Just about everybody owns a pair of binoculars for one reason or another. They’re very much part of active lifestyles. They’re indispensable for photographers, particularly when looking over terrain for shooting. Anyone on the water will also be glued to their own pair of binoculars, checking out coastlines, other boats and possible navigation hazards.Some of the new binoculars are so good they’re even used for astronomical viewing!

How to read the specifications for binoculars

A pair of binoculars will be referred to as “25x70”.

This means:

• 25 magnifications- This is the current top of the range. Most binoculars are in the 8-10 range.
• 70mm objective lens (meaning a big lens- the compact binoculars start at about 7 or 8mm)

Types of binoculars

There are two basic design configurations for modern binoculars- Compact and full size. Each type has its own advantages and special features. There are even night vision binoculars and monoculars.

The compact binoculars

Generally speaking,the compact binoculars don’t have quite the magnification of the high power full size binoculars, but they do come pretty close. The Canon 1850IS has a magnification of 18x, compared to the top of the range 25x for the full size binoculars. These binoculars are popular for their portability and easy storage when traveling or at sports or other public events.  There are even underwater binoculars in this range!

The full size binoculars

The big full size binoculars are true precision instruments, ergonomically designed for comfort and with a range of features to ensure good imaging. To give some idea of the power and accuracy of these binoculars, they’re roughly in the same class as SLR cameras for image resolution. This very diverse range also includes night vision binoculars and the very long range Celestron SkyMaster 71017 25x100, top of the range in this class.

Buying binoculars

When shopping for binoculars, it’s a good idea to look for power. Although all binoculars do provide pretty good range and vision, if you’re using them for observation over long periods, the “power factor” matters. If you’re watching sports, for example, over an average distance 100 metres, you’d be advised to go for a mid-range magnification of 10-15 to get good detail.

Also look for good prices. You can get excellent deals on name brands like Canon, Bower and Celestron online, so keep an eye out for discounts.