Bird Worthy Binoculars

There is not a lot of equipment required to engage or stay engaged in birding. Yet, to think that one can get started using your favorite uncle’s old binoculars leads far more often than not to frustration and failure. It’s too heavy, too hard to hold steady, too slow to focus, too hard to locate the bird in time. So, while everyone else enjoys a grand view of the bird, you come away empty, confused, and maybe a little peeved. So, leave those relics to memories. You need a good pair of binoculars.

What should you know to find the right binocular for you? First, please consider that birding is something that can be enjoyed for many years. That’s the goal. We want to find something that lasts, gives us enjoyment for a long period of time, and is something in which we can engage under many different conditions and circumstances. Invest in a good binocular. There are many attributes that need to be considered before examining price.

Okay, first, do you wear eyeglasses? This is a huge consideration. If you do and you wish or need to wear your glasses at all times, then pay attention to eye relief. What is eye relief? It is how far the image is projected out of the ocular lens. A large eye relief is best for those wearing glasses. Look for binoculars with eye relief of 19-22 mm. Those who do not wear glasses can be satisfied with eye relief in the 15-18 mm range.

The next most important attribute of a binocular is its field of view. Beginning birders sometimes struggle finding the bird in the binocular. This effort is greatly assisted when the field of view is large. Field of view is measured in two ways, by degree or by feet. Field of view in feet is most easily understood. It is often stated in feet at 1000 yards, for example 345 feet at 1000 yards. This means that the area being viewed is 345 feet across the binocular objective lens if the area is 1000 yards away. As a beginner, one should consider finding a binocular with a field of view around 400 feet. More experienced birders will do fine with a field of view ranging from 315 to 350 feet. Below 300 feet presents many people with difficulty.

A subsequent attribute to consider is quickness of focus. Look for a center focus in which the wheel can easily focus near to far in approximately one and a half turns. This is critical when viewing such active little birds as kinglets, warblers, and wrens.

Now, let’s look at the numbers. What does 8 x42 mean? Is it better than 10 x 32?

The first number in both the above has to do with magnification. Magnification is somewhat misleading. Bluntly, it does not mean what it says. If it did, then a five inch bird in an 8x binocular would have an image of 40 inches—not possible. 8x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one eighth of the distance. 10 x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one tenth of the distance. Most of us do quite well with 8x. There are some good binoculars out with 7x and even 6.5 x. Higher magnifications may lend themselves to greater resolution and fine detail, but this decreases the field of view and the light gathering ability of the binocular.

The second number is the size of the objective lens. 42 mm is larger than 32 mm. The size of the objective lens affects the field of view, the light gathering ability, and the weight. There is no hard and fast rule here, though. Manufacturers have been able to affect these three characteristics several ways, such as coatings and the type of glass employed.

Finally, some recommendations—a beginner might start with a Vortex 8 x42 Diamondback for its wide field of view is tremendous. If cost is a consideration, look at the Vortex 8 x 42 Crossfire. If you are a birder that enjoys hiking and weight is something to think about, try the Vortex 6.5 x 32 Fury or the Vortex 8 x 28 Fury. A great, all-around binocular, whether a novice or veteran, would be the Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. High end quality and style at an affordable price can be found in the Vortex 8 x 42 Razor.

Binoculars by Vortex Optics

Many articles have been written by this author and others on how to choose a binocular to fit your needs and wants. However, the question that begs answering is how to choose a brand that you can trust and will serve you well for many years? Proposition: buying a pair of binoculars is tantamount to an investment. Most of us buy binoculars knowing these will be something we want to provide us with many years of enjoyment. We do not want a pair to get us through a year or two; we want it to be worthy of ten, fifteen or more years. Ergo, we must also consider that we are buying a brand or company, and that company must be one willing to stand by their product and be committed to customer service.

First, consider the warranty offered. Second, consider access to the company. Third, consider the focus of the company. Fourth, consider the commitment to providing a quality product at a competitive price.

