Binoculars Info

Too Many Binoculars

Can you have too many binoculars? And the answer is unequivocally no.

My wife asked me this, and I stared at her in disbelief. Just where did this question come from? What could she possibly be thinking? After composing myself and gaining some modicum of decorum, I set about logically explaining the need for many different binoculars.

I explained, to be fair, that one does have a favorite pair of binoculars. I carry an Audubon Equinox HP most of the time, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. They are good in low light situations as well in the bright of day. They have a good field of view and show quality images in which one can easily distinguish colors. I have been in situations where there is water and have not been afraid because of the waterproofing and fog proofing of this model.

Yet, I must tell you, I also have a pair of Audubon compacts sitting near the den windows. I have a backyard that is a grand place for birds. I know there have been over 50 species of birds that have visited my back yard and the ravine behind it. Everyone in the house and many visitors have had occasion to use these. Sometimes, these binoculars are picked up absent-mindedly, and before the user has realized it, he is looking out and making some startling discovery. Next thing you know, we’ve (pardon the pun) fledged a new birder. Their use has provided many with views of woodpeckers, Great-crested flycatchers, Orchard Orioles, Common Yellowthroats, Sharp-shinned Hawks and more.

I keep a pair of binoculars in my car, too. You never know when you will be away from the house on your way to some destination when all of the sudden, there it is-a sighting of a lifetime. For instance, we were on our way to the Texas Hill Country, traveling Hwy 29 near Llano when we noticed many cars stopped. What was all the commotion? There was a nesting pair of Bald Eagles, and I was so happy to have my binoculars to grab. That nest has been active for several years now. Yet, that first day was one for the books, made all the better because of the binoculars I keep in the car.

Then, there is the pair of binoculars kept for those opportunities when a friend visits. My visitors and I often spend part of our time combing the woods and parks around here. It is always good to have some equipment convenient to enhance the experience. The decision to take a walk along some trail is made easier because we all will have a pair of binoculars to help us enjoy the wildlife we may encounter.

Too many binoculars—not a chance!



By: Roy C. Smallwood 3rd

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Binoculars for Birders

With the beginning of Spring Migration it is time to consider investing in new binoculars. This is a proposition that can present itself in daunting ways. Careful consideration needs to be made whether a new birder or one who has spent some time in the field and acquired some expertise. The optics field is quite large and the number of products is considerable. How does one choose a binocular? Here are my suggestions.

First, determine just how and under what circumstances you will be using your new binoculars. If you are going to be walking then full size binoculars are certainly worth your consideration. However, if you are a backpacker or will be doing your birding on a bicycle, then you may wish to consider mid size or even compact binoculars. If you bird by sitting in a favorite spot, then larger binoculars could be your choice. Size matters when one considers the mode of birding. Size is dictated by the objective lens. Generally, if the objective lens is 50 mm then it is considered to be a large binocular; if it is 42 mm, it is full size; if it is 32 mm, it is a mid size. Finally, compacts have objective lenses 25 mm or less.

The size of the binocular will probably affect the way they feel in your hands. One should consider the ergonomics of one’s choice. In other words, does the model you are examining have the right heft? Do you feel comfortable while holding the binoculars to your eyes?

Coupled with the size of the objective is the light gathering ability of the lens and the field of view. Of course, the larger lenses tend to gather more light. The more important consideration should be the field of view. Those new to the game should consider obtaining a pair of binoculars that posses a large field of view. Field of view is often stated in feet viewable at 1000 yards. For example, the Stokes Talon has one of the largest field of view for its size lens, 420 ft. at 1000 yards.

One of the most significant advances in optics is in water and fog proofing. This has been accomplished in two ways. The first of which is changing the prism design. Roof prism binoculars are so much easier to water and fog proof because of internal focusing. The older porro prism design has external focusing and, therefore, is not easily water or fog proofed. The other facet to proofing is the gas used to purge the binocular.

Two gases are currently being used, nitrogen and argon.

Nitrogen and oxygen, if you remember, are the major components of air. Oxygen is the active ingredient while nitrogen is not. This basic chemistry is the reason for choosing nitrogen as the purging agent in many models. However, the real advancement is in the use of argon.

The Argon Binocular is the newest class of binoculars. Argon is a member of the Noble Gases. Noble Gases were at one time called the Inert Gases because of their inability to react. In fact, they are so unreactive that it was not until the 20th Century that they were even discovered. The point is that argon is now being used because it does not attack the o-rings and seals in the binocular, thus allowing for excellent water and fog proofing and extending the life of your binocular.

One more word…in my opinion, one should be prepare to purchase a binocular worthy of your endeavors. Spend the money on a pair of binoculars that you can afford. Do not waste your hard earned cash on a pair of cheap ones. This advice is given in much the same vein as buying all the house you can afford. Let’s face it; you are going to possess these binoculars for a long time. You want to be able to see the bird with clarity and ease. You want to become adept at identifying a bird correctly. So, you must be able to see it in all conditions, including some adverse situations. Your willingness to increase your budget will often provide you with a return in performance of your purchase.

These tips hopefully will lend themselves to your benefit. Enjoy your new binoculars and spend as much time as you can in the field.



By: Roy C. Smallwood 3rd

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Trying to read and interpret all of the jargon about various bird watching binoculars can be a little difficult if you are new to it. You will probably find that all of the manufacturers think their product is the best, and that nothing else is worth looking at.

If you are like most consumers, you want a place to go where you can find an honest opinion and some accurate information. If you do not live in an area where you can just walk into a specialty optics store and ask, do not worry, there are some resources available.

There are several such guides available to those who are in market for bird watching binoculars. Bird Watchers Digest publishes a review of the latest models and improvements every year. Additionally, a number of Web sites publish product reviews on a regular basis.

Some sites even have entire sections devoted specifically to binocular reviews and evaluation. Check out BirdWatching site for one good example of Web based product reviews. Experienced birders offer their honest opinions about the products that they use on a regular basis and what they did and did not like about each one.

When researching bird watching binoculars, keep in mind several things that may affect which style will work best for you. If you wear glasses, then some binoculars may not work well for you. Do you wish to use the binoculars to focus on small things that may be relatively close?

There are models like the Pentax Papillo, which will work very well when trying to zoom in on things like butterflies. When considering any binocular, a bird watcher needs to give careful thought to how much magnification power they need. While many are under the impression that they need the most powerful binocular available to enjoy watching birds, often times the most powerful optical tools can be very difficult to keep focused and to hold steady enough to get a clear image.

Some people in the market for bird watching binoculars pay no attention to price and do not consider cost to be of any importance. For most people, cost does play a large role in their decision.

Do not get frustrated if at first all you see are slick catalogue pages full of extravagantly prices binoculars. You can, and will, find equipment from many reliable well-known manufacturers that is well made and quite affordable for the average bird watcher.

To ensure that you are pleased with your purchase, make sure that you do the research. As shown here, there are plenty of resources available outside of actually walking into a store. Bird watching binoculars will be your primary piece of equipment as you begin your bird watching hobby.



By: MIKE SELVON

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