BinocularsBlog – Advice on Digital, Waterproof, & Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching, Sports, Astronomy, Night Vision, & more!

Is a 28mm objective binocular a compact binocular or a mid-sized binocular? Guess that depends on your definition, but I find 28mm roof prism binos to be a great compromise between a true compact and a larger 32mm bino. Just that little jump up to a 32mm seems to make a lot of difference in handling. In fact, one of my all time favorite handling binoculars has been the Pentax DCF MP 8x28.

That's whay I was pleased to see Vortex add a good 28mm roof prism with their new Vortex Fury binocular. Haven't had a chance to get my little hands on one, yet, but I trust Vortex to put out a good product. For those of you who can't quite squeeze the Fury into your budget, Vortex also makes an economy 28mm in their Vortex Hurricane. Either way, though, if you are looking for a sweet handling binocular, you might want to consider a 28mm objective bino.

Met a nice guy on the bike trail, this weekend, and we chatted a bit about biking. Seems he was a member of a local bicycle club and he was nice enough to invite me to join.

I've thought about this in the past and, as much as I would love the company while riding, I also know from experience that I would drive a group nuts with all my stops to take pics of wildflowers with my Pentax Optio A10 camera and, even worse, my sudden emergency stops to look at birds with my compact binoculars. I may forget my water bottle and emergency snack, but I never bike without some optic. These days, it's mostly my Nikon Premier LX 10x25 though I sometimes just grab one of my other binoculars as my whims dictate.

Sure would be nice to find a guy who was both a birding nut and a bike nut, but I guess nuts don't typically come in packages like me.

Is there such a thing as too much eye relief if you wear glasses when you use a binocular? This is a question that I do get, though not too often. In case you are wondering, the answer is , yes, there is certainly such a thing as too much eye relief in a binocular. As with so many things, too much of a good thing is not always so good. Too much eye relief in a binocular, specifically, causes "blinking" or "blackouts" at the edge of the field, which can be annoying and distracting.

My Nikon 8x32 Superior E, with its 17mm + of eye relief (my preferred ER is 14mm) is notorious for this and, oddly enough, it is more of a problem in bright light when the pupils of my eyes are stopped down, but less of a problem in dim light when my pupils are more dilated. Anyway, when needed, I roll the eyecups out a bit and proceed. This is where I would prefer a twist up eyecup design with multiple stops, rather than the old fold down rubber eyecups. Twist ups that offer a variety of height settings make it easier to deal with a binocular that has a bit too much eye relief.

Does that mean I am going to part with my Nkon SE? Not even if you held a gun to my head!

Had a customer ask me the other day what "leatherette" meant in reference to a binocular. This is not surprising, given the fact that the preponderance of today's binoculars are covered with rubber "armor" rather than leatherette. When I explained what leatherette was, he wondered why anyone would want such a covering on their binocular.

Okay, good question. About the only technical advantage leatherette has over rubber armoring is its lighter weight. That is one of the reasons, I suppose, that Leica offers their Ultravid in both leatherette and rubber armored. Indeed, the Leica Ultravid 8x42 BL (L for leatherette) shaves some 2+ ounces over its stable mate armored version, the Leica Ultravid 8x42 BR (R for rubber).

For old rationalists like me, going leather also has some aesthetic appeal. It not only looks and feels elegant, it also has an appealing smell. For me, an astronomy binocular just wouldn't be the same for me without that smell of leather. It's been a feature I've had on nearly all of my astronomy binoculars. Would my Nikon 10x70 Astro Luxe be better protected against scratches if it was covered in rubber? Yes, I suspect so. Would it be the same binocular? On the inside, yes, of course, but it just wouldn't offer that look and feel, not to mention smell that I have come to associate with my astronomy binoculars. Long live leather.

When folks ask for a recommendation on a binocular I have tested, I can give them the usual rundown on optics, including resolution, contrast, brightness, color correction, edge sharpness and distortion. I can also make comments about binocular focusing smoothness and speed and also make a few comments on handling, though this ventures into the realm of subjectivity. These things I can test, right out of the box on a binocular.

On the other hand, there are some binocular features that can't be easily measured. I can't give a customer much more than a guess as to a binocular's durability and down the road expected lifespan. No reviewer can and I don't hesitate to remind customers of this fact when they read binocular tests and reviews. After all, binocular construction is a big part of the price tag on a binocular.

I can tell a customer one thing, however, as regards construction. You get what you pay for when it comes to durability. I've learned this over decades of using binoculars, out in the field under an enormous range of conditions. Cheap in a binocular means disposable. Expensive in a binocular means a lifetime of hard use.

Now and then I get a customer looking for a magnifier of at least 8x, but one that also has a large lens diameter and long working distance. That's a tough order to fill, since both lens diameter and working distance in a magnifier shrink as magnification goes up.

