets that produce image quality equivalent to glass lenses are more expensive.
Step 3. Assess the binocular lens
The eyepiece should be at a comfortable distance from the eye, and even further if you wear glasses. This is called “eye relief” and usually has a range of 5-20 millimeters. If you wear glasses, you should choose eye relief at a distance of 14-15 millimeters or more because most glasses are worn 9 to 13 millimeters from the eye.
Many binoculars have a rubber eye cup around the eyepiece to help you position it against your eye when using binoculars. If you wear glasses, look for binoculars with eye cups that open or flip outward
Step 4. Test the focus function
See how close you can focus to the in-store binoculars and measure the distance between them and the object being viewed. If you want to see small details from a distance, make sure the binocular focus is adjustable.
- Binoculars focus in one of 2 ways. Most binoculars have a centered mechanism along with a diopter corrector in case one eye is stronger than the other. However, waterproof binoculars usually have an individual focus in each lens, which can be controlled in each eyepiece.
- Some binoculars are "focus free" and do not feature a focus adjustment feature. These binoculars can strain your eyes if you try to focus on something closer than a predetermined distance.
Step 5. Look at the prism design to gauge how good the resulting image is
In most binoculars, the main lens is larger than the eyepiece thanks to the Porro prism. This makes the binoculars larger but nearby objects appear more 3D. Binoculars that use roof prisms have the main lens aligned with the eyepiece so that it appears denser even though the image quality is reduced. However, roof prism binoculars can be made capable of producing comparable image quality to Porro prism binoculars, but at a higher cost.
The more expensive binoculars use the BK-7 prism, which tends to make one side of the image appear rectangular, while the more expensive binoculars use the BAK-4 prism, which gives a brighter, rounder, and sharper image
Step 6. Check the manufacturer's reputation and warranty
Consider how long the manufacturer has been in production and what other optical products it makes, if any, and how to handle it if the product is damaged. Also note whether the manufacturer offers a warranty for the binoculars.
If you bought an expensive binocular and it broke, the warranty facility will help you replace it easily
Tips
- Some binoculars have the capability of viewing images in a zoom range, which helps you see the entire scene or zoom in on your favorite parts. Note that as you increase the magnification, the field of view will narrow making it difficult to stay focused on the image.
- Some of the more expensive, high-magnification binoculars come with a built-in stabilizer to help you stay focused on the image. Usually, these binoculars sell for IDR 15,000,000 or more.
