Types Of Binoculars

Standard binoculars may be used for a variety of common purposes, and work equally well for birdwatching, spectator sports, etc. While they may not have the extra bells and whistles, they can be versatile and usable wherever you are. By choosing standard binoculars, you get a set that will work well for many different uses. You might also choose these when you are starting out, and select higher end binoculars with special features later, as you learn what extra features will be most beneficial.

Bird Watching Binoculars

Bird watching binoculars come in two basic types, Porro-prism binoculars and Roof-prism binoculars. How do they differ and what are the features? Let's take a look at the two types:

Porro-prism

Below is an image of the porro-prism style of binoculars.

These are the normal angled-body binocular design that has been most commonly seen in the marketplace over the years. You can distinguish them by the tell-tale M shape they appear to form when they are standing on their barrels on your table or hanging down from the strap around your neck.

This type of binocular uses an external, central "focuswheel" that you turn to adjust the focus the image of the bird you are looking at. This focusing method allows for very sharp images of fairly close birds and also offers very precise focus when birds are as close as six feet away from you.

Advantages

	offer fast focusing
	tends to brighter images due to greater transmission of light in this style
	close focusing on birds just 6 feet away
	hives a wider field of view - this is the amount of area you can see in your field of vision when looking through the binoculars
	offers greater depth perception
	lower cost - when comparing binoculars of the two styles with the same cost - porro prisms are usually the better buy

Disadvantages

	lack the durability and compact styling of roof prism models
	weight due to the large prisms which offer better transmission of light but add to the heft and harder to hold for long periods
	bulky - again because of larger prisms used - difficult for people with small hands
	external focusing mechanisms can be jarred out of alignment when in rough terrain

Roof-prism

The image below is a roof-prism style of binocular.

This style has a pronounced H-shaped appearance as opposes to the M or zig-zag shape of the other.

Advantages

	more compact and easier to hold than comparable porro-prism binocular
	more rugged due to closer optical and mechanical tolerances in manufacturing process
	because of the design they can be made weather-resistant and waterproof
	greater durability due to fewer external moving parts
	offers a better ratio of power-to-weight so that a 20x roof-prism style usually weighs less than a 20x porro-prism model

 Disadvantages

	more expensive
	don't focus as closely as porro-prism style
	don't usually offer as bright an image as porro-prism

Compact Binoculars

Compact binoculars are small in size, light in weight, and easily tucked into pocket, purse, or glove compartment. Their major advantage is their size, although they may trade off high end or extra features for small objective lenses, lower magnifications, and smaller exit pupils. While they remain great for daylight use at a moment's notice, they aren't your choice for viewing in low light situations. They are however great for kids and as a back-up set.

Pros
   
-They are excellent for keeping as a second pair, stashed in a pocket or glove compartment, since they are so slim and lightweight.
-They are great for kids because their smaller size easily fits small faces and their light weight is perfect for little hands. Compact binoculars can have a smaller distance between the lenses that larger binoculars just can't achieve. This is great for little faces. Women may find them comfortable if they can't use other binoculars as well.
-They are often used in the opera or theater, to help viewers feel closer to the show even when they're in distant seats.
-They often allow close focus so they can be used to magnify objects that are closer.
-They can be put in your fishing vest and used to get a quick look when you aren't sure if that bump in the distance is a branch or trout in the water.
-They can be pulled out of your pocket quickly while hunting white tailed deer, and are often the preferred binoculars for doing so, particularly at 7x to 10x magnification.
-Some sets fold up easily so they are even more compact and out of the way, and they're so light it's easy to carry them 'round your neck while you're hiking. You might keep a more powerful pair in your knapsack for later, but these are easy to have right at hand at a moment's notice.
-They are often less expensive then standard sized binoculars, especially if made especially for kids.

Cons

-Compact binoculars are often lower quality both because parts must be smaller and because mechanisms are restricted to a tighter space.
-The smaller objective lenses (typically 20 to 25mm compared to your 35mm and up standard sets) naturally have a smaller field of view.
-The smaller objective lenses permit less light to enter the binoculars, making compacts fine for full daylight use, but completely ineffective in low light or dark environments.
-Exit pupils are reduced in compact binoculars. Again, minimal light is directed into your pupils. For example, if you have a set of compact 8x25's you determine the exit pupil by dividing 25 by 8. The result is an exit pupil of 3.1mm. Although the human pupils are dilated to about 2.5mm during the day, they expand to compensate for low light. In the evening one's pupils may dilate up to 7mm, so if the binoculars only send light through a diameter of less then half that, the image is just not optimal.
-Compact binoculars are harder to hold steady, and the smallest vibration can distort images.
-Smaller focusing devices can be hard to operate if you have large fingers.
-Compact binoculars may not include features such as image stabilization and other elements you could expect in standard sized models.

