As a binocular and birding expert, I get asked, on a regular basis,
how much to spend to on a binocular for birding . Now, since I currently own and use only expensive Swarovski
binoculars,
Leica binoculars,
Zeiss binoculars,
Nikon binoculars and so on, you might expect me to give a cliche' answer, such as, "Spend as much as you can afford" or "Get only the best".
That would be misleading advice at best and downright bad advice at worst. The fact is, you do not have to spend a thousand plus dollars on a
birding binocular - not if we define a good birding binocular as a binocular that is good enough, optically, to identify birds and good enough, mechanically, to offer reasonable length of service. Using this definition of a good birding binocular, there are many good birding binoculars for beginners under $200 and even a few under $100 that will get you started. The most important advice I can give, therefore, is just get out there a get started, even if you have to borrow a binocular. Becoming a good birder takes experience; it doesn't happen overnight. If you wait until your budget can handle that premium and very expensive birding binocular, you are passing up valuable opportunities to learn and, even worse, you may never go birding. That would be tragic.
So why do all those hot shot birders (like me) carry binoculars that cost as much as a used car? It's all about image quality and the overall experience. It's no longer simply a matter of identifying birds; it's now a matter of wanting to see those birds in all their glorious best and we are willing to pay for the optics that do just that. It's a truism that once you've used great optics, it is tough to go back and settle for less. We are image quality addicts.
It's also about value. Not only are we rewarded with great images each and very time we look at a bird with our premium birding binoculars, we also know from personal experience that the expensive binoculars stand up to hard, continuous years of use better than the cheap binoculars. When you use a binocular that is designed to last a lifetime of use, it does indeed become an old friend over the years.
So, get out there and start watching birds. Go with a group, if you can, and get in on all the fun, no matter what binocular you have. Then you can decide for yourself how much you want to spend on a birding binocular and, trust me, you do not have to spend a fortune on a birding binocular to be come an expert birder, either. I know many top notch birders who use very average binoculars in terms of price. Not everyone can or chooses to spend a fortune on premium binoculars. The choice on how much to spend is yours. The important thing is to get out and go birding.