Binoculars, spotting scopes

When referring to binoculars, there’s always a number combination, such as 8 x 21 or 10 x 42. The first number indicates the magnification power, while the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lenses.When referring to binoculars, there’s always a number combination, such as 8 x 21 or 10 x 42. The first number indicates the magnification power, while the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lenses.

Binoculars and Spotting Scopes for Outdoor Enthusiasts

What Do the Numbers on Binoculars Mean?

When referring to binoculars, there’s always a number combination, such as 8 x 21 or 10 x 42. The first number indicates the magnification power, while the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lenses.

Magnification

A high magnification sounds appealing. In practice, we recommend 6x to 10x magnification for handheld binoculars. The effect is similar to zooming with a camera: the more you magnify the image, the more sensitive it becomes to hand shake. With magnifications over 10x, hand movement makes the image blurry, so binoculars with high magnification are best used with a tripod or a “Finnstick.” Magnification also affects low-light performance. Binoculars with high magnification are difficult (and expensive) to make effective in low-light conditions.

Objective Lens Diameter

This number affects the size of the binoculars but also their low-light performance: small objective lenses do not gather enough light to work well in dim conditions. The best low-light binoculars have lenses of at least 50 mm. Even 42 mm lenses offer significantly better low-light performance than compact binoculars with 20 or 25 mm lenses.

What Kind of Binoculars Should You Buy?

For hiking, compact binoculars are a good choice. They are easy to carry and perform well in bright conditions. A magnification of 6x to 10x is ideal. For birdwatching and other active use, we recommend binoculars with 8x to 10x magnification and an objective lens diameter of 32 to 50 mm. For boating, waterproof binoculars are ideal, and the magnification should not exceed 7x. Since larger binoculars are easy to carry on a boat, a 50 mm objective lens is a good size.

What Affects the Price?

When choosing binoculars from our selection, you get what you pay for: budget models are suitable for occasional use in dry, bright conditions. They help identify a bird sitting in a nearby tree. As the price increases, image sharpness, color reproduction, and brightness improve, the field of view expands, and the binoculars become waterproof and compatible with eyeglasses. More expensive binoculars last longer in harsh conditions and maintain a bright image year after year because they are dustproof. The lenses in the cheapest binoculars may lose up to 55% of incoming light, while in the most expensive models, the loss is only about 5%.

Waterproofing

Waterproof binoculars prevent problems not only when dropped in water but also in foggy conditions or when temperature changes cause moisture to condense on the binoculars. Waterproof binoculars are also dustproof. Over the years, regular binoculars accumulate fine dust inside, which inevitably degrades image quality.

Light Shields/Eye Cups

When binoculars have fold-down or twist-down light shields (eye cups), eyeglass users can use the binoculars without removing their glasses. Simply fold the shields down and place the binoculars in front of your glasses. There are significant differences between binoculars here: the wider the field of view, the better they work with glasses.

Low-Light Performance

If you want binoculars that perform well in low light, choose ones with large objective lenses and low magnification. For example, 7x50 binoculars are significantly better in low light than 8x32 binoculars, provided they are in a similar price range. Compact binoculars with small lenses work well only in daylight.

Porro Prism or Roof Prism?

In Porro prism binoculars, light makes a bend, meaning the tubes are not straight, giving them a “traditional” appearance. Porro prism binoculars are cheaper to manufacture, so you may get better value for your money compared to roof prism binoculars in the same price range. Roof prism binoculars, however, are more compact and easier to carry.

Focus Outdoor II 10x50

Waterproof, affordable binoculars with 10 fold magnification. Also suitable for use in somewhat dim conditions.

Focus Outdoor II 10x42

Waterproof, affordable binoculars with 10 fold magnification. Also suitable for use in somewhat dim conditions.

Focus Aquafloat 7x50 Waterproof Compass

Compass and distance scale in 7-fold binoculars.

Focus Hawk 15-45 x 60 + Tripod 3950

A sensibly priced telescope for bird watching etc.

Kowa BDII-XD 10x42WD

Waterproof binoculars with a wide angle view.

Kowa SV II 10x42

Waterproof binoculars with great price to performance ratio.

Focus Outdoor 8x32 Waterproof

Waterproof outdoor binoculars with a reasonable price tag.

Kowa BDII-XD 10x32 WA

Quality binoculars with a wide perspective at 10x magnification. Waterproof design.

Focus Explore 8x32

Waterproof general purpose binoculars.

Focus Outdoor II 8x25

Waterproof, affordable binoculars.

Focus Junior 6x21

Children's binoculars with great detail.

Focus Explore 8x25

Waterproof and compact, with a reasonable price tag - great performance for the price.

Focus Outdoor 20-60 x 60 + Tripod

A waterproof scope for bird and animal watching. Tripod included.

Focus Observer 34 8x34

Waterproof binoculars at a reasonable price.

Focus Outdoor II 8x42

Waterproof, affordable binoculars. Also suitable for use in somewhat dim conditions.

Focus Explorer 10 x 32

Waterproof binoculars with a ten-fold magnification.

Focus Outdoor II 12x50

Waterproof, affordable binoculars with 12 fold magnification. Also suitable for use in somewhat dim conditions.

Focus Mono II 8x25

Waterproof monocular.

Focus Outdoor 15 - 45 x 60 + Tripod

A waterproof scope for bird and animal watching. Tripod included.

Kowa BDII XD 8x42 Wide Angle

Waterproof binoculars with a wide angle view.

Focus Fun II 10x25

Light and affordable binoculars with 10-fold magnification.

Focus Action III 10x25

Compact binoculars with strong magnification.

Focus Track RF 1000m

A rangefinder with a range of up to 1000 meters.

Focus Activa 10x32

Lightweight binoculars with 10-fold magnification.

Focus Observer 10x34 HD

Waterproof binoculars at a reasonable price.

Focus Celestron Lens Cleaning Kit

Camera lens, binocular and spotting scope lens cleaning kit.

Focus Bright 10x25

Light and affordable binoculars with 10-fold magnification and spray proof structure.

Focus Sailor III 7x50 WP

Waterproof binoculars for boating.

Focus Outdoor II 10x25

Waterproof, affordable binoculars.

Focus Harness With Buckle

A proper binocular harness saves your neck!

Focus Viewmaster 20-60x80 Kit

A scope kit with great price to quality ratio.

Kowa BDII-XD 8x32WA

Quality binoculars with a wide perspective at 8x magnification. Waterproof design.

Focus Outdoor II 8x32

Waterproof, affordable binoculars.

Focus Scenery 7x50 FF

Sailing binoculars with a set focus to the distance.

Kowa SV II 8x32

Waterproof binoculars with great price to performance ratio.