Fomei 7x50 ZCF
3 Years Warranty
2 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 74.1
How to choose a pair of binoculars
This question is not a simple one. First we need to consider what we will use
the binoculars for, what to expect from them and how much we can invest in them.
There are plenty of models on the market, with prices starting in the hundreds
and ending in the hundreds of thousands. We will help you to navigate through
the range of products and choose the best binoculars.
MONOCULARS, BINOCULARS, SPOTTING SCOPES - WHAT'S WHAT?
We divide binoculars into binoculars and monoculars according to their construction. They are further differentiated according to their use into universal, hunting, travel, but also into stargazing and marine binoculars. We will focus mainly on binoculars for hunting, traveling and universal use. Before we take a closer look at them, we will explain the most common terms you will encounter during the selection process.
GLOSSARY
WHAT DOES MAGNIFICATION, LENS DIAMETER AND APERTURE MEAN?
Each binocular has a two-number marking, e.g. 10x26 or 8x56. Binoculars with variable magnification are marked e.g. 7-21x40 or 8-20x50.
The first number indicates the magnification (zoom), in the case of variable binoculars it indicates the magnification range. 10x magnification will make the observed object 10x closer. That is, a deer 1000 m away will be seen through binoculars as if viewed with the naked eye at a distance of 100 m..
The second number represents the diameter of the lens (the front lens) in millimetres. The larger the lens, the more light can pass through it, which plays an important role. High-aperture binoculars allow viewing in difficult lighting conditions.
FIELD OF VIEW
The magnification and diameter of the lens affects the width of the field of view. This can be described as the cone-shaped space we see in the binoculars all at once. Manufacturers most often give the width of the field of view in metres at a distance of 1000 m.
For example, the popular and inexpensive Fomei 7x50 ZCF binoculars have a field of view of 119 m wide at 1000 m. So consider whether you want to observe a larger area at once, or whether you'd rather prefer more zoom and object detail clarity. If you plan to observe moving objects, choose a lower magnification with a larger field of view.
What affects the diameter of the output pupil?
The diameter of the output pupil is obtained by dividing the diameter of the lens and the magnification. It is given in millimetres and is actually the diameter of the light beam that exits the eyepiece into the eye of the observer.
Did you know that the pupil of a young eye can dilate up to 9 mm? Therefore, the optimal diameter of the output pupil corresponds to the diameter of the pupil of the eye. For daytime viewing, 2-5 mm is sufficient, for twilight 5-7 mm.
As an example, let us use the popular Fomei Leader 8x56 hunting binoculars. 56/8=7. The output pupil is 7 mm and has special anti-reflective lens treatment. This makes it a great companion even for an evening lookout. Unfortunately, even this parameter doesn't fully convey the amount of light that passes through the optical system. That's why all 8x56 binoculars are not the same. Other factors play a role, such as the quality of the glass and the anti-reflective coating of the lenses.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BK7 AND BAK4 PRISMS?
BaK4 is a high density glass with better optical quality than BK7. If you hold the BaK4 binoculars away from your eyes and against the light, you can see the circular output pupils in the eyepieces.
The cheaper BK7 prisms have square, non-circular output pupils.
In daylight, the difference is not noticeable at first glance, but as the light fades and your pupils dilate, you will begin to notice the blurred edges of the BK7 prisms.
The image quality decreases and becomes prone to chromatic aberration in the peripheral parts of the image.
BK7 - Borosilicate glass
Because it is cheaper, it is mainly used for basic binoculars. Unfortunately, this glass has a higher luminous loss, but it is quite sufficient for daytime observation. The average user usually does not notice the difference.
BaK4 - Barium crown glass
High-quality glass with minimal dispersion ensures a clear and sharp image across the entire field of view. Often used in combination with anti-reflective treatment. It is suitable for observation in low light conditions. As can be seen in the picture, the BK7 prism produces an output pupil with shaded (blurred) edges. The BAK4 prism has a perfectly round output pupil.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ANTI-REFLECTIVE LENS TREATMENT?
The anti-reflective coating, as well as the diameter of the lenses, affects the amount of light that enters the binocular optics. Some light rays are reflected from the conventional glass of the lenses. Anti-reflective coatings help to prevent this from happening. This is a thin coating of metal compounds applied to the lens.
The anti-reflective treatment is divided into the following groups:
- FC (FullyCoated) simple anti-reflective coating
- MC (MultiCoated) multiple layers applied on one area of the optics
- SMC or FMC (Super or Fully MultiCoated) multiple layers on all optic surfaces
BINOCULARS BY DESIGN
BINOCULARs FOR VIEWING WITH BOTH EYES
Sometimes you will come across the term field-glasses. These are classic observation binoculars that you look into with both eyes. Therefore, you have a wider field of view and better awareness of the plasticity of the objects you are looking at than with regular monoculars. This is also related to the ability to better estimate the distance of the object being observed. They usually have a central focus. This is often accompanied by dioptric correction on the right eyepiece.
Binoculars have a wide range of uses. You can choose from inexpensive pocket binoculars to children's binoculars to excellent hunting binoculars. These are usually equipped with such superb optics that they can be used to observe in twilight, fog, etc. If you have both eyes healthy, be sure to get a pair of binoculars.
