When shopping for binoculars or other optics for birding, you are faced with a wide range of prices which can make choosing a daunting task. Purchasing top quality optics can be a substantial investment, and even if it you are looking for a lower cost pair, you want to make an informed choice.

Binocular Fit and Feel

Making a good choice means they will actually be used often and won’t sit and gather dust. Optics are a lot like buying glasses in the fact that it comes down to how the binoculars “feel/fit” in your hand, their weight, how easy it is to look through them , focus them and get a clear image. If every time you lift them to look through them you have to re-adjust, fiddle and fidget with them, you won’t use them, no matter how much you spent on them. Spend some time trying different styles, powers of magnification (the first number), and different size objective lenses (the second number) to see which best fit your hand, eye spacing, and weight of the binoculars. Weight is a big factor because optics get heavy when you hold them to your face for extended periods of time.

What do Binocular Numbers Mean?

Now a bit about what the numbers mean to you. Most optics are available in standard powers of magnification. 6X, 8X, 10X and 12X are common, with 7X also being available in some brands. You can also get a higher magnification optic than given here, but for our purposes, they are not practical. You might think that more power means a better image, but a few things need to be considered. As you increase in magnification, the overall size of the image increases, but the overall amount of the image you see gets smaller. Yes you can see individual feathers on the bird, but not likely the whole bird. Another thing to consider is that the higher the magnification, the harder the optic is to stabilize for a steady image. Have you ever wonder why scopes are usually used on a tripod? One other thing is that as the power increases, the objective lens usually gets bigger, increasing the overall weight of the optic (another reason for tripods). We like to suggest staying in a 6X – 8X optic for bird/nature watching. 10X and above start to pick up shake in the image quicker leading you to want to prop your arms for stability. The objective lens size is relative to the power, as they work hand in hand, again lots of information on this can be found on the Internet.

Try Before you Buy

It really comes down to this point, once you have settled on a magnification, and what you want to see with the optics, is how they feel when you are using them. We cannot stress enough for someone buying their first pair of optics, to try as many styles and types as possible BEFORE buying. The perfect solution is the binocular rental program at The Wild Bird Store. Try different types until you find just the right pair. Binoculars are available for rent on a daily basis and once you decide on the pair you want, 50% of your paid rental will be applied to your binocular purchase.

Leupold® Binoculars and Scopes

The Wild Bird Store only carries Leupold® binoculars and scopes for two reasons:  1. Leopold produces an excellent affordable binocular/scope and 2. Their service depot is in Okotoks so you would only be without your binoculars/scope for no more than a week.

Giving Binoculars as a Gift

Now a quick word about giving optics as a gift. During this season, we have many people come to the store with this in mind. As you can see, buying optics for birding, or other outdoor activity is best made taking into consideration factors like fit and personal preference. A gift certificate for optics from the Wild Bird Store might be the way to go. Your family member/friend can begin by renting, and end up with a perfect pair. We hope this was helpful. Happy Birding!