Help With Buying Birding Binoculars from a 50+ Year Birder

What if it were possible for you to find the absolutely perfect pair of birding binoculars that would propel your enjoyment of birding to new heights? This article aims to empower you to do just that!

Good quality binoculars will enhance your birding! Here is an example of the delight someone had from upgrading their optics:

"This item so increased my enjoyment of my recent long-anticipated African safari that I can't recommend these [ Nikon] Monarch 5's highly enough.
Having always had poor vision, even in a corrected state, I've so often felt that I was missing out on the full visual experience in life. Even though I've tried other binoculars in the past I never felt that I saw clearly with them. These binoculars are like suddenly having good vision for the first time in my 63 years. After seeing the world so clearly after a few days I became the safari member who was spotting animals before everyone else! Super easy to focus, to steady and to hold. I also had a comfortable harness so I put them on after breakfast and rarely took them off until bedtime. On returning home I have now become a "birder" because of my wonderful new Super Eyes!

(1) Lightweight - I put this criteria at the top of the list because your new binoculars can have the best optics in the world, but if you find them too heavy to carry around in the field, what good are they? My current pair is extremely lightweight, weighing in at just over a pound, so I don't even notice that I am carrying them. Everyone can have their own definition of "lightweight", just so you don't mind one iota that you have them in your hand or around your neck! I don't ever think twice about leaving my binoculars behind because they are a hassle to carry and I recommend that to you as well.

(2) Good Light Gathering Capabilities - I learned about this one the hard way. My current binoculars are 10 x 25, which translates into light gathering factor of 2.5 (Lens length (25)/ Power of magnification (10)). Contrast that with a pair of 10 x 42 binoculars which gives a light gathering factor of 4.2. This difference is very noticeable and my next pair is going to have better light gathering abilities. I have found that this is incalculably valuable in the field, whether it be because of a cloudy day, or a bird in low light conditions in a leafy tree or perhaps at dusk. 

(3) Suitable Magnification - I was a childhood birder with 7 x 35 Bushnell's so I became used to 7x viewing of birds. Then I went to 10x and I am never going back! I recommend 10x binoculars because you can get good detail on a bird, and this is the highest magnification that you can hand-hold. Nowa days they have 12x binoculars that have a little chip in them so that compensates for your hand shake at that magnification. I have never looke dthrough a pair of these, but I have heard they look pretty good.

(4) Waterproof - I don't think I would ever buy a pair of birding binoculars that isn't suitable for all kinds of weather. You might not set out in adverse weather but if you go out often enough you will be in dicey weather from time to time.

(5) Suitable Field of View - If you have ever looked through a spotting scope and had trouble finding the bird, you get a glimpse into the field of view issue. With binoculars, you want a wide angle field of view so you can find birds easily. 

Other things to look at are lens glass quality and lens coatings to help in creating a bright, sharper image. Get the best of these that you can afford.

As far as my thoughts on brand, I prefer Nikon (for the more budget conscious) and Zeiss (higher end optics). These are two exceptional brands in my mind. As far as online sites to buy binoculars, eBay and Amazon have great selections and prices so you will be able to find what you want at the price you want.

After you buy and get your hands on this new and better pair of binoculars, you will be amazed by your increased enjoyment of birding!

Here is another testimonial to the enhanced enjoyment of great binoculars:

incredible optics

"I bought these after returning the ***pold 12 x50 roof prism binoculars which were horrible to use and made my eyes hurt. Amazon prime took care of that lickety split. Thanks amazon! Look folks, I am an avid 40 year old outdoorsman/birdwatcher. I started using binoculars 30 years ago and these Zeiss 10x42's are amazing. The clarity is absolutely phenomenal!!!! The low light visibility looks better than what you can see with your own eyes. The close focus distance is closer than what they state in the tech specs. They are powerful, light-weight, and compact. Everything I was looking for in a pair of binoculars. The price tag was hefty. But as with all quality, precision German manufactured products, you get what you pay for. Thank you Zeiss. This will probably be the last pair of binoculars I will ever buy!"

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To further enhance your enjoyment of birding, here are a couple of books you may be interested in:

How to Be a Better Birder by Derek Lovitch

"This unique illustrated handbook provides all the essential tools you need to become a better birder. Here Derek Lovitch offers a more effective way to go about identification--he calls it the "Whole Bird and More" approach--that will enable you to identify more birds, more quickly, more of the time. He demonstrates how to use geography and an understanding of habitats, ecology, and even the weather to enrich your birding experience and help you find something out of the ordinary. Lovitch shows how to track nocturnal migrants using radar, collect data for bird conservation, discover exciting rarities, develop patch lists--and much more."

The Art of Bird Finding: Before You ID Them You Have See Them by Pete Dunne 

Filling a gap in the vast literature on birding, Pete Dunne explains in his distinctive style how to find birds--the often-ignored first step in identifying, observing, and listing bird species

The best strategies for locating birds in any season and in every kind of weather

Techniques and expert advice applicable to species in habitats and environments throughout North America

For beginning bird-watchers or experienced birders who want to improve their chances for success

Binocular Review Info with Owl Pictures

Great Horned Owl ( 3 Weeks)

Photo credit: USF&WS

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Here are links to product descriptions of binoculars, coupled with editorial and customer derived reviews to these help you find what you want in the way of optical goods.

