What To Look For
A sturdy, lightweight pair of binoculars is essential for outdoor adventure and exploration. The binoculars should have a long enough range and be clear enough to give you detailed visual information about where you're heading. Steiner and Nikon are among the manufacturers making binoculars that will last and help you in an emergency.
Common Pitfalls
A cheap pair of binoculars with poor magnification will be nothing but excess weight. Many campers and hikers don't imagine they'll use their binoculars for anything beyond looking at wildlife. Be sure at least one person in your party has a pair of adequate binoculars you can use if unforeseen circumstances develop. Also, avoid cheaper, large binoculars designed for hunters who remain stationary during their outing. Although high resolution and very clear, the weight of the binoculars will be a great burden on a long hike.
Where To Buy
You can find high-end binoculars at outdoor equipment stores like EMS and REI, as well as specialty hunting shops like Cabela's. Binoculars designed for birdwatchers can be a good choice as well, and you can find them at online bird watching specialty outlets, such as CompleteNaturalist.com.
Cost
Expect to spend between $60 and $200 for a high-end pair of lightweight binoculars. You can certainly spend more. Nikon models sell for upwards of $250. Binoculars cheaper than $60 start to get heavy and lose some quality, so consider your purchase as an investment and get a pair from a well-regarded manufacturer. Many shops, such as Best Buy and REI, have generous return and exchange policies as well as protection packages for your gear.
Accessories
Special cleaning kits for binocular lenses are sold for under $5. These kits promise scratch-free cleaning and dust removal from your binoculars. A comfortable and sturdy strap is a convenient accessory and a must if you'll be using your binoculars while hiking.
Insider Tips
You want a pair of binoculars that magnify at least 7x. The magnification must be balanced with the size of the lens, which will impact how much detail you get of the magnified image. A wider lens indicated by a lower number (for example, 19 is wider than 35) will let in more light and give you better visuals with less magnification.
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