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

How does a binocular nut celebrate Halloween? That's easy. Tonight, I'll be out under the stars with a definite eye toward the comet. Appropriately, the image of Comet 17P/Holmes is rather ghostly in my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe binocular. I didn't see it last night due to clouds, but with luck I will have clear skies, a moon and a comet to toast, tonight. For sure, time to pull out the binocular, warm up some hot chocolate and gaze skyward. I would build a sacred bonfire in the tradition of the ancient Celts, but that would violate my apartment lease. My heart is in the right place, though.

I've been asked why giant binoculars are so prone to collimation problems. First, let me say that misaligned binocular prisms and the resultant loss of image quality or, in worst case examples, double images, are rarely an issue with high grade astronomy binoculars. You are much more likely to have alignment (collimation) issues with inexpensive giant binoculars. Why? Less expensive binoculars have lighter weight housings, which tend to flex under the load of big objectives. This flexing eventually works the prisms loose. Inexpensive giant binoculars also cut corners when it comes to securing the prisms in the housings. Sure, some inexpensive astronomy binoculars feature collimation adjustment screws as a solution, but a better answer is to buy a higher grade of astronomy binocular, not just for the sake optics, but for the sake of reliability.

Getting a portable astronomy observatory is easy, if you select the right equipment. In fact, if you choose an astronomy binocular, you can carry your astronomy observatory on your shoulder. I often carry my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe over my shoulder and then add another small shoulder bag with my Pocket Sky Atlas, red flashlight, small notebook and a pencil. Even with the weight of the Nikon, I can easily walk the few blocks it takes to reach a small city park and the trip is well worth it in terms of getting a better site. Remember, though, if you opt for more than a 10x binocular, you will also need to lug a tripod to handle the magnification and, in the case of a heavy binocular, also the weight. You can still manage it, though, even with a 20x80, though I, personally, would hesitate to take the trip with a 100mm binocular. That's a lot of weight for a gal to carry.

We all know that personal preference is a big factor when choosing a binocular. These are the things that transcend binocular specifications and, sometimes, they can be the most unlikely of features. When it comes to astronomy binoculars, for instance, I simply must have a model with leatherette covering. Why? Not because of any superiority of leatherette over rubber armoring. Far from it - rubber armoring makes much more sense than leatherette as a binocular covering. It's just that the smell of leatherette fondly reminds me of my very first binocular, which I used for both birding and astronomy. The feel and aroma of leatherette also brings back memories of every giant astronomy binocular I have owned, since. Binocular astronomy just would not be the same for me without this relatively minor binocular feature. Go figure.

Performance or portability? When it comes to binoculars, that is often the question. Over the years, my choice in binoculars (at least for daytime use) has tended to the portability side when answering that question. To compensate, somewhat, for the loss of performance by going with a smaller objective, I have opted to spend the bucks and get high grade compact binoculars. Compact binoculars, even premium compact binoculars, though, are still not quite as easy to use as full-size binoculars, but after forty plus years as a binocular user, this is hardly an issue for me, now. Compact binoculars do everything I need, even when I am doing serious birding. Of course, I also back up my birding by carrying a good spotting scope - but that's another story.

Each season of the year for a birder has its charm and appeal. Even though winter may the season of the lowest species counts, it is still one of my favorite birding seasons. For one thing, the leaves are gone and most birds are conspicuous and easier to observe with a binocular. For another, winter storms often bring special rare birding surprises - you never know what might turn up at your feeder or the local park. Lastly, birds tend to concentrate their activity to the warmer hours of the day. This means you and the birds can get up later in the morning and call it quits earlier in the afternoon. Plenty of time, then, to warm up with a hot cup of cocoa or tea.

The weather was unseasonably warm this weekend in the Chicago area and the birds were taking advantage of it. Still seeing some warblers and, of course lots of sparrows and kinglets along the bike trails. In other words, I'm not racking up the miles on the bike, but I am having a blast with the birds. Been using a Zeiss Victory Compact 8x20 and it's as if this compact binocular was made for a birder on a bike. It's amazingly light, and one of the easiest compact binoculars, yet, as far as using it one-handed. Optics, of course, are excellent and easily up to the task of serious birding.

