The binoculars can be used for a variety of situations, including general observation, as well as hunting, fishing, sports or navigation. Based on the type of activity, the choice of the device is always different and you need to focus on the main parameters, of which there are quite a few. When studying all the features, a person may have difficulties and many questions about how to choose binoculars. To simplify the task, you should clearly define the type of activity, as well as familiarize yourself with the data in the article.
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Types of binoculars
Despite the large assortment of binoculars on sale, such products can be divided into 2 broad categories: amateur and professional. These parameters differ in assembly, materials, optics and its capabilities.
Professional binoculars
This category of binoculars includes models for professional activities. The optics are characterized by wide possibilities for image approximation, which is caused by the large diameter of the lens. Many options are protected from water, dust, dirt and damage, and are also filled with gas inside, which eliminates the fogging of the glasses during sudden temperature changes. Professional binoculars are suitable for hunting, fishing, rescuers or sky watchers.
Pros:
- Large lenses.
- The eyecups can be extended.
- Rubber coated housing.
- Can be mounted on a tripod.
- Large exit pupil.
- Inside, the voids are filled with gas.
- Excellent glass enlightenment.
- Various options for visibility.
- The magnification is very large.
- Long warranty period.
Minuses:
- Certain devices can weigh more than 1 kg.
- High pricing policy.
- With prolonged and repeated magnification, the eyes begin to get tired.
Amateur binoculars
Such models include a lens diameter of 18-25 mm, characterized by a small magnification, which is only 3-6 times. With their help, you can enjoy theatrical or sports performances, use technology while traveling. Nice and affordable gift for kids.
Pros:
- Small size of the device.
- Minimum weight.
- Affordable pricing policy.
- Often sold with a protective case.
- Nice appearance.
- The presence of a metal case.
- Adjustment and setting are conveniently located.
Minuses:
- 3x magnification options are not suitable for people who care about details.
- The lens diameter makes it impossible to use the optics in dim light or in places with no light.
- Lenses can be made of plastic, so they begin to scratch quickly.
Features of different binoculars and their cost
When deciding how to choose the right binoculars, you should focus on the following characteristics of the models:
- Theatrical - they are light in weight and size, but the magnification and viewing angles are small.
- Field - are distinguished by wide opportunities for aperture and picture magnification.
- Military - very similar to the field, but in addition there is increased durability, protection from water and moisture, large viewing angles, mobility and portability.
- Astronomical - characterized by one of the highest magnification, but the dimensions and weight require installation on a tripod, so the case is often with additional fasteners.
- Marine - high-strength and water-resistant types, and due to the narrow focus, they include rangefinder and stabilization.
The cost of products directly depends on the type of optical device. For example, theatrical options are considered the cheapest, costing 400-3000 rubles. Fishing and hunting models cost 1.5-6 thousand rubles. Devices for tourism will be about 1.2-4 thousand rubles. Fans of bird watching will have to pay a lot for a high-quality device, the initial price is 1,800 rubles and can be up to 40 thousand rubles. Fans of star and sky gazing will also have to pay a lot for optics - 6-35 thousand rubles.
Binocular selection options
To choose the right optical device, you need to understand its basic parameters. Professional advice and knowledge of all the important characteristics will help you buy the best device for work or play.
Housing
If you plan to use the optical device quietly indoors or during sports events for tracking the body, you can not pay special attention. The main thing is to hold the binoculars firmly in your hand. To increase the convenience and comfort of use, you can choose models with rubber-coated hands or a telescopic handle.
If the equipment will be used in extreme conditions, when binoculars can fall, bump, there are risks of moisture and dirt, then you should definitely buy options with a rubberized base case, as well as protection from water and dust. In addition, you need to focus on the inner chamber, which is filled with nitrogen, to exclude unwanted fogging of the optics from temperature changes. This parameter will prove to be important for navigation on the water, hunters and fishermen. It is recommended to choose a case with protective lens caps that can be folded back or removed, fixing on a cord.
Weight
During prolonged use of binoculars, hands can get tired of any weight of the optics, so you need to focus on the minimum weight - this will be best. The lightest options are sold in 200-300 grams, but they are often offered for fishermen, theatergoers and bird watchers. Options for 600-800 grams are more often offered to hunters or travelers, but models for astronomical research are the most difficult. Their weight can be up to 5-6 kg, so the operation is carried out only with a tripod, which must be purchased separately.
Lens size
This indicator is very important and is in the range of 18-110 mm, the measurement is carried out at a wide end with a lens. The penetration of light into the device, which enters the eyes, will depend on the diameter, which helps to increase or decrease the brightness, color and beauty of the image, its clarity.
The larger the size, the better and better all the characteristics described, but this affects the price of the product:
- Options with lenses less than 30mm are suitable for theater or kids exploring the world.
- Binoculars with 30-40mm optics are recommended for competitions and other sporting events or for general observation that may be in fishing conditions.
- 40-60 mm models have optimal light transmission, which is useful for tourism, travel, architecture studies or hunters.
- Objective sizes ranging from 60-110 mm are a separate category that is suitable for astronomical purposes.
Increasing ability
This characteristic will indicate the possibility of approaching a particular image or object. The data always indicate on the case of the binoculars with the first number, and then the sign "x" is put and the diameter of the lens is indicated. The very minimum for an optical device is 3-7 times and this option will be suitable for children or long-term surveillance during fishing, hunting.10-12x magnification makes it possible to see more detail, which is suitable for travelers, tourists and fans of observing, studying birds. You can look at the stars at 12-25 times magnification.
