Get yourself a field guide and a binocular, and you are ready for bird watching. A binocular is a handy tool that shows the bird magnified x times and is easy to carry anywhere.
Whether you go birding often or are an occasional birder, you must know what makes the best binoculars!
Remember that a spotting scope or similar tool cannot replace a binocular. But what are the best binoculars for bird watching? As many binoculars are available in the market, it becomes tricky to decide.
In this article, I will share factors you should consider while choosing the best binoculars for your next bird-watching session.
So, Let’s begin!
Prerequisites Of Buying Bird-Watching Binocular
Before you purchase any binoculars, make sure you have completed your homework. Let’s look at what you should decide/do before making a purchase decision.
In-Depth Research
Before purchasing any optic, the foremost thing to do is complete the research part, especially when considering a birding binocular. Do your research, write down the standards and features you prefer, look for brands offering them, and list the models.
Do not try to be a perfectionist because no optic is perfect. Decide and note the size, design, etc., according to your convenience.
Test
Without testing binoculars for a long time, you cannot decide whether or not a certain binocular is a fit for you. Either you have used the same after borrowing it from your friend or you have tested it in the shop. It won’t tell you whether you will be tired after prolonged usage, but it can give you an idea of its weight and design.
So, ensure to check that.
Bonus tip: If multiple models are available in the store, try all and pick the one that outperforms others.
Price
Generally, the more you spend, the better quality you will get. Multiple brands offer binoculars for around $100; some offer in the middle range, i.e., $500, or they are also available for around $1000 or more.
But you should pay attention to your usage in this case. If you spend a lot of time watching birds, consider the model in the high price range. But, if you use it occasionally, a binocular for around $100 will be rewarding.
Factors Affecting Your Choice Of Best Bird-Watching Binoculars
Now, let’s look at the factors affecting your bird-watching binocular choice.
Magnification
A binocular is available in the stores and has two numbers with x in the middle written under it.
The first number represents the binoculars’ magnification power. It measures the zoom-in times your image will appear. The higher the magnification, the larger the image. But remember, when the image appears large, it also decreases your field view. Higher magnification can provide more detail in distant views but often introduces challenges such as image shakiness and a reduced field of view.
Additionally, the magnification is directly proportional to the weight of the binocular.
Objective Lens Diameter
The second number after x represents the objective lens diameter. It measures the sharpness of the image and affects the image quality. The greater the objective lens, the sharper the image will be. However, it is also directly proportional to the weight of the binocular.
The larger the objective lens diameter chosen, the heavier the binocular will be.
Field View
The field of view must be addressed when choosing binoculars for bird watching. The field of view is usually listed in yards in the description of any binocular. You can check if it offers a clear view of around 1000 yards. It would be great for birding.
Another factor that influences the field of view is its magnification.
The greater the magnification, the smaller the field of view will be. Additionally, the optical quality of the binoculars plays a crucial role in ensuring a clear and detailed view, enhancing the overall birding experience.
Focus Mechanism
Focus is another important factor when choosing the best binoculars for birding. High-quality binoculars focus quickly and precisely on the object. They focus on the center and adjust both barrels to view the image.
Make sure the focusing knob rotates smoothly and takes you to the infinity in one to two rotations.
Now, almost all binoculars can focus at infinity, but the best one will be able to focus on the closer birds (around 10 feet close).
Depth Of Focus
For birding, it is important to focus on the depth of the field before purchasing a binocular. Depth is the measure of showing details from far to near at a single focused point. This quality of the binoculars lets you focus constantly when the bird moves near or far from you. The better the depth, the better the binoculars’ quality.
Exit Pupil And Eye Relief
Exit pupil is the measure of the size of the image at the focusing point. You can observe it by holding the binoculars at arm’s length and observing a small circle of light in the eyepiece. The larger the binocular exit pupil, the brighter and clearer the image.
Eye relief is the measure of distance from your eyes to the oculars at which you can see the image of the object. If you are an eyeglass wearer, eye relief is an important factor to consider. Because of glasses, your eyes will automatically be at a distance from the lens. So, the best quality binoculars won’t disturb the image even from a distance, ensuring that users who wear glasses can see through the binoculars without obstruction.
External Coatings
External coatings refer to what we feel when we grab the binoculars in our hands. Some are made of hard materials; some are rubber-coated. Rubber coated offers great grip and is easy to hold for longer.
Additionally, some models are made with damage-proof material while others are not. So, make sure to read the description carefully.
Glass Quality
If you have been into birding for a while, you must know the importance of glass coating. If the glass of the binoculars is coated with an anti-reflection coat, it lessens the loss of light, ultimately showing bright, clear images.
Some binoculars are mentioned as ‘multi-coated’ because their glass is single or multi-coated for light transmittance, ensuring bright images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Body Design
Before passing judgment on the binocular’s body design, ensure you have tested it once or twice, as explained above. Sometimes, the image in an online store does not show all the details of the binoculars, such as whether they use a porro prism design.
For example, there are models of binoculars that come with a knob that is located in the center of the bino and touches the nose when you see through them.
Ensure the design is comfortable so you can use it easily for longer.
Weight
You should not ignore the weight of the binoculars because you will be carrying them with you for a long time. Consider compact binoculars for their lightweight and convenient design, making them easy to carry for both stargazing and various outdoor activities. Choose the best magnification power and objective lens diameter so that they are not too heavy to carry around the neck for a long time.
Weight is given in the description of the product model, so ensure that you check that before buying it.
Additional Qualities
Not all binoculars are built the same, although they all show you the zoomed image of the bird. Some come with additional features, such as seeing the 3D view of the bird or zooming in or out as required.
Roof prism binoculars, known for their compact and space-saving design, are particularly reliable and sturdy, making them suitable for activities like wildlife watching and stargazing. Some are waterproof and don’t get damaged while birding in the rain. Because some people like to see birds in the rain as they flap their wings.
Some are also fogproof; they don’t get fogged even when the weather is unstable and foggy.
Another thing that differentiates great-quality binoculars from others is the coating of the binoculars and the lens. If the binoculars are rubber-armored, they won’t slip from the hand while being used or held for longer periods.
Conclusion
In detail, this article covers ‘What are the best binoculars for bird watching’. It covers the three prerequisites you should consider for your bird-watching binoculars. The factors include in-depth research, test, and price. They are all important and will help you make a better decision.
The article also covers the factors that can help you decide which binoculars are best for your needs. You should consider magnification, objective lens diameter, field view, focus mechanism, depth of focus, exit pupil and eye relief, external coatings, glass quality, body design, and weight.
You can choose the best binoculars with the desirable qualities after thorough research.
If you have more questions about ‘What are the best binoculars for bird watching?’, refer to the frequently asked questions below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What magnification binoculars are best for bird watching?
Usually, 7x to 10x magnification power is best for bird watching. If you want to explore more, you can check the best binocular magnification for bird watching at (link).
What binoculars are suitable for bird watching?
If a binocular shows you a clear, bright image of the bird even in low light conditions and does not cause your eyes to fatigue after prolonged usage, it is a good binocular.
Are Nikon binoculars best for bird watching?
Nikon is one of the brands offering great quality binoculars in the mid-price range.
