Binoculars are probably the most used optical instruments after eyeglasses. They are used for all kinds of viewing – from hiking to bird watching, from marine adventures to hunting excursions. They are basically two telescopes used together to give a complete image of a distant object – but the internal setup is much more complex than that definition. When you are out to buy binoculars, choosing the right ones for your specific observations can be tricky. But putting in some research makes it a much easier task.

The first step in choosing the right binoculars knows the differences between the different types of binoculars options out there.

Outdoor Binoculars

When outdoors for any event or camping, hunting excursions or travelling, size and weight are huge concerns. Outdoor binoculars are the most widely used type of binoculars owing to their compact size and portability. They can be used for a variety of different viewing – looking for a good camping spot, watching a stadium game, etc. Outdoor, or general use binoculars, are also called compact binoculars and generally offer 7 xs to 10x magnification. They are great for carrying around since they can be easily strapped around your neck or fit into a pocket and have a wide angle which allows for a good field of view. In all, general purpose binoculars have a good balance between magnification and field of view.

Hunting Binoculars

Hunting binoculars offer a wider range of magnification than outdoor or general purpose binoculars. They offer 7 xs to 10 xs and also 12 xs to 16 xs. But larger magnification means a shaky image if viewed without a tripod or mount because the larger magnification amplifies the shaking of your hands. Another important feature to look for in hunting binoculars is the size of the objective lens. An objective lens of 50 may seem optimum but it will make the binoculars heavier. If you aim to observe in big open spaces, go for a 10x42 binocular. For forest, use an 8x42 binocular, which is also the most popular specification for hunting binoculars.

Marine Binoculars

Marine binoculars do not offer a lot of magnification since you is on the ocean and there is less stability than on the ground. Higher magnification would mean a terribly shaky image. Marine observers use 7x, 8x or 10x magnification binoculars. The feature to look for when choosing marine binoculars is the length of the objective lens, waterproof, and durability. The optimum size of the objective lens is 35mm. Choosing the right binoculars for your observation type might not seem crucial, but viewing will be much more easy and enjoyable if you have the right binoculars.