Sometimes the answer is a stereo microscope, such as the LOMO SF-50, but that's not going to work when a customer needs something to take in the field. Are there other possibilities? Yes, and one, surprisingly, is a binocular.

Pentax has a binocular called the Papilo 8.5x21 with an amazing close focus of 1.6 feet. That's right - 1.6 feet. That's close enough for a lot of serious field work and you also get the benefit of using two eyes, not to mention the versatility of having a conventional binocular at your fingertips for other applications. The Papilo is actually a special edition of the long standing Pentax UCF binocular line and, as such, optics are about as good as it gets for a compact binocular under $200. The Pentax Papilo is the closest thing yet to a binocular and magnifier all in one.

As a product specialist for both cameras and binoculars, I am frequently asked for my opinion of digital binoculars, both from a camera perspective and from a binocular perspective.

Honest answer is that a digital binocular is an inexpensive digital camera mounted on an inexpensive binocular. In terms of performance, then, you can get either a better binocular or a better camera for what you would spend on of these products. In other words, digital binoculars are about the convenience of having two instruments in one, not about performance. If you are concerned about pic quality, this kind of product will not compare to a good digital point and shoot camera. Pictures, however, are certainly good enough to share with friends or email.

For the basics on digital binoculars, see our article at
Digital Binoculars Basics (Learn Basics Of Digital Binocular)

Like many an urban bound astronomer, I make the most of what I can get from a light polluted sky. That means my observing has shifted away from deep-sky objects (really hurts) and more to planets and the moon.

I can remember a time when I selfishly cursed the moon for interfering with my quest to see the dim stuff, but I am a bit wiser, now. As an astronomer, I see the moon as less of a nuisance, now, and more of a gift. (I have always loved it for its beauty, though) In particular, as a binocular astronomer, I think the moon is something of a neglected target. Lunar craters, topography and color have a charm all their own when seen through a binocular; one you can't quite duplicate with a telescope. Next time the moon shines gloriously in the night sky, try seeing it through a binocular, instead of a telescope.

In this "bigger is better" culture of ours, it is sometimes hard to convince a customer to think small, especially when it comes to binoculars. Yes, larger binoculars offer more performance than smaller binoculars, all else being equal, but never underestimate the importance of portability. This is especially true for activities like birding and photography, where opportunities pop up in the most unusual places and at the most surprising times. Oh, I could tell you stories, here. Thank heavens I just happened to have a small camera, small binocular or even a monocular at hand. Wouldn't have happened without one and no way would I have been carrying a big binocular or a big camera at the time.

Nothing like reaching into a purse (often to the amazement of people, nearby) and pulling out a small binocular or a monocular when you need one. I never leave home without at least my Nikon 5x15HG monocular and I sometimes carry my Leica 8x20 Ultravid, just in case. I am always ready.

Not too long, ago, we purchased the Apogee website along with several models of their remaining stock on binoculars. We did not, however, purchase the company. Unfortunately, this means we cannot supply Apogee accessories or offer service on Apogee products.

The good news is that you can now purchase Apogee giant binoculars at a better price than when Apogee was selling them - definitely one of the best deals going on giant binoculars. Try the Apogee 20x100, the Apogee 20x100NB (with nebulae filters) or the interchangeable eyepiece model, the Apogee RA-88SA.

By the way, these are BIG binoculars, so buy a tripod to match.

I was doing my best to beat a summer cold, this weekend, and the sky was not co-operating, anyway, so, like the dedicated astronomer I am, I did the next best thing - I pulled out the star maps and cruised through the night sky indoors. Just love star maps and appreciate a good one.

I did manage to do some double star work, last week, though.

Splitting Albireo at 10x in a handheld binocular is a challenge. It's as much a test of your ability to hold a binocular steady as it is a binocular's optics. Sitting in my lawn chair, holding my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe near the objectives, I could tell Albireo was a "bit out of focus" compared to other stars. Not good enough. I got a different lawn chair - a recliner - and tried, again. This was something of an improvement, but still can't say I was seeing two stars. Finally, I stood and braced the binocular against a building wall. That did it.

Sure, I should be using a tripod, such as a Bogen 3180N, as a minimum, for double star work, but I use binoculars for astronomy to get away from tripods and mounts. Not quite ready to give up my freedom.

Had a customer ask, the other day, why most astronomy binoculars are porro prisms, rather than roof prisms.

