Thursday, October 13, 2011

How to Choose the Right Binoculars for Bird Watching

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You're out on the Florida coast scanning the ocean for a glimpse of the Masked Booby diving for its breakfast, when something catches your eye. You raise your binoculars to your eyes for a closer look, but instead of the long yellow beak and slate-masked face you were expecting, all your get is a grayish blur. Your new binoculars have let you down again.

Aren't All Binoculars Pretty Much the Same?

There's a huge variety in both strength and quality when it comes to binoculars. A cheap set might do for a hiking trip or keeping track of your kids on the beach. But when details like feather markings and beak shape need to be clear from a distance, it's important to have something with the power to get the job done.

Field optics can range in price from as low as thirty dollars to as much as several hundred. Though well crafted binoculars with precision lenses may cost more initially, in the long run they will turn out to be an investment in both time and money.

Binoculars are routinely used for watching sporting or cultural events, star gazing, hiking, hunting and of course, bird watching. Because of the way they gather light and the fact that the lenses are spaced farther apart than the human eye, binoculars not only make it easier to see things from a distance, the images are also brighter and more three-dimensional. This is a real benefit when using binoculars in less than perfect lighting conditions.

So Which Binocular is Right for Me?

When purchasing a set, it's important to decide how you plan to use your new binoculars, and what features are important. You can find field optics in a variety of shapes, sizes and magnification strengths, so it's important to know in advance what you're looking for.

No pair of binoculars will meet the needs of every user, and each brand has its own benefits and shortcomings. A good rule of thumb is to always shop at stores that specialize in field optics, where the employees know a lot about the products they sell and can help you find the right set of binoculars for your needs.

Check with other bird watchers, read websites or look for product reviews in magazines. There's nothing like a first-hand testimonial to help you make a wise purchasing decision.

Do I Need Anything Else?

One common complaint among frequent binocular users is the eye strain and irritation that comes from the glare of ambient lighting or getting dirt and grit blown into the eyes while trying to keep a subject in focus. A relatively new accessory to help combat these frustrations is the Eyeshield. Made of soft pliable plastic and available online and at most sporting goods stores, eyeshields attach to the eye-piece of the binocular and creates a barrier that rests against the sides of the face, protecting the eyes and allowing for more comfortable viewing. Relatively inexpensive in price, eyeshields can make your bird watching experience more comfortable and help prevent those eye strain headaches that everyone hates.

The next time you head out to enjoy the beauty of nature and our feathered friends, be sure the equipment you're using will enhance, not detract from the experience.

Deanne Blackhurst is a freelance writer for Field Optics Research, creator of the original Eyeshield. EYESHIELDs enhance the effectiveness of virtually all performance field optics including binoculars, microscopes and spotting scopes. Come visit our website to learn more. Field Optics Research.


SOURCE : http://goarticles.com/article/How-to-Choose-the-Right-Binoculars-for-Bird-Watching/5484003/

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