In our modern world, small gadgets seem to be the “in” thing. Cellphones, cameras, MP3 players – all of these have miniature versions that prove to be very useful with the modern lifestyle. The question is, are small binoculars better than their larger counterparts? Here are the two sides of the coin:
The Benefits
With small size comes great portability. This is why a thing as useful as a computer has a version that fits our palm. The lightweight and pocket size of binoculars makes them very easy to carry to destinations near or far.
Kids particularly enjoy small binoculars. Because of the heavy weight and inappropriate size of other binoculars, kids are likely to appreciate travel and adventure more with small binoculars.
The Downside
With small binoculars comes a trade-off in visual quality. Small binoculars naturally have small objective lenses. This means that less light comes into the instrument, and fewer details may be available to the viewer.
The compact size, and usually foldable design, may also compromise the suitability of small binoculars for long time use. Bigger versions are likely to be more ergonomic and therefore, more comfortable to use even for an extended time. They may also have add-on benefits, like eye relief, which is often absent in small binoculars.
The Bottom Line
The benefits of small binoculars do not come without a price. It is mostly up to you to decide on which feature is more important to you. Small binoculars are great if, for instance, you’ll attend an opera in formal attire and a big pair would be a real attention-getter. If you’re after visual clarity and comfort, then you might want to rethink your plan of getting small binoculars.