Binoculars for Bird Watching

Bird watchers young and old often remember going out to study birds for the first time carrying nothing but a pair of trusty old binoculars.  Until recently those seeking a pair of binoculars for bird watching only had a few options available. 

With the steady rise of bird watchers and the expansion in the study of birds many different manufactures have begun to offer a wide variety of binoculars designed specifically for bird watching. 

Having so many different options available can make purchasing binoculars for bird watching difficult if you have never done it before.

The first thing anyone planning to get binoculars for bird watching should do is set a budget.  Many binoculars for bird watching are extremely expensive and are designed for people who spend a lifetime watching and studying birds. 

These expensive binoculars often come with many added features that the average bird watcher will not need and probably won’t even be able to figure out.  In order to stay away from being lured into purchasing something you really can’t afford and probably don’t need be sure to set a budget and stick to that budget.

Next, be sure that you do not get confused by the binoculars magnification.  For most electronics that involve magnification higher magnification is considered better.  This theory holds true for cameras with zoom and telescopes. 

Unfortunately, higher magnification on binoculars or Fernglas for bird watching is not always a good thing.  In bird watching the binoculars with a lower magnification have a higher field of view.  That means that you will be able to see more when looking through your binoculars. 

A few people new to bird watching might argue that it is better to see a bird in as much detail as possible but many disagree.  What is the point of bird watching if you are missing all the birds because you can only focus on one particular spot.  Having a higher field of view gives a bird watcher the chance to spot as many more birds than someone with a low field of view. 

When purchasing your first set of binoculars for bird watchers keep the advice of your instructors and other, more experienced, bird watchers in mind.   If you are someone who wears glasses try to find a pair of binoculars for bird watching that are eyeglass friendly. 

Even if you wear contacts more often than not having binoculars that are eyeglass friendly will help you out on that day you run out of contacts or are more comfortable in your glasses.  Also make sure that you pick a pair of binoculars for bird watching that do not weigh much, especially when buying for children or taking children bird watching with you. 

The last thing you want to end up doing is hauling around a several pairs of heavy binoculars because your children are tired of carrying theirs and you still have to carry your own pair.  When it comes to binoculars bigger does not always mean better so spare yourself in the weight department if at all possible.