Binoculars

Binoculars remain the most versatile observation instrument: two eyes, a wide field of view and comfortable image, from hiking to hunting blinds.

Reading the numbers on a pair of binoculars

An 8x42 model magnifies eight times with a 42 mm objective. Magnification determines image stability when handheld — beyond 10x, a support becomes useful. Objective diameter governs brightness: 25 mm for compact travel use, 42 mm for general use, 50 mm and above for dawn and dusk. Multi-coated lenses, nitrogen waterproofing and prism quality make the difference in the field.

Other instruments — rangefinders, spotting scopes, tripods — are gathered in the observation optics section.