What is a Binocular?

A binocular is a tool used to view something from a distance. It allows one to magnify what the eye already picks up. Binoculars are constructed of three main components, housing, prism, and lenses.

First things first, let us start with what you will be using the binoculars for. Now you might think that this is a silly question but different types of magnification for different purposes.

Example:

Bird watching and game drive viewing are different. When you're game viewing, you will need some with a higher magnification than from bird watching. With bird watching it is recommended to go for lower magnification and here is why: When bird watching you are trying to identify the species of bird and usually need to spot markings on the bird. With high magnification, it can be challenging to do this due to the high magnification picking up the vibration in your hand. The best magnification for this activity would be you 8X32 & 8X42. Game viewing you want something with high magnification and larger field of view.

You are usually looking at animals from afar and panning the horizon. So in other words, a pair of binoculars with a large lens in front. You can use a 10X magnification and up for this, 10X42, 10X50, Keeping in mind the larger the binoculars the heavier they usual are, for long drives it might start to be uncomfortable hanging off your neck. So, we have determined now there a different binocular's or magnification for different purposes for the different activities. Sports, bird watching and Game viewing or just all-rounder.

We now look a little deeper into the binocular to help you with your research on making the decision on the perfect binocular for you!

 

Lens & Prisms

When it comes to optics it's all about lighting, the more light that passes through to your eye the clearer and brighter the image will be. To achieve this the manufacture will use coatings on the lens to allow light to pass through the glass. Fully coated, multi-coated, fully multi-coated, and phase coating. The type of glass will differ as well. You should be on the look-out for ED glass (Extra-Low-Dispersion Glass) which is found in worthwhile binoculars. Binoculars are made from one of three types of glass BaK-4, BK-7 and SK-15 Prisms. BaK-4 glass is what you want to look for in high-end binoculars.

 

The BK-7 you will find in lower-end quality range of binoculars. BaK-4 glass has a high refractive index and lower critical angle than the others, that in binoculars translates to improved light transmission with less lost because of internal reflection.SK-15 is less common but would be a combination of BaK-4 glass & SK-15 Prisms

 

Waterproofing

Is it necessary to have a pair of binoculars to be waterproof?

Yes, it is! Even if you never use them in the rain. High-end binoculars are nitrogen purged. This is the procedure where the binoculars are sealed airtight with nitrogen. This prevents moisture occurring on inside of the lens when they have been sitting inside of a cupboard for long periods of time. This can also assist with the antifogging of the lens.

 

DIFFERENT DESIGNED BINOCULARS

There two different types of binoculars that you will come across when you start looking are Porro prism & Roof Prism binoculars. Parro prism being the bulker one of the two and the Roof prism being the more straight design. Parro prisms are not aligned with the eyepiece when your Roof prisms are. Roof or Parro does not indicate quality at all but rather just the design of the binocular.

 

 

Perma Focus

What is Perma focus? This is where the binoculars have a fixed focus and have no need to be focused. This function is great for quick viewing like alongside the sports field etc. It is not advised to use them over long periods of time due to the fact that you are not adjusting the focus for your eyes and rather you eyes adjusting for the binoculars. Perma Focus come in a large range but are not a common option for most.