Have You Read Any Binocular Reviews Recently?

Digital camera binoculars seem to get low reviews.  Most are said to be no better than taping a camera onto your set of binoculars.  You have to lose out on the quality of either the camera or the binocular because it's hard to find a pair that works together to provide the best quality for your money.  What good is a wonderful enlargement with a fuzzy picture?  Most digital cameras can't even come close to the magnification capabilities of binoculars.  Zoom is limited, field of vision is different.  The one combination that seems to come the closest to the best quality is the Bushnell 8x32 Instant Replay 18-0833.  It can be found at an average price of $371.

The night vision binoculars that receive an extremely high rating (and, of course, an extremely high price tag) are the Night Shadow 4th Generation Night Vision Binocular.  Yes, of course they offer payment options.  You'd think at a price of $6000, the manufacturer would offer a more private way to ship them.  The contents are apparent on the packaging.  Let's hope your mail carrier knows how to keep mum.  If you're hoping to purchase this as a gift for your much-adored husband, you'd better beat him to the mailbox on delivery day.  This equipment is said to be the biggest in image intensification over the past 10 years.  It's kinda creepy, though, not knowing who might be leading a secret agent wanna-be life in your neck of the neighborhood!  No license needed to purchase makes them readily to whatever public can afford the hefty price tag.

If it's marine binoculars you're shopping for, there are several top brands to choose from.  Two that stand out are: Steiner 7x50 Marine binoculars and Bushnell 7x50 Marine Binoculars.  The Steiner pair has a great auto-focus and a rain and spray guard for the lenses.  They cost around $283, and they're shockproof.  The Bushnell pair seems to have a negative review on their compass feature, but they offer a range finder in the left eye, which is appealing to anyone who has a right-eye vision challenge.  The average cost of these is around $108, and they're fog proof.

If you're a serious birdwatcher, good dependable binoculars are a necessity.  Nikon is a name that stands out in this field.  The Nikon 8x42 Monarch ATB, the Nikon 10x50 Action EX, and the Nikon Premier 10x42 all receive good ratings.  These cost around $300, give or take a few bucks.

Hunters like the Leupold Golden Ring 10x42 binoculars.  If you're able to fit their $1000 price range, they offer an irresistible lifetime guarantee, which you'd most likely prefer with this much of an investment.  They do work for people who must hunt using eyeglasses.  For someone who is on a hunting equipment budget, the spouse would be most likely be more happy with the lower cost of $50 for the Olympus RC 8x21 outback binoculars.  Although they don't have waterproofing and their small size might make them a challenge for someone who has big hands.

Reviews are great, but remember that the only true test of a binocular is the actual use in the outdoors.  Use the reviews as a guidance tool to narrow your choices.

Digital Binoculars- Great For Taking Videos Of Your Views

Have you ever been looking at something through your binoculars, something really exciting like a breaching whale, a pair of nesting Bald Eagles, or a really cool downhill skier, and wished you had someway to capture the moment on video. With a pair of digital binoculars you can.

Digital binoculars are a normal pair of binoculars that have been equipped with a point and shoot digital camera (normally a simple digital camera). With a pair of digital binoculars it is possible to take a picture of whatever you are looking at through your binoculars.

As anyone who is familiar with digital cameras already knows, one of the features is the ability to take video clips. Then, with the aid of a computer and some software, it is possible to burn the video clips to a DVD.

After you have purchased a pair of digital binoculars you will have to purchase some sort of memory device to store photographic images and digital video. Most digital binoculars come with an internal memory where pictures can be stored, but the allotted memory is generally minimal and only a few images or a few seconds of video can be stored. The type of external memory device you will need is determined by the pair of digital binoculars you purchase. It is very rare for an external memory device to be included with the purchase of a pair of digital binoculars.

Make sure the storage device you are about to purchase is compatible to your digital binoculars before you purchase it. Buying the right type right away will save you time and headaches. Digital binoculars typically use one of the following types of memory storage; Compact Flash, memory sticks, XDPicture cards, secure digital (SD), or micro-drive. You can save money by purchasing a pair of digital binoculars that uses the same kind of memory device as your personal digital camera or digital DVD camcorder.

When you are getting ready to purchase a storage device consider the cost to amount of available storage ratio. The more gigabytes the card has the more images and minutes of video can be stored. On the other hand the more gigabytes the more the storage device is going to cost. Do some comparison shopping, is it cheaper to buy two one gigabyte cards or will you save money by purchasing one two gigabyte card. Take some time and really scan the pull out section of your Sunday paper, electronic stores will often offer exceptional prices on their digital storage devices (especially ones with lesser gigabytes) in an attempt to draw people into their stores. If you find a really good deal on digital memory devices that fit your digital binoculars, take advantage and buy several.

Before you purchase an storage device know how fast the card you are purchasing is. The rule of thumb is that the faster the card the better the card. The faster storage speed also means the card is going to cost a little more, but the quality of the card will offset the price.

Do you homework. There is typically very little difference in the cards that are made by different manufactures. Where you will find a difference is in the warranty.Know how long the warranty is good for and make sure you know what is covered.

When you are planning on using your digital binoculars always carry a spare storage device. You would hate to see a really good shot of something and not be able to capture it because you had already used up all your storage.

Be prepared for your digital binoculars to go through allot of batteries. Most people quickly decide to purchase quality battery chargers and several rechargeable batteries. They'll quickly pay for themselves.

Don't purchase a pair of digital binoculars and expect them to take the place of your personal camera and your mini-DVD camcorder. The market is for digital binoculars is relatively new. The quality of the photos and videos they take is not quite as good as the ones you will get from the regular digital cameras and camcorders. The photo and video quality will improve as the market grows more competitive and more companies become involved.

