Binoculars For Travel: Choosing The Right Pair

Binoculars are a great way to enhance your travel experiences, whether you're birdwatching in the jungle or stargazing on a clear night. When choosing binoculars for travel, it's important to consider factors such as magnification, lens size, durability, and portability. Here's a guide to help you make an informed decision when purchasing binoculars for your travels.

Magnification, or power, is the first number in the binoculars' specifications, with 7x, 8x, or 10x being suitable for travel. Higher magnification can provide a more detailed view, but it also amplifies hand movements, resulting in an unstable image. Lens size, or objective lens diameter, is the second number, and it determines the amount of light gathered by the binoculars. Smaller lenses are more compact and suitable for daytime use, while larger lenses (32mm to 50mm) provide brighter images for early mornings, twilight, or night-time use.

When it comes to features, consider waterproof and fog-proof binoculars if you plan to use them in extreme weather conditions. Long eye relief is another feature to look for if you wear glasses, as it allows for a clear image even when the binoculars are held further away from your eyes.

In terms of brands, European brands tend to offer the best optics but at a higher price point. However, more affordable options like Nikon, Avalon, Olympus, and Bushnell also provide excellent binoculars suitable for travel.

Lastly, it's recommended to test out different binoculars in person to evaluate their optical performance and ease of use before making a purchase. By considering your specific needs and budget, you can find the perfect pair of binoculars to accompany you on your travels.

Magnification and lens size: Look for 8x25, 10x25, 8x28 or 10x28 binoculars

When buying binoculars for travel, it is important to consider their magnification and lens size. The best options are 8x25, 10x25, 8x28, or 10x28 binoculars.

Magnification is the first number in the description of binoculars, e.g. 8x25. The higher the magnification, the closer the image will appear. However, higher magnification can cause shakiness, so an 8x magnification is considered the standard as it brings images close enough to see clearly without causing shakiness for most people. 10x magnification is better for those with steady hands or lots of experience.

The second number in the description is the diameter of the objective lens in millimetres. A larger objective lens lets more light reach your eyes, resulting in a brighter image. However, larger lenses also mean larger and heavier binoculars. 28mm lenses are considered compact, sacrificing some brightness for their smaller size and lighter weight, making them good for longer hikes and backpacking. 42mm lenses are considered full-sized, bright enough for low-light conditions while still being small enough to wear around your neck comfortably. 50mm+ lenses are large, heavy, and borderline burdensome, usually reserved for extreme low-light situations like stargazing.

For travel binoculars, a magnification of 8x or 10x and a lens size of 25mm or 28mm are ideal. 8x magnification is often a little brighter than 10x, which can be helpful in poorer light conditions. 10x magnification gives a closer view, which may be less important in areas with lots of close, thick vegetation like a jungle.

Some examples of 8x25 binoculars are the Olympus 8x25 WP II, Nikon Travelite EX 8x25, and Bushnell H20 8x25. The Olympus 8x25 WP II is lightweight at just 9oz (260g) and offers excellent optics with clear views and superb contrast. The Nikon Travelite EX 8x25 is compact, well-made, and lightweight, making it a handy accessory for daytime use and some astronomy viewing. The Bushnell H20 8x25 is a great waterproof option, with impressive specifications for a reasonable price, including partial multi-coating and BaK-4 roof prisms.

Some examples of 10x25 binoculars are the Celestron UpClose G2 10x25 and Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof 10x25. The Celestron UpClose G2 10x25 is compact, sleek, and performs well in low light, making it a great option for stargazing and wildlife spotting. The Nikon Trailblazer ATB Waterproof 10x25 is compact, lightweight, and offers excellent close-range focus, making it a good budget option for general outdoor use.

Some examples of 8x28 binoculars are the Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28. The Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 is lightweight at 14oz, offers good optical clarity, and has a sturdy construction, comfortable grip, and a relatively low price, making it a perfect option for backpacking birders on a budget.

Some examples of 10x28 binoculars are the Eschenbach 10x28 Farlux B Silver and Pentax UCF WP. The Eschenbach 10x28 Farlux B Silver offers impressive image quality but is quite expensive. The Pentax UCF WP is waterproof, has good eye relief, and a field of view of 261ft.

Waterproof and fog-proof: These features are important for use in extreme weather conditions

Waterproofing and fog-proofing are essential features for binoculars that will be used in extreme weather conditions. These features ensure that the binoculars remain functional in wet and humid environments, as well as during temperature fluctuations.

Waterproof binoculars are sealed internally, usually with an O-ring, to prevent water from entering the instrument. This seal also acts as a barrier against dust, sand, and other small particles that can obstruct your view or damage the instrument. Waterproofing is particularly useful for activities such as boating, kayaking, and hiking in moisture-dense forests.

