binoculars

Binoculars are one of the most important tools for bird watching. Like most people, you’ve certainly used them before. Binoculars use two numbers to notate their difference. The first number, magnification, is the power times 1. So a 8x is eight times closer. The higher the number, the more the magnification. The second number, the diameter of the lens, is measured in millimeters. The bigger the diameter, the more light is let in, but bigger lenses are also heavier. And more expensive.

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Most binoculars come in these popular configurations: 8x or 10x magnification with a 32mm or 42mm lens, or the following sizes best for birding: 6x32, 8x32, 7x35, 8x40, 7x42, 8x42, or 8.5x44. These options provide the best magnification to price and quality. 

For casual birders, we recommend Opticron binoculars for being very good quality at an affordable price - "smaller, lighter, brighter, sharper”.  These are the binoculars Peter Alden recommends. Contact us if you'd like more information.