Collecting and Identifying Antique Binoculars

The world is full of people who enjoy collecting things. There are people who like to collect normal items, stamps, toy trains, dolls, and fancy spoons. There are people who collect old antique binoculars. Many collectors of antique binoculars get started because they have a pair of binoculars that have been handed down from one generation to the next.

There are several places to look for antique binoculars. EBay often has several up for auction. They have been found at estate sales. Antique stores will often have a few pairs. People have been known to find them at flea markets and yard sales. Some optic shops will sometimes have few pairs of good quality antique binoculars.

Most collectors have two types of classifications for binoculars. Most collectors remain loyal to the type of binocular they decide to collect.

Some collectors have cabinets that are full of a type of binocular called field glasses. Field glasses are plain binoculars that were generally used for outdoor purposes. The term field glass fell out of fashion in the middle of the nineteenth century when the word binocular became popular.

The second type of binoculars that fill up binocular collector's display cabinets are opera glasses. Opera glasses are small, well suited for indoor events like the theater and concerts. They were often used as a way to display wealth. The upper class had opera glasses that were constructed out of gold and silver, lots of time they were encrusted with jewels.

When you are considering purchasing a pair of pair take your time and really examine the lenses. Make sure that they are clear, without any trace of cloudiness. It is very difficult and usually very expensive to replace cloudy, chipped, or cracked binocular lenses. The same goes for a pair of prismatic binoculars, make sure the Bakerlite eyepiece isn't chipped.

Antique binoculars are often covered with leather. Make sure that the leather looks like it is in good  condition. Bypass binoculars that have a leather casing that is cracked, torn, or full of dry rot. Like the lenses, the leather covering is very difficult and expensive to replace. Talk to a local saddlery about cleaning the leather covering.

Study any bumps and dings and dents that the pair of antique binoculars might have sustained during the coarse of its life. Decide if they are significant enough to lower the price of the binoculars.

Make sure all the pieces and parts are still attached to the antique binoculars. If possible, try to determine if all the parts are original. Determine whether the binoculars are still working.

Look for official markings on the binoculars. Any marks that have been printed on the the binoculars will make identifying the antique binoculars significantly easier.

There are several wonderful books available for anyone interested in collecting and identifying antique binoculars. The Antique Telescope Society has a membership of over two hundred collectors and is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in antique binoculars.

What Features Do the Best Binoculars Include?

Just like anything else, when you purchase a pair of binoculars you want to know that you are purchasing the best possible pair. The huge variety in price can make he process of selecting and purchasing the best pair of binoculars confusing, as can each individual pair of binoculars specifications.

Before you go shopping for a pair of binoculars you need to sit down and decide what you will be using the binoculars for. Will you be hunting, whale watching, or watching birds, or looking for a pair of military binoculars. Knowing what you will be using the binoculars for will give you a specific type of binoculars to look for. If you are planning on using your binoculars for birdwatching you want to look for a pair that is designed with good image quality. If you are planning on taking your binoculars on the family boat you will want a pair that is completely waterproof.

Once you have decided what you will be looking for decide what you can afford to spend. Set a budget and stick to it.

Try to decide on a size that is convenient. Like cameras and cell phones, binoculars are getting smaller and smaller. The advantage of compact binoculars is that they are easy to carry and use. The downside to a pair of compact binoculars is that it is easier for a unorganized person to lose them. It is also easier for a thief to walk off with a pair of compact binoculars.

The general rule of thumb is, unless your a private investigator, to avoid purchasing a pair of binoculars with a magnification greater then 10X's. Magnification over ten tends to cause the binoculars to loose some of the image's crispness. The image is also duller when the magnification is greater then ten. Binoculars that are designed with a roof prism make the best use of natural lighting.

Binoculars that have lenses that are coated with red, are designed to enhance the image. Dark coated lenses provide the best image and last longer then uncoated lenses.

Even if you aren't planning on taking your new binoculars on a boat, spending a few extra dollars on a pair that has waterproof housing. You may not be planning on getting them wet, but things happen; you might trip and drop them in a mud puddle, take them out on a foggy day, or might get caught in a freak rain shower, and don't forget about small children and their fascination with dropping electronic equipment in toilets. The waterproof housing will pay for itself again and again.

  Know the marketplace. Spend some time learning if there are any retail stores that sell binoculars. Scan the Internet, there are hundreds of binocular dealers on-line, these dealers typically offer the lowest prices. Another perk to on-line binocular dealers is that you are typically corresponding via e-mail, this makes the dealer seem less pushy then one you may encounter in a retail store that is working for a commission. The best plan is to get to know an on-line binocular dealer. Start asking questions, start researching binoculars, keep a list of pros and cons of different binoculars that are in your price range. After you have selected a few pairs that sound promising, drive to a binocular dealer and try out each of the pairs you have selected. Test their range of vision, and the clarity of the lenses. Make sure the binoculars are comfortable and you understand how they function. If you wear glasses, make sure they are on when you are trying out binoculars.

After trying out binoculars find out where you'll get the best price, the retail store or the on-line dealer.

Hand Held Radios to High End Camcorders and Quality Binoculars - The Sony Corp

Anyone who has ever bought a DVD player, a camcorder, a camera, a pair of binoculars, or a mini-DVD recorder is familiar with the name Sony, even if they don't own any electronic merchandise that was made by the corporation.

On May 7, 1946 the Sony Corporation was created by two friends, Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka. At the time of its inception the Morita and Ibuka called the company Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. which when translated to English is Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation. The company name changed to Sony in 1958. The name change happened because there was some confusion between the Tokyo based electronics company and the Tokyo Kyuka (commonly referred to as the TKK) which was a Tokyo railroad.

