07-16-07 by Inga "Missing35mm"
What To Look For
Birding binoculars must be portable to be useful in the field: lightweight, comfortable to hold, quick to focus, durable and sealed against moisture and dust. When looking through a new pair in the store, you should see true color and steady detail in a wide view field, even if you wear eyeglasses. Check how they work in dim light as well. You may be using your binoculars in misty or rainy weather, so think about the gripping surface. Through direct comparison field tests of different magnification and brands of quality field glasses, birder Michael Porter discovered that variation in resolution in the center of the image came from the eyeballs looking through the glasses---all brands performed the same. His tests showed that the off-axis resolution, or the edges of the view, was the variable to shop for when checking resolution.
Common Pitfalls
Ask whether you can trade in birding binoculars for a different pair if the initial purchase is not right after a small time in the field. A quick glance through them in the store may not tire your eyes, but an hour staring through optics that are improperly balanced for your eyes can cause headaches and fatigue. If purchasing online or through a catalog, verify the return policy before you buy. Be certain what the warranty covers, and know if the pair you are considering is waterproof or water resistant.
Where To Buy
Quality birding binoculars can be found in outdoor stores such as Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's or Gander Mountain, in camera shops, or through catalogs or online. The best way to test a pair of binoculars is to physically handle them and look through them. Once you've decided which model best suits you, comparison shopping for that brand and model could net you a better price if you buy them online or from a catalog.
Cost
Quality optics will be expensive. Binoculars are a product that follows the "you get what you pay for" mantra. With an overwhelming variety of binoculars to choose from, however, deciding your budget ahead of time is a wise plan. Expect to spend from about $100 to $2,000 on a quality pair of binoculars. A $100 to $500 range and a $500 to $2,000 range are good price ranges in which to compare quality and size.
Comparison Shopping
Binoculars have two methods of magnification and "righting" of the image: Porro prisms with a zigzag light path, and roof prisms, which give a more "straight" appearance to the binoculars. Lower magnification such as 8x may give a wider field of view while higher magnification such as 10x or 15x will yield greater detail. Certain models will focus at close range better than others, which can be important if you have a bird less than 10 feet away. Some binoculars can be mounted on tripods and some are small enough to slip into a pocket. Some bird watchers prefer German-made optics over Japanese brands, though high-quality models can be found from both.
