Choosing Your Binoculars

Tips for Choosing the Right Binoculars for You

By Vixen Optics

Magnification

The most important factor in choosing the right binoculars is magnification. However, it is not always true that the binoculars with high magnification are more worth than those with lower magnifications. It is the best to have binoculars with magnification up to 10x if you observe with your hands. The images seen through the binoculars with magnification higher than 10x would be affected by shaking of the hands. Also, the field of view becomes darker and narrower as the magnification becomes higher.
For fieldscopes, magnification is changed by swapping the eyepiece lens. There are also zooming types which you can vary the magnification according to the object to view. For these type, the field of view is a little darker though the object appears large when high magnification is used.
For example… <The recommended magnifications for different circumstances>

For watching fast-moving small birds on hills or a plateau.

6～10x

For observing a waterfowl in the tideland or seashore

10～30x
You can observe by fixing binoculars on a tripod.

For trekking in a plateau or climbing mountain

6～10x

For going camping by car

7～10x
It can cover from nature observation to star watching.

For watching soccer, rugby, or ski competitions

8～12x
The most suitable for a large track field.

For watching basketball or volleyball games

6～8x
The shaking by hands is not noticeable.

For seeing a night sky casually by holding binoculars with hands

7～10x
It is the appropriate magnification for seeing star clusters or nebulas or lunar craters, and it is not largely affected by shakings of the hands.

For astronomical observation

10～30x
To be used With a tripod. A fieldscope is also suitable.

For concerts in a dome or any large event hall

8～12x

For watching a play or an opera

6～8x
A high brightness value is recommended for watching a dim stage.

 

Object Lens Effective Diameter

If the object lens effective diameter is large, sharp images are obtained by the high light gathering power. However, the size of the binoculars also becomes larger as the effective diameter becomes larger, and it makes it difficult to carry them around.

Actual Field of View

It is recommended that you choose the kind with a wide actual field of view if you would like to use them for bird watching or sporting events.

Observing with the naked eye becomes easier by extending the eye cups as shown in the photo.
(Picture shows a pop-up type eye cups of Apex Pro Series)
The eye cups are not extended when looking in with eye glasses on.