The Sony Corporation started gaining recognition when it designed and built the Type-G tape recorder, the Type G was Japan's very first tape recorder. The next successful move the Sony Corporation made was when the convinced the Bell Labs (based in the United States) to license the transistor technology they had invented to his com pony. Although Sony can not claim credit for building the first transistor radios, that credit belongs to Texas Instruments and Regency, it was the first company to sell them to market them to the general public. The TR-55 was the first transistor radio that was so small it fit in someones coat pocket. Sony produced the TR-55 in August 1955, by 1956 they had manufactured approximately 40,000 copies of the TR-55's cousin the TR-72, which they sold to citizens in the Netherlands, Germany and the United States.


Their latest development is the VRD-MC5 DVD burner. This DVD burner, which is not yet available to the public, is designed to be used with Sony's AVCHD camcorders. The VRD-MC5 DVD burner will allow people to burn DVD's directly from their digital camcorder without having to use a home computer.

Developments and lens technology that have been made in the binocular industry. Sony mini-DVD camcorders and cameras either use similar technology as binoculars, in some cases they even share it. One example of shared technology would be in the DVD camcorders where Sony uses a lens that is manufactured by the Zeiss Company. Sony's DCR-DVD108 Handycam Mini-DVD Camcorder, which cost approximately $400.00, is a mini-camcorder that uses a Zeiss lens. Zeiss lenses are considered some of the finest optical lenses in the world. The Zeiss Company uses them in binoculars that are popular among outdoor enthusiast such as birdwatchers and hunters.

With the increasing demand for binoculars that feature built in digital cameras it should only be a matter of time before the Sony Corporation comes out with a pair of hybrid binoculars.

The Sony Corporation has come along way since the days of the TR-72. The company now employs over 158,500 people. They have an revenue of approximately  $63.980 billion. It's estimated that their operating income in 2006 was $14.578 billion and that their net income was as high as $1.042 billion.

Steiner Binoculars; What's The Deal?

past sets of binoculars were heavy and much larger than those models available nowadays.  Just the government issued binoculars were enough to make our servicemen groan.  After you carry around a little 6 pound baby just half a day without a stroller or baby carrier to give you relief, you'll understand how something as seemingly lightweight as 6 pounds can wear on your muscles.  Added to the other gear an outdoors activity adds to a person's burden, this is an unwelcome strain.

Most Steiner binoculars are used for outside activities of some type.  Military, police officials, hunters, birders, mariners, fishermen, and more get their enjoyment from this brand.  A good, quality set of binoculars can enhance the outdoors excursions of many different fields of work and enjoyment.

For birdwatchers, it is recommended to beware of those little extras that are offered with a pair of binoculars and focus on what is most important to avoid paying for things that won't be of specific use in your area.  Zoom, image stabilization, and fixed focus may add to the cost while taking away from what you could truly benefit from.  Color and style won't matter if it reduces the qualities that will be of the most use for your experiences.

The Steiner Company has been operating since 1947 and has grown from a one-man operation to a staff of at least 300.  They have representatives all over the country.  Some of their newest products include:

1. Peregrine XP
2. 10x40 Predator Pro
3. Commander XP 7x50 C
4. 12x30 Wildlife Pro
5. Nighthunter XP with NANO protection


The Peregrine XP is offered as an 8x44 or a 10x44, has water-repellant coating on the objective and ocular lenses, and provide a high depth of field.

Steiner has benefited police departments with their 7x50 and 10x50 police binoculars, making our public and our officers more secure.  If the police have reliable tools to perform their jobs, we all benefit.  Steiner provides them with binoculars that are waterproof, shockproof, fog proof, lightweight for long hourly use, have long range vision, and operate with little or no lighting.  They are, of course, available for public use should you desire to pay around $400 for this type quality.

Many versions of binoculars can be used in more than one area.  Keep this in mind when you shop around and remember that a quality pair, no matter whether the price is low or high, can provide you with years of good service.

It helps to scour the customer service reviews to help you determine if the negative points of any one pair will outweigh the positives required for your particular use.  What one person sees as a negative problem may not bother you in the least.

Steiner has a wide price range for different budget levels.  They are available used if you prefer to try your luck at online auctions, which can sometimes still provide reviews.  Pawn shops, an ad in the newspaper, or other binocular users are sources for finding used binoculars.  Just remember that the warranty will be less if any at all for a used pair, and parts on used items sometimes have become obsolete.

If You Want To Find Some Useful Binocular Information, Read This!

Obviously if you'll be bird watching, bunny watching, or deer watching for fun, your covered carport or the inside of your car will keep your binoculars needs to a minimum.
You'll have protection from the weather, so waterproofing won't be quite as much of an issue as it would be for someone who must use their binoculars in moisture filled occasions on a regular basis.  You'll be able to focus on other aspects of the decision making process.

Hunters, on the other hand, have been known to forego weather warnings or get caught in the unexpected rainstorm, or maybe even come across a pond while chasing after the buck that runs off after being shot.  Waterproofing and weight would definitely be an important and well-received feature for this area of consumer needs.  Night vision might also be a consideration because of the hours hunters must keep to wait for their prey.  Getting in the stands before the animals start looking for their breakfast is a must for the dedicated hunter.  But hunting isn't just about the prey; it's also about enjoying what the outdoors has to offer besides the prey.  The view, the scenery, the other animals that provide enjoyment while waiting, all show good reasons for a trusty pair of binoculars.

Binoculars are almost always carried in toy stores, but judging the quantity of all varieties on the toy store variety isn't fair to the many manufacturers who spend so much time and money perfecting the products.  Although it is cute to hear your toddler first say the word binocular.

Photographers, hunters, police teams, the military, snipers, bird watchers, animal enthusiasts, boaters, opera lovers, and sports enthusiasts all have to choose which pair is best for them.  They're classified as a pair because they're basically two telescopes that are created to work together; so you aren't likely to hear someone say "What type of binocular do you own?"  The word binocular will normally be used in a plural sense.

