Bird and Nature Binoculars
Owning quality Birding Binoculars vs cheaper generic products, makes such a difference when out in the field for long periods of time. Eye fatigue is very common with binocular users, so having comfortable, lightweight, and compact birding binoculars for bird and nature watching is very important.
Typically 8x or 10x Binoculars are used for Birding which is much less straining on the eye. These magnifications also work very well if you use eye glasses as you can comfortably keep your glasses on while using them. So how do you chose the right type of binocular for this hobby?
Many people just starting off in birding and nature watching often think that bigger is better. A common mistake people make when purchasing binoculars is to buy ones that have the highest zoom or magnification.
However the opposite is true for birding and nature watching. This is because the higher the magnification the smaller the Field Of View (FOV), meaning you are focused on a smaller, concentrated area which can make locating your bird or animal harder.
Lets say a bird is sitting on a branch. With a narrow Field Of View, it is harder to locate the bird as you are not taking in as much of the surrounding area. With a larger Field Of View or smaller magnification you can pick up your target quicker and easier when putting your binoculars to your eyes. Tracking moving objects is also much easier with a higher Field Of View.
Another disadvantage of higher magnification binoculars is the less stable the binocular becomes when being hand held. So if your hand shakes a little your view in the binocular will shake too, so the use of a Stand or Tri-pod might be necessary.
Some other benefits of owning birding binoculars is that they are extremely versatile. They are brilliant in wooded areas, open fields, are very compacts so can conveniently go pretty much everywhere with you.
Lower magnification 8x Binoculars will make your image brighter and more vibrant than large magnification Binoculars. With their larger Field Of View it is also much easier to track fast moving birds and objects.
The slightly higher magnification 10x Binoculars will bring out more detail in your target which works really well if you are wanting to view a wide variety of animals. Having a smaller Field Of View to the 8x binoculars, 10x Binoculars are perfect for tracking slower moving birds and animals without losing detail.
If you are just starting off on you birding and nature watching journey then have a look at our Buyers Guide to help you get the best Birding Binoculars for your needs
