Bird watching and star gazing are simply more enjoyable when you use a pair of binoculars. The same is true when seeing your favorite sport team or opera from afar. Binoculars bring you closer to where the action is. Aside from your own needs, there are three main things to consider before choosing the best binoculars for you.
Magnification: In general, higher magnification means greater detail. Most binoculars can magnify from seven to twelve times. Going over 10 times magnification, though, may require a tripod. Just as with cameras, moving in closer to distant subjects will cause shaky vision with the slightest hand movements. A tripod will ensure steadier vision despite using the maximum magnification of the binoculars.
Objective Diameter: The size of the objective lens determines the amount of light that goes in the binoculars. A pair that has an objective diameter about five times the numeric value of the magnification is usually a good buy. For instance, a pair capable of magnifying seven times will likely have an objective diameter of 35, expressed as 7×35. To have a brighter view, you may opt to get a pair with bigger objective diameters. You have to note, though, that weight and size also increase with this parameter.
Coating: The coating of the binoculars reduces the reflected and fragmented light in the binoculars. You can expect a clearer view when these factors are eliminated. Often, binoculars have four types of coating: coated, multi coated, fully coated, and fully multi coated. You can easily tell that the best among the four types is the fully multi-coated model.
There are other considerations, like exit pupil and field of view, but these three are the most vital. You’ll benefit from having a clear idea in mind of what type of binoculars you want before heading to the store; in the end, you don’t want to have a unit that you don’t really need.