Binocular which one to buy

A particular draw is the fact that they offer high-quality Zuiko optics that will be familiar to fans of its photography brand. Due to the fact that they're relatively compact and lightweight for the level of specification on offer, yet usefully high powered with it, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to bring the faraway that bit closer will find it's plenty good enough for general purpose, everyday use.

A pared-back design indicates fuss-free usage, while a rubberised exterior prevents finger slippage. The construction is such that any ingress from water if submerged at a depth of one metre for five minutes is prevented — not that we'd need to put that to the test under regular circumstances.

They're also nitrogen-filled to avoid fogging in adverse conditions. Handily, the Olympus 10x42 Pro can be folded inwards or expanded outwards to adjust exactly to the distance between our eyes. Found between the eyepieces is a very large and obvious ridged focus wheel, whilst the right eyepiece boasts a dioptric adjustment wheel for a more precise focus for those who wear glasses.

For non-spectacle wearers the length of the eye relief is manually adjustable too, with the eyepieces extending when twisted anti-clockwise.

Generally build quality here is very good indeed and we would expect to get years of use out of these binoculars. Aimed at outdoor enthusiasts who prize portability over everything else, these handily foldable compact binoculars offer a decent 10x magnification and a 25mm objective lens. Add to that some waterproofing and it ensures they can be used whether at sea or at the races on dry land.

If you wear glasses know that the Olympus 10x25 WP II feature built-in dioptric correction that can be adjusted to individual eyesight. Multi-coated lenses help deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and crisp and clear viewing, while a central focus knob ensures adjustment is easy and convenient without needing to take a step back, or forward.

Their closest focus point is 1. A nitrogen-filled body also makes them fog-proof and dirt-proof — though not drop-proof — while they're also rubber-coated, so easy to grip. While 'power uses', including wildlife buffs, might be better looking for something with greater magnification, there's still plenty to recommend the Olympus 10x25 WP IIs. Relatively lightweight, unfussy and reliable, these are binoculars you can pick up out of the box and get using straight away, with added peace of mind provided by a generous year warranty.

With a rugged, waterproof and fog-proof design, the Nikon Monarch 5 20x56 are ready for anything. Rubber-wrapped and extremely versatile, their key features are a bigger than average magnification and large objective lenses. That's huge. The 56mm objective lenses provide a massive field of view that's almost as bright as if seen with the human eye. Couple that with a whopping 20x magnification and you have one of the best-priced pair of wildlife and birdwatching binos on the market.

The dielectric high-reflective mirror coating and use of Extra-low Dispersion glass ED is really what you're paying for, but in use, you'll be just as impressed by its flip-down lens caps that are impossible to lose.

Because they're made for long-distance viewing, the addition of a tripod is advisable here and adaptor is included. Want a closer look at the stars but don't want to buy a telescope?

The biggest binoculars for stargazing you can get, the Celestron SkyMaster 25x will give you a 3D vision of the night sky like you've never seen before.

These are not binoculars to hold. However, the rewards when spotting distant night sky objects are worth the hassle. Designed for astronomers, the Celestron SkyMaster 25x boast a sturdy construction and premium build and provide a clear and sharp stereoscopic view of the night sky thanks to a fantastic optical design. You could almost think of them as two side-by-side telescopes.

In fact, that's what they are, with a metal bar in the centre to add stability to the large structure. A key product in the debate around telescopes vs binoculars for stargazing , the Celestron SkyMaster 25x are ideal for a backyard stargazer after a specialist set-up.

A clever attempt to retain a wide-eyed view of the night sky but with a little magnification, the Vixen SG 2. The original wide-field binoculars for stargazers, the Vixen SG 2. Exquisitely made and pocket-sized for easy portability, the Vixen SG 2. Head to our full Vixen SG 2. A well-made pair of rubber-coated magnesium alloy binoculars, the Hawke Frontier HD X 10x42 are one of the most versatile pairs of binoculars around.

Their fog-proof nitrogen-filled lenses feature a hydrophobic coating to repel water and the manufacturer generously offers a worldwide lifetime warranty. The core specification is aimed at all-round use.

A 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens makes them incredibly versatile from an optical point of view. With fully multicoated optics and close focusing down to 2.

Add a manageable weight of Humans are hot and they all have the shakes, which is why binoculars with high magnification need to either be mounted on a tripod or use fancy image stabilisation IS technology. Its Vari-Angle Prism IS system uses a couple of gyro motion sensors to detect and measure the shake and actuators around the lenses to cancel-out it out.

Activated at the touch of a button, the super-steady results are a thing of wonder. Almost perfectly still and glowing, the Moon suddenly looks drop-dead gorgeous, as do far-off star clusters, and by day, wildlife. There are some downsides. The 2xAAA batteries required for image stabilization feature quickly expire, so you'll need to arm yourself with spares, and the IS image can sometimes look a little blurry.