Your main limit to buying a good, reliable, quality pair of binoculars is how much you can or can't spend.  If you invest several hundred dollars, you'll want a good repair service and a good warranty you can count on.

The binocular market offers high powered versions, digital camera versions, versions for different types of sports and theater events, night vision versions, and of course, toy versions.  If Dad or Mom has their binoculars, it stands to reason that their little bundle of joy will want to try a pair of their own.  It's just too irresistible to hear Mom ooo and ahhh over the birdies and then miss out on a chance to see for themselves!

Night vision binoculars are a must for anyone in a profession that requires secret night work.  How far away will you need to clearly focus?  What generation of binocular do you require?  The first generation is for the general public, the next step up allows you to see further, and so on.  Government security would require a higher generation than someone who just wants to study animals for entertainment.

The Best Way to Find a Pair of High Quality Antique Verres Binoculars on Ebay

Although they are often available at local antique stores and some binocular shops, consumers have had a great deal of success purchasing Verres antique binoculars on auction sites on the internet such as Ebay. This is great news for those who are already used to using Ebay to buy things. For people who have never entered into the world of eBay, it can be a scary process.

One reason consumers, especially antique collectors get discouraged when trying to find an item on Ebay is because when they type in a search request they don't get any hits. If this happens frequently, antique binocular collectors need to take a deep breath and consider the possibility of seller mistakes. Collectors should try doing a search using alternate spellings. For example, try spelling Verres with one R or try dropping the S.

If changing the the spelling doesn't attract any hits try to think of an alternate description. If you are looking for a pair of antique binoculars made by Verres, try typing in Verres opera glasses, or even Verres apparel, or Verres accoutrement's. If your lucky, these seller error could even work in your favor. Other collectors might not consider the seller errors; the fewer people who view the item, the fewer people that are bidding on the item which should lower the price of the final bid.

Some antique binocular collectors might become discourage from the sheer volume of antique binoculars available on Ebay. The prospect of wading through all those hits just to find the pair of binoculars they are looking for is just too much and the give up. If you are looking for a pair of antique binoculars try narrowing down your search. Instead of antique binoculars try typing antique binoculars Verres, or Verres opera glasses, or even antique theater glasses Verres. If you are looking for a pair of Verres that are made with a special type of design, or a pair that is from a specific year, include that information in your search.

Collectors who are not familiar with Ebay are often stunned when they win an auction only to find that the amount the seller is charging is considerably higher then the amount they bid. The extra money is the shipping charge. The shipping charge is the amount of money that the seller estimated the item would cost them to ship. The shipping charge should be listed as part of the item's description. If the shipping cost is not clearly stated, e-mail the seller and ask them what they will charge to ship the item to your home town. Make sure you consider the cost of shipping when you are deciding how much you are willing to spend.

If you find an item you like, and have pleasant dealings with the seller, bookmark the seller. By bookmarking the seller you will be able to take advantage of any items they might be selling that have a buy it now price. Make sure you go to the feedback section and leave a record about how wonderful you think the seller is.

Before purchasing your Verres antique binoculars, ask the seller if they are in good working condition. Also ask if the seller would be willing to guarantee the condition of the binoculars.

Fujinon Binoculars-Perfect for the Explorers Of Open Water

The name Fuji has always been linked with film. Recently one of Fuji's child companies have been making waves in another field... binoculars, particularly marine binoculars, made especially to be used on open water.

Characteristics of Fujinon binoculars are clarity, color rendition, sharpness, and image definition. Fujinon has also gone out of their way to make sure that the eyepieces they use in their binoculars are comfortable. Many of their binoculars are now being offered with compasses. Fujinon binoculars can be a found aboard commercial fishing vessels, personal yachts, and military ships.

One line of Fujinon binoculars that is enjoying popularity among marine enthusiast is the Fujinon "SX" series. The "SX" series of binoculars is designed with lenses that have been coated with Electron Beam Coating (EBC), this coating improves the lens clarity as much as fifteen percent more then other brands of binoculars. The Electron Beam Coating makes the Fujinon lenses extremely useful at twilight, dawn, late fall and into the winter. The "SX" lenses have an overall brightness factor of 95%. Night vision scopes are the only lenses that provide better imagery during low light. By using a flat image plane, the Fujinon "SX" binoculars produce sharper, truer to life images, with a minimal amount of distortions and astigmatism. Fujinon constructed the "SX" binoculars with the military in mind. By following exacting military specifications the "SX" housing is water and fog proof, durable, and lightweight. While it was still at the factory, Fujinon outfitted the binoculars with Nitrogen filled housing that is made out of slip-resistant, lightweight aluminum alloys.

Fujinon has started to equip many of their "SX" binoculars with Silva compasses. Silva compasses are made in Scotland. They produced their first compass in the 1928 and in the following year they have become renowned for their durability and precision. The SIlva Company also manufactures binoculars, headlights, and wind meters. When they equipped their binoculars with the Silva compass, Fujinon was thinking about the nighttime sailor and illuminated the compass with a beta light. It is possible to purchase a pair of Fujinon binoculars with or without the compass. If you choose a pair of binoculars that have and attached compass, keep it away from batteries and magnets.

An example of the the Fujinon "SX" series is the Fujinon Pro 45 sx 7X50. This binocular in blessed with features such as; seven times the magnification, eye-relief is 23mm, the field of vision is 131 meters, the lens diameter is 50mm, the exit pupil brightness is 7.1mm, the relative brightness is 50.4, and the inter-pupillary distance is 56~74mm. The Fujinon Pro 45 sx  is 200 mm long and 218mm wide. It weighs 1.62 kg.  Accouterments that come with the Fujinon Pro 45 SX 7X50 are; a binocular case, a neck strap, and compass illumination. Additional items consumers might want to purchase for their Fujinon Pro 45 SX 7X50 are; a tripod, a tripod adapter, and a floating neck strap.

