For nature and bird watching we recommend binoculars with at least a 30-50 mm front lens diameter. The magnification should be between 7 and 12 times. Any more than this makes no sense without a tripod. At lower magnification levels, you cannot see the plumage details that may be important for identification.
The use of special types of glass or lens structures reduces colour fringing and also makes it easier to recognize the object being observed. For detailed observing over longer distances, we recommend the additional use of a spotting scope.
Here you can find out which criteria we use to evaluate binoculars for nature or bird watching ...
Omegon
Orange 8x42 monocular
$ 69.00
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 10X32 BURNT ORANGE-BLACK
$ 2,570.00
Swarovski
Binoculars NL PURE 8X32 GREEN-BLACK
$ 2,510.00
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 10x42
$ 129.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 8x42
$ 119.00
Bushnell
Binoculars Legacy 10x50
RRP:
$ 195.00
Our price:
$ 176.00
Swarovski
EL 10x42 WB 3rd generation binoculars
$ 2,010.00
Noblex
Binoculars Vector 8x42
$ 434.00
Noblex
Binoculars Vector 10x42
$ 468.00
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 10x34
$ 99.00
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 8x42
$ 129.00
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 8x34
$ 99.00
Vixen
Binoculars Ascot 8x32 ZWCF
$ 278.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 10x42
$ 109.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 8x42
$ 109.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 10x42
$ 219.00
Sale price:
$ 153.00
Vixen
Binoculars ARTES J 10x42 DCF
$ 630.00
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 8x42 DCF
$ 289.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 10x50
$ 149.00
Sale price:
$ 99.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 12x50
$ 149.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 8x56 HD
$ 349.00
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars 12x30 Atera II
$ 1,060.00
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK Light II 8x30 BCF Porro
$ 245.00
Bresser
Binoculars Spezial Jagd 11x56
$ 212.00
Minox
Binoculars X-HD 8x56
RRP:
$ 1,120.00
Our price:
$ 1,010.00
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 8x32 DCF
$ 256.00
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 10x32 DCF
$ 267.00
Vixen
Binoculars BT-81S-A
$ 1,450.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x34 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 144.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x34 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 144.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x32 Lightwing-HR
$ 229.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 8x42 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 178.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x42 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 178.00
Helios Optics
Binoculars 10x50 Nitrosport Waterproof
$ 207.00
Discovery
Monocular Gator 10x42
$ 32.90
Discovery
Monocular Gator 8x42
$ 30.90
What is important when selecting binoculars for bird watching?
The "very good" rating for binoculars is achieved if they meet the following points:
- The magnification should not be less than or greater than 8 – 12 times
- The front lens diameter should be at least 40 mm
- An exit pupil of 4 mm or more provides sufficient brightness to sufficiently recognize plumage details at dawn or dusk
- The field of view should not be less than 110 m, so that you can also easily catch birds in flight
- The close focus must not exceed 3 metres
- In addition, the binoculars should be waterproof and use high-quality lens material to minimize image errors
- Irritating elements, such as a compass or reticle, reduce the rating by one point
For a "good", binoculars must achieve these values:
- Magnification: 7 – 12 times
- Front lens diameter: min. 32 mm
- Exit pupil: min. 3 mm
- Field of view: min. 100 m
- Close focus: max. 5 m
For a "medium" we will accept:
- Magnification: 7 – 15 times
- Exit pupil: min. 2.5 mm
- Close focus: min. 10 m
Binoculars that have too low or too high magnification levels, or whose exit pupil is less than 2.5 mm, or which cannot focus at a distance of 10 m, are "not recommended" by us for bird watching.
Of course, these binoculars can also be used to observe birds at the garden bird table, but for serious ornithology it is not advisable to use pocket binoculars or binoculars with single ocular focusing.