Binoculars | Shop the Best Brands for Hunting, Birdwatching, Nature Observation | Vortex, Leupold, Bushnell — 1,057 products / 1,197 models — Page 1

Binoculars are versatile optics used for all sorts of outdoor activities like animal observation, bird watching, and hunting. Military and law enforcement use them for surveillance and various other operations. People also use a pair of binoculars for stargazing, with or without the combination of a telescope. Depending on your budget and need, check out popular products from some of the best binocular brands, including Vortex binoculars, Leupold binoculars, and Nikon binoculars.

Shop from a wide variety of high-quality binoculars, including high-magnification binos for astronomers, HD binoculars with superior image quality, low-light binoculars and fog-proof binoculars for hunting, and high-end binoculars with features like image stabilization. We also have several beginner models built to meet your needs and budget.

How Do I Choose Binoculars?

They come in all shapes and sizes at different price points, and the best binoculars for you depend on your intended use. Therefore, the best binos for astronomers will rarely also be the best binoculars for birders. Although 8x42 binoculars are often seen as the best "all-around middle-ground" binos, and they're certainly serviceable for a wide variety of applications, there are a lot of finer points to consider. The function is going to be your first consideration, so what is it that you want binoculars for? This will start you down the path that will eventually lead to the right fit.

From there, your binoculars budget will be a big determining factor. Optics is one of those areas where you do get what you pay for. As optical quality and objective lens size goes up, so does the price range. Start with something reasonable, then save up toward upgrading later on as you learn more about your particular needs and preferences. We have several Binocular How-To Guides that explain the particulars on everything from Celestron astronomy binoculars to compact binoculars (including those fancy theater glasses); check them out for in-depth specifics on the options and considerations.

Once you've zeroed in on how to choose binoculars that will work best for you, the rest is pretty easy. You may want multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission, long eye relief and rubber eyecups for maximum comfort, or the most powerful binoculars you can get your hands on. There are even cosmetic differences, including the look, shape, color, and feel of otherwise identical models. Those who find the perfect fit will keep and use them for a long time, often decades, but don't worry if your first pick isn't the gangbuster you were hoping for. That just gives you a chance to refine what you're looking for in your next pair.

What Does 10x50 Mean for Binoculars?

What do the numbers on binoculars mean? The numbers in a binocular's designation may seem cryptic, but they're actually quite simple. Luckily, they're also standardized, so there's no difference from brand-to-brand, type, or primary use. There are 2 types of lenses on binoculars: the ocular lenses (the end that you look through) and the objective lenses (the end that you point

at objects you want to view). The first number of any binoculars, "10" in this case, refers to the magnification or "power" of the ocular lenses. In the simplest terms, this means that objects will appear 10 times "closer" or "bigger" than they would with the naked eye. The second number refers to the objective lens diameter in millimeters, "50" in our example. The objective lens gathers the light and image and affects the field of view. The "X" in between the numbers is pronounced as "by", so it would be "10-by-50s" instead of "10-ex-50s" or "10-times-50". This is applicable to all viewing optics that have two or more lenses like telescopes, rangefinders, monoculars, microscopes, etc.

What Is Better, 10x50 or 10x42 Binoculars?

Because of the wider objective lens, the 10X50 would provide a wide field of view, making it easier to locate the viewing target more quickly and track moving objects. The 10X42 will have a slightly narrower field of view but are usually lighter and more compact, making them a better fit for those who will be packing them on extended trips or need to optimize their storage space. Those are the subtle fine points, as there isn't a very large difference between the two like you would see between 7X18 vs. 15X70, for example. A quick way to get a rough field of view rating is to divide the objective lens number by the magnification. The higher the number, the wider the field of view and the more light gathering (most noticeable at dusk and dawn). So, for our examples, 10X50 = about 5.0, and 10X42 = about 4.2.

What Magnification for Binoculars Is Best?

This can be tricky since what you're actually looking for is a combination of both the ocular magnification and the objective lens diameters. There is no one-size-fits-all or best overall since this ultimately boils down to what you want them for. Those who want a wider field of view should select a combination of a lower magnification (usually up to 12x) and a larger objective lens (at least 42), as is common for hunters. Those who want much closer, detailed viewing should select higher magnifications. Keep in mind that magnifications of 12X or higher will typically result in "hand shake" which is caused by muscle fatigue and results in difficulty viewing and staying on target. When buying larger magnifications, the best thing to do is use a tripod or similar mount that will allow hands-free use.

Buy Binoculars from OpticsPlanet

Shop online at OpticsPlanet.com for great deals on binoculars and accessories like eyepieces, lens caps, and tripod adapters, and don't forget that most orders over $49.00 get FREE SHIPPING! From porro prism binoculars to roof prism binoculars, we have the perfect optic for your next backpacking or outdoor adventure.