Cast aside those foibles and make an investment because these remain near the pinnacle of stargazing binoculars. Another candidate for those after good value mid-range binoculars, the Celestron Nature DX 10x56 will appeal to nature lovers after an all-rounder.

Like many in the market, they're waterproof and nitrogen-filled to avoid fogging in the cold and the damp. However, unlike many competitors, they feature a large 56mm lens for letting in more light at dusk and dawn. The larger the lens, theoretically the more light it lets in, which is incredibly important for getting bright images while bird-watching or on safari.

With a closest focusing distance of three metres, the Celestron Nature DX 10x56 feature long, comfortable eye relief with twist-up eyecups to suit people who wear glasses. There's also a durable polycarbonate build with multi-coated optics to further aid clarity of vision. Its overall size makes it one for roomier pockets or stashing the glove box in the car, but the Celestron Nature DX 10x56 are a well-specified option for outdoor use in all weathers and a wide variety of light — and a great value option at the price.

Can we talk you into spending a month's wages on a pair of binoculars? Considered the Rolls Royce of binocular manufacturers, distinguished optics company Swarovski, the EL 50 10x50 binoculars have a large field of view and allow in plenty of light. The secret is in the optics. The EL50 offer exceptional clarity, sharpness and brightness that makes them perfect for taking on a bird-watching trip or on safari. However, they're also regarded as excellent for stargazing.

We're talking plenty of depth of field, exquisite detail and not a whisper of colour fringing. They're also more compact than similarly-specified binoculars because the objective lenses are closer to the ends of the barrels. Yes, they're expensive. Incredibly expensive! But they will be your favourite and your last pair of binoculars. The Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 binoculars would make a great first pair of proper binoculars.

With a very low price, light weight and easy-to-use design, they're a good no-frills option for anyone new to birdwatching or to bung in the glovebox of your car. Like most cheap binoculars, these use a Porro prism optical system, and offer 10x magnification with a 50mm diameter objective lens. Field of view at m: metres ft at yds. Closest focusing distance: 3.

Eye relief: 18mm. Dimensions: xx53mm. Reasons to avoid - Neither small nor light. Bushnell Powerview 2 10x Field of view at m: Not specified. Closest focusing distance: 6. Eye relief: 15mm. Length: mm. Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x Specifications Magnification: 20x. Objective diameter: 80mm. Field of view at m: 56 metres. Closest focusing distance: Weight: 2. Dimensions: Reasons to avoid - Large lenses mean a big pair of binos - Better on a tripod.

Opticron Savanna WP 6x The best binoculars for kids — lightweight, simple to use and affordable. Specifications Magnification: 6x. Objective diameter: 30mm.

Field of view at m: metres. Closest focusing distance: 3 metres. Eye relief: 21mm. Dimensions:: xx40mm. Reasons to avoid - Not the most powerful binos - Lacks features like anti fogging. Steiner 10x26 Safari UltraSharp Binocular. Objective diameter: 26mm. Closest focusing distance: 5. Eye relief: 11mm. Dimensions: mm in length. Reasons to avoid - Optics not top of the class - No IS or tripod connectivity.

Celestron Nature DX 10x Objective diameter: 56mm. Field of view at m: m. Closest focusing distance: 3m. Dimensions: xx65mm. Reasons to avoid - Heavier than many alternatives. Olympus 10x42 PRO. The best binoculars for safari — and they are waterproof too. Closest focusing distance: 1. Eye relief: 16mm. Reasons to avoid - 10x may not be enough for wildlife - Pretty pricey. Leica Trinovid-HD 10x Reasons to avoid - Luxury price tag. Nikon Monarch HG 10x They are expensive, but amongst the best compact binoculars of all.

Dimensions: xx47mm. Reasons to avoid - You pay a premium for the compact construction. Zeiss Victory SF 10x Download the Magazine just for Rs.

Living Tech. Here is what to look for while buying a binocular and the best picks across sections. Nandagopal Rajan Print Edition: Oct 01, We have all seen and used binoculars, but not many of us actually take the plunge and buy one.

This is partly because we don't have a specific use for the product and find the need to have one only when we are on a vacation, that too on a scenic spot. But there are many people who are very serious about their binoculars , among them sports lovers, nature enthusiasts and bird watchers.

These users are clear about the specifications they need while buying a device. But what about the average user? Here is a guide to selecting binoculars. Magnification The magnification of a binocular is the number that is written with the x. So if the binocular says 10x, it means it magnifies the subject ten times.

For instance, a bird 1, metres away will appear as if it was at a distanc e metres away as see with the naked eyes. The best magnifications for regular use are between 7x and 12x, anything beyond and it will be tough to manage without a tripo 2. Objective Lens Diameter The objective lens is the one opposite the eye piece. The size of this lens is crucial because it determines the amount of light that enters the binoculars.