birdsoup

Birders need good optics. But there are over 20 world-class manufacturers making high quality binoculars. And each company has a least a dozen different models. With so many choices how do you find the best binoculars?

First I recommend buying from a good optics vendor – my store for example. I try to sort through all the different models from all the manufacturers and sell only what I consider the best in each price range.

Another suggestion is to study the results of independent organizations that test and review binoculars. Kind of like the Consumers Reports for binoculars. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology just completed a study of over 100 hundred model from over a dozen companies. All binoculars were put through a battery of scientific tests as well as field ratings by expert birders. Once the testing was completed they divided the various models into different price categories, rated each model and then compared those models within each price category. Finally, they selected the Top 5 Models with each category.

I am proud to say that I stock at least one of the Top 5 Models that Cornell rated in each category. Below is a summary of the models I offer and Cornell’s comments on them.

Under $200 Price Range
Opticron Oregon 8×32 Excellent value. Small size, ideal for small hands. Best of the lower-priced small binoculars. Great for kids!
$200-$399 Price Range
Nikon Monarch-5 8×42 Lightweight, well balanced and comfortable in the hand. Feature clarity of ED glass.
Opticron Trailfinder 8×42 A crisp image with a nice feel in the hand and sensitive focus wheel that is quick to focus.
$400-$699 Price Range
Nikon Monarch-7 8×42 Fantastic for the price category. Sharp image, a great feel in the hand. Nikon Monarch have been a popular line for years and this is their new top of the class

Binoculars are a great gift that last a lifetime
If you are looking for binoculars as gift for yourself or someone else, come into the store and check them out personally.

I feel the best way to judge the quality of binoculars is to actually try them out yourself. How they feel to you is the most important factor. If Cornell or I say a particular model is good but it doesn’t feel “right” to you, then it is not good for you. Your opinion is the most important.