Binoculars

binoculars for birdwatching willdife observation

Binoculars

Ideal for bird-watching and wildlife observation

We have a wide range of binoculars featured on Wildlife News. Whether you need a pair for bird-watching on woodland walks and a pair for an African safari we have something to suit your needs.

From a budget range for those starting out on their wildlife adventure to high specification optics, there is a binocular model to meet your demands.

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FAQ for buying binoculars online

What is magnification and objective?

Magnification is what it says it is. It is the times that your image is magnified when using the binoculars. The objective is the size of the lens and relates to how much light comes through. Generally the larger the objective the more light gets to your eye.
Getting the right mix of magnification and objective is important for a good clear image. The bigger the magnification the more light you will need.
As you go up in objective so your binoculars will become heavier. This is important when walking. Where you will be using your binoculars is also important.
If much of your birdwatching or wildlife watching is done in woodlands then smaller magnifications will be better for you. If you spend a lot of time looking at wading birds that are further away then larger magnifications will be important. A good general use mix would be 8x30 or 10x40.

What is roof prism and roof porro?

There are two different types of binoculars depending on how light is moved through the body of the binoculars.
Roof Prism binoculars have tubes which lead the light directly to the eye. They are the most popular because they tend to be lighter and smaller. However, they do not get as much light to the eye, leading to duller images and the magnification is not as sharp.
Roof Porro binoculars bounce the light around the body of the binoculars. More light gets to the eye and images tend to be brighter and sharper. These tend to be heavier. you can tell the difference between the two because porro prims tend to be wider and roof prisms are narrower and sleeker.
Modern technology, materials and designs mean the differences between the two types are getting less in terms of image quality.

What do I look for when buying binoculars?

You need to buy a pair of binoculars that will fit in with how you intend to use them. If you are doing much of your walking in the early morning or late evening when temperatures drop you need nitrogen-filled binoculars to stop fogging. Temperature changes means unprotected binoculars can mist up with condensation.
Another important consideration is a waterproof coating. Important if you are out in the rain or getting close to water.
If you think your binoculars is going to get some rough treatment while out, look for armour or rubber coating. But this can add weight, especially for a long day.
For long walks, you need binoculars or a case with a wide neck strap. Thin straps which come as standard on cheaper binoculars will cut into the neck.

Are coated lens important?

Coated lenses are becoming standard on most binoculars. They add a layer of anti-reflective coating to the lens. This makes the image sharper and brighter.
Cheaper binoculars will have 1 layer coating while more expensive binoculars will have multi-layer coatings. Multi-layer coatings can help increase the colour definition and sharpness of the image. But multi-layer coatings are expensive.

Why are smaller magnification binoculars better in woodlands?

This is to do with the depth of view. Smaller magnifications will focus on closer objects than larger magnifications.
When in woodland you are trying to spot birds in the tree canopy and on branches. This means a 10x or 12x binocular may not focus on a bird in the tree because it is too close. When out in a field or a safari you have a longer field of view and those 10x or 12x binoculars have the distance to be able to focus on an item.

Guide to buying binoculars video