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It means binoculars. It’s the difference between seeing a small gray bird and identifying the tit, enjoying a home run and witnessing the spectacular event, or realizing that a 10-point buck is actually a doe standing in front of dead branches.
Whether you’re exploring the landscape, watching birds in your backyard, or getting season tickets at Fenway, binoculars bring the world closer, making it sharper and clearer than your eyes can see. Finding the right pair of binoculars means knowing why you’re using them in the first place. If you want to see some birds at a feeder in your backyard and maybe beat the limitations of the cheap seats at the ballpark, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, if you plan to bird in different areas or do a big hunt in unfamiliar territory, it often costs more to get something a little more powerful.
Check out our other guides to make your backyard more fun, including the best gear, the best hiking gear, and how a bird feeder can bring you joy.
Updated February 2023: We’ve noted Nikon’s new ProStaff models, links to Leica Noctivid binoculars, and updated models, pricing and availability.
details of the situation
- Best overall
- Best high power
- Best compact
- Best for kids
- Best for special use cases
- What do model numbers mean?
- Why high price tags?
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What do model numbers mean?
Binoculars are usually listed under two numerical specifications; For example, Nikon Monarch M5 8×42.
The number 8 indicates the power of amplification. Objects seen in these binoculars are eight times larger than what can be seen with the naked eye. Newbies should stick with 6x or 8x. They have enough power to see things clearly, but they don’t magnify so you struggle to find what you want to see or have trouble following fast-moving objects (although all binoculars take some practice).
42 refers to the size of the front lens in millimeters. The larger the lens size, the more light reaches your eye. That means the image will be big, bright and clear. A pair of 8×42 binoculars is usually significantly brighter and a better viewing experience than a pair of 8×32 binoculars, even though both offer the same magnification. But the more glass you get, the more glass they will use – so they will weigh more. The weight difference between 8×32 and 10×42 binoculars is significant if you wear them all day. We recommend sticking to the 26-50 range. Our top pick is roughly in the middle, at 8×42, which is generally considered the sweet spot for most people.
Nikon’s Emperor 5 binoculars were my first “real” binoculars. Years later, the upgraded M5 is still my best choice for most people. These give the best bang for your buck, and the 8×42 zoom is the most versatile of them all. I’m not the only one. These are some of the most common binoculars I see when I’m out birding.
The Monarch M5s strike an excellent balance between optical power, quality and price. The glass in these provides good bright views with very little chromatic aberration (sometimes you see things around in bright sunlight distorted or broken).
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