Choosing the right binoculars?

For More and more nature-loving people has decided to purchase a high quality binoculars good reasons:

• Binoculars allowed much deeper observations - especially details. Some objects are decorated with binoculars than with the naked eye. EyeThe retina of our eyes has two different types of sensory cells or receptors, the cones (for day vision) and the rods (for night vision). " More info!
• Many people need binoculars for a special purpose. For example, the ornithologist for BirdwatchingA good birdwatching telescope rewards you with excellent image brilliance and colour fidelity! " More info. The binoculars can also be used in many other ways (e.g. nature and landscape observation).
• For many, a great pair of binoculars becomes constant companion

In our opinion The following main criteria are important when selecting binoculars:

• Weight
• Binoculars magnification
• Luminous intensity of the binoculars
• Field of vision
• Exit pupil

There is a lot of philosophising about these topics. But here in particular there are 2 opposing effects:

• In the In the mountains, the Alps or when hiking, a glass should be as small or light as possible - That's clear!
• But as soon as you reach your destination, you have a slight tremor in your arms (your muscles have just been used and your pulse is still high). Is that glass is heavier, it can be held more steady due to the inertia. The higher mass of the glass reacts more slowly to the transmitted vibrations.

Binoculars quality

Of course, these optical/physical framework criteria are only the basis for your orientation as to which binocular model might be suitable for you. The actual quality and performance of comparable binoculars naturally depends to a large extent on technological factors such as

• quality the materials used and Glass typesIn addition to the coating of optics, the glass quality or type of glass is one of the most important quality factors for binoculars and riflescopes " More info
• Binocular prism and lens systems used (PorroBinoculars with porro prisms are the real universal binoculars, are inexpensive and offer brighter images with higher contrast. " More info or Roof prismThe main difference between the roof edge and the Porro system is the roof edge, where one of the reflective surfaces resembles a house roof (see picture below). " More info)
  
• CoatingIf light hits a glass-air surface (e.g. with a roof prism), the reflection causes a loss of light. " More info the optics the so-called "coating" processing quality and Composition of the binocular components

These factors have a decisive influence on the production costs of optical devices such as binoculars or field glasses, riflescopes or spotting scopes and are therefore the reason for the considerable price differences between technically similar binoculars.

In our experience, a Binoculars 8×42 or 10×42 Binoculars ideal for many applications.

The binoculars labelling

On a Binoculars stand Always two key figures - e.g. 8×56. The first number means that the glass is magnified 8x and the Lens diameterThe larger the lens diameter, the more light can be absorbed by the lens of the optical system. Glass purity plays a major role. " More info (second number) is 56 mm. By specifying the lens diameter (= entrance pupil) and magnification, you can calculate the theoretical Exit pupilIn addition to the twilight number, the binocular exit pupil at the eyepiece of the binoculars is also very important for seeing in twilight (twilight vision). " More info simply calculate it yourself.

The formula is: Lens diameter divided by the EnlargementThe magnification of a binocular model is perhaps the most misunderstood feature. High magnification can be useful! " More info. For 8x 56 binoculars, this is 56 / 8 = 7 mm.

Larger than 7mm generally makes no sense, as only 6 or 5mm can be detected by the eye with increasing age. To achieve the highest possible Twilight performanceIn order to be able to recognise details over long distances even in twilight, binoculars with high magnification and corresponding twilight performance (e.g. 10x56 or 8x56) are recommended. " More info of the binoculars, the pupils of the eye and the exit pupil of the optics should ideally be the same size. As the maximum aperture of the pupils can vary from person to person, it is possible that the light intensity of the same binoculars is subjectively perceived differently by each person depending on the situation.

The importance of magnification

With a 10x magnification, an animal observed at a distance of 100 metres appears as if we were looking at it from a distance of 10 metres. Details are clearly recognisable at 10x. In practice, the highest magnification is not always the best choice. Excessive magnification can significantly impair the recognisability of details - especially if the tremor factor (which is also increased) is not taken into account.

The binoculars field of view

The The field of view of binoculars is measured in degrees (Point of viewThe size of the field of view indicates the width of the terrain that can be observed through the binoculars at a distance of 1000 metres. " More info) or in metres. It indicates the width of the terrain visible through the binoculars at a distance of 1000 metres. In practice, a larger field of view makes it easier to observe large objects and track moving objects. With increasing magnification, the field of view generally decreases with every optic.

A few considerations for your binocular selection

Binoculars 8×34 from DDoptics

The ideal format for the unspecific user. At a maximum of 600 grams, it is still quite light and can also be carried on longer hikes. Top models show very large fields of view, which The 4 mm exit pupil extends far into the TwilightFor night glasses, which are ideal for sitting game and as sow glasses, the light intensity is the most important feature. " More info inside. An unsure beginner should include this format in their purchase considerations.

Binoculars 10×34 from DDoptics

The Glass for users who are on the move during the day are and a Lightweight lens with high magnification and relatively large fields of view wish. A 10×32 has weaknesses in twilight performance.

Binoculars 8×42 from DDoptics

The 8×42 generally differs from the 8×32 in that it weighs approx. 200 grams morewhich better twilight properties and the greater length. The twilight performance is sufficient for observing crepuscular animals. The field of view is usually a little smaller than with the 8×32.

Binoculars 10×42 from DDoptics

The 10×42 is the glass of choice if you value a higher level of detail reproduction. Many ornithologists and hunters, but also insect watchers, favour this format for this very reason. The Top models show fields of view of 115 metres or more with a weight of less than 800 grams in some cases.

Binoculars 8×56 from DDoptics

This is about Light intensity and detail recognition. The typical hunter's hunting glass for twilight has the format 8×56. These hunting glasses are also very suitable for observing the sky, e.g. star clusters. However, a black, moonless sky is then a prerequisite.