5 BEST BINOCULARS FOR BIRD WATCHING PREPARED FOR BIRD LOVERS ! JUST ENJOY AND COLLECT!
In this article we’ve put together a list of 5 of the absolute best binoculars for bird watching. When we say best we mean high end and top of the line. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck and are on a budget, check out this article on the .
Without wasting any time, let’s get straight to why you came here. We’ll talk about some of the below.
Enjoy!
FEATURES
All-purpose, waterproof binoculars32mm Lens for optimum light transmissionLotutec lens Coating for use in inclement weatherErgonomically designed for comfort during prolonged useLimited Lifetime transferable warranty
SPECS:
Magnification: 8xObjective Diameter: 32 mmExit Pupil: 4 mmTwilight Factor: 16Field of View (ft/1000 yards): Ww 420Close Focus: 6.56 feetDiopter Range: +/- 4.0 dptEye Relief: 15.5 mmInterpupillary Distance: 52 to 74 mmLotuTec: YesNitrogen Filling: YesWaterproof: 400 mbarFunctional Temperature Range: -22/+145°FHeight: 4.61 inWidth: 4.57 inWeight: 19.75 oz
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Any serious birder knows that there are just a handful of brands of binoculars that are the cream of the crop, Zeiss is one of those. There’s no doubt that the Carl Zeiss Victory FL, named after Carl Zeiss who was a German industrialist famous for making fine optics, are some of the best binoculars for birdwatching on the market.
They’re designed for maximum comfort and are about as close to compact as you’ll get in a pair of premium binoculars of this caliber. The average, casual bird watcher may have difficulty telling the difference when looking through these and a pair that are just a fraction of the price. For seasoned pros, or even those who want to start out with the best, look no further than Zeiss.
FEATURES
Includes: shoulder strap, case, lens cover and lens cloth8x magnification100% Waterproof, fogproof and shockproofGuard-ion lens coating protects against dirt, water and fingerprints to maintain a crisp imageSmooth focusing system for fine adjustmentsLightweight and ergonomic designLifetime performance guarantee Twilight Light Max HD System means you can use your binoculars longer at dawn and dusk with superior low-light performance
SPECS
Magnification – 8xWeight (oz) – 23.6Length – 5.9 inchesEye Relief – 18.5 mmLinear FOV (ft/1000 yards) – 377Replaceable Field Eyecups
These Leupold binoculars made Aubudon’s list for best high-end choices. The key points that birdwatching users commented on were their fantastic optics with fast and smooth focus response, and exceptional light-gathering ability.
They’re super durable with a design that is rugged yet sleek and they feel great in your hands. Not too heavy and with great grip. This combined with their generous sized eye-box for comfortable extended use, makes them a perfect choice if you plan to be out in the field bird watching or if you want them for hunting purposes.
Go ahead and pull the trigger on the last pair of birding binoculars you’ll ever need. There are many magnifications to choose from with this model, from 8×42 up to 15×56.
FEATURES
12x magnification and 50 mm objective lenses
(8×42, 10×42, and 18×56 also available)Ultra high definition optical quality and prescription for unparalleled image resolutionExceptional color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and light transmissionIndex-matched lenses correct color across the entire visual spectrum.Ultimate anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfacesMaximum light transmission for peak clarity and the pinnacle of low-light performanceSuperior ergonomics while decreasing total weight and bulk make it surprisingly lightweightRubber armor provides a secure, non-slip grip, and durable external protectionA right-eye diopter tailors each barrels’ focus to your eyes.The smooth, center focus wheel provides fine focus control and quick sharp views.Twist-up eyecups rest comfortably against the face and provide customized eye reliefArgon purging and o-ring seals provide a lifetime of water and fog-proof performance.Ultra-hard, scratch resistant armortek protects the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.Compatible with a tripod adapter, allowing use on a tripod or car window mount
SPECS
Magnification 12x
(8x, 10x, and 18x also available)Objective Lens Diameter 50 mmEye Relief 17 mmExit Pupil 4.2 mmLinear Field of View 288 feet/1000 ydsAngular Field of View 5.5 degreesClose Focus 6.6 feetInterpupillary Distance 56-76 mmHeight 7.6 inchesWidth 5.8 inchesWeight 36.1 oz
Here at Bird Feeder Hub we are big fans of Vortex Spotting Scopes because of they make some of the absolute on the market today. When it comes to birding binoculars, they don’t pull any punches on the quality there either. In addition to the 12×50 the Vortex Razor UHD Binoculars come in 8×42, 10×42, and 18×56 giving you some sizes that other manufacturers do not offer. If you’re in the market for some extreme magnification and an extra large objective lens then this model has you covered.