Fog-proof binoculars are designed to prevent internal fogging, which can occur when moving between environments with different temperatures. To achieve this, the oxygen inside the optical barrels is replaced with a dry gas, typically nitrogen or argon, which has no moisture content and does not condense. This feature is crucial for preventing mould and damage to the optical parts of the binoculars.

While some binoculars are labelled as "weatherproof" or "water-resistant", these terms do not necessarily indicate full waterproofing. Water-resistant binoculars, for example, can handle light rain but are not designed for full immersion in water. Therefore, it is important to understand the specific waterproofing capabilities of the binoculars you are considering.

In addition to waterproofing and fog-proofing, other protective features such as rubber coating can enhance the durability of binoculars in extreme conditions.

Overall, when purchasing binoculars for travel, it is important to consider the potential weather conditions you may encounter and select binoculars with the appropriate level of waterproofing and fog-proofing to ensure optimal performance and durability.

Eye relief: Look for 11mm or more if you wear glasses

Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece lens and your eye. When looking into a set of binoculars, you will only get a great image quality if your eye is the ideal distance away from the eyepiece. This distance is known as eye relief. It is the maximum distance your eyes can be from the oculars (the smaller lens you look through) while still allowing you to see the entire field of view.

If you wear glasses, you need to look for eye relief of 11mm or more. Glasses create more distance between your eyes and the eyepiece, which can result in a reduced field of view and an increase in peripheral light. This means you may miss out on part of the image, and the peripheral light can be distracting.

To avoid this, you can adjust the eye relief on your binoculars. Most binoculars have adjustable eyepieces that can be set to their maximum eye relief value. This is usually done by rolling down rubber eyecups or twisting a collar to shorten the eyepieces. Some good-quality binoculars will also have multiple eye cup positions, allowing you to retract the eye cups to get closer to the lens.

If you wear glasses, look for binoculars with long eye relief. This will give you room to fit your glasses without keeping your eyes too far from the eyepieces. Most glasses wearers need binoculars with a minimum of about 16mm of eye relief, but this can vary depending on the thickness of your glasses.

When choosing binoculars, it is important to try them on with your glasses to ensure that you can see the whole picture. Look through the binoculars with your glasses on and off. You are trying to determine if the image includes everything with your glasses on that you can see without them. If your glasses won't let you get your eye close enough, you'll lose the outer part of the image.

If you are looking for compact binoculars for travel, you also need to consider factors such as magnification power, field of view, weight, and protective features like rubber coating, waterproof construction, and fog-proof construction.

Weight: Compact binoculars are best for travel

When it comes to choosing binoculars for travel, weight is an important consideration. If you plan to travel with a lot of luggage, weight may not be a significant concern. However, if you prefer to travel light and only carry what you can fit in your carry-on, compact binoculars are the way to go.

Compact binoculars are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around and convenient for travel. They often have a magnification of 8x or 10x, which is sufficient for most travel purposes. The objective lens diameter for compact binoculars is typically less than 30mm, resulting in a smaller and more portable size.

Some recommended compact binoculars for travel include the Nikon Aculon T02 8x21, which is lightweight and stylish, and the Olympus 8x25 WP II, known for its excellent optics and lightweight design.

If you're looking for a waterproof option, the Bushnell H20 8x25 is a great choice. It's compact, waterproof, and fog-proof, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.

For those who wear glasses, it's important to consider binoculars with a generous eye relief. The Opticron Discovery WA ED 8x32 binoculars offer an impressive 18mm eye relief, making them comfortable for glasses wearers.

When choosing compact binoculars for travel, consider your specific needs and budget. While compact binoculars may not offer the same magnification or image quality as larger models, they provide portability and convenience, ensuring you can easily explore the world around you during your travels.

Price: Binoculars can range from $50 to $4,000

The price of binoculars varies depending on their specifications, features, and brand. Basic binoculars can be purchased for as little as $50, but the image quality may be compromised, especially in low-light conditions. For a solid quality pair of binoculars, prices typically range from $300 to $400.

When it comes to premium brands, the price can increase significantly. Carl Zeiss binoculars, for example, have prices ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. Other well-known brands like Nikon, Avalon, Olympus, FujiFilm, Bushnell, and Vortex offer excellent binoculars within the $200 to $800 range.

It's important to consider that advanced optics and additional features can significantly impact the price of binoculars. Protective features like rubber coating, waterproof construction, and fog-proof capabilities often come at a higher cost.

Ultimately, the price of binoculars depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you're looking for compact binoculars for travel or more specialized models for activities like birdwatching or stargazing, there is a wide range of options available to suit different requirements and budgets.

Frequently asked questions