Everyone who spends a great deal of time outdoors will eventually want a good pair of binoculars, especially if much of that time is spent hunting or fishing. Being able to see game or read water from far away will help make that first shot or cast count. With a wide array of binoculars on the market, selecting one can be confusing. Giving some serious thought to how the binoculars will be used and who will be using them makes it easier to find the right pair at the best value.
Using Binoculars for Hunting
In his article, “Nine Rules for Using Binoculars", (Deer & Deer Hunting, April 16, 2009), Wayne Van Zwoll gives useful tips for using binoculars on the hunt. Van Zwoll writes, “Most of what we read about hunting optics is about the products themselves, not about how to use them properly. Unfortunately, the best instruments give you no edge if you don't use them well.” He advises hunters to select lightweight binoculars that can be worn comfortably around the neck for hours at a time. He also describes how to interpret what is seen through the lenses, how to stay aware of “the big picture,” and how to use the sun to best advantage while observing game.
Binoculars for Fishing
Salt water anglers need a clear view of the water, along with minimal glare. They can also use bigger, heavier binoculars when fishing from boats rather than wading.
Fly fishermen can make good use of binoculars as well. A September 15, 2010 article, “Deeter: Use Binoculars to Help Select Your Fly”, (Field & Stream) describes a technique for spying on trout from a distance, watching the rises and figuring out what the fish are feeding on without getting close enough to spook them. “Far better to be 'dialed' and make a first cast count than to play guessing games, especially in clear water,” Deeter advises.
How to Select Binoculars
Shopping for binoculars may seem daunting at first, because there are so many elements to consider. Size, weight, magnifications, and lens coatings are just a few of the variables involved. Chuck Hawks has published a clear, concise guide that explains it all. “Binocular Basics,” available online at Hawks’ website, goes over everything a shopper needs to know before setting out to buy a high-quality pair of binoculars.
“Quality is the most important feature of binoculars,” he writes. But, what are the differences that affect quality? The type of glass used for lenses and prisms, the size and type of prisms, the care with which the lenses are ground and polished, and the precision with which the binoculars are put together all contribute to the quality and price of a pair of binoculars.
Hawks advises shoppers to purchase binoculars from astronomy shops, camera shops, or outfitters that sell quality outdoor equipment such as guns and top-notch fishing tackle, as these shops are more likely to have knowledgeable salespeople and better-quality merchandise.
Match Binoculars to the User
An angler or hunter who plans to use the binoculars while on foot will want them to be light, compact, and easy to carry. A fisherman who will be using them from a boat can use bigger, heavier binoculars that provide powerful magnification. Marine binoculars, such as the 7X50 models used on navy vessels, are particularly suited to this type of use.
Hawks explains the significance of terms like "exit pupil" and "collimation." The exit pupil is the circle of light that meets the eye of the person looking through the binoculars. Because the ability of the eye to dilate in dim light diminishes with age, an older person will not require binoculars to have an exit pupil with a large circumference. A younger person could make good use of binoculars with a large exit pupil. According to Hawks, one of the noticeable differences between cheap binoculars and good binoculars is collimation, which is the optical and mechanical alignment of the instrument. After a long period of use, Hawk says, poorly collimated binoculars “may feel as if they are trying to suck the eyes out of your head.” Having binoculars that do not create eyestrain is reason enough to invest in better quality.
Comparative Shopping for Binoculars
Having considered the binocular’s uses and learned what to look for in determining quality, the shopper is ready to compare products. For those who have the time, going to stores and getting hands on the binoculars will be the best option. A timesaver is doing some online shopping first and narrowing down the selection to a few possibilities. All Best Binoculars is a website that has reviews of 14 brands of binoculars, from the most expensive to the more affordably priced. The in-depth, well-considered reviews allow informed shoppers to compare different brands and different models within those brands.
Good binoculars can be expensive, but as with all sporting equipment, it pays to invest in the best affordable. High-quality binoculars, cared for properly, will give hunters and fishermen years of excellent service in the field.
Brenda Layman - I grew up in eastern Kentucky in a family that hunted, fished, hiked, and camped regularly. Although I moved to Ohio to become a teacher ...
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