In addition to maritime enthusiast, Fujinon binoculars have also been purchased by astronomers, birdwatchers, and law enforcement.

What Are The Different Uses Of Binoculars?

How many different uses can one find for a pair of binoculars?  Well, the military finds them useful for top secret missions, during war, during training. The government and our police departments find them helpful to protect against crime and aid in the security of our nation.  Many nature stories have been written because of the helpful aid of a pair of binoculars!  Children use them to play spy games and learn about animals and birds.  Oceanographers use them during their studies.  Marine biologists include them in their gear.

Binoculars are meant to extend your vision capabilities, not to replace glasses or contacts, but to enhance.  They're an extra set of eyes for distance viewing.  More money spent does not necessarily mean you will get the best choice available.  You'll need to explore the options in price and in product.  More features do not mean the best buy either as some features tend to take the concentration of quality for the parts that need it most.

It is almost impossible for another person to buy you the perfect pair, although not completely out of reach.  Each person is different, therefore fit and focus will be different for each person.  No two birdwatchers are likely to have the exact same binoculars set in the exact way.  All binoculars have the basic components of magnifying glasses and prisms.

If you're likely to be using your binoculars for extended periods of time, the quality is even more important.  The bigger an object appears, the harder it is to hold a steady focus.  That's one reason tripods are useful.  The tripod is certainly important to the photographer for reasons other than to just hold a camera.  If you want to buy the combo of digital camera/binocular made as one unit, you'll want to make sure the camera focuses with the binoculars for the best results.  How large the object will be magnified is important, but it's useless if you can't get a steady, clear image.

People with eyeglasses will need an eye relief of at least 15 mm.  The eye relief is the distance between your eye and the binoculars due to your glasses frame and lenses putting a barrier between you and the equipment.

Multi-coated lenses reduce the light lost in the binoculars, which gives you a better image.  Porro prisms are better with BAK4 than with BK7, although Porro and Roof both work well.  The larger number for the exit pupil, the better your resolution will be.  And last, but not least the diopter is your focus setting to adjust for the difference in vision from one eye to another.  Most people will have a different vision in one eye than the other.

Whatever your choice of binoculars, there are certainly plenty of choices on the market!  There are manufacturers and dealers all over the world upgrading their products due to technological advances in an ongoing attempt to be the best and sell the most.  Binoculars are used for fun, but they are also used for very important reasons, so they must satisfy a wide consumer audience.

Is Buying Bushnell Binoculars A Good Idea?

Bushnell is a really well-known name in the binocular industry.  As good quality binoculars are hard to find once you fall below $450, Bushnell has got some great reviews on a lot of their products.  If you want the highest quality binos at a cheaper price, then it would be in your interests to think about buying Bushnell.  It's easy to find a pair of Bushnells because they're widely available. Hunters should know the Bushnell brand as well as any one consumer group.#



Their Power View 10x50 Wide Angle Binocular does have a tendency to fog over and has a strong magnification when close to the subject.  But for the most part, they are a great bargain.  These are recommended for the casual user, birders, and astronomy buffs.

The Bushnell Power View 12x25 is a compact roof prism instrument and is one of the cheapest priced binoculars you'll find for the quality/money ratio.  At $20, it sounds too good to be true, but they've gotten great overall ratings.  They can be carried in a purse or pocket.  These are recommended for vacations, concerts, and football games, etc.  Teach your kids responsibility with this budget-friendly pair and help them learn more about nature as well without breaking your bank account!

Bushnell also makes telescopes, rifle scopes, speed guns, digital cameras, laser rangefinders, and sporting scopes.  They operate in North America, Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

Bushnell offers a list of 20 different types of binoculars with a host of styles and features in each category.  A recent list of their items on the market and the count in each category:

1. Birding series-6
2. Trophy line-12
3. Waterproof line-11
4. Tactical line-2
5. Image Stabilizing-1
6. Excursion line-8
7. Legend line-7
8. Discoverer line-2
9. Infinity line-2
10. Elite E2 line-2
11. Elite line-4

One of their impressive features is the bright light protection circuit included in the features for their Night Vision 3.1x50mm Gen. 1 binocular.  To the inexperienced user, it isn't known that bright light can harm your night vision products.  Wildlife management officers, security personnel, and rescue squads would find this feature especially helpful to protect their equipment!

Of the higher priced Bushnell binoculars, the Elite 10x50 sells for $1200 and are said to be the brightest in their class.  The Legend 19-3209 sells for around $300.
As you can see, the company offers a varied price range for consumer flexibility.  They're sold at various sporting goods stores across the United States.

Another well-received binocular in the $300 range is the Bushnell Legend 8x32 camouflage binocular.  If you have been known to get soaked when you go fishing, boating, etc., ruining the contents of your pockets is no fun.  This pair has a waterproof housing, which holds up even when submerged.

So, whether you just want to try a binocular out for the first time or are considered a professional of some kind who needs his first great pair of binoculars and finally has the money to spend, Bushnell should be able to accommodate your shopping satisfaction.

Looking for in a Good Pair of Binoculars? Here Is The Lowdown

A good pair of binoculars can be ever so expensive. One way to save some of your money is by buying them from a wholesaler. One of the best places to look for a pair of wholesale binoculars is online. Internet binocular dealers are always more then happy to help you with your binocular selection. They are happy to answer any sort of questions you might have from lens quality, to stabilization, to the housing. On the average on-line binocular dealers are considerably cheaper then the retail stores as they have fewer overheads. In addition to their prices, which are already lower, they are sometimes willing to haggle, especially if you are also planning on purchasing some accessories to go with your new pair of binoculars. This is great as you can get some real bargains if you are a good negotiator.

