Buyers Guide To Binoculars

Quality binoculars are essential for effective scouting when hunting or stalking. Too many hunters have the habit of only looking through binoculars for a closer look at game they already see versus spotting animals in the distance that are invisible to the naked eye.

The requirements of quality binoculars are magnification, a good field of vision, brightness, ability to focus quickly, fit your hands, durability, and at a minimum be able to withstand some rain or fog.

On any pair of binoculars or sales description will be a pair of numbers separated by a small X, such as 7x35 or 8x32. The first number is the magnification or power of the binoculars. If this first number is a 7, then the birds you are looking at will appear 7 times closer than if you were just looking at it without the binoculars.

Greater magnification is not always better! The lower the magnification, the brighter the image and the wider area you can see. As you magnify more, less light comes through and the area is narrower that you see. You will also notice more wobble if viewing birds from a moving car or boat. Less magnification also means a wider field of view. Greater magnification will also increase the size and weight of the binocular. We use binoculars with a magnification of 7 or 8.

There are several different factors that determine the brightness of the image you see through binoculars. Besides magnification, the objective lens also determines brightness.

Pick up your binoculars and look at the lens at the front of the binoculars. That is called the objective lens. It is measured in millimeters and is second number in "7x35" or "8x40". The larger the second number is, meaning a larger objective lens, the more light will be allowed in, therefore the more detail you will see. Remember also that with more light you will also see colors better which will help you easier identify what species of ducks you are seeing.

Coated lenses are another factor to consider that affects brightness. Remember that the light hits many surfaces inside binoculars. Each surface causes some light loss. Manufacturers now coat some or all of the glass surfaces to increase the amount of light that will make it all the way through the binoculars to your eyes. Coatings also increase contrast. Better binoculars will also have multiple coatings to further reduce light loss. Look for binoculars that have say that the surfaces are fully coated or fully multi-coated. Many times, it is the coating or the lack of that determines the cost difference between two similar pairs of binoculars. This is a very important consideration when trying to find binoculars that will allow you to better see and identify ducks or geese when scouting.

Most often overlook, the ability to focus a pair of binoculars is quickly is important. You need center-focusing binoculars. This type of binoculars focuses both barrels at the same time by moving a wheel or lever. There should also be a ring you can turn or adjust one barrel for the differences between your two eyes.

Field of view is the width of the area you see through the binoculars. It is usually either on the binoculars or in the sales description of the binoculars. For example, "423 ft. at 1000 yd" would mean that at 1000 feet a total horizontal distance of 423 would be visible when looking through the binocular. It is important to remember that the greater the magnification, the smaller the field of view.

If you wear glasses, make sure the binoculars have eyepieces with eyecups that either retract or roll down. This is a must for hunters that wear glasses and will wear them when using binoculars.

As us hunters know, we can be very hard on our equipment. We highly recommend purchasing a pair of binoculars that is rubber coated. Rubber coating will help soften the impact when dropping binoculars which is bound to happen. This rubber coating will also help reduce glare. If you can afford it the binoculars should also be waterproof. At a minimum be sure the binoculars you choose are water-resistant type.