Best Binoculars | Universe Today

Written by Tammy Plotner

Are you looking for the best binoculars you can find? Then realize that binoculars run across a huge amount of manufacturers and an even greater price range. When it comes to right down to it, the best binoculars are the ones that you will use – not how much they cost or who made them. So how do you tell one set from another and what binoculars are best for what? Here's a few simple guidelines…

Best Binoculars For Travel and Sporting Events: With its small, lightweight body and compact size, the roof prism model binoculars make excellent companions for travel and sporting events – as well as hiking, brightly lit nature studies and children. Because their aperture is limited, these style binoculars are far better suited to situations with high light and where portability is an issue. Most models are waterproof and fog proof – unaffected by climate and temperature changes. While they can also be used for hunting and birding applications, be aware that they do not perform as well at dawn and dusk applications. Look for models that have diopter control, long eye relief, a wide field of view and full or multi-coatings for best performance.

Best Binoculars For Birding and Hunting: Larger style roof prism binoculars will provide better low light performance with an ergonomic body design that allows for extended viewing sessions. While there is no perfect binoculars for these applications, the large roof prism binoculars often work best because the are traditionally fog proof and waterproof and offer close focus capabilities. That's an essential when your study may be moving! Look for models that offer a wide field of view, a diopter adjustment, long eye relief, full or multi-coatings and an armor-coated exterior. Since birding and hunting applications may require considerable field use, you want to get binoculars that will take the abuse and come back for more.

Best Binoculars For General Use: When it comes right down to it, the best binoculars for general use are the small porro-prism models. From 5X25 to 10X50, this time honored model works well for every application – including casual astronomy. With less folding of the light path, they perform well in lower light situations and with a wide variety of lens sizes and magnification factors, they cross the gap in every application. For the most part, even inexpensive small porro prism binoculars perform well, but buyer beware! Always look in the binoculars to make sure they are well collimated and will come to focus for your eyes. Coatings are also important, too… If you strictly want them to perform in daylight situations, ruby coatings are fine… But if you wish to cross the bridge into astronomy, then stick with simple full or multi-coated lenses that have a blue/green/purple appearance to them. Better models offer a wide field of view and long eye relief. To avoid eyestrain, make sure they also have a diopter adjustment and are capable of spreading apart far enough for your individual inter-occular distance. While this model is heavier and less compact, the overall performance is worth the difference.

Best Binoculars For Nature Studies: In the long run, light gathering ability, resolution and magnification factors are all essential for nature studies. For long distance birding, studying deer or even astronomy, larger porro prism binoculars are always your best bet. Capable of gathering enough light to spot a distant animal against a dark tree line, providing near focus enough to study a moving bird or insect, and resolving power to point out a distant eagle or star cluster is the forte of the large porro prism binoculars. With numbers like 10X50, 15X60, 12X56 and even 9X63 – anything above a 50mm aperture opening will be a little bit heavy and may require a mount a tripod for some applications. However, don't let the size frighten you off. Many models can be easy to hand hold and those that aren't are very worth the extra you might have to invest to keep them steady.

Best Binoculars For Boating: It stands to reason that any binoculars for boating and marine purposes will need to be waterproof – but there are some very specialized models that are worth checking out. Exceptionally good boating binoculars will include a range finding dial to calculate actual object distance or size – as well as a horizontal and vertical etched reticle to help determine relative size of objects. Some marine binoculars also include a backlit illuminated, liquid dampened magnetic compass making them an excellent navigational tool. Remember that your GPS systems may not always work and these types of binoculars could be a very essential tool! Outstanding models will be dry nitrogen charged and sealed with internal O-rings to prevent internal fogging – leaving them unaffected by rapid climate and temperature changes.

Best Binoculars For Astronomy: Once you approach the 80mm aperture range, you are talking about pure astronomy binoculars. Able to gather as much light as a small telescope, these style binoculars are not only large and heavy, but next to impossible to steady without assistance. While they do require a mount and tripod, the views provided are quite worth the extra expense. You'll enjoy many, many happy nights studying the Moon, planets, nebula, star clusters, comets and even distant galaxies with a pair of binoculars for astronomy!

Once again, the best binoculars you can get won't always be dictated by how much you spend – but be aware that when it comes to optics, you get what you pay for. Do a little comparative shopping before investing, and you may find out that a pair of quality binoculars will only cost a few dollars more than a department store model. Choose the style for the application that suits you best and be sure to examine them to make sure they come to focus and don't have any defects.

The best binoculars are the ones you'll use!

Filed under: Astronomy