It is possible to get a nice pair of binoculars for a couple of hundred dollars, it is equally possible to fall in love with a pair of binoculars that cost a couple of thousand dollars. Know your budget and stick to it. If you are only going to spend a couple of hundred dollars don't even bother to look at the higher priced binoculars. The lower priced binoculars are generally cheaper because they have a lower field of vision and are made with cheaper lenses. Some of the high end binoculars, like the ones manufactured by Zeiss, are so well constructed that they come with a lifetime guarantee. The higher end models also tend to use technology that improves stabilization and increases view quality.

Pay attention to the binoculars numbers that are printed on the side of the binoculars. The first number is the amount of zoom the binocular has. The second number indicates the size of the lens. So a pair of binoculars that has the number 7X30 stamped onto the casing is a binocular that will magnify and object seven times its actual size, and has a lens size of 30mm. The lens size does not indicate lens quality, however the larger the lens size the brighter the view and the larger the field of vision.

Binoculars now come with all sorts of gadgets and gizmo's. Maritime binoculars are now being crafted with state-of-the-art compasses, and lightweight water proof casing. Binoculars that have built in digital cameras are becoming increasingly popular. Hunting binoculars are now being designed with range finders. Birdwatchers are thrilled with the increasing stabilization features they are finding featured in the latest birdwatching binoculars.

Purchasing a pair of binoculars that have been designed with coated lenses will help extend the life of your binoculars. Coated lens will  improve the binoculars contrast and image quality.

Make sure you ask the on-line store representative (another bonus to shopping on-line for a pair of wholesale binoculars is that allot of the times the person you are dealing with is the owner) if they have a trial period. A trial period is a specified length of time that you have to try out the binoculars. If, for whatever reason, you don't like the binoculars the store will let you return them, and refund your money. Also find out if the store offers any type of warranty.

What Are Digital Binoculars? Are They Any Good?

For years birdwatchers have enjoyed studying bird in their natural environment courtesy of a pair of binoculars. While bird watchers appreciated the convenience of the binoculars, they were frustrated by the fact that they were unable to take photographs of their subjects. Some birdwatchers got around stopped using their binoculars and switched to studying birds through long range zoom cameras. While this was great for birdwatchers, what about people who were drawn to the see, whale watchers often worried about taking their expensive digital cameras on board ships because they were afraid of what the water and salt would do to the camera's delicate mechanisms.

Technology has changed and it is now possible for birdwatchers and whale watchers alike to enjoy a pair of binoculars and take great pictures at the same time. How? Camera and binocular manufactures have discovered how to combine the long range durability of binoculars with the convenience of digital cameras. The end result is a Digital Binocular.

The definition of a digital binocular is a pair of binoculars that has been combined with a small (and normally basic) point and shoot digital camera.

If you are considering purchasing a pair of digital binoculars there are a few things you need to know. The binoculars magnification is what determines the camera's magnification. For example if the binocular is a 10X30 the binoculars magnification is ten (the first number on a pair of binoculars is always the magnification, the second number is the the size of the binoculars front lens). The average pair of digital binoculars has a magnification of eight.

The next thing you should look at when considering purchasing a pair of digital binoculars is the megapixals (MP). The more megapixals the camera has the clearer the picture quality will be. For the average photographer the number of megapixels won't make a difference a 4X6 photo, but when the picture is enlarged or cropped the image will start to look a little blurry.

Consider the digital binoculars image storage. Your options are normally a memory card or a compact flash. Lower price digital binoculars might not have a method for image storage and you will be forced to store a limited amount of pictures on the internal memory.

You are probably going to want to purchase a pair of digital binoculars that have an LCD screen. The LCD screen will make it easier to frame your photos when you are taking them. After you are done snapping pictures the LCD screen will make it easy to decide which ones to delete. Most people who have purchased a pair of digital binoculars say that the ones that come with a flip LCD screen are easier to use. Digital binoculars that have a flat LCD screed are cheaper.

When you are taking a picture with a pair of digital binoculars bear in mind that what the camera sees is not always exactly what you are seeing. You will have to use digital editing software and your memory to recreate the exact image.

Don't expect a pair of digital binoculars to take the place of your personal camera. At the moment quality of the camera's used with digital binoculars is not as good as the standard household camera, this should start to improve as the market becomes more competitive. One of the easiest ways to improve the quality of photo taken with a pair of digital binoculars is to purchase a tripod, the tripod will help steady the camera, eliminating shaking.

Night Vision Binoculars Are Absolutely Wonderful!

Night vision binoculars are really wonderful bits of kit and allow you to do everything at night that you could only normally do during daylight hours.  They often come with a hefty price tag but if you do enough research you will see they are definitely a worthwhile investment.

Why would someone want night vision in a pair of binoculars?  Well, privacy has become a loosely defined word, especially in the world of famous people.  If you have a big name in Hollywood, sports, or any other area, you can bet someone out there has bought a pair of night vision binoculars (namely the paparazzi) to watch your every move, day or night for any tidbit of news or gossip to boost their own ratings or popularity.

But night vision binoculars are important to those of us who have better things to do than obsess over famous people.  Like hunters, for instance.  Yes, hunting does have its benefits.  It reduces overpopulated animals and provides food to needy charities that rely on any help they can get to feed the starving and underprivileged.  Keeping the animal kingdom in balance is important and can be a struggle for us humans because of our compassion on one end and our greed on another.  Like anything else, it can be taken too far and abused.  But, hunters do have their place in this world and need reliable binoculars to help serve their purpose.

