New To Hiking or Bird Watching? Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Binoculars

Are you looking to take your outdoor adventure to the next level? If you’re new to hiking or bird watching, then a great way to enhance your experience is by investing in a good pair of binoculars. Binoculars let you enjoy an up-close view of animals, landscapes, and other sights from a distance. With so many different kinds to choose from, how do you make sure you pick the right pair?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before buying a pair of binoculars. We’ll help you understand the different types available and which features to look for. This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision. With the right knowledge and the right pair of binoculars, you can take your outdoor pursuits to the next level.

Types of Binoculars

There are two main types of binoculars: porro prism binoculars and roof prism binoculars. Porro prism binoculars have a rounded, wedge-shaped body and are typically more affordable than roof prism binoculars. Roof prism binoculars have a more streamlined body shape and are often more expensive but provide superior image quality.

Magnification

The power of binoculars is measured in their objective lens size, or how wide their lenses are, and magnification, or how much the object appears to be enlarged. Objective lenses come in sizes ranging from 20mm to 50mm. The larger the objective lens size, the brighter the images will appear. Have you ever heard someone say, “What do binocular numbers mean?” The binocular number is the magnification and size of the objective lens. This number determines how close an object appears to be when viewed. This distance is usually represented by two numbers, such as 7x42mm. This value means that objects will appear closer than they are and should be matched to the size of the objective lens.

Field of View

Binoculars also provide an image’s field of view (FOV). FOV is measured either in degrees along the width of an image or in feet at 1000 yards distance. A larger FOV means that more of your view will be visible through the binoculars at one time.

Lens Coatings

Lens coatings protect the lenses from dirt and water while enhancing light transmission to make images appear brighter and more clear. Fully multi-coated lenses use multiple layers to reduce glare, while fully multi-coated with magnesium fluoride lenses use an additional layer to increase light transmission even more.

Eye Relief

Binoculars offer comfort and eye relief by providing ample space between your eyes and the eyepieces so that you don’t strain your eyes while using them. Better eye relief ensures that your vision remains clear even if you wear glasses while using them.

Focus

There are two main types of focus on binoculars. Manual focus requires you to adjust each eyepiece individually but provides accurate focusing, while autofocus allows you to quickly adjust both eyepieces with a single knob.

Accessories

Common accessories for your binoculars include carrying cases, neck straps, lens caps, and cleaning cloths that help keep your optics in good condition while using or storing them.

Conclusion

When making your decision, consider what activity you plan on using them for most often and how much money you want to spend on them. Do some research into different brands, models, features, and pricing options before making your final choice so that you can find a pair of binoculars that meets all your needs without breaking the bank.