Home » Articles » Choosing Binoculars - Compact binoculars or traditional style?

Ultimate convenience is now available with some superb versions of pocket size, compact binoculars. Although the light gathering capabilities of a compact binocular will never match that of a traditional binocular the compromise is bearable for a large percentage of keen binocular users nowadays. High quality, bright binoculars are available from under £100.00, that will give the user a sharp and enjoyable view of landscape and nature while being small and light enough to carry at all times.

If you limit the magnification to a maximum of 10x power (the first figure quoted on a binocular label) and look for an objective lens of 22mm (the second number on the binocular label), the image will be clear & bright. These compact binoculars are also great for use at concert or sports halls.

By extending the magnification beyond 10x you will improve the pulling-in power of the binoculars but the brightness factor will be reduced. The brightness factor is calculated by dividing the objective (front), lens diameter by the power of the binoculars.

I.E

• 10 x 25 binoculars have a brightness factor of '2.5'
• 8 x 25 binoculars will have a brightness factor of over '3'

While power is always desirable, the brightness of your binoculars will affect the clarity and comfort of the binocular if you are viewing over a period of time.

The great benefit of traditional style binoculars is their brightness (8 x 42 or 10 x 50's will be the best), and their angle of view. The larger the objective lens compared to the power of the binoculars the greater the viewing area of the binocular will be.

Generally you will see 'more' with an 8 x 42 than you will with an 8 x 30 binocular. The downside of the traditional style binocular will be their size and weight. A terrific compromise is to invest in a pair of "roof prism" binoculars that have the appearance of a pair of tubes bridged in the centre where the focus wheel is sited. This design allows the rear lens of the binocular to be larger than compact or traditional binoculars therefore allowing a greater amount of light through to the user's eye.

Don't ever buy binoculars with red-coating. They are purely designed to appear "good". Zoom binoculars are generally of a fairly poor quality as little light gets through them at the long end of the zoom.

Spend as much as you can!

The more glass you see at the rear of the binocular the more light will get through the lenses. The more light the brighter and clearer the image will be! A decent pair of binoculars will last for many years and give you great enjoyment. A poor pair will "draw" your eyes as you strain to see through dim, low quality lenses and will put you off using them at all.