To those ends, Vortex Optics makes a very enticing case as your next brand of binoculars. Vortex Optics offers an unlimited and unconditional warranty. No bones about it, Vortex promises to repair or replace your product free no matter what. That’s pretty straight forward and generates a considerable amount of confidence in the brand. It stands to reason that the buyer can then be confident that a Vortex binocular (or spotting scope) is manufactured to exacting specifications. If you should possibly have a concern about your product know that Vortex Optics can easily be contacted because it maintains an easy to use web site on which is appropriate contact information. One can find a live voice with which to converse. Also, Vortex maintains a good relationship with its dealers facilitating two way conversations that can prove beneficial to the customer. Vortex Optics is focused on providing quality optics. It is not a mega company with several and diverse product lines. Its mission is to provide premium optical products which include features that make a difference between good and great binoculars and scopes. Finally, Vortex is a company that believes it should and can deliver a quality product at an affordable price. Vortex is a company that believes its products stack up well to other brands costing significantly more.

On your next purchase of a pair of binoculars or spotting scope consider that you are buying a brand not just a product.

Rain or Shine, Vortex Razors Have It All

Okay, you are ready for an upgrade. You want something that not only states the seriousness of your commitment to birding but is stylish and functional. If it rains while in the field you want it waterproof and fogproof. You want your binoculars to deliver crystal clear images and true color definition for not only confident identification but wonderful sighting. Of course, you want it to be affordable.

Now, you can have all of the above. The European styled Vortex Razor binoculars deliver crystal clear precise images and true colors even under challenging conditions because of Vortex’s HD System. This system combines XR coatings, XD objective lens elements, and XT optical design for superb light transmission and resolution, and edge to edge accuracy and detail.

Now these premium performance binoculars are even more enticing because of the rebates being offered on all models. The 42 mm Razors are eligible for a $100 rebate and the 50 mm Razors are subject to a $150 rebate.

Razors are simply the smartest of choices among premium performance binoculars designed for enjoyable and advanced birding and nature observation.

Great Sale on Stokes DLS Binocular

The 8 x 42 Stokes DLS Binocular, made by Vortex Optics, is on sale at a wonderful special price. The Stokes DLS was designed by and for birders. (DLS stands for Don and Lillian Stokes—recognized names in the birding community.) Utilizing the Stokes’ exacting criteria, Vortex Optics manufactured the DLS using state-of-the-art technology. Vortex Optics is considered to be a premier manufacturer of quality optical instruments for outdoor use.

Special features of the DLS include excellent resolution and reliable color. Thus, these features are extremely helpful when viewing Pine Siskins grouped with goldfinches, with which they are known to flock during migration. Another feature is they work well in twilight conditions. We birders get out early in the morning and late in the evening. We know that not being able to view and identify our subject because to poor optics is severely disappointing. With the DLS one does not have this worry. The DLS possess an excellent ergonomic design and are relatively lightweight for long periods of birding. The versatility of focus is superb from up close to long range.

At $499.99, the Stokes 8 x 42 DLS Binocular is a great bargain for the outdoor enthusiast.

One More for the Birders

Birders are constantly looking for any advantage to assist in identification and increase the pleasure of their field experience. Every birder knows that the conditions of weather and light can make decisions difficult. Every birder knows that sometimes it is the briefest of looks that the bird affords. Every birder wants to go into the field with as good a binocular as possible.

The 8 x 42 Fury Binocular is just the binocular to fit the bill. In fact, this new line of Vortex binoculars sets a very good standard. Wayne Mones writes in his review on Audubonmagazine.org, “Vortex really got everything right with this new line of binoculars”. He goes on to say that he loves the 8 x 42 and thinks they are a best buy.