Because of the large objective lens on these bad boys your field of view is cut down to 288 ft at 1000 yards. If you’re doing some long distance bird watching then this pair could hit the mark for you, and you can still size down to the standard 8×42 that most birders prefer if you choose. The pricing is in line with the Swarovski SLC and so is the quality, it really becomes a matter of preference. With a full 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, like not even one 4 star rating, you’ll see that purchasers of these birding binoculars are beyond happy. Check them out and you’ll see why.
FEATURES
50mm objective lens20mm eye reliefWaterproof and fog proofMulti-coated lensesErgonomic design
SPECS
Magnification – 10xEffective objective lens diameter (mm)50Exit pupil diameter (mm)5Exit pupil distance (eye relief) (mm)20Field of view (ft/1000 yds / m/1000 m)345 / 115Field of view (degrees)6.6Field of view for eyeglass wearers (degrees)6.6Field of view, apparent (degrees)62Shortest focusing distance (ft / m)9.2 / 2.8Dioptric compensation (dpt)± 4Diopter correction at ∞ (dpt)5Light transmission (%)90Pupil distance (in / mm)2.2-2.9 / 56-74Twilight factor acc. to ISO 14132-122.4Length approx. (in / mm)*6.8 / 174Width approx. (in / mm)**5.2 / 131Height approx. (in / mm)**2.6 / 67Weight approx. (oz / g)35.0 / 999Functional temperature-13 °F to +131 °F (-25 °C / +55 °C)Storage temperature-22 °F to +158 °F (-30 °C / +70 °C)Submersion tightness13 ft / 4 m water depth (inert gas filling)
The 10×50 EL Binoculars from Swarovski are another great option. This time you’ve got higher magnification and a larger objective lens giving you a bigger field of view. You’ll get everything you’d expect from a brand like Swarovski such as the sleek, ergonomic design, and lifetime warranty.
The eye-relief may be slightly shorter than the specs list, making them not as ideal for someone who wears glasses. All the binoculars in this list are top of the line quality and so look for the little things like this that will be specific to you. Another great pair of birding binoculars from Swarovski.
FEATURES
Features 42mm objective lenses, the most popular hunting and birding sizeExtra low-dispersion (ED) glass and multi-coated lenses bring an extra clear, bright, high-contract image with high quality color reproductionUnconditional life-time warranty. (not including deliberate or cosmetic damage that does not hinder product performance)Lens coatings are waterproof, fogproof and scratch resistantMaven is direct to consumer, giving them the ability to offer high grade materials at a lower cost to you
SPECS
Magnification – 10xObj. lens diameter – 42mmExit pupil – 5.25mm, 4.2mm, 3.5mmField of view (ft/1000 yds) – 341, 314, 262Weight – 24 ozPrism Type – Schmidt-PechanED Glass – YesFrame – Polymer
Maven is another outdoor optics company that produces some very nice binoculars. The price range for these is going to be on the lower end of this list of top-shelf binoculars, but they are still some of the best binoculars for bird watching out there. Many owners of brands like Zeiss and Swarovski swear by Maven when it comes to birding binoculars. They’re recommended by authorities like National Geographic and Audubon and come in at half the price of other high-end glass. If you want the best bang for your buck, but still want that next level of glass, then Maven is probably where you’ll land.
