Understanding the ins and outs of optics, specifically binoculars, can provide an all around more satisfying venture afield. With new technology being introduced every year, it may be hard to stay abreast of the many different binocular styles available and the countless features these field-glasses carry. The following will hopefully shed a little light on the important topic of understanding binoculars. 

            Besides a knife, binoculars may be the most universal tool an outdoorsman can own. Hunting, fishing, bird watching, and boating can all be enhanced by the presence of a good pair of optics. Your binoculars can even go beyond woods and water to help you more thoroughly enjoy a football game or concert. So why do so many sportsmen fail to grasp the importance of understanding optics?

            Perhaps you’ve been holding on to an old pair of binoculars that seem to work just fine. Grandpa my have given them to you years ago, but hey, they still work. The object you’re looking at appears closer, so you’re satisfied.

            Binoculars come in so many shapes and sizes that one should really consider matching their needs to a proper pair of glasses. Different activities as well as different locations necessitate different optics. If you’re fishing a charter boat on Lake Michigan the necessary power you need would greatly exceed that necessary of watching a backyard birdfeeder from the comforts of your kitchen window.

Binocular Styles

            There are 2 main body styles of binoculars: porro prism and roof prism. Porro prism binoculars are offset, meaning the eye pieces and objective lenses are not in a strait line. The eye pieces are usually closer together than the objective lenses. Porro prism binoculars are the more traditional of the 2 styles, and can offer great viewing performance for a generally less expensive price.

Roof prism binoculars are designed with the eye pieces and objective lenses in-line. In a pair of roof prism binoculars, the eye pieces and objective lenses share the same axis. One major advantage of roof prism binoculars is, they are normally less bulky. They are however, generally more expensive

Both, porro prism and roof prism designs can provide excellent quality and enjoyable viewing. Determining which prism is right for you comes down to multiple factors including; cost, bulk, and personal preference.

Optical Power

            When shopping for a pair of binoculars, you will notice a mix of numbers jumping out at you. How do you know if you need 7x35, 8x42, 10x50 or 7-15x35 binoculars? Once you understand what the numbers mean, you can match those numbers to what you are going to be using your optics for.

            The first number, the digit(s) to the left of the x, always refer to how much magnification a binocular possesses. If you were to purchase an 8x binocular, you would have an optical tool in your hands with the ability to make an object appear 8 times closer than it actually is. Therefore, the first number is how close the object will appear. Some binoculars have a zoom. A 7-10x binocular has the potential to range in magnification from 7 times to 10 times more powerful than the human eye.

            The second number, the digit(s) to the right of the x, indicates how big the objective lens is. This represents how wide of a view the binocular will represent and how much light can be gathered to form an image. For example, a x50 will allow more light at a wider view than a x28.

            I must note, although stronger magnification binoculars are capable of bringing an object closer, quality of viewing generally depreciates with increased magnification. This is due to less light entering the lenses. The trade off for more power is often a less clear image in a smaller window of view.

Glass and Coatings

            The quality of glass your lenses are made out are just like any other object associated with quality; you get what you pay for. BAK4 prism glass and BK7 prism glass are two grades of glass frequently used in the design and manufacture of consumer binoculars. Each grade offers light transmission and brightness, but they are not quite equal. BK7 is most often used on low to mid-level priced units, while general purpose BAK4 is used on higher grade, more expensive binoculars. BAK4 is a softer glass, requiring more attention in grinding thus offering greater light transmission and color correctness.

Lenses receive coatings to help reduce the amount of light which is lost due to reflections. Generally, binoculars receive a single layer of coating on each glass surface.  More expensive models have multi-coatings applied which further reduce the amount of light lost to reflections.

 Choosing a Binocular

            Choosing the right binocular for you comes down to multiple factors: what will you be doing, how much you can afford, and which style do you prefer. I personally participate in multiple outdoor activities that are enhanced with binocular use. I hunt around agricultural fields in the Midwest and in the Rocky Mountains every year so I need a binocular that can reach out. I also like to watch birds in my backyard and on short hikes, so I want clarity. Therefore, I use a 10x50 binocular. My personal binoculars are made by Alpen Optics. The exact model is the Apex 10x50. I like these binoculars because they have good power with great clarity, are waterproof, have long eye relief, and high quality BAK4 lenses are with a great coating. Alpen Apex binoculars retail in the middle of the pack at around $450. I believe my Apex to be high quality binoculars at a reasonable price.

            When considering how to spend your hard earned money on outdoor equipment, don’t overlook the importance of having quality binoculars. Deer hunters do a lot of looking in those long hours on stand and squirrel hunters spend a lot of time peering into treetops. Seek out a good deal on a quality set of binoculars and start enjoying your optical experience.

See you down the trail…