The Fury binoculars are part of the new generation binoculars the use argon gas in the purging process to water and fog proof. Argon has several advantages over nitrogen. Being a member of the Noble Gases, argon is inert. Consequently, it won’t attack the o-rings that help seal the binoculars extending the life of the unit.

Images produced by Fury are of superior quality. The colors produced are natural: the contrast is excellent. One would think that he is looking through a very expensive binocular to get this wonderful an image. Not So! The entire line is modestly priced.

The focus wheel is large and placed well. One and a quarter turns allows quick focus, important for identifying darting little birds. The field of view on the 8 x 42 Fury is quite large at 358 feet at 1000 yards. This important aspect facilitates finding a bird with ease but also allows for a good bit of the landscape to be searched at any given time. For those of us who wear eyeglasses the eye relief is excellent at 20 mm. One can hardly beat that.

This is another model that will allow the birder to enjoy many an adventure in the field.

Binoculars for Birders

With the beginning of Spring it is time to consider investing in new binoculars. This is a proposition that can present itself in daunting ways. Careful consideration needs to be made whether a new birder or one who has spent some time in the field and acquired some expertise. The optics field is quite large and the number of products is considerable. How does one choose a binocular? Here are my suggestions.

First, determine just how and under what circumstances you will be using your new binoculars. If you are going to be walking then full size binoculars are certainly worth your consideration. However, if you are a backpacker or will be doing your birding on a bicycle, then you may wish to consider mid size or even compact binoculars. If you bird by sitting in a favorite spot, then larger binoculars could be your choice. Size matters when one considers the mode of birding. Size is dictated by the objective lens. Generally, if the objective lens is 50 mm then it is considered to be a large binocular; if it is 42 mm, it is full size; if it is 32 mm, it is a mid size. Finally, compacts have objective lenses 25 mm or less.

The size of the binocular will probably affect the way they feel in your hands. One should consider the ergonomics of one’s choice. In other words, does the model you are examining have the right heft? Do you feel comfortable while holding the binoculars to your eyes?

Coupled with the size of the objective is the light gathering ability of the lens and the field of view. Of course, the larger lenses tend to gather more light. The more important consideration should be the field of view. Those new to the game should consider obtaining a pair of binoculars that posses a large field of view. Field of view is often stated in feet viewable at 1000 yards. For example, the Stokes Talon has one of the largest field of view for its size lens, 420 ft. at 1000 yards.

One of the most significant advances in optics is in water and fog proofing. This has been accomplished in two ways. The first of which is changing the prism design. Roof prism binoculars are so much easier to water and fog proof because of internal focusing. The older porro prism design has external focusing and, therefore, is not easily water or fog proofed. The other facet to proofing is the gas used to purge the binocular.
Two gases are currently being used, nitrogen and argon.

Nitrogen and oxygen, if you remember, are the major components of air. Oxygen is the active ingredient while nitrogen is not. This basic chemistry is the reason for choosing nitrogen as the purging agent in many models. However, the real advancement is in the use of argon. The Argon Binocular is the newest class of binoculars. Argon is a member of the Noble Gases. Noble Gases were at one time called the Inert Gases because of their inability to react. In fact, they are so unreactive that it was not until the 20th Century that they were even discovered. The point is that argon is now being used because it does not attack the o-rings and seals in the binocular, thus allowing for excellent water and fog proofing and extending the life of your binocular.

One more word…in my opinion, one should be prepare to purchase a binocular worthy of your endeavors. Spend the money on a pair of binoculars that you can afford. Do not waste your hard earned cash on a pair of cheap ones. This advice is given in much the same vein as buying all the house you can afford. Let’s face it; you are going to possess these binoculars for a long time. You want to be able to see the bird with clarity and ease. You want to become adept at identifying a bird correctly. So, you must be able to see it in all conditions, including some adverse situations. Your willingness to increase your budget will often provide you with a return in performance of your purchase.

These tips hopefully will lend themselves to your benefit. Enjoy your new binoculars and spend as much time as you can in the field.