What To Look For
The best pair of binoculars is one that best suits your intended use, is well-made and fits your eyes, hands and budget. Regardless of use, choose water-, weather- fog- and shock-proof models. For marine use, Boating magazine recommends binoculars with 7x magnification and 50mm diameter objective lenses. For wildlife observation and birding, experts favor ones that focus quickly, reproduce colors well, have a wide field of vision and come with 8x to 10x magnification and 42mm diameter lenses. According to Astronomy magazine, tripod-ready binoculars with 7x to 10x magnification and 40mm lenses work best for stargazers. All of these types are suitable for general use.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid binoculars that won't adjust to your eye spacing, can't be operated with one hand or are a struggle to see through, whether you wear glasses or not. They must let you bring details into sharp focus. The image must not blur halfway to the edge or be marred by blurry patches. You should never see overlapping images or broken horizontal lines in observed objects. Looking with the same eye through each of the binoculars' barrels at a printed page, you should see substantially the same images. Shake the instrument to check for loose parts rattling around inside.
Where To Buy
Boating supply stores like West Marine specialize in marine binoculars. For birding, wildlife and astronomy binoculars, shop national chain camera stores, like Ritz Cameras, or a prominent local-area retailer. Outdoor equipment stores, sporting goods chains and big-box retailers all carry binoculars. There are plenty of online sources, including specialized optics resellers and manufacturers' websites.
Cost
Pay less than $100 for marine binoculars or as much as $1,292 for the highly-rated Steiner Commander Xp 7x50. For birders, the Eagle Optics Triumph 8x25 costs $79.99 and the top-rated Leica Ultravid HD 10x42 sells for $2,095. Astronomy binoculars start at around $100; prices escalate quickly with power and size, and features like image stabilization and zoom push them above $1,000. The Swarovski SLC 10x42 HD High Definition model's price is $2,129. All prices are as of August 2010.
Comparison Shopping
The best-known maker of marine binoculars is the German firm Steiner, followed by Fujinon and Canon. Top-rated birding binoculars makers include Minox, Nikon, Pentax, Kowa, Steiner, Zeiss, Leica, Leupold and Swarovski. In astronomy circles, Canon, Nikon, Celestron and Meade get top reviews. Also look at Adlerblick, Miyauchi, Leitz, Minox and Takahashi for upscale models.
Accessories
Most binoculars come with carrying case, neck strap and lens cleaning cloths. Marine binoculars should have built-in lens caps. An optional $29 buoyant neck strap will keep your binoculars afloat if they go overboard; a $50 binocular holder accessory lets you stow your binoculars securely close at hand in the boat's cockpit. For birding, a harness in lieu of the neck strap does away with carrying heavy binoculars around your neck. For better stargazing, get a tripod and the necessary tripod adapter for an additional few hundred dollars.
Insider Tips
To find your ideal binoculars, first be clear about the features you need. Know your price range, evaluate competing feature sets, and then carefully test your top models before you buy. If you buy "sight unseen" online, make sure you can return the binoculars for a full refund if they don't work for you.
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