Whether birding, hunting or watching an event, a good pair of binoculars immerses you in your favorite activity. They allow you to be present in the action as it happens.
When selecting a pair of binoculars, there are a few things to take into consideration.
What does 8x42 mean? Isn’t 15x50 better? That all depends on what your needs are. The first number is the amount of magnification, and the second number is the size of the objective (lens furthest from your eye). A larger objective lets in more light, giving you a brighter image at the cost of a heavier, less compact binocular.
While going to a larger objective does help in low light situations, the increase in weight and size frame may be too cumbersome to hold for extended periods. The alternative is to look for binoculars utilizing an HD or extra low dispersion glass. The premium coatings and superior glass quality increases light transmission and overall image resolution.
There are several reason for more or less magnification. Keep in mind, as your magnification increases, the field of view decreases(fov is the space you can see left to right at a given distance) If you are looking at moving objects, a lower magnification might suit your needs since the wider field of will make it easier to find what you are looking at. On the other hand, if you are watching at extended distances a higher magnification may be the ticket.
General all purpose binoculars will have 8x or 10x magnification with a 42mm objective. For most situations, this is plenty of magnification while maintaining a compact and light frame.
Binoculars you should consider today:
Best of the Best
Vortex Razors 10X42 or 10X50 $999.99 and $1089.99
Best All Purpose
Athlon Optics MIDAS 8X42 at $289.99
Best Glove Box
Athlon Optics NEOS 8X42 at $99.99