How to Buy: A Good Binocular

Many people have a fascination for good binoculars. Especially among teenagers and young adults, binoculars are quite an attractive item. It’s a device that brings distant sights closer. Many want to buy binoculars, but the market is filled with many brands, each offering binoculars with a wide range of features. Some are designed for birdwatchers, while others are meant for general use. It goes without saying that choosing one from these options can be very tough. The purpose of this article is to help those who want to buy binoculars but are unsure of which type they should get.

The first thing you should consider when buying a good binocular is why and for what purpose you are buying it. However, it’s helpful to know a bit about binoculars before considering this. A simple binocular consists of two lenses. The front lens is called the objective lens, which is usually much larger. You point this lens toward the object you want to observe. The other lens is the eyepiece, the smaller lens through which you look. These two lenses are held together in line within a tube. Light enters through the front lens and is focused onto the rear lens. Keeping your eye on the rear lens, you can see the image. Generally, a binocular has two tubes joined together for both eyes.

When you pick up a binocular, you’ll notice some numbers written on it, such as 10*25 or 8*40. These numbers indicate the power of the binoculars. The first number shows how much closer the binocular can bring the subject; for example, a 10*25 binocular will make a subject at 100 meters appear as if it’s only 10 meters away. If it says 8*40, the binoculars can bring the subject 8 times closer.

The second number indicates the size of the objective lens. The bigger the lens, the brighter the view will appear through it. So, if a 25mm lens binocular makes the scene look dim in low light, a binocular with a 40mm or 80mm lens will make it much brighter. Optical lenses of 100mm or even larger are used in telescopes for astronomical observation.

The third aspect to consider is the binocular’s field of view. This refers to how much of the scene from left to right you can see at a glance. If a binocular has “390’” written on it, this means that at a distance of 3000 feet, its field of view is 390 feet. The higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view will be. Binoculars with lower magnification generally have a much wider field of view.

Now that we know the first number indicates how much closer the binoculars bring distant objects, we might assume that the higher the number, the better and more powerful the binocular. This is partly true—while it’s definitely more powerful, whether it’s “better” is debatable. The more powerful a binocular, the heavier it will be. For many, holding a heavy object up to the eyes for extended periods can be tiring and uncomfortable. The size is also an issue: highly powerful binoculars are often much larger, making them cumbersome to carry around. Another problem comes from the magnification power itself—the ability to bring distant objects closer. With high-power binoculars, it’s much harder to keep the subject steady in view; even the slightest movement can cause the image to shake significantly. In 50x binoculars, even your heartbeat can cause the image to vibrate. The only solution is to use a tripod for the binoculars, which means additional size and weight to lug around. A binocular that’s ideal for a birdwatcher or astronomer may be completely unsuitable for a casual user.

You also have to consider if the measurement of the objective lens is just right. We’ve learned that bigger lenses make the image brighter. While a very large lens is ideal for viewing at dusk or night, it can be problematic during the day, as the image may become so bright that it’s hard to look at. For those who use binoculars in low light, you can determine how well the binocular will perform by multiplying the first and second numbers. Compare this product with that of other binoculars—the higher the value, the better for use in low light. This is known as the “twilight zone.”

So it’s important to determine what purpose the binocular will serve before purchasing. Only then can you buy something comfortable and easy to use. For general use, binoculars with 10*25, 12*30, or 8*21 specifications are usually good enough. Birdwatchers will need binoculars with larger lenses and higher magnification. Those observing the night sky will need binoculars with the largest lenses. And for enjoying sports in a stadium, a low-power binocular is best, as being able to see a wider area at once is more important than bringing the action very close. As we know, low-power lenses have a wider field of view, so you can take in more of the scene at a glance. However, if you want to closely analyze the play, a high-power binocular is the way to go.

In a humid country like Bangladesh, another thing to consider is whether the binoculars are water and moisture resistant. Especially during the rainy season, binoculars can be badly affected. If fungus grows inside the lens, it can ruin its effectiveness or blur the image. That’s why, if possible, you should buy water- and moisture-resistant binoculars, even though these tend to be more expensive. If that’s not possible, store your binoculars in a dry place during the rainy season to protect them.

Hopefully, the information provided here will be useful for binocular enthusiasts. If you want to know more, just search Google for “how to buy a binocular” or “what to know when buy a binocular” and you’ll find plenty of information.