MONOCULARS FOR SINGLE EYE VIEWING
A monocular is a small and lightweight little helper. It fits comfortably in your pocket. It's ideal for hiking, cycling, airsoft and everyday carry. The trade-off for its compact size and light weight is a smaller field of view and lower light output. But this drawback affects all pocket binoculars. Viewing is only possible in good light.
If you need an occasional glimpse into the distance and don't want to lug around a binocular, and you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both designs, consider buying a small monocular.
SPOTTING SCOPES
Spotting scopes are used to observe distant objects. They are monoculars designed to be viewed with one eye. They are usually placed on a tripod to make them as stable as possible. Thanks to their high magnification, they find their use for hunting and sport shooting. You can easily see hits on target even at a long range with a high quality spotting scope.
Some spotting scopes can even be attached to a DSLR camera and used as a telephoto lens. A prime example is the tried and tested Fomei Foreman ED 20-60x85 ED spotting scope. With it, you won't miss even the smallest of details.
Be careful when choosing a spotting scope and seek expert advice. Sometimes less is more, so don't be tempted by unreasonably high magnification. Such telescopes are sensitive to vibrations, even when on a tripod. In addition, as magnification increases, luminosity decreases significantly, reducing the field of view and image quality. With lower magnification you can observe by hand or with light support.
FOMEI 20-60x60 LEADER SMC Spotting Scope
3 Years Warranty
In Stock 2 pcs, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 334.0
BINOCULARS BY USE
TRAVEL BINOCULARS FOR GENERAL USE
Most often you'll carry them in your shoulder bag or slung around your neck when wandering the countryside. Choosing a travel binocular requires a compromise in terms of lens size. So-called pocket binoculars with lenses smaller than 25mm are not very suitable for hiking. The image quality is not sufficient, especially for people with poor eyesight.
On the other hand, binoculars with a 50mm lens will wear out. Binoculars with 35-42mm lenses are optimal. The ideal magnification is 7x, 8x, 10x, max. 12x.
We recommend:
Excellent all-purpose binoculars for travel, hunting and sport. It stands out with its convenient size and weight. You'll immediately appreciate the perfectly balanced ratio of magnification, luminosity and field of view.
These binoculars will bring you ten times closer to your target. It has ideal magnification for casual viewing. The perfect optical system with MultiCoated coating gives it the necessary brightness for use in lower light conditions.
HUNTING BINOCULARS FOR WILDLIFE OBSERVATION
Vortex Raptor 8.5x32
In Stock in Our Central Warehouse, estimated delivery: July 25 - 28.
€ 146.0
Hunters mostly choose binoculars with a magnification of 7x50 or 8x56. They have excellent illumination and are easily portable. For example, the Czech Fomei binoculars meet these criteria. Fog does not pose the slightest problem for them. This is especially necessary when spotting wildlife that leaves its shelter as daylight fades.
Variables are almost useless for hunting. Due to the more complex construction of the optics, they do not offer such a clear image and are prone to damage. Binoculars with a zoom function are not as good, so you won't even find them in the offer of renowned manufacturers, e.g. Vortex binoculars.
And what magnification is suitable for hunting? Keep in mind that you can't hold more than 12x magnification in your hand without proper support. You can use a tripod mount for high magnification scopes, but few people will want to haul it around while hunting. Game moves and it doesn't hurt to have a scope with a larger field of view.
Compact binoculars such as the 7x35, 7x42 and 8x42 are also suitable for hunting. They are versatile and good enough for scouting in good light. They don't weigh much and are not too bulky, so they don't get in the way when moving through bushes. In addition to the black colour, you can also get them in green or camo. This is a welcome bonus for green enthusiasts.
What else should the ideal hunting binoculars have? Proper hunting binoculars have a durable rubberized body. It is filled with nitrogen to make it waterproof and will not fog up even with temperature fluctuations. There's no point in cutting corners. Hunting binoculars are more expensive because they use special materials. These make them more resistant to harsh weather conditions. They will last for many years and reward you with reliable performance.
BINOCULARS WITH NIGHT VISION AND THERMAL IMAGING
So-called "fusion" binoculars make it possible to observe objects in total darkness. They are suitable for property protection and hunting. They combine several imaging technologies such as thermal imaging, night vision and normal day vision in one. But with that comes a rather high purchasing price.
Hikmicro HABROK HH35L Multispectrum binocular
1 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 1 999.6
Hikmicro HABROK HH35LN Multispectrum binocular
In Stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 1 996.0
Thermal fusion LRF binoculars Hikmicro RAPTOR RH50LN
3 Years Warranty
1 pcs in stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 3 440.0
Hikmicro HABROK HQ35L Multispectrum binocular
In Stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 2 972.0
Hikmicro HABROK HQ35LN Multispectrum binocular
In Stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 2 980.0
Thermal fusion LRF binoculars Hikmicro RAPTOR RQ50LN
3 Years Warranty
In Stock, estimated delivery: July 23 - 25.
€ 4 396.0
ACCESSORIES FOR BINOCULARS
Most manufacturers supply binoculars directly with accessories. You will definitely need a proper bag, preferably padded. It serves for both carrying and storing the binoculars. You don't want your not-so-cheap binoculars to get dusty or accidentally dropped somewhere.
A comfortable neck strap also comes in handy 100% of the time. Modern neoprene binocular straps are comfortable and durable. You can throw away the regular nylon straps right away. You don't want to hike or hunt with them.
conclusion
We hope this article will help you choose the right binoculars that will be your reliable companion wherever you go.
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