A lot of factors influence binocular cost, including size or aperture, magnification, type of prisms, types and quality of coatings, body material, lens design and quality. Overall, optical quality is usually the main difference. In an inexpensive, low-quality binocular, the…
FAQ Group: Binoculars (page 4)
Which binoculars are best for sporting events and concerts?
Lower power is better because it’s hard to quickly find and follow movements if you are at a high magnification. Ideal magnification would be 6x-8x for most events. For opera, binoculars are called opera glasses, and they are typically 4-6x.
What is an erecting prism?
In the case of telescopes, the basic optical system is always upside-down, but an erecting prism inverts the image (orients to an upright view). In binoculars, erecting prisms are built into the optical system because they are used for viewing…
What type of binoculars are best for sporting events?
This age-old question really comes down to personal preference. Do you want to carry heavy, bulky binoculars from your car to the stadium? Do you prefer the added brightness that a full-sized binocular will offer? Or is the convenience of…
What is the best binocular magnification for me?
The magnification of a binocular describes how many times closer an object appears through the binocular than with the naked eye. An 8×21 mm binocular magnifies the image to eight times its normal size. Typical binocular magnifications range from powers…
Which binoculars are best for me?
There are many factors to consider in choosing the right binocular for an individual’s needs, including price, color, and style. The most important factor in this decision relates to how you intend to use the binoculars. To most people, binoculars…
Does a binocular’s lens size make a difference?
The amount of light passing through the different lenses of the binocular depends on the diameter of those lenses. The objective lenses are located at the front of the binocular. The diameter of the objective lenses is measured in millimeters.…
What is the importance of a binocular’s field of view?
The field of view is the size of the area that can be viewed through the binoculars. Field of view is measured in two ways: angular field of view and linear field of view. The angular field of view of…
Does the type of prism used in binoculars make a difference?
There are prisms located inside binoculars that function to flip an inverted image upright. There are two common styles of prisms used in binoculars: the BK-7 and the BAK-4. The BAK-4 prism is made of a higher-density glass and can…
What is the purpose of binocular lens coatings?
All the optical components of binoculars (lenses and prisms) should be coated to minimize light loss and reflection problems inside the binocular. A poorly-coated binocular can lose up to 50% of the light initially gathered through the objective lens, resulting…