Important Factors To See Before You Buy A Birding Binocular

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

Important before you buy:

Weight:

To hold the binoculars properly it’s better to buy a lighter binocular. Easier to hold better the view.

Exit Pupil:

This is the size of the image at the focusing point of the binocular. It is computed by dividing the objective size by the magnification. The exit pupil of an 8×40 binocular is 5mm (40/8). A larger exit pupil means a brighter image. Binoculars over 3mm are considered good for daytime birding and anything over 7mm is a waste.

Eye relief:

Eye relief is the distance from the rear eyepiece lens to where the image is formed. Eyeglass wearers should look for binoculars with at least 15mm of eye-relief and have eye-cups that can be folded down. This will allow them to enjoy bird-watching.

Close Focus:

Good birding binoculars should have a close focus of 10 feet or less otherwise you may find yourself walking backwards to try and see something. How close a binocular focuses depends on how it is made rather than on its power.

Body Design:

There are two basic types. i) Porro prism Binoculars and, ii) binoculars. Roof prisms are lighter, rugged, easier to maintain and usually . Porro prism binoculars are cheaper, Optical quality is not markedly different though roof prisms being more expensive usually have better coating.

Binoculars are what makes bird-watching pleasurable - so invest in the best that you can afford, they are sure to give you years of memorable moments.