What To Look For In Birding Binoculars

By Ken Lawless

Bird watching is one of the most popular past times in the U.S. Every weekend, millions of Americans find themselves in the forests, near lakes, or even in the cities, setting out in the early morning for a day of birdwatching activities.

If you are going to be serious about bird watching, one of the first pieces of equipment that you will need is a set of good binoculars.

There are many kinds to choose among which can make the decision a bit difficult. In addition, you can find them in all sorts of price ranges. At the lower end, you can find them for under a hundred dollars. In the mid range, you can find them for between a hundred and three hundred dollars. And at the high end, you can find them well over a thousand dollars.

If you are a beginner birder, and have not really used binoculars before, it is best to start off with one in the mid dollar range. Then later, if you stay with the hobby, you will have a better idea of the exact type of binoculars that you need. You can then sell your old ones and upgrade to a better and probably more expensive pair.

Whether you spend a little or a lot on a set of binoculars, the important thing is that you buy one of good quality. No matter how cheaply you can get a set for, if it is of poor quality, you will not get the satisfaction in the field that you are expecting.

If you are a birder, quality primarily means two things. One, is the physical aspects. Being a birder, you will be out in the weather a large amount of the time. The last thing that you want is a pair of fragile binoculars that can't stand up to rain or moisture.

Two, is the optical aspect. You want a set of binoculars that can give you a good clear view of birds in the distance. You also want one in which once the eye pieces have been adjusted for your eyes, and you turn the focus wheel, that both lenses will move together and stay in sync.

Another important consideration, especially for those who wear eye glasses, is to give them a try before buying them. Ideally you want to make sure that you purchase binoculars with eye cups that can be pulled out so you can easily view items while wearing your glasses. Poorly designed binoculars may not have this feature which will put you at a disadvantage in the field.

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