BINOCULAR REVIEWS 2020 HOW TO

What is the best magnification level for bird watching or astronomy? It's normally expressed in degrees and refers to how much you can see from left to right when you’re peering through them. Field of view (or FOV), incidentally, is another figure usually stencilled on the binocular somewhere. A higher magnification also usually means a narrower field of view. While a 10x or 12x magnification will allow you see things further away that bit closer, higher magnification such as this has knock-on effects.Īt higher levels of magnification, it's hard to hold binoculars steady enough to see a stable image. You might think here that bigger is better, right? Well, that’s not strictly true. The most important number is the magnification level. The second number tells you how large the objective lenses (the big ones on the end) are in millimetres.īest telescope 2022: The best astronomy and travel telescopes for beginners and veterans An 8x pair will enlarge your subject eight times while a 10x pair will make it ten times bigger. The first number designates the magnification level. You’ll probably have noticed if you’ve ever shopped for or used a pair of binoculars that they all have a pair of numbers – like 8x42 or 10x25 – written somewhere on them. Some might be smaller than others but, by and large, they’re made up of a pair of barrels with lenses at either end, attached to each other with a hinge in the middle.ĭig deeper, however, and you’ll discover there’s a whole world of features and specifications that determine how good a pair of binoculars are and the sort of activities they’re suited to. To look at, one pair of binoculars would appear to be much the same as another.

BINOCULAR REVIEWS 2020 HOW TO

How to choose the best binoculars for you Best option under £100: RSPB Puffin 8x32 | Buy now.Best for stargazing: Nikon Aculon A211 10 x 50 | Buy now.Best for image stabilisation: Canon 12x36 IS III | Buy now.Best option under £300: Pentax SD 8x42 WP | Buy now.The absolute best option: Swarovski NL Pure 10x42 | Buy now.The best all-round option: Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 | Buy now.READ NEXT: Best telescopes for budding astronomers There are loads of options out there, some hugely expensive, some extremely cheap, but will you be able to tell the difference between the premium pairs, and can you get more wallet-friendly binoculars without getting disappointed? We’re here to help you make a smart decision, and if you don’t know your objective lenses from your Porro prisms, our handy buying guide will fill you in. The challenge is making the right choice. Today’s more compact and lightweight binoculars are great for spotting wildlife when you’re on your hols or hiking, and there’s no better way to start exploring the stars than an affordable set of binos. A decent pair can also change the way you watch sports events. Going to the races? They’ll come in handy if you want to see your horse make it across the finish line. Binoculars aren’t only for birdwatching, although they’re a must if you’re something of a twitcher.

Binocular reviews 2020