Besides eyeglasses, binoculars are the most popular optical tool in use worldwide with numerous applications. With binoculars, you can observe your surroundings and get a closer look at objects that are far away.

Which is the best binocular to buy? Roof prism, Porro prism, and monoculars are the three distinct types of binoculars. And each application, or purpose of use, calls for a different binocular type.

This guide can help you better understand this kind of equipment and select the best pair for your particular needs. To make the best binocular buy you must choose the features that best suit your needs. Determining how often, where, and for what you plan to use them can also be very helpful.

The Different Binocular Types

Roof Prism

Roof prism binoculars have lenses and prisms that are directly behind one another. As a result, roof prism binoculars are small in size. An additional benefit of this type is that you focus by adjusting the lenses rather than the eyepiece, which prevents air from entering the binoculars. It is, therefore, less vulnerable to water and dust.

Porro Prism

The lens and the eyepiece don’t line up in binoculars with a Porro prism. Instead, this binocular type has a bend in the shape of an N in its ampler housing. That way, it can transmit the images with one considerable benefit: a better depth perception. The Porro prism drawback is that you frequently have to adjust the eyepiece to focus, making it susceptible to water and dust.

Monocular

A monocular is a piece of binoculars with just one eyepiece and lens. Because of this, these viewers are significantly smaller and lighter than other types of binoculars. You can only use one eye to view the lens with this viewer. By doing this, you can use your other eye to look closely at the surroundings. A monocular drawback is that it allows for a reduced sense of depth perception.

The Different Binocular Uses

Bird Spotting

The ideal binoculars for observing birds are portable and effortless to use. If you don’t see the bird with the naked eye, you probably won’t see it with binoculars either. That means you don’t need a high magnification factor, but options with an 8x magnification would be fine. When selecting a pair, consider the lighting conditions. Select a location with a high twilight factor if you want to go bird-watching at night. The better it will perform in low light, the higher the number.

On the Water

Anyone who has ever been on a boat is familiar with the swell. The maximum magnification for a steady image is 7x. Make sure to purchase binoculars filled with nitrogen to prevent condensation on the lens. If they fall overboard, floating carrying straps keep your binoculars from sinking. Compass-equipped binoculars are a handy tool when out on the water.

Sports, Theatre, Concerts

To get a better look at a theatre show, sports game, or concert attending with a binocular buy a compact and light option that easily fits in your bag. While a magnification factor of 8 to 10x would be handy to see faces better, a 4x will be enough if going for an overview.

Travel and Safari

Since the animals are often far from you, binoculars are essential for a safari trip. Select a dustproof binocular option with a magnification of at least 8x and no more than 10x. Whether in a car or walking is a considerable thought for determining the binocular weight. Also, make sure you choose an option with an adjustable focus so it can focus at close ranges in case the objects are close to you.

Hunting

Hunting requires the ability to see small details from a great distance. In contrast to forests, open areas are easier to use with binoculars with a 10x or higher magnification. Since most animals are active at night, choosing binoculars with a high twilight factor of 15 or higher is advisable. In addition, the nature of this exciting activity requires that binoculars must be resistant to damage and be water and dustproof.

Night

Binoculars for night vision must have an exit pupil at least 5 millimetres in diameter. The exit pupil is the gap through which the light passes before it enters your pupil. The binoculars must let in enough light so you can see your subjects clearly at a distance in the dark. Binoculars with image intensifiers and infrared technology are also appropriate for night vision as they have features like an infrared LED light to help you see better at night.

Additional Binocular Features

Foldability

If you use your binoculars on the go frequently, you should consider investing in a good pair of folding binoculars. Binos can be bulky, especially those in the Porro prism style. A set of collapsible binoculars, however, actually lessens the awkward carrying.

Wide Angle

Wide-angle binoculars are undoubtedly practical. The majority of birders favour a wide-angle perspective. It makes it easier to track down that elusive songbird. They come in roof or Porro prism designs and offer the amplest field of view of any binocular type.

High Power

If you plan to view objects from great distances, think of investing in a pair with high-power features. Such high-powered binos might be for you if you like to look through your urban landscape from the privacy of your building rooftop or enjoy stargazing while sleeping under the stars.

Image-Stabilising

Binoculars with image stabilisation eliminate second-guessing and lessen the consequences of human error, also known as image shake. These are binoculars for active situations requiring movement, like watching a football game or observing birds. These specifications are also some of the priciest for the genre.