| When purchasing a pair of binoculars you want to | | | | cheaper because they have a lower field of vision and |
| know that you are purchasing the best possible pair. | | | | are made with cheaper lenses. Some high end |
| The huge variance in price can make he process of | | | | binoculars, like the ones manufactured by Zeiss, are so |
| selecting and purchasing the best pair of binoculars | | | | well constructed that they come with a lifetime |
| confusing, as can each individual pair of binoculars | | | | guarantee. The higher end models also tend to use |
| specifications. | | | | technology that improves stabilization and increases |
| Before you go looking for a pair of binoculars you | | | | view quality. Adding optional features and devices will |
| need to sit down and decide what you will be using | | | | also increase the cost but may be worth considering. |
| your new binoculars for. Will you be hunting, whale | | | | What are some options available? |
| watching, or watching birds, or looking for a pair of | | | | Binoculars now come with all sorts of gadgets and |
| military binoculars. Perhaps you are planning a | | | | gizmos that never used to be available. Maritime |
| sight-seeing trip to some exotic location. Knowing what | | | | binoculars are now being crafted with state-of-the-art |
| you will be using the binoculars for will give you a | | | | compasses, and lightweight water proof casing. |
| specific type of binoculars to look for. For example, if | | | | Binoculars that have built in digital cameras are |
| you are planning on using your binoculars for | | | | becoming increasingly popular among photographers, |
| birdwatching you want to look for a pair that is | | | | bird-hunters and those spies we mentioned earlier. |
| designed with good image quality. If you are planning | | | | Hunter's binoculars are now being designed with range |
| on taking your binoculars on the family boat you will | | | | finders and birdwatchers are seeing more of the |
| want a pair that is completely waterproof. | | | | increasing stabilization features they need in the latest |
| What do the numbers mean? | | | | birdwatching binoculars. |
| Pay close attention to the numbers that are printed on | | | | Even if you aren't planning on taking your new |
| the binoculars or quoted in the ad. The first number is | | | | binoculars on the water, consider spending a few |
| the amount of magnification or zoom the pair has. The | | | | extra dollars on a pair that has waterproof housing. |
| second number tells the size of the lens. So a pair of | | | | You may not be planning on getting them wet, but |
| binoculars that has the number 7x30 stamped onto the | | | | things happen; you might trip and drop them in a mud |
| casing is a binocular that will magnify any object to | | | | puddle, take them out on a foggy day, or you might |
| seven times its actual size, and has a lens size of | | | | get caught in a freak rain shower. And don't forget |
| 30mm. The lens size does not indicate lens quality, | | | | about small children and their fascination with dropping |
| however the larger the lens size the brighter the view | | | | electronic equipment in toilets. The waterproof housing |
| and the larger the field of vision. | | | | will pay for itself again and again. |
| A good rule of thumb is: unless you are a private | | | | Purchasing a pair of binoculars that have been |
| investigator or international spy, avoid buying a pair of | | | | designed with coated lenses will help extend the life of |
| binoculars with a magnification/zoom greater then | | | | your binoculars. Coated lens will improve the binoculars |
| 10x's. Magnification over ten generally causes the | | | | contrast and image quality. |
| binoculars to lose some image crispness. The image is | | | | Night vision binoculars are a must for anyone in a |
| also duller when the magnification is greater then ten. | | | | profession that requires secret night work. How far |
| Some binoculars are designed with a roof prism to | | | | away will you need to clearly focus? What generation |
| make the best use of natural lighting. | | | | of night vision do you require? The first generation is |
| How does pricing affect my purchase? | | | | for the general public, the next step up allows you to |
| It is possible to get a nice pair of binoculars for a | | | | see further, and so on. Government security would |
| couple of hundred dollars so it is important to stick to | | | | require a higher generation than someone who just |
| your budget as it is equally possible to fall in love with a | | | | wants to study animals for entertainment. |
| pair that cost a couple of thousand dollars. If you are | | | | As you can see, buying binoculars can be a bit |
| only going to spend a couple of hundred dollars for | | | | challenging, but with a small amount of research and |
| binoculars don't even bother to look at the higher | | | | some test drives, you will find your perfect pair. |
| priced pairs. The lower priced binoculars are generally | | | | |