Bird Watching Binoculars Buying Guide

Bird watching is an exciting and rewarding activity. It is a great way to relax, enjoy nature, and observe fascinating bird species. However, to have an enjoyable bird watching experience, you need a good pair of binoculars. Binoculars are essential to get a clear view of birds from a distance. There are many different types and models of binoculars available in the market, and choosing the right one can be confusing. This guide will help you pick the best binoculars for bird watching.

Types of Binoculars

Binoculars for bird watching come in two main types: Roof prism and Porro prism.

Roof Prism:

Roof prism binoculars are sleek and streamlined in their design. The eyepieces are in line with the objective lenses, giving them a smooth and compact appearance. They are light in weight and easy to handle for long durations of bird watching. These binoculars are also waterproof and fog proof, making them durable and resilient in any weather condition. The downside is that they are usually more expensive than Porro prism binoculars.

Porro Prism:

Porro prism binoculars have an angled design where the eyepieces are offset from the objective lenses. They have a classic design and are generally cheaper than roof prism binoculars. They have a wider field of view, providing a more immersive experience when bird watching. However, they are bulkier and heavier in design, making them more challenging to handle for long durations.

Size and Magnification

The size and magnification of the binoculars are two essential factors to consider when buying binoculars for bird watching.

Magnification:

Binoculars for bird watching usually come with magnification power ranging from 7x to 10x. A higher magnification level means that you can zoom in closer to the bird, providing a more detailed view. However, higher magnification levels often come at the cost of lower field of view and shakier images. A magnification level of 8x or 10x is ideal for bird watching as it provides ample zoom without compromising stability or brightness of the image.

Size:

The size of the binoculars is also essential. Smaller binoculars are easier to carry and handle, but they usually come with a trade-off in terms of the objective lens size. A larger objective lens size means a larger field of view and more extended range, but it also adds weight to the binoculars. The ideal size for binoculars for bird watching is 8x42 or 10x42, providing ample magnification and field of view while still being reasonably portable.

Prism Glass and Coatings

The prism glass and coatings in binoculars are significant factors that affect the quality of the image. Understanding the different types of prism glasses and coatings will help pick the best binoculars for bird watching.

Prism Glass:

The prism glass is responsible for transmitting light and producing a clear image. There are two main types of prism glass used in binoculars for bird watching – BaK4 and BAK7.

• BaK4 Prism: BaK4 is the superior prism glass with a higher refractive index and better light transmission. Binoculars equipped with BaK4 prism glass provide clearer and sharper images with more defined edges.
• BAK7 Prism: BAK7 has a lower refractive index than BaK4, which means that the image produced is not as sharp and clear. Binoculars equipped with BAK7 prism glass produce images with slightly blurry edges.

Coatings:

Binoculars come with different types of coatings to enhance the image quality and make it clearer and sharper. Understanding the different coatings will help pick the best binoculars for bird watching.

• Fully Coated: Fully coated binoculars have a single layer coating, usually on the outside of the objective lenses. This coating helps to reduce glare and enhance brightness. However, the quality of the image produced from fully coated binoculars can be compromised in low light conditions.
• Multi-Coated: Multi-coated binoculars have multiple layers of coating on different parts of the lens, resulting in a brighter and clearer image. These coatings improve the contrast, reduce glare, and produce more vivid colors.
• Fully Multi-Coated: Fully multi-coated binoculars have additional coating layers on all air-to-glass surfaces, providing the highest level of image clarity, sharpness, contrast, and color reproduction.

Lens Diameter and Exit Pupil

The lens diameter and exit pupil of the binoculars are important factors that play a crucial role in determining the image quality and the brightness of the image produced.

Lens Diameter:

The lens diameter is a factor that affects the brightness and the sharpness of the image produced. A larger lens diameter means more light enters the binoculars, making the image brighter and sharper. However, a larger lens diameter also means heavier and bulkier binoculars. The ideal range for the lens diameter is between 40mm and 50mm.

Exit Pupil:

The exit pupil is the size of the beam of light that exits the eyepiece of the binoculars. The exit pupil is an essential factor when choosing binoculars as it affects the brightness of the image when bird watching in low light conditions. The ideal exit pupil size for binoculars for bird watching is between 4mm and 5mm.

Eyepiece and Focus System

The eyepiece and focus system of the binoculars are important factors that determine the ease of use and the comfort of the binoculars.

Eyepiece:

The eyepiece is responsible for adjusting the magnification and the focus of the binoculars. The eyepiece should come with a soft rubber cup or a twist-up cup to adjust the distance between the eye and the eyepiece. This adjustment ensures that bird watchers wearing glasses can use the binoculars comfortably.

Focus System:

The focus system of the binoculars is responsible for adjusting the sharpness of the image produced. There are two main focus systems – center focus and individual focus.

• Center Focus: Center focus binoculars have a single knob that adjusts the focus for both eyepieces. Center focus binoculars are easier to use and more convenient for beginners.
• Individual Focus: Individual focus binoculars have separate focus knobs for each eyepiece. They require more skill and experience to use and are often used by professional bird watchers.

Price and Brand

Price and brand are two essential factors that should be considered when buying binoculars for bird watching. However, it is important to note that a higher price tag does not always mean better quality.

Price:

Binoculars for bird watching can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Determine your budget before purchasing binoculars and make sure to include additional costs such as cleaning kits, straps, and cases.

Brand:

Choose a brand that has a reputation for producing high-quality binoculars for bird watching. Popular brands include Bushnell, Nikon, Vortex, and Zeiss. It is important to do your research and read reviews to determine which brand is best for you.

Conclusion

Choosing the right binoculars for bird watching can make all the difference in your bird watching experience. Consider the factors mentioned in this guide when purchasing binoculars, and make sure to do your research and read reviews before making a decision. With the right binoculars, you will be able to observe the beauty of birds in their natural habitat, making bird watching an unforgettable experience.