What Binoculars Do I Need?

Its golden hairs bristled with light as its powerful muscles drove 4" claws into the soil digging up a variety of insect larva to feed on. The Grizzly Bear turned to gaze upon the onlookers who had pulled alongside the roadway to look upon one of North America's largest predators.

For many of the visitors to Yellowstone National Park that joined me along the roadside, the Grizzly Bear was nothing but a hulking brown blob moving in a field of golden flowers.

However, for me, all the intricate details in the variation of its fur color and behavior were revealed simply because I had brought along a pair of quality binoculars. In fact, having optics had significantly improved the quality of my experience in the park allowing me to pick out wolves moving alongside vast herds of bison in the Lamar Valley, brilliant Western Tanagers flitting in the shimmering aspens, and Weidemeyer's Admiral butterflies slurping minerals alongside an alpine stream.

We've got a wide range of binoculars and optics up online that could help you get a better view. 

While participation in hunting and fishing declines throughout much of the United States, participation in non-consumptive forms of wildlife use, such wildlife watching and photography has grown rapidly.

Whether you are seeking North America's mega-fauna in the vast mountain and rangelands of the west or enjoying birds and butterflies in your backyard garden, a quality pair of binoculars can significantly improve the quality of your experience and bring to focus the endless forms of life most beautiful and most wonderful that occupy the northern Rockies and beyond.

Like any tool, you need to dial in your binocular choice to reflect its intended use. A variety of factors should be considered before buying a pair of binoculars. These include cost, design, water resistance, magnification, field of view, and close focus distance. I will quickly walk you through each of these consideration and help make you a better and more informed binocular buyer.

Consider the Cost of your new Binoculars

Binoculars range widely in price from as low as $30 for inexpensive Bushnell's to well over a $1000 for top quality Vortex binoculars. You tend to get what you pay for when it comes to optics and the more you spend on glass, the more it will deliver a brighter and sharper image. That being said, there are many high quality binoculars that will deliver a quality image for under $300 (like the ones we have online).

Design Matters

The majority of modern binoculars are roof prism designs to make them more compact and impact resistant. However, many budget binoculars are still available in the poro-prism design and, due to the greater surface area and lighter weight, are preferred by some, especially those who spend long hours holding binoculars up to their face.

Other design factors to consider include ensuring that the pupil distance is sufficiently narrow, especially if you have a narrow face or you are buying binoculars for a child to use. Weight is an additional consideration but can be offset by using a harness rather than a neck strap.

Finally, if you are an eyeglass wearer, like myself, look for binoculars with adjustable rubberized eye relief cups that will allow you to keep your glasses on while using the binoculars and not scratch your lenses.

Do you need Water Resistance in your Binoculars?

Many of today's binoculars are fully waterproof. However, many budget models may only offer minimal water resistance. If you plan on primarily using your binoculars to enjoy birds at your backyard feeders, then water resistance may not be that important. But, if you plan on taking your optics out in the woods, its best to ensure they are water and fog proof.

Magnification Power: What are you "Looking" for?

More is not necessarily better when it comes to magnification. The two most common magnification or power ratings in binocular are 8X and 10X, although you can find greater and lesser power ratings.

The higher the magnification the less light gathering capability your binoculars will have and the more difficult it will be to stabilize the image. A 10X magnification will make an object feel closer than 8X, but the image will be darker and more difficult to stabilize, especially if your hands are shaky or you are standing in a windy spot.

If you plan on primarily using binoculars to glass distant wildlife in open areas where light is not a limiting factor, then a 10X binocular might be right for you. If you are planning on using your binocular to enjoy birds in a woodland setting, in low light situations, or your hands are a little shaky, then a pair of 7X or 8X binoculars are going to deliver a brighter, more stable, and pleasing image then a pair of 10X binoculars.

Field of View

The field of view is related to the width of what you can see in the binocular's view. A wide field of view is critical to the wildlife watcher. A wide field of view has two primary advantages. First, it allows you to quickly scan and locate wildlife. Additionally, it makes tracking a moving target such as a bird or butterfly flying much easier.

Most binoculars use linear feet at 1000 yards to measure field or view. Anything above 390 feet is considered wide angle, but anything 340' or more is considered satisfactory for wildlife watching.

Close Focus Distance

If you enjoy getting closeup views of butterflies from flower to flower in your garden or in an alpine meadow, you will want to closely consider the close focus distance of your binoculars. The close focus distance is the minimum distance that the binoculars can focus.

If you like watching butterflies, dragonflies, or birds at your window feeders, you'll need a close focus distance of less than 8' although 6' or less is considerably better.

Whether you are looking to get a better look at a majestic Elk or study the detailed patterns on dragonflies flying around your neighborhood pond, the right pair of binoculars can make all the difference. In the table above, you will find a comparison of 5 quality binocular that may fit your needs.

There are a wide variety of options available and we encourage you to stop by your local North 40 and we will be happy to outfit you with the right pair of binoculars to meet your needs.

Want to check out a pair of binoculars for yourself? Take a look at our optics selection here