Binoculars Info

Binoculars aka field glasses are like two telescopes pointed at the same area. It is easy to perceive depth because it has two lenses and not just one, like a monocular.

The binoculars have been around since about the 17th century after telescopes have been invented. People use to mount two telescopes side by side and looked through them with both eyes.

Between the 1850-1890s, a prism type of binocular was invented that allowed greater depth perception by allowing the eye pieces to be spaced wider apart. These binoculars allow greater magnification.

The most affordable binoculars are porro prisms that allow for brighter images and are precise instruments. These binoculars are wider and sometimes need to be re-aligned.

An expensive kind of prism binocular is the roof prism binocular. This binocular is smaller and narrower but loses some brightness. The good think about them is that they usually never have to be re-alligned. They are also much lighter. Optical coating fixes this problem. That is why many roof prism binoculars are coated.

Optical Coating is a great feature that helps make a brighter image by reducing the amount of light that is reflected. Reflected light inside the binoculars makes the image hazy.

General Binoculars are focused by moving a round wheel that focuses both telescopes at once. More sophisticated binoculars use independent focus which means that each side of the binocular needs to be adjusted individually.

Some binoculars have image stabilization technology which dampen sudden movement. It can usually be turned on or off by the user. This means that very high powered binoculars can be hand held when normally they couldn’t. The image quality is not always as good for stabilized binoculars, and they are usually more expensive.

Coin-operated binoculars are very popular in many tourist attractions. They allow a more detailed view. These are always mounted on a pedestal and are usually high powered.

Military Binoculars are usually hand held and at a magnification of 5x or 7x. Military binoculars are more rugged and sturdy than regular binoculars and they also use independent focusing because it is more sturdy than central focusing. Most military binoculars also have special features that help it work when wet or to block out laser beams. Sea binoculars are meant to be easier on the eyes because of the sea rocking back and forth.

Astronomical Binoculars allow people to view certain elements of the sky from far away. There are many moons and planets that can be viewed with binoculars. Pluto, Eris and Uranus can all be seen easier with the use of binoculars. Some users use lower magnification binoculars so they can have a larger field of view than if they used a higher magnification.



By: Matt Seweryniak

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When you get to high end binoculars they are all pretty good, they have to be to command the prices but there is always going to one pair of binoculars that stands out from the crowd and for me that is most definitely the Swarovski Binoculars. The EL 8.5×42’s are absolutely amazing, you pick them up and you hardly know that you have them in your hand, the weight and balance is superb. The 8×42 HG DCF Nikon Binoculars definitely feel heavier and yet they are the lighter of the two (795g vs 819g).

When you pick up a pair of Swarovski binoculars they just feel special even when they are among the elite of the elite. The Nikon High Grade feel good but there is a definite difference which makes Swarovski, for me, win hands down.

As you expect the optical quality of both the Nikon and the Swarovski binoculars is outstanding. The Swarovski EL’s have a slight advantage of an extra 0.5x magnification which gives them an additional edge. Both deliver a sharp image, the contrast of the Nikon’s is perhaps slightly better but the Swarovski binoculars, in my opinion, are the brightest and have the best resolution, although the resolution of the 8×42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars is close.

Some people prefer the colour retention of the Nikon HG 8×42 Binoculars but I found the Swarovski binoculars to be exceptionally good. The EL 8.5×42’s boast the latest technology with Swarobright prism coating which dramatically increases light transmission and ensures natural colour.

For depth of field the Swarovski EL 8.5×42’s come in top and again with field of view which is 62.0o compared to 52.1o with the 8×42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars.

Both the EL 8.5×42 Swarovski binoculars and the 8×42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars enable close focusing, 2.5 mtrs and 3.0 mtrs respectively, not much to choose between them, both with excellent image quality.

Spectacle wearers can use either, the Swarovski binoculars come with twist-in eyecups (eye relief 18mm) and the Nikon have turn and slide rubber cups (eye relief 20mm), both are comfortable to use but I definitely preferred the Swarovski which just has the edge despite a slightly smaller exit pupil of 4.9mm (compared to 5.3mm with the Nikon).

The 8×42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars are waterproof to 2mtrs, nitrogen filled and sealed and perform well in extreme conditions. The Swarovski binoculars are waterproof to 4mtrs, also nitrogen filled and sealed. Both are rubber armoured and highly durable, little to choose between them.

I think you can take it as read that my preferred binoculars are the Swarovski EL 8.5 x42’s, exceptional all round wildlife / bird watching binoculars, beautiful to hold, excellent image quality and perform well in low light conditions. For anyone who is in the market for a high end binocular then the EL Swarovski binoculars have most definitely got to be strong contender. Use them once and you’ll never want to be without them so if you don’t have £1,000+ to spend on a pair of binoculars I highly recommend that you don’t try them!



By: Terry Ross

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