I've always been a big fan of compact binoculars. No, a compact binocular will never replace a full-size or even a mid-size binocular when it comes to performance, but compact binoculars are such sweethearts when it comes to portability. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to own and use every premium grade compact on the market and I have yet to find one that scores number one in every optical category or every mechanical category.

One I must mention, though, that stands heads and shoulders above the rest when it comes to handling qualities (ergonomics) is the Zeiss Victory Compact 8x20. I would like to kiss the person that designed the body on this binocular - must have had me in mind when it was on the drawing board. I've been using the Zeiss Victory for awhile, now, and just can't put it down.

First, the Victory compact does away with the double hinge system used in other premium compact binoculars. This, in itself, is a huge leap forward in design for those of us who typically use a binocular one-handed. No matter how careful you are with a double-hinged folding compact, it always seems to have folded in on itself at the most inopportune times. Not so with the Zeiss Victory - you open it and it stays open the way a bino should. I also love the way the body on the Zeiss compact is slightly arched. It fits my hand like a glove and the focusing knob has been positioned perfectly to be under the tip of my index finger - no fumbling or searching to find it. Only caveat, here, is that this feature was designed for right handers. If you are left-handed, you can still use the bino, but it will not be as comfortable.

Just how good a binocular do you need for birding? Wish I had a simple answer, but when in doubt, "buy the best your budget can stand" may be cliche', but it is still good advice. On the other hand, even an inexpensive binocular is enough to get a beginner started and it is a huge mistake not to go birding because you can't afford an expensive binocular. The idea is to go, right now, and get in on the fun. The good news is that there are very useable birding binoculars in every price range. As a former birding guide - one who specialized in helping beginners - I can assure you that birding can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their economic situation.

Usually when I want to see a Woodcock and add this species of bird to my year list, I just head to a local marsh known to attract this bird during migration and scan with my binocular at twilight, though I seldom need the binocular - the flight of the Woodcock is unmistakable both in its display and the sound it makes. This is the classic way of seeing this secretive species for a birder and the ambience of the location is a big part of the thrill. What is not a classic way of seeing a Woodcock happened to me the other night on the bike trail.

As usual, I was riding my bike a bit later than expected and had to turn on the lights as I pedaled though a remote, marshy section of the trail. Suddenly, a small shape sitting in the middle of the paved bike trail materialized - kind of a doe in the headlights thing, except this was a small bird. To my surprise and delight, a Woodcock exploded with its distinctive "whhrrrr" and flew off into the darkness. Okay, not a classic sighting, but for a birder, birds are where and when you find them.

I often commute to work on my bicycle and, to avoid some busy streets, I usually take some dirt and gravel trails through the local Forest Preserve. Lately, I have been seeing a lot of deer - after all, it is that time of year - but I am also a little concerned because these deer are so tame. Often they wait until the last minute to move off the trail when they see me approaching on my bike. No doubt they see a lot of bikers.

What concerns me, though, is the upcoming rut next month. Bucks can be very aggressive and an old gal on a bicycle would be no match for a charging buck. Believe me, I now carry a monocular or a compact binocular at all times when riding the woods. I scan ahead when I can and talk loudly when I see deer to let them know I am coming. If the deer stands its ground, especially if it is a buck in November, I will be extra cautious. I definitely yield the right of way to wildlife.

Being the early bird that I am, I often get a chance to sneak out on the patio with my astronomy binocular before the sun comes up to do some quick astronomy as I sip my coffee. This morning was spectacular. The sky was clear, the air crisp but not overly cold and the transparency was excellent. Even with all my light pollution - I estimated just over limiting magnitude of 3 with some of the usual lights off in the parking lot this morning - I managed to just glimpse the galaxies M81 and M82 by slowly scanning back and forth across their position in the sky with my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe. Sure, I would have had a hard time convincing a beginner there was anything there at all - I had to scan for several minutes to be sure - but in the end, with averted vision and by constantly moving the binocular, I could make out an ever so slight smudge of light against the sky background that was this closely spaced pair. Knowing where old friends are and what they look like makes all the difference when searching for deep-sky objects. What a great way to start the day.

