Best Birdwatching Binoculars| The different Scopes

In the last two posts, I gave the answer to what the best birdwatching binoculars were, as vague as it may have been and also went over what to look for when you are about to purchase your first set of birdwatching binoculars. Today, I am going to expound on this a little more. Before we do this, understand that I do this primarily as a hobby too, so any information that you might have is welcome.

The angled scope and the straight scope: the pros and cons of each....

Unlike binoculars, birders will use scopes because it allow for a more stabilized way to view birds in the distance. Since most scopes are simple mounts with legs, what it gives in stability, the birder will lose in mobility. However, serious birders will want to eventually look into investing in a scope. But, which one is best for you?

If you were to ask what scope is best for a birdwatcher, you would probably get a mixed variety of answers as well as reasons as to why they like one scope better than the other one. Many like the straight scope because you can simply point the scope in the direction you are looking and you get exactly what you see. Others like the angled scope (which is typically angled at a 45 degree).

Obviously, if you are not accustomed to viewing the world through a looking glass, then either scope is going to feel a bit weird. In this case, perhaps the straight scope would be a better fit for you as it kind of takes less time to adjust to position the optic in the way you want it.

However, as you become more accustomed to using a scope, the angled scope definitely has its advantages....

• With a straight scope, you can only view it one way....however, with an angled scope, you can angle it from the side or from above. The cool thing about an angled scope is that you the image will look right side up no matter what position you are trying to view it. Plus, if you are sharing your scope with a fellow birdwatcher, there is absolutely no need for the other person to "find" what you are looking at; they can just readjust the scope to their height and see it.
• Unlike a straight scope, an angled scope can be mounted lower, which can provide a more steady and better image. Think about it...think of a straight scope kind of like a telescope...you can only mount it as low as the scope is long and imagine if you were trying to mount a straight scope really low, then you too would have to get very low as well (and you can only get so low)...so, if you want more stability, like in the case of less shaking in the wind, an angled scope would be better.
• Angled scope makes it easier to look up and down- Once again, if you want to look at a bird from way up in a tree, you will find it way more difficult to look at it with a straight scope. However, with an angled scope, you will be less likely to get on your hands and knees. As far as looking down, it is the exact same thing. Let's say you are taking a look at something down hill. Once again, with an angled scope, you simply adjust your scope and voila!...no standing on your tippie toes.
• Finally, you can use an angled scope from a smaller space, such as a car- Because you can swing the scope in virtually any direction, you can easily see from the frontseat to the rear or visa-versa without having to awkwardly crane your head into a cramped position.

What ever you decide to choose, whether it be an angled scope or a straight scope, both have thei pros and cons. I think that as you start to get more and more into birdwatching, you will probably like the angled scopes more. Best Birdwatching Binoculars

The Best BirdWatching Binoculars

Bird Watching can be a fun, community based hobby but it is easy to spend way too much on bird watching binoculars before you know that this hobby is something for you, longterm. I liken it to learning how to play guitar.....when you are first learning the basics, you don't really need to go with the best birdwatching binoculars...just a pair that is good enough to grow into. When you have made the decision that you like birding, then you can ante up on a good set of binoculars.

So what are the best birdwatching binoculars?

I am not here to sell you on any specific pair but there are several things that you need to look for when choosing binoculars for birding.

1. The more powerful lenses are not necessarily the "right binoculars" for bird watching- While we, as Americans are obsessed with bigger, better, faster, stronger things, contrary to popular belief, the higher the magnification, the less you are going to see although the more focused you will have to be on a smaller object. And if you have the shakes, this can prove especially disastrous for the novice bird watcher. Bottom line: A set of optics that have 10x magnification is probably the limit for bird watching.
2. You don't necessarily need "bigger" bird watching binoculars either- Once again, bigger should be better, right? Well, not necessarily....it is easy for a novice birdwatcher to naturally assume that if they buy one of the larger pairs of optics that they would be better but the truth is the power in binoculars is the design and magnification of the eyepiece itself, not the actual size of the binoculars. In fact, the only reason why a set of birdwatching binoculars would be bigger is because of the objective lens on the end of the binoculars.
3. And while we are on the topic of bigger binoculars, except in dim light, there is no difference in the brightness of the image you are viewing- Common sense would tell you that the more light you can expose to the lens, the brighter the actual image would be that you are trying to view. The difference is negligible and unless you plan on birdwatching at night, there is really little difference between a 42mm+ pair of optics and a typical (and cheaper) 32mm pair of binoculars.
4. The "Field View" has very little to do with the size of binoculars for birdwatching- Once again, bigger isn't necessarily indicative of best birdwatching binoculars. While it is easy for a novice to assume that a bigger pair of optics will equate to a larger field of view, in some cases, the opposite can be true. One thing to remember is that the lower the magnification, the greater the field view. So, let's say you are looking at a bird using 10x magnification...you could easily get a better (although not closer) point of view by lowering the magnification down to 8x. And although you could get a larger field view at a higher magnification with some binoculars, expect to pay a premium price for these, usually at $1,000+...not exactly a good price for the beginner just exploring the hobby of birdwatching.
5. If you have "special needs", you are going to have to pay more for your binoculars- This used to be the case a few years back but as technology has increased, the prices for these optics have gone down. Things such as waterproof binoculars, once a perk reserved only for the high end types, are now made available for the mid-priced binoculars. Now, even those birdwatchers who wear glasses can purchase a good set of binoculars without having it bankrupt their bank account.
6. And speaking of waterproof binoculars, go ahead and invest in a pair that has this perk- Even if you don't think that you will ever have to brave the rain to watch your avian friends, go ahead and purchase a set that is waterproof. The reason is simple....although you may never go out into the rain, the fact is that moisture can build up in your birdwatching binoculars regardless of whether there is rain in the forecast or not. Think of it this way; if you have ever gotten into your car on a humid evening and had your windshield fog up when it wasn't raining, you can expect a set of binoculars to do the same from time to time. And this can ruin an afternoon of bird watching. Waterproof binoculars help deal with this common issue.
   
