| Before you purchase a set of binoculars, it is important | | | | binocular. Most of the waterproof binoculars are also |
| to fully understand their purpose, any special | | | | available with individual eye focusing system. |
| requirements or features you will need and have a | | | | Shockproof: having the benefit of shockproof |
| price range in mind. Example: if you are an avid day | | | | binoculars is a good idea. We do not intent to be rough |
| hiker or back-packers in the outdoors you might think | | | | on our optics but events happened in or out of our |
| about compact, lightweight binoculars that are | | | | control that could permanently damage binoculars. I |
| waterproof and shockproof. If you are purchasing your | | | | dropped my favorite set of binoculars many years |
| optics for sheep hunting you would want rugged, high | | | | ago and they were permanently distorted. Nothing I |
| power magnification, large objective high quality lenses | | | | could do but throw them away as I mourned. |
| for long distance viewing with critical eye relief (less | | | | Rubber Armor: this is not a must but it sure is nice to |
| straining on your eyes as you view). | | | | have exterior rubber armor on your binoculars. It |
| My experience has proven to me that when buying | | | | provides some shock resistance, helps tremendously |
| binoculars, all things being equal, you get what you pay | | | | with your grip and reduces the tendency of sliding |
| for. If you are buying binoculars for your grandkids | | | | while lying on table tops or similar. |
| there are plenty of brands offering inexpensive, | | | | Objective Lenses: generally, the larger the objective |
| attractive and quite functional optics perfect for the | | | | (the size of the front lenses) the more field of view |
| beginner. However, if you are buying for yourself it is | | | | you will have and the more light that will be collected in |
| my recommendation to do some homework, look | | | | low light conditions such as dawn and dusk. If you |
| around and compare different brands, features and | | | | have not experienced this it is very neat. It can be |
| price ranges. | | | | almost dark out and look through your binoculars with |
| Then while making your decision on the right set of | | | | large objective lenses and you can mysteriously see |
| binoculars strongly consider the fact that this purchase | | | | like an owl. |
| is an investment that you will have for your lifetime. | | | | Eye Relief: Eye relief is the distance from the |
| This is not the time to go economy and shave the | | | | eyepiece to the point where you can see the whole |
| budget. Believe me, a great set of binoculars are more | | | | picture. Small compact binoculars have more |
| money but very well worth it. | | | | challenges with eye relief than most others. People |
| Now, let's discuss how to define what a good set of | | | | who wear glasses often have trouble using binoculars, |
| binoculars is and what features you should consider: | | | | because their glasses hold the eyepiece too far away |
| Warranty: this is a good place to start. A limited lifetime | | | | from their eyes. People wearing contact lenses or |
| warranty is very important and something you want. If | | | | people who do not need prescription glasses should |
| you narrow your search down to two pairs of | | | | not experience difficult eye relief issues. |
| binoculars sometimes the warranty can be the tie | | | | People who need glasses but do not have |
| breaker. | | | | astigmatism can look through binoculars without their |
| Quality of Lenses: understand the type of lenses, | | | | glasses, adjusting for their nearsightedness or |
| materials used in the lenses and what benefits the | | | | farsightedness merely by adjusting the focusing |
| lenses offer. Most lenses are made out of glass, | | | | device. Generally, in this situation you take your glasses |
| crystal, plastic or high-tech composites and have some | | | | off before raising the binoculars to your eyes. |
| type of coatings offering various types of advantages. | | | | Weight: hunting or hiking all day with a large heavy set |
| Better quality binoculars will have a higher level of | | | | of binoculars can get annoying and not to ignore the |
| clarity and resolution providing the greatest advantage | | | | fact about chaffing the back of your neck from the |
| over the inexpensive binoculars. | | | | carrying strap. Weight should certainly be considered |
| Waterproof: a good set of binoculars will be | | | | when selecting the right pair of binoculars. |
| waterproof which is always a good idea since most | | | | Carrying Case: you want to protect your investment in |
| are used outdoors where the elements can turn nasty. | | | | between uses. A good hard shell protective carrying |
| To have a nice set of binoculars ruined because they | | | | case is recommended. |
| were not waterproof would be a disappointing event. | | | | Purchasing a good set of binoculars is an investment |
| Waterproof binoculars are usually filled with nitrogen | | | | you will enjoy for a lifetime. Do you homework, |
| which helps them to stay moisture free. Waterproofing | | | | consider all your options, make your investment and |
| is actually done with the construction of the binocular | | | | then enjoy! |
| and if it is fully waterproof it will be printed on the | | | | |