Sports binoculars

With the Super Bowl, this week and all the talk of sports, in general, some folks have been thinking about sports binoculars that allow a fan to get a closer look and still see all the action. In truth, there is no such thing as a binocular designed, specifically, for sports and there is no single binocular feature that distinguishes a sports binocular from a typical binocular. In the past, binoculars labeled as “wide-angle binocular” have been promoted as being the ideal sports binocular, though there is really no specific field of view number that separates a wide-angle binocular from a typical binocular and, what’s more, you may not need that extra wide field of view, anyway.

It really depends on your position relative to the field. If you have a sideline seat or floor level seats, you are very close to the action and that binocular with the extra wide field of view, such as the Bushnell Xtra-Wide binocular can be helpful. If you are in the nosebleed section, though, any binocular will have plenty in the way of field of view. Either way, a 7x or 8x binocular, such as the Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 binocular will have plenty in the way of field of view.

Last issue is full-size binocular versus compact binocular. A compact binocular sure is handy; you can carry one into the stadium or arena in your purse or pocket, but be advised, compact binoculars are not as comfortable to use for long periods of time in terms of eye strain. If you are going to be using a binocular for more than a quick peek, now and then, a standard 8x42 binocular is hard to beat as a binocular for sports watching.