The answer is really a matter of efficiency. Roof prism binoculars are not as inherently efficient for light transmission as porro prism binoculars, since roof prisms incorporate a mirror surface and, even with expensive, high reflectivity mirror coatings, there is some light loss at the mirror surface. Roof prisms also need to be phase coated to produce the sharpest possible image. Porro prisms, on the other hand, don't use a mirror surface or need phase coatings and are thus typically brighter than a comparable quality roof prism. In addition, porros are less expensive to produce to high optical standards than a roof and the main advantages of a roof prism, namely sleek handling and internal focusing, are not really issues for astronomy. Even the finest porro prism binocular, such as a Nikon 12x50 Premier SE (one of the finest optics made, period) can be bought at a fraction of the price of a premium grade roof such as the Leica 12x50 Ultravid.

For more on the basics on astronomy binoculars, see our article,
Astronomical Binoculars

It amazes me how manufacturers sometimes play loose with eye relief specs on a binocular. This is an important feature for eyeglass wearers, so I can understand getting a little optimistic, but some models are not even close on the published listing for eye relief.

The published eye relief on binoculars is eye relief measured from the surface of the lens and it does not take into account the depth of the lens inside the eyepiece tube or the thickness of the eyecup when folded down or retracted to its lowest position. As a result, the effective eye relief can be considerably less than the published eye relief on a binocular.

That's bad enough, but on some binoculars I have tested, even that is not enough to account for the discrepancy I have encountered between published binocular eye relief and effective binocular eye relief. Since I know the exact eye relief needed with my glasses (14mm), it is pretty easy to tell when the specs miss the mark on this binocular feature. Still, the general guideline of 15mm or more for eyeglass wearers is a good place to start.

For more on the basics of bincoular design and features, see my article at How to Understand Binoculars

Now and then I get a customer who does not see the difference between two binoculars as far as the optics, even though they may be priced quite differently. From experience in retail, I understand this. Over the years, I've had many a customer take a quick look at binoculars at the counter and claim that the cheap binocular was every bit as "clear" as the expensive binocular.

To their eyes, this may be true. I don't expect everyone to see things as I do - everyone's eyes are a bit different and not everyone is as critical or deliberate as I am when testing optics.

For the record, when I test binoculars for optics, I always mount binoculars on a good tripod (Bogen 3180N or similar), so that I am not also testing my ability to hold a binocular steady. Believe me, differences between models that are not apparent when handholding quickly become evident when the binoculars are steadied on a tripod. The tripod is definitely a tool of truth.

I also use optical test targets, rather than just casually scanning on some available or convenient object. I then score binoculars for resolution and contrast and, as often as possible, I test them in direct comparisons. I then focus the bino on a bright light and test for color correction. Lastly, I use an object with a grid of straight lines and test for edge sharpness and barrel distortion.

On a very rare occasion, a cheap binocular does indeed perform as well as an expensive model, but after many years of testing, the old saying that "you get what you pay for" has proven true time and again in my optical tests and is still a very useful guideline for buying optics. Furthermore, there is more to a binocular price than just optics and those features are not as easily tested.

It constantly amazes me, even after all these years of messing with binoculars, how much you gain in performance by adding a binocular to a tripod for steadiness purposes. Could be I can't hold binos as steady as I get older (me?), but even putting an 8x binocular on a tripod reveals detail you can't see when handholding. I get firsthand of evidence of this whenever I test binoculars for resolution, because I always mount them on a tripod when using an optical resolution chart. Mounting a binocular to a tripod also saves wear and tear on the arms and is definitely the way to go when you want to share the view with someone else.

Most binoculars are threaded for a standard tripod adapter, such as the Pentax 69554. which can be used with any brand of binocular, not just Pentax binoculars. The tripod adapter mounting threads on most binoculars will be located under a cap at the front of the binocular hinge. A few binoculars, though, such as my Nikon Astroluxe 10x70, require a special Nikon adapter and some binoculars, typically compact binoculars, don't have tripod mounting threads. Check the specs to be sure.

As for a tripod, you can use any standard photo tripod, but the bigger the binocular, the heavier the tripod needed.

Had a beautiful evening bicycle ride on Saturday night and, as luck would have it, I stopped for a water break at a bench at one end of the trail, adjacent to a meadow nestled in the surrounding tree cover. Aside from the lovely weather, I was pleased to notice a lot of bird activity in front of me.

Cedar Waxwings were everywhere, chasing insects among the flowers, and Song Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Catbirds, Cardinals, Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers delivered a continuous symphony of songs. Through my Nikon Premier LX 10x25 binocular, I was able to see a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher on the other side of the clearing, as well as a Yellow Warbler male. What a beautiful way to end a day.

I only had two regrets. First, I will need to carry an 8x20 compact binocular, as the Nikon Premier LX 10x25, even as small as it is, does not quite fit in my bike pouch. Since I've been looking for another excuse to get a binocular, I might try adding a Zeiss Victory 8x20 compact binocular. I could just get another LX in the Nikon 8x20 Premier LX compact, I guess, but might be nice to add a Zeiss to my collection. Beisdes, the Zeiss 8x20 compact It is about as light and small as it gets in a compact binocular.