The binocular industry certainly isn't doing too badly with prices ranging as high as $6000 for one particular pair of night vision binoculars.  (You don't even need a license for those, just a hefty bank account ---or a good line of credit!).  Because of the added necessary feature, night vision binoculars will cost more than those for use in daylight only.  But don't despair; there are plenty of others that are more in the range of the average person, although you'll want to get what you pay for.  This particular type of binocular seems to run in the general range of $500 on the low-cost end.

Don't get confused between night vision binoculars and night vision goggles.  Goggles are made with a head piece to strap onto your head.  The night visions are often created with infrared illuminators built into them, along with light intensifier tubes.

The most popular and widely sold binoculars are of the Generation 1 rating.  This basically means they're made more so for the general public than for a profession such as law enforcement or the military.

It is possible to find a pair for $344, which is fine for the property owner who needs to scan his property for intruders of the human or wildlife variety.  They're good for camping trips as well as other things.  The NZT-2 MBN Binoculars have a 4x magnification, a recognition range of 100 m/y and should satisfy basic binocular needs.

Whether you are buying a pair of binoculars for night or day use, you'll want good image gain and resolution to have a clear picture of what you're trying to see through the lens.  Magnifying a blurry image doesn't really provide much satisfaction to identify your subject!  Green is the color of choice for night vision illumination because our eyes can best adjust to that color to differentiate.  Night vision is designed exactly for what it's called, to see in the dark.  But a little light is still required to help this happen.  It is easier to get eye fatigue with night vision equipment that is used for long periods of time, just as long periods of computer use can cause eye strain.  One drawback of night vision equipment is that it attracts dust particles and some say it is normal to have some spots on your viewing lens that won't go away.

Always Clean And Protect Your Binoculars.  They Are Expensive!

With prices ranging over a thousand dollars, purchasing a pair of binoculars can be a major family expense. The good news is that despite the initial strain on the families budget a good pair of binoculars, with the right kind of care, should be a one time expense.

The first step in ensuring that your binoculars have a long future is making sure that they are properly cleaned after each use.

Before putting your binoculars are cleaned make sure that you cleaned before you put them away.

Make sure that you use a dry towel and wipe all of the binoculars exposed metal pieces. Returning your binoculars to their binocular case without properly drying the metal pieces will encourage the pieces to rust.

Carefully examine the internal optics, make sure that they are completely dust free. You can check the internal optics by holding them up towards to the light, then look through the objective lenses. If the internal optics of your binoculars have gotten dirty you are going to have to take the binoculars to a lens cleaning specialist to have the internal optics cleaned.

Use a small brush with soft camel hair bristles or lens cleaning cloths to clean your binoculars external lenses. Oil from your skin can leave smudges on the lenses surfaces so be careful not to touch the lens. Use a circular motion to wipe the lenses.

Do not ever try to dismantle your binoculars!

The fastest way to end your binoculars life is to drop them. A majority of binoculars get dropped when people are outside using them. The best way to avoid dropping your binoculars while they are in use is to attach the neck strap and keep it around your neck whenever the binoculars are out of their case. Never a use the strap to swing your binoculars to and fro. Try to avid walking into a tree while using your binoculars. If you have your binoculars around your neck, tuck them inside your shirt or jacket if you are going to cross a ditch or climb a steep hill.

When you get back to your car don't set your binoculars on the seat. Countless numbers of binoculars have met a fatal end when they were set on a car seat without being returned to their binocular case and their owners were forced to abruptly hit the breaks. As the motion of the car stopped, the binoculars where thrown against the dashboard. Even if you have returned them to their case, don't leave your binoculars  sitting on your car seat, it is to easy for unsuspecting passengers so sit on them, keep them in your glove box.

On hot days take your binoculars out of the car. Intense heat can irrevocably damage your expensive binoculars.

Even if you have a pair of binoculars that are waterproof, try to avoid using them while it is raining. Raingaurds are useful during light rains but during heavy rains water can seep in through your binoculars housing, damaging the mechanisms.

If you accidentally drop your binoculars into some fresh water, get them to a professional cleaner as soon as possible, before they have a chance to rust. If you accidentally drop your binoculars in salt water, douse them with fresh water, place them in a plastic bag, seal the bag, and rush them to a professional cleaner. It doesn't take very long for salt water to irrevocably damage a pair of good binoculars.

Always store your binoculars in a protective binocular case. Keep them up high, out of the reach of small children and pets.

Have You Ever Tried Nikon Binoculars? They Are Top Class!

Have You Tried Nikon Binoculars?

Nikon is a company that reaches out to the public with their school of birding, their logo apparel and mugs, their adventure searches.  They can hook you up with plenty of fun places to put your Nikon binoculars to use while wearing their shirts and drinking from their mugs.  You can make new friends on the excursions they offer.  They offer a wilderness database to help you choose between ranches, an Eco Tour, Camping/hiking, Paddling, Fishing, and Hunting.  All are exceptional trips for getting your new experiences with your Nikon binoculars.

Your binoculars can help you make memories to share with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and children.  Fill your scrapbooks with memories that will build new bonds.  Share your photo opportunities you'll gain from using your binoculars in the Nikon photo contests.

Nikon has an impressive long list of binoculars.  One of their best lower priced binocular costs $69 and is the 8x40 Action Ultra Wide View.  They're recommended for hunting, sporting events, bird watching, and astronomy.  Weighing less than 2 lbs, they're more on the lighter side of binoculars.  They aren't waterproof, but they do receive high reviews from consumers.  You can buy accessories for them:  cleaning kits, tripod adapters, tripods, field harnesses and polarizing filters, eye cups, and pillar stands.  They are user-friendly for eyeglass wearers.

