Bird Watching Binoculars
Bird watching is a fantastic hobby. It, in many ways, is similar to hunting, only in this instance you do your “shooting” with a pair of binoculars, perhaps even a camera, a bird identification book, a notebook and a pencil. You can do your bird watching from the comfort of your own home by using a bird feeder to lure the birds closer or you can go out into the woods, fields or aquatic locations and look for them. Perhaps a combination of all three works the best. You can even join a bird watching club or group and go out as a group which makes bird watching more enjoyable. This is a hobby and should be enjoyable, so whatever you choose to do is "right" for you.
Some of the most popular binocular sizes for bird watching are 8x40 and 8x42. Quality Binoculars in these sizes are small enough and lightweight enough to carry with you all day while large enough to gather plenty of light. Some of the other features to look for in bird watching binoculars are:
- A close focus for the close observation of birds. A close focus of 15 feet should be a minimum for an all-purpose bird watching binoculars and a close focus of 10ft or less is even better.
- A wide field of view (which enables you to track quick-flying birds and to see more birds at a time when counting or observing large flocks of birds).
- A good depth of field so you don't need to keep adjusting the focus to keep a small bird in focus.
- A short focus control so you don't need to turn the focus adjustment too much to go from near to far
Some of the most popular bird watching binocular brands and models are shown below:
Nikon Action EX Binoculars 7x35 |
Action Extreme 7x35 Binoculars - A unique click-stop, twist-out eyecup design gives you both long eye relief and variable eye relief to customize the binocular to your eyes and accommodate glasses. As with all Action EX models, the 7x35 features a rubber-coated body for a non-slip grip, wet or dry. Its field of view is ultra-wide, at 489 feet at 1000 yards. And its compact size and light weight make it a joy to carry on those long days afield.
Specifications:
- Focusing System: CF
- Actual Magnification: 7x
- Objective Diameter: 35mm
- Angular field of view (Real): 9.3
- Angular field of view (Apparent): 65.1
- Field of view @ 1000 yds: 489 ft.
- Close Focus Distance: 16.4 ft.
- Exit Pupil: 5mm
- Relative Brightness: 25
- Eye Relief: 17.3mm
- Length: 4.7" (120mm)
- Width: 7.2" (184mm)
- Weight: 28.2 oz. (800 grams)
Click on the image on the left side or the link below the image for more information or to order you own Nikon Action EX Binoculars. MSRP: $199.95. Our online sale price is $149.95.
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Trailblazer 8x42 Adv Camo ATB - The Nikon 8x42 Advantage Trailblazer ATB is a slim yet rugged binocular. It is fogproof, waterproof and delivers high optical performance. This binocular is a good choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Its multicoated optics produces crisp and sharp views. The 8x42 Advantage Trailblazer features BaK4 prisms to deliver excellent image quality and accurate color. This series uses arsenic free Eco-Glass optics and is truly environmentally friendly.
Features:
- 100% Waterproof and fogproof; nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed
- Lead and arsenic free Eco-Glass optics
- Wide field of view
- Rugged rubber armored body
- Turn-and-slide eyecups
- Camouflage finish to provide adequate concealment for hunting activities
Specifications:
- Prism Type: Roof
- Magnification: 8x
- Field-of-View (@ 1000 Yds): 366'
- Eye Relief: 19.7mm
- Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.2
- Weight: 25.4 oz
- Finish: Camo
Click on the image on the right side or the link below the image for more information or to order you own Nikon Trailblazer Binoculars 8x42 Adv Camo ATB Binoculars. MSRP: $238.95. Our online sale price is $199.95.
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Nikon Trailblazer Binoculars 8x42 Adv Camo ATB
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Nikon Monarch Binoculars 8x42 APG, Team Realtree
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Nikon Monarch Team Realtree 8x42 APG - Nikon binoculars make your viewing task the clearest that it has ever been. The camera technology that we all know has taken their advanced technology and made one of the best valued binocular that money can buy.
Binoculars Features:
- Nikon 8X42 TRT Monarch ATB Phase-Correction Coate - 7524 100% - Waterproof/Fogproof
- Phase-correction coated high index prisms
- Fully multicoated lenses for bright, clear images
- Ultra-rugged, rubber-armored design
- Long eye-relief for eyeglass wearers
- Twist-up eyecups for easy viewing
- Realtree All purpose green pattern
Specifications:
- Weight (oz): 21.5/610
- FOV (ft@1000yds/m@1000m): 330
- EyeRelief (mm): 19.6
- FocusSystem:
- ExitPupil (mm): 5.3
- Length (in): 5.7
- Width (in): 5.0
Click on the image on the left side or the link below the image for more information or to order you own Nikon Monarch AGP Team Realtree Binoculars. MSRP: $464.95. Our online sale price is $299.95.
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Katmai 6x32mm Compact Armor - The Katmai Series binoculars give you all the performance of a full-size binocular in a compact package that's lightweight, and easy to carry or pack. The key is the Katmai's 32mm objective lens that transmits a greater amount of light to your eye than traditional compacts, which usually employ a much smaller objective lens.
Features:
- 32mm objective lenses give you the light transmission of full-size binoculars.
- L-coated prisms and multi-coated lenses optimize light transmission and reduce glare.
- Ergonomic, compact design makes the Katmai's easy to carry or stow in a cargo pocket.
- Clear, bright sight picture with excellent image fidelity.
- Twist-up eyecups and generous eye relief for comfort and ease of use, even with glasses.
Specifications:
- Actual Magnification: 6x
- Linear Field of View (feet at 100 yards): 42.5
- Linear Field of View (meters at 100 meters): 14.2
- Angular Field of View (degrees): 8.1
- Weight (ounces): 18.2
- Weight (grams): 515
- Length (inches): 4.1
- Length (cm): 10.5
- Objective Aperture (mm): 32
- Twilight Factor: 13.9
- Exit Pupil (mm): 5.3
- Eye Relief (mm): 16.6
- Interpupillary Distance: 57-72
- Close Focus Distance (feet): 4.9
- Close Focus Distance (meters): 1.5
Click on the image on the right side or the link below the image for more information or to order you own Leupold Wind River Katmai Binoculars. MSRP: $479.99. Our online sale price is $419.95.
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Leupold Wind River Katmai Binoculars 6x32mm
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Thanks to technology and modern materials, there is no reason to carry a lot of weight around your neck anymore, even with a full-size glass. If you will only be bird watching for a couple of hours at a time, a 35 oz model will be manageable, but for all-day birding, a binocular that weighs less than 30 oz is desirable.