It should be remembered that at high magnification, the picture begins to narrow, and at minimum magnification, you can see objects in a wider range. For example, through binoculars with a value of 8x40, you can see 5 runners, if we are talking about competitions, but the 12x40 option will show only 1 person and a runner nearby.
In addition, the eyes begin to tire faster from powerful technology, if you plan to use such a device for a long time, you should buy models with an average magnification, which will be up to 8 times, but for periodic inspection, for example, during tourism or hunting, devices with a magnification from 10 units.
Prism type
With the help of a prism, a picture and light are transmitted to a person during viewing through binoculars. At the moment, there are 2 variants of this indicator:
- Porro is considered to be a "broken" structure in which a ray of light is reflected from optics placed at an angle of 45 degrees. Binoculars of this type are characterized by a wide body and optimal cost, and their use is advisable for children, hunters or fishermen.
- Roof - characterized by close placement of a pair of tubes and a complex internal prism design. With the help of technology, a better and more natural picture is achieved, and the whole system is located in one case. It is recommended to give preference to the system for lovers of bright and colorful images, including tourists, connoisseurs of nature and animals.
Distance scale
Almost every optics has a gradation that allows you to estimate the distance to an object that is in the frame. This kind of supplement will be valuable and useful for hunters, referees in sports and other purposes where distance is important.
Angular and linear field of view
Characteristics can indicate how clear the picture will be from different positions. The angular value can be in the range of 5.8-7 degrees, the linear field of view is calculated for 1 km and indicates the height of the picture. Often the range of the last parameter is 50-130 meters.
When buying binoculars, you need to take into account that visibility will be useful for observing competitions, birds with their movement, as well as the movement of other animals. In addition, the characteristic will allow you to qualitatively evaluate tall buildings or trees. In this case, it is recommended to buy 7 degrees and 122 meters models. For hunting and fishing, options with indicators of 5.8 degrees and 50-60 meters are suitable.
The degree of illumination and the diameter of the exit pupil
The value helps to know how much light is lost while passing through the lens. If there is ordinary glass in the binoculars, then the value will reach 50%, and with a slight enlightenment, the value will turn out to be 40%. Some manufacturers do multi-layer lens processing, which gives an indicator of 10%,
An equally important value is the exit pupil and its diameter, which indicates the volume of light that penetrates the retina. The value is in the range of 2.5-5 mm, but if the device is used only per day, then any device can be selected. For poor illumination, twilight, you need to choose models with optimal visibility and image clarity. Experts advise buying multi-layer coating with a size of 4-5 mm. An excellent choice for night hunting and fishing.
When using binoculars, from time to time the user will need to adjust the sharpness and work with the inter-eye distance. Therefore, the choice of optics should take into account the placement of controls, which will be convenient to access and easy to operate.
Best binoculars manufacturers
If there is no desire or time to study the terminology and basic characteristics of optical devices, as well as the question of how to choose a good binocular, you should give preference to products from well-known manufacturers. In this case, you can get a quality product that will last for many years:
- Olympus;
- Pentax;
- Nikon;
- Carl Zeiss;
Before purchasing by manufacturer name only, it is important to consider the use of the device. It is best to understand the suitability of a particular model.
Which binoculars to choose
Knowing the main characteristics of binoculars, it is not difficult to draw conclusions on purpose and convenience. To simplify the choice, experts recommend buying devices according to the following tips:
- Theatrical versions should have 3-5x zoom, and the optimal lens size will be in the range of 18-25 mm, with an exit pupil of 5-6 mm. An addition will be useful in the form of an antireflection coating in 1-2 layers, which improves visibility in low light conditions. For such activities, it is recommended to use models weighing up to 200 grams.
- Fishermen looking for tackle will need to use 16x apparatus, which will have full enlightenment, as well as water resistance. It is best to choose a 32mm lens with a Roof prism and a weight of about 400 grams.
- Hunters are advised to buy devices with rangefinder scales and 50 mm lenses. The body must have effective protection, the magnification is 7 times with an angle of 6.5 degrees and a field of view of 114 meters.
- For simple observation of animals or nature while traveling, binoculars are suitable, which have a 10x magnification and 25 mm lenses, and have Roof technology. For comfortable use, you should choose devices with rubber eyecups, the optimal field of view is 96 meters with an angle of 5.5 degrees.
- Bird tracking will be comfortable if the objective is 36mm, 8x magnification. It is ideal to use housings that are protected from impact and mechanical damage, and there will be a nitrogen filling inside the lenses.
- For those who like to follow the sky, you should use devices with a 25x zoom and a 100 mm lens with an exit pupil of 4 mm. The weight of such a device will be about 5.5 kg, it is better that there is a built-in platform for mounting on a tripod, and the body is not afraid of water.
Binoculars for observation from the window
For people who prefer to watch from windows and do not know how to choose binoculars for observation, there are several features to consider that can be difficult:
- Cannot focus normally, as some windows pose a problem, it is better to open the sash for normal viewing.
- If the magnification of the binoculars turns out to be more than 10, then the image will start to twitch strongly and it is better to immediately think about a stand or a tripod.
- The optics of the device create glare, so an object from the street can notice that it is being watched.
For home use and street surveillance, it is recommended to use a monocular with a tripod of about 20 times.
When buying binoculars, it is not recommended to save on it, since the device will not only give a bad picture, but can provoke eye problems. You should pay attention to the brand, the warranty period, and also select several models and evaluate their characteristics, reviews, choosing the best option.