My second regret? Having to leave. Wit another 8 miles to go and the sun going down, really didn't have a choice.

I'll be back.

Remember the old Bausch&Lomb Elite binoculars? I mourned their passing, as that was one fine binocular and one of the few great binoculars I never had a chance to own. Yes, the replacement Bushnell version, the Bushnell Elite 10x43, is a good bino, but quite a different animal with its Swarovski EL body styling. Just not the same as the original B&L Elite.

That's why I was curious to give the new, but less expensive, Bushnell Elite e2 10x42 binocular a test when one came across my desk this week.

Body-wise, the new Bushnell Elite E2 is, indeed, closer to the original B&L Elite. It is trim and compact and nicely finished with modern touches not found on the original, such as twist up eyecups and a locking, center diopter adjustment. I was especially impressed with the focusing - quick, butter smooth and effortless. Nice job, Bushnell.

Of course, to measure up as an Elite, you would expect an Elite binocular to have great optics. To say I was not disappointed is an understatement. Resolution, contrast and image brightness of the Bushnell 10x42 E2 I rated as excellent to outstanding. I was very pleased - this Elite has optics that will shame some binoculars I have tested that sell for twice the price. For the going price tag of about $500, Joanie rates this Elite binocular as a "best buy". The new E2 Elite is an Elite all the way in my book. Bushnell has a winner, here.

I spent a quiet 4th out on the patio, under the stars. Though I couldn't see any big fireworks displays, I could hear a big one, sponsored by the local municipality. Just didn't feel like fighting the traffic or going by myself to see the action. Instead, I opted to stay put and watch a show of the celestial type.

The sky was clear and, because, I suppose, fireworks were on my mind, I decided to just enjoy the colors of stars through my big Nikon 10x70 Astro Luxe. Now, for those of you new to star colors, let me say up front that we are talking subtle, here. Star colors, when viewed through a telescope or binocular are gentle, rather than gaudy. Nonetheless, the colors are there and quite lovely, at least to my eye. Also, observing star color is something that can be done under even the most light polluted sky. If you can see a star, you can enjoy its color.

One of the things I like about a large objective on an astronomy binocular is the way a large objective, especially a quality one, can intensify color. Last night, for instance, Antares, was its usual gorgeous ruby self. How could you mistake this "rival of Mars" for any other star? This one is a must for any color watcher and every time I see it, I am transported back many, many years ago, to the night when I first looked at it with a binocular.

Yellow and orange stars, such as Arcturus are not quite as obvious in their color, but still relatively good targets for color watchers. To my eye, Arcturus always shines a bright yellow, with overtones of orange. Others see it as more orange than yellow, but color is much a matter of the of the observer. Go see it for yourself and decide.

A bit tougher are white stars. Through my Nikon, Vega is a brilliant white, though I can sometimes detect a very subtle bluish tint. Of course, any visit to Vega is not complete without a stop to check out the double double, Epsilon Lyrae. No, you won't split the double twice - you need a telescope for that - but you can split it once, very easily, with any binocular and it makes a lovely pair.

Speaking of double stars, seeing the colors is much of the fun. More later.

We are approaching last quarter, so time to dust off a binocular, stay up late, brave the mosquitoes and see some star clusters, assuming, of course, we get a clear night. Those lazy, hazy days of summer don't always clean up their act at night.

This is my favorite time for globular star clusters, what with the wealth of these in Ophiuchus and surrounding constellations. Really not so much a matter of admiring them for their beauty; more a matter of just collecting them, given most of them are small and dim by comparison to mighty M13 in Hercules. Still, lots of fun and definitely a challenge under my light polluted skies, even with my big Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe. Sure, under these urban skies, I could probably do about as well with my Swift Audubon 8.5x44 820 ED, or one of my other birding binoculars, but just seems more fun to use a binocular designed expressly for astronomy. The Nikon Astro Luxe is, after all, a thoroughbred.

My only problem is sneaking over to the park after dark. No, not real smart for a single gal and the police have scolded me for it, but what's a girl to do? Like all the other paths in my life, I walk this one alone, unless someone can direct me to an astronomer's escort service. Ha!

Had a great trip to upstate New York and the mountains of north central Pennsylvania this last week and, once again, compact binoculars proved their worth. Most of my time was spent bicycling those mountains (a real treat for this flatlander girl), but I stopped often for birds, as always. I did take my Nikon Premier LX 10x25 binocular, but after huffing and puffing up those hills, I should have taken my Leica 8x20 BR binocular for the sake of steadiness. Hey, you try biking 60 miles of those mountain roads in a day and then try to hold a 10x binocular still.

My thanks to the state of New York, though, for the great bike route, awesome scenery and abundant wildlife. I will be back. Next time, 100 miles in a day. (Maybe.)