Been trying to get my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe binocular mounted to a tripod, but the needed Nikon binocular tripod adapter, Nikon 7806, has been backordered now for almost a year and is still not available, anywhere, and a standard binocular tripod adapter does not work on this Nikon binocular. So, I just took the old video tripod a friend gave me, cranked it up to full height and used it as a rest for my arm as I held the binocular. Okay, not as good a setup as a real tripod attachment, but it definitely helped when I decided to put the Nikon to work on some double stars. If Nikon doesn't get the adapter out soon, I will try to build something out of wood. That will be interesting, given my total lack of skill with tools, but what's a girl to do?

The x factor in binocular astronomy, as with so many other pursuits, is experience. I am constantly reminded of this as I hunt for old deep-sky friends with binoculars from my horribly light polluted patio, here in the Chicago suburbs. It is can be a challenge, even for an old-timer like me, to spot some of the old familiar Messier and NGC objects under these skies with my astronomy binoculars. Believe me, the sky is a much different place under limiting magnitude 2.5 than it is under limiting magnitude 6. (Yes, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a rural area with magnitude 6 skies.)

So, for me, the binocular astronomy game has radically changed. My definition of fun and my challenge, these days, is to determine just how many objects can be seen under conditions of severe light pollution. Last night was a good example. It took a couple of passes with my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe, but I finally managed to spot open cluster M34, just to the southeast of Mirfak. Under most skies, even with a fair amount of light pollution, M34 would be an easy object, even in a small binocular. Not under magnitude 2.5 skies - it was there, but just barely. I doubt a beginner would have picked it up at all. Just the same, seeing an old friend brought a BIG smile to my face.

I may be stuck in the big city, but any sky is better than no sky and just being under the stars with a binocular in hand is the important thing. I encourage everyone, no matter what your situation, to get and do some astronomy. No matter how poor your observing site, there is always something to see. Be glad to show you.

How do you estimate the handling qualities of a binocular? I wish I could, but after handling literally hundreds of models of binoculars, I still cannot predict how a binocular and I will get along till I get the binocular in my hot little hands. In general, yes, roof prism binoculars tend to fit my hands better, but some porro prism binoculars, notably the Nikon Premier 8x32SE, have been a perfect fit. Really couldn't ask for more as far as handling (or optics, either, for that matter). Bottom line is you really have to try before you buy when it comes to binocular handling or settle for what you get when it arrives in the mail. The good news, though, is that most binoculars do a reasonably good job in this department. Just that some are better than others, depending on your hands and your personal preferences.

Now and then, a customer will ask my advice as to whether to get a spotting scope or a binocular, first or whether to get a telescope or a binocular, first. It's a rare occasion when I don't suggest a binocular, first. Why? A binocular will invariably be the easiest to use and will, therefore, be your most used optic. A binocular will teach you all the basics of optics and, perhaps most importantly, a binocular can be used for a wider range of applications than any other optical instrument. There are astronomy binoculars, there are marine binoculars, hunting binoculars, birding binoculars and observation binoculars, to name just a handful of binocular types, but, when all is said and done, you can use a waterproof 8x42 binocular for just about any application. Do you have your binocular, yet?

My favorite binocular for warblers is a 7x or 8x model with a healthy field of view, though an excessively large field of view is not something I require. In this regard, the Nikon Premier 8x32 SE is ideal. A wide field just makes it easier to keep up with birds as they bounce from branch to branch. I also like lower magnification binoculars for their steadiness and, with this type of birding, I rarely have the option to brace the binocular against a convenient tree branch or other object. Hey, at my age, it is getting tougher to steady a 10x binocular. I save my 10x binoculars for the marsh, where I can sit comfortably and brace them against my knees.