One area of use that is seldom touched on regarding binoculars is that of education.  These handy products can help a parent put his or her children in touch with nature.  The children can learn about binoculars themselves and their many uses.  They can learn about what they see when they use them and the difference in the view, different professions that use binoculars, the companies that make them and how widespread they are, and the market in which they are sold.  They could, in turn, go on to teach their friends the benefits of binoculars and the world beyond their normal everyday eyesight!  Teach your child about math and the economy and products by comparing the binoculars on the market.  Teach them how people will see the benefits in different ways, how one thing will bother one person that will not bother another.

Nikon will even help you learn how to properly adjust and focus binoculars to get the most out of their product!  It offers an outstanding web site which includes the wonderful detailed pictures to teach all the fine points about binoculars.  They also offer sight-seeing binoculars for tourism purposes.  The Nikon Company proves their intelligence with this website, which helps to reinforce their reliability in the market.  There is even a USA website for their products.

With sports being such a popular way to use binoculars, you are sure to find a Nikon pair that suits your preferences.  Anyone who has been to a big game and gotten seats that are far away knows how hard viewing can be without assistance.  No one wants to pay big money for their tickets, fuel to get there, food and drink during the game, and hassle with the crowd just to miss the best parts of the game because they can't see what's happening.  Nikon will help make your trip and your efforts to what could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, worthwhile.

The Different Uses For Binoculars

Binocular Uses

There are so many wonderful uses for binoculars it is hard to think of where to start. Binoculars have been popular for over a hundred years for one reason, people like to watch things in plain sight as if they can see it themselves.

One of the most popular uses for binoculars is using it at the beach. Imagine staying in a high rise building, a hotel or condominium development, and using your binoculars to zoom in on whatever catches your fancy. Many people enjoy using their binoculars to try to spot whales or dolphins from the shore. Others like to use their binoculars to find the best fish floating about, or the mighty seagulls dipping down for a late afternoon snack.

Yet another popular use for binoculars is at the ballpark. Baseball is often better enjoyed from the stands with a pair of fancy binoculars by your side. There are so many things a binocular lover can check out at the baseball game that would be otherwise impossible to see.

Everything from football to hockey fans enjoy using binoculars as well. Binoculars come in especially handy when one is sitting high above the field of play and has no other direct way of seeing the competition on the field. With a pair of high powered binoculars one can sit and watch the action as if they were standing on the field, just be careful as you might think a player is going to come right into your seat and knock you out of it.

Binoculars range in prices and sizes, but on average weigh less than 2 pounds, and cost less than fifty dollars in price. Some binoculars will allow for night vision, while others are for those wishing to catch a day game or event. Binoculars are popular among all ages around the world.

Binoculars can also be used at formal events such as a wedding. For those with less than perfect eye sight binoculars provide a direct view of things otherwise impossible to see. Binoculars are often a favorite wedding favor to provide guests upon their arrival at a wedding event. Guests appreciate the extra help seeing their friend or family member on what might be the most important day of their life.

What makes binoculars stand out among other recreational items is their unique appeal to anyone with an eye for curiosity. There are people that will literally stand around with a pair of binoculars in the middle of the day just playing with them, enjoying all they have to offer, and watching out for a special sight. This might sound odd to some, but to binocular lovers this is a great way to relax and have fun, many people enjoy binoculars, and there is nothing wrong with making a habit out of binocular watching.

In closing, if you have ever wondered what life is like with binoculars it is highly recommended that you give it a try. There are plenty of reasons why it makes sense to use them, and very few not, so think about it and pick up a pair today

What To Look Out For When Reading A Binocular Review

Reading Binocular Reviews

There are all types of items to remember when you are thinking about purchasing a new pair of binoculars.  This article hopes to break things down and make them clearer to remember in order to aid you when buying a new set of bins.

The numbers that are written after the binoculars name are very important. The first number is the amount of magnification the binocular has. The second number is the size of the optical lens. A binocular with the numbers 8X40 has a magnification of eight times and a lens size of 40mm. Although you can see objects that are farther away, binocular that have a magnification greater then ten start to loose image quality.

Binoculars that have lens that have a dark coating tend to withstand the test of time better then binoculars with un-coated lenses.

The advantage of purchasing a pair of binoculars from and Internet dealer is that they are typically cheaper then purchasing them from a retail store. On the other hand, purchasing them from a retail store gives you the opportunity to test your compatibility with the binoculars.

Spending a little extra money on a pair of water proof binoculars will pay off in the long run.

There are two types of binocular collectors, those that collect the plain and bulky field glasses and the collectors who are attracted to the compact and glittery opera glasses. Collectors will find lots of opportunities to expand their collection on EBay.

Each day, there are gadgets and gizmo's added to binoculars.

When you aren't using your binoculars you can prolong the life of your binoculars by storing them in a safe place, out of reach from small children and family pets.

Binoculars manufactured by the Zeiss company come with a lifetime, transferable warranty.

When your binoculars are not in their case, they should be attached to a neck strap that is hung securely around your neck. Keeping your binoculars around your neck will help prevent you from accidentally dropping them. If you accidentally drop your binoculars in saltwater, immediately rinse them with fresh water. Place them in a plastic baggie, seal the baggie, immediately bring the binoculars to a binocular repair shop. Saltwater is extremely detrimental to binoculars.

Do not expect a pair of digital binoculars to replace your personal digital camera, at the moment the camera quality on digital binoculars is not quite as good as it could be.

Thoroughly cleaning your binoculars will extend their life expectancy.

Some of Sony's mini DV Handycam camcorders are made with Zeiss lenses.

Never keep your binoculars on your car seat. Keep them in your glove compartment while you are traveling, this will protect them from getting sat on, crashing against the dashboard, and from having beverages spilled on them.

When you are looking at a pair of antique binoculars make sure that the lenses are clear. The lenses and leather coverings are difficult and expensive and to repair and replace.

There are several types of binoculars available for everyone; bird watchers, sportsmen, and marine enthusiast.