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
Binoculars Talron HD 10x42
$ 129.00
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars Atera II ED 16x50 WP
$ 1,570.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x50 ED
$ 389.00
Sale price:
$ 283.04
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 10x42
$ 219.00
Sale price:
$ 160.99
Swarovski
Binoculars AX Visio 10x32
$ 4,360.00
Swarovski
Binoculars NL Pure 10x52
$ 3,690.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x56 ED
$ 399.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 12x56 ED
$ 399.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 10x42
$ 1,320.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HD 10x32
$ 1,060.00
Sale price:
$ 735.49
Omegon
Binoculars Talron HD 10x34
$ 99.00
Leica
Binoculars Trinovid 10x42 HD
$ 999.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x56
$ 299.00
Vixen
Binoculars ARTES J 8x42 DCF
$ 570.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 10x42 Edition Orange
$ 3,640.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 8x42 Edition Orange
$ 3,640.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory 10x42 RF
RRP:
$ 3,900.00
Our price:
$ 3,510.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 12x56
$ 299.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro 8x42
$ 3,270.00
APM
Binoculars 23x100 SD APO UF24 90°
$ 2,940.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 8x56
$ 299.00
HAWKE
Monocular Endurance ED 10x42 mono
$ 195.00
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars 12x30 Atera II
$ 1,000.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory SF 10x42 black
RRP:
$ 3,110.00
Our price:
$ 2,800.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro SE 8x42
$ 2,640.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid Pro SE 10x42
$ 2,640.00
Leica
Binoculars Geovid 10x42 R
$ 1,850.00
Omegon
Binoculars Blackstar 2.0 10x50
$ 149.00
Sale price:
$ 104.17
Alpen Optics
binoculars Apex Steady 14x42 HD with image stabilisation
$ 1,270.00
Swarovski
Binoculars NL Pure 14x52
$ 3,740.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Victory HT 10x54
RRP:
$ 2,640.00
Our price:
$ 2,370.00
Bushnell
Binoculars Engage EDX 10x50
$ 570.00
Vixen
Binoculars ATREK II 10x32 DCF
$ 252.00
Bushnell
Binoculars Legacy 10x50
RRP:
$ 184.00
Our price:
$ 166.00
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 8x56 HD
$ 349.00
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 8x32
$ 1,000.00
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.