BINOCULARS & OPTICS

Choosing the right pair of binoculars can be intimidating, but it does not have to be. For the backyard birder there is an array of good inexpensive binoculars, the only functional difference being in the clarity, weight and feel. The best advice is to pick a budget, and then find a pair that is described as around "8 X 40." The "8" is a pleasing magnification for the backyard and the "40" will make it easy to find the bird. Higher power can sometimes be too much for an average backyard birder and finding the bird can become difficult if the second number is less than "35." As a rule of thumb, the more expensive the binocular, the better the clarity. Our experts will be pleased to talk to you about making the right choice.