If you already have an idea of what binoculars you want, or you just want to browse a bit, click on the link below and use the Search function to find information:

Binocular Store

For those who do not yet know what they want, here is a selection of specific reviews to give you a feel for the market:

Swarovski SLC Binocular 10 x 42 - This is the expensive end of the market;  the highest quality optical goods - get ready for weak knees and light headedness. 

Zeiss Conquest Binocular (10 x 40) - Here is the high performance end of the spectrum; optical goods that are a pleasure to own and use, but less expensive than the previous model.

Nikon Premier LX-L 10 x 25 Binoculars - Here is the middle of the market; a terrific, lightweight, waterproof, fogproof, magnesium alloy binocular that performs and feels good in your hands.

Nikon Travelite V 10 x 25 Binocular ; Nikon ProStaff ATB 10 x 25 Waterproof Binocular - These binoculars are an example of the "value" portion of the market; reliable, lightweight, waterproof  binoculars that are a mix of quality and affordability. 

Well I hope this post provided you with some useful information - good hunting! 

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Northern Pygmy Owl

Photo credit: USF&WS

Juvenile Flammulated Owl

Photo credit: USF&WS

Some Insight Into The Binocular Market

Note: The binocular information in this blog post was revised on May 11, 2011 

Here are images, with links to product descriptions of binoculars, coupled with editorial and customer derived reviews - these will help you find what you want in the way of optical goods.

THE PASSIONATE BIRDER - A Store For Birders

For those who do not yet know what they want, here is a selection of specific reviews to give you a feel for the market:

Swarovski Optik SLC 10x42 HD - This is the expensive end of the market;  the highest quality optical goods with a price to match. 

Swarovski Optik SLC 10x42 HD

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

The SLC 10x42 model--which boasts a 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens diameter--offers excellent image quality and maximum operating comfort, making it perfect for users who demand viewing precision throughout the day and well into dusk.

The true stars of the SLC 42 HD binocular, however, are the high-performance, fluoride-containing HD optics, which minimize the color fringing that's inevitable with conventional glass. The HD lenses produce high-contrast, natural-color images with razor-sharp outlines, bringing you even closer to the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. 

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Carl Zeiss Conquest Binocular (10x40) - Here is the high performance end of the spectrum; optical goods that are a pleasure to own and use, but less expensive than the previous model.

Carl Zeiss Conquest Binocular (10x40)

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

Carl Zeiss has engineered the all-purpose Conquest (10x40) binoculars with superior optical performance and rugged durability in mind....These premium waterproof binoculars also feature a patented multi-layer, anti-reflective lens coating for optimum performance across a wide visual spectrum and waterproof nitrogen-filled lenses for use in inclement weather.

CUSTOMER REVIEW:

"This was a step up in bins for me, a five-year birder, on a trip to the Amazonas with birding experts. They worked well; I had a bit of trouble adjusting the distance/closeness in time to catch the bird. May be my lack of experience, but the bins seemed stiff. They were much bettter than the old ones; 8x40. They held up well in the heat and humidity."

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Here is the middle of the market; a terrific, lightweight, waterproof, fogproof, magnesium alloy binocular that performs and feels good in your hands.

Nikon Premier LX-L 10 x 25 Binoculars 

Nikon Premier LX-L 10 x 25 Binocular

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

Optically, they are unmatched in the world of compact offerings. Not only do they offer an amazing field of view for a compact, but they also deliver exceptional close-focus distance and long eye relief.

CUSTOMER REVIEW:

I have used these binoculars in the Amazon jungle, the Galapagos Islands, at a political rally, and several Spurs games. I find them perfect for me because they are a compromise of size and magnification. I don't like to carry heavy binoculars and usually opt to leave them behind. These are light enough to be taken along and powerful enough to be beneficial in the diverse situations I listed above.

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Nikon Travelite V 10 x 25 Binocular ; Nikon ProStaff ATB 10 x 25 Waterproof Binocular 

These binoculars are an example of the "value" portion of the market; reliable, lightweight, waterproof  binoculars that are a mix of quality and affordability. 

Nikon 7510 Travelite 10 X 25 mm V Binoculars

CUSTOMER REVIEW:

I am extremely impressed with the Nikon Travelite 10 x25 binoculars. I am a professionl environmental scientist working for an international engineering consulting firm and my work requires long days in the field. Purchasing these binocs was an excellent decision due to their light weight and clear optics. After many years of using different types of binoculars, these have been by far the best ones. I spent an entire week looking for listed bird species at an Air Force base in Florida and several times my colleagues would ask to borrow it...I think this says it all!

Nikon ProStaff ATB 10x25 Waterproof Binocular

CUSTOMER REVIEW:

These binoculars are not the best in comparison to others that are more expensive. However, for the size, weight, waterproof, fogproof and function I recommend the Prostaff ATB ! I enjoy hiking in almost all weather conditions and that means that I must bring water and proper layer clothing in my small pack. I have enough weight to worry about and having heavy binoculars was not for me. I didn't want to sacrifice reliability just to have less weight, because I needed a waterproof binocular that wouldn't fill up with water during rain or snow. I love these binoculars- they are perfect for me and I don't feel their weight when I bring them; it fits in my cargo pant pockets!




Well I hope this post provided you with some useful information - good hunting! 

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"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal" - Albert Pike

Red throated Loon - Alaska

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Wood Duck

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service