Digital Camera Binoculars

Digital camera binoculars combine binoculars with a built-in digital camera. This can be used to take photos while on your vacation, so you have a life-long memento of that moment you spotted dolphins in the distance. Quality for both the camera and binoculars varies greatly, and these are typically heavier, bulkier, and more expensive since they are effectively two gadgets in one. Extra options include wide angle lenses, night vision, and video capabilities in some sets.

Giant Binoculars

Giant binoculars have large objective lenses, making them great for low-light and no-light situations. They allow you to see a wider field of view; for example when you are watching a race and want to see the entire track. That said, they can be more expensive, and are heavier, making them a poorer choice for hiking.

Image Stabilization Binoculars

Image stabilization (IS) binoculars stabilize the image as you look through them. They compensate for the tiniest shaking in hand-held binoculars, allowing you to see a much sharper, clearer image even when you can't hold them perfectly still. This can be great especially when you're on the move, on a boat, or in a car. However, IS binoculars are naturally more expensive then standard sets.

Marine Binoculars

Marine binoculars will combine waterproof armors with other features such as ergonomic, easy to hold grips, and some models will float if dropped in the water. These type can be fairly durable and flexible, and may have large lenses for low-light situations such as when there is overcast sky or fog. They are often lightweight and often include auto focusing features.

Military Binoculars

Military binoculars are typically very durable, with strong armors and heavy duty cases to stand up to knocks and bumps. They are usually waterproofed, and often weighted well with very high quality glass and optics. Military binoculars often have a built-in compass, or night vision technologies, making these feature-rich and perhaps the hardest working binoculars out there.

Monoculars

Monoculars are often pocket sized, and have lower magnifications. Although they may only magnify about 2x or 5x, they're great for lecture halls, projection screens, and grabbing a quick look at objects such as signs in the mall. They are inexpensive, they can be pulled out of your pocket at a moment's notice, so are often a good choice for a back-up magnification when your bigger binoculars are packed away.

Night Vision Binoculars

Night vision binoculars and scopes use one of two methods to make night-time vision a reality. Some simply maximize use of available light, whereas others offer infrared lights that they then process to show an image. These are great for surveillance and viewing birds and animals at night as well as night-time hunting. They are also often used in the military.

Rangefinders

Rangefinders send out a beam and measure the reflected beam to estimate distance. Some offer a scanning mode to search for objects within a field, and these are great for target practice, golfing, and hunting game. While you won't find an inexpensive rangefinder for your stocking, they are excellent investments.

Spotting Scopes

Spotting scopes are like smaller telescopes that can be hand-held and used easily in bush or in the car. They are for terrestrial (land) use only, and may have higher magnifications than binoculars while remaining lightweight. Spotting scopes are mainly used during target practice, and that's the use for which they were originally designed.

Telescope Binoculars

Telescope Binoculars, also known as Bino Telescopes, are a combination of binocular and telescope. They offer power and an objective lens sized like a telescope, but with two barrels so they are comfortably held against both eyes. Some prefer the dual barreled view as it offers a truer to life (stereo) image and won't require covering one eye. They often need to be mounted as they're heavy, but they are often less expensive and more comfortable than telescopes. Their strongest feature may be their eyepieces, which are often soft and comfortable yet interchangeable as with a telescope.

Waterproof Binoculars

Waterproof binoculars are best for hiking, naturalism, hunting, and marine use. They have an entirely sealed, waterproof shell that eliminates fogging and leaking. While some binoculars may be listed as weather-proofed or water-resistant, only waterproof binoculars will be guaranteed. Some models made for marine use can even be dropped in the water, and will float, so you don't lose them. Look for waterproofed sets if you're on a boat or dealing with any amount of fog or misty weather, to ensure your investment is protected from damage.

Zoom Binoculars

Zoom binoculars allow you to zoom in on objects using different magnifications. You might get a set marked for 8-25x30 which means it can magnify from 8x through to 25x. You can use this while birdwatching as having them at the lower magnification will mean you can see a wider area at a time. Once you do spot that rare bird as it lands, you can then zoom in to 25x to see it up close. However, zooming technology could still use work and not everyone likes these binoculars.

Next we can check out our binocular power explanation