How to Buy Bird Watching Binoculars

Bird watching is a relaxing activity that allows you to get away from it all, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Bird watching can take place on your balcony or even in a tree.  To bird watch you will need a decent set of binoculars to be able to spot birds without getting to close to disturb them.

• Power: You will need to decide on the type of birds you will be watching, and where you will be watching them from. Decide if you are more interested in watching them from afar, or sneaking up and getting a closer view. Birds that will be seen from quite a distance away will typically require binoculars with an 8-power or higher.


• Size: The size of the diameter for the bird watching binoculars is highly important as well. You should purchase one that is between 30 to 50 millimeters. Anything below or closer to 30 may make it difficult to watch birds in the early morning. Remember a higher millimeter will result in a heavier binocular.


• Field of View: The field of view for bird watching determines how wide the area is in which you will be viewing them. If you are looking to concentrate on a single bird, rather than a flock, than you will purchase binoculars with a smaller field of view. The field of view is usually a minimum of 330 feet, and a maximum of 1,000 yards. The wider the arc the easier it is to scan the area for birds.


• Preventing Eye Strain: To prevent eyestrain since you will be watching for hours,  it is ideal to roll down the eye cups. This is especially helpful if you are wearing glasses. Always purchase binoculars that are spaced between 8 to 25 millimeters apart to allow for the most comfortable fit. 


• Comfort: Comfort is one of the single most important things in binocular purchase. It is important to take the weight of the binoculars into consideration as you will be traveling with them for hours. Carrying binoculars that are too heavy can cause neck strain by the end of the day. Take into consideration the weight, and also the general size before purchasing.


• Design: Porro, and roof are the two styles of bird watching binoculars. A roof-prism contains eyepieces, objective lenses, and are more compact. Porro-prisms binoculars are usually a bit more expensive than roof-prisms, and are usually better optically.