7. Don't assume that just because your friend has a particular set of binoculars, that that set will fit you as well- Binoculars are like cars...there isn't an exact fit for everyone. If you wear glasses, you will need a set that will give you long eye relief. You should factor in the steadiness of your hands as well. Some binoculars are better for those who don't have a nice steady hand. If you have larger hands, a set of larger binoculars may be in order for you. Finally, there are intangibles like how the pair of binoculars feels in your hands. The bottom line is that different binoculars are made for different types of birdwathers. The good news is that there is a set out there for you.

The best birdwatching binoculars is more dependent on you, as an individual birdwatcher, and therefore there are a lot of "if, ands, or buts" involved when you are making your decision as to what set if good for you. The important thing to realize is that you don't necessarily have to go out and buy the most expensive set to get the most benefit and the best birdwatching binoculars for you could be a mid-priced set.

Bird Watching Binoculars

How to find the Right Binoculars for Bird Watching

Next to gardening there is not many hobbies that are as popular as bird watching. After all, who isn't interested in our fine, feathery airborne friends that come in all shapes, sizes and colors? And the best part is all you really need to enjoy this hobby is a book that shows the different species of birds and a great pair of bird watching binoculars. That's it. So are you ready to explore this fun hobby?

The biggest challenge that you might face when bird watching is that it requires a good deal of patience and practice when you are first getting started. However, once you get the idea and know what to look for, you will find yourself addicted to this hobby in no time.

So, why do you need a pair of binoculars for bird watching. Just like most wild life, getting close to these creatures will most likely prove a challenge. Couple this with the fact that most birdwatching is done by peering into trees and up in the sky and you have to understand why binoculars are so important.

Best Birding Binoculars

Finding a decent pair of binoculars will allow you to see the birds close up and personal..pick a poor set and you will likely get frustrated. When you are investigating different types of binoculars, go with a branded pair; Now this may seem expensive, understand that you are investing in the long term. Don't short change yourself by purchasing a sub par pair.

You are going to want to search for a set that can magnify by at least 7x power. Any lower and you run the risk of not "seeing" them as well. Of course, there are other brands that have higher power but remember that the higher the power, the steadier your hand will need to be.

Also, there is a second number on the binoculars that you will want to take notice of....this number could be 35 or 40. This number is actually the diameter in millimeters in comparison to how large the lens is when looking at the bird (or whatever you are looking at)



The higher the figure, the great the light. And the more light you have, the more clear the binoculars will be.

Compact and pocket sized binoculars may sound like a good deal at first but remember that most have too narrow of a field of view for you to keep track of the birds you are watching.

Now that we have gotten what type of binoculars are best when bird watching, the other thing to get is a good book which will help you identify the bird you are looking at. The best ones are those that will show you the different birds in each region of the country as not all birds will be found in all locales.

With just a book and a pair of binoculars, you can now set off on your bird watching expedition. You can do this anyway you like. You don't even have to leave your home. Some people like to start from a window in their home and move to the zoo before finally going to a national park. After all, practice makes perfect, right?

There are also bird watching clubs found in all cities that you can join. These clubs do fun things like organizing field trips on the weekends and you can learn alot about the birds and their habitats in this way.

In conclusion, wouldn't it be nice if we had an eagle eye and didn't have to bring a pair of binoculars for bird watching? Well, since this isn't an option, our next best option is to grab us a book and a pair of bird watching binoculars with us to view birds in their natural habitat. Bird watching- It is a fun hobby that anyone can do!