Brown Pelican

Choosing the best birding binoculars is a challenge for both the casual backyard birdwatcher or the hardcore birder alike. It’s important to have a pair of quality sporting optics that are up to the conditions you will find your self in.

Some points you will want to take into account are magnification, lens size or brightness, focus type, weather proofing, lens coatings, armor coating, ease of use and price range. After considering all of these you should be able to pick up a pair of birding binoculars that will do just what you need.

Magnification- The first number in the binocular equation 8X30 is the magnification number. The object viewed is 8 times closer than with the unassisted eye. For Birding many prefer this number to be up to about 8, after that blurriness becomes an issue unless the binoculars are mounted or they are stabilized image binoculars.

Lens Size- The Second number in 8X30 is the size in millimeters of the outer lens. The bigger the lens the more light that can enter from the outside lenses. Those two factors determine for a large part the brightness of the binoculars.

Focus Type- You can get the auto-focus type or the smooth rolling focus wheel.

Weather Proofing- You will most likely need your binoculars well weather proofed. Waterproofed with tight fitting o-rings to keep out dust and moisture as well as fog and damp proofed with gas to keep those inner lenses free of condensation.

Lens Coatings- Lens coatings on both the outer lenses and inner eyepiece lenses are essential. These special coatings allow for improved clarity and color definition.

Armoring- Being in wet or muddy conditions will make handling your binoculars slippery. A good rubberized armor coating on the body will go a long way to eliminating that problem.

Ease of use- Are the binoculars easy to work with? Do they focus easily? Easy to mount on tri-pod? Are they compact enough for your situation or is that just not a factor?

Price Range-

400-1000+ Top of the line picks are Nikon “Venturer”, Zeiss “Nightowls, or Sawrovski Full Size.

200-400 Mid range choices are Fujinon,Bushnell, Eagle Optics “Rangers” and Celestron “Regals”

200 range Budget binoculars of note are made by Nikon, Eagle optics, Celestron and Bushnell

Unless you are a birding fanatic or loaded you will probably be shopping in the budget or mid range. If you cover all of these points you should be able to get the best birding binoculars that you can afford. Try to sample as many pairs of binoculars in your price range in person as possible. This will make your online purchase that much easier. Good luck and enjoy your birding.