Powerful binoculars

When we think of binoculars, we often think of 10x50 binoculars, or smaller models like 8x42 or 7x35. However, while these binoculars are very good, there will be times when you need a bit more.You may be a birdwatcher who needs higher magnification, or an amateur astronomer requiring a larger aperture.

Binoculars come in a wide range of magnifications and apertures, so where do you start? When should you use high-power binoculars? What should you look for? And what are the best high-power binoculars in 2024?

Explanation of Magnification and Aperture

People use binoculars for a wide array of activities, from astronomy to birdwatching, as well as concerts, hiking, hunting, and sailing. However, before deciding who might benefit from high-power binoculars, let’s take a moment to examine what high-power binoculars are.

If you have already purchased or used binoculars, you probably know they are always listed with two numbers. For example, you might be considering buying 10x50 binoculars. The first number indicates the magnification, while the second is the diameter of the objective lenses, measured in millimeters.

Magnification

Magnification indicates how large an object will appear through the binoculars. For example, if the magnification is 10x, the object will appear 10 times larger, as if you were 10 times closer. Most binoculars have a fixed magnification, which generally ranges from 6x to 25x.

While you might think that higher magnifications are always better, this is not always true. First,higher magnification will also amplify any shake from your arms, hands, or even the environment. For example, if you are on a boat, its rocking can make it difficult to keep a steady view, and this effect is even more pronounced at higher magnifications.

Anotherissue is the field of view, or how much you can see through the eyepieces. On average, 10x50 binoculars have a field of view covering about 6 or 6.5 degrees of sky, but (as you might expect) higher magnifications produce narrower views, with 15x70 binoculars having a field of view of about 4 degrees.

In addition to making your view less aesthetically pleasing, this can also make it more difficult to locate your target, especially if it is moving.

Before discussing aperture, it’s worth noting that there are also zoom binoculars. They tend to produce lower image quality, but can still be useful in certain situations. In general, using the zoom function can affect the color and brightness of the image, so if you plan to use them, it is best to do so during daylight hours.

Aperture

When we talk about the aperture of binoculars, we are referring to the diameter of the objective lenses. These are the large lenses you point toward your target, and the aperture is always measured in millimeters.

At first glance, aperture may not seem very important, but it plays a crucial role. The objective lenses gather light, so the larger the aperture, the more light the binoculars can collect.

During the day, this can produce a brighter and more colorful image, while also allowing you to see better at dusk and at night. If your hobby involves being outdoors at those times, you should consider using binoculars with a larger aperture.

Unfortunately, large apertures have a notable drawback: not only are they physically bigger, but they also tend to be heavier. For example, binoculars with a 25 mm aperture typically weigh around 300 g, while binoculars with a 50 mm aperture weigh about 800 g.

Some binoculars have an aperture of up to 100 mm, but many manufacturers produce binoculars with a maximum aperture of 70 mm. These typically weigh around 1.8 kg (4.0 pounds).

Given their weight, it is often advisable to mount large binoculars on a tripod. This helps stabilize the image and prevents arm fatigue. However, this will limit your use of the binoculars, as it is difficult to comfortably observe targets located more than 45 degrees above the horizon.

What can powerful binoculars be used for?

In general, if you need to move around frequently or simply want something you can quickly grab and use in the backyard, your best option is to use smaller and lighter binoculars.

For example, you would not want to use very powerful binoculars when hiking or attending a concert (regardless of how far away the stage is), because they are simply too heavy and bulky. In both cases, a lower magnification and aperture, such as 8×25, would be a better choice as they will be both more compact and lighter.

Similarly, if you are on a boat, you will find that a lower magnification is more suitable, as it will provide a more stable view. However, a 50 mm aperture may be preferable, as it is better suited for low-light scenarios. In this case, 7×50 binoculars can provide the ideal combination of magnification and aperture for anyone on a boat.

Amateur astronomers, birdwatchers, and hunters will often choose 10×50 models, as they can provide the necessary magnification and aperture while remaining relatively lightweight and portable. If they need higher magnification or a larger aperture, 15×70 or 20×80 models can be a good option, but the additional weight often makes a tripod necessary.

At first glance, this may seem like a problem, but that is not necessarily the case. If you plan to stay in the same spot for a while, powerful binoculars mounted on a tripod can provide the magnification and aperture you need to make the most of your time.This makes high-power binoculars a good choice for astronomers, birdwatchers, and hunters, as they often find themselves in the same location for extended periods.

How to choose the best powerful binoculars?

When searching for high-power binoculars, you need to consider several factors, such as:

• Magnification and objective lens diameter
• Weight
• Environment

Although your purchasing decision will primarily depend on how you intend to use the binoculars, each of these factors can also have an impact.

Magnification and objective lens diameter

We already know what magnification and aperture mean, but how do they work together? To start, let's look at how the two combined will affect your view.

Many people like to use 10x50 binoculars, but some will instead opt for 20x50 binoculars. These obviously have double the magnification, but the aperture is the same. As a result, your target will appear twice as large, but you will not necessarily see twice as much detail, because the light-gathering capabilities of 20x50 binoculars are the same as those of 10x50 binoculars.

Even if your target appears larger, it will not be brighter or more colorful. For example, in low-light conditions, birdwatchers may not see additional markings that could help them identify birds. If you are an amateur astronomer observing the Pleiades star cluster, the cluster will appear twice as large but you will see the same number of stars.

This is why high-magnification binoculars also tend to have larger apertures, with 15x70 and 20x80 being common options, and some manufacturers even producing 25x100 models.

Weight

Since high-power binoculars tend to have larger apertures, they can weigh significantly more than their smaller counterparts. This can limit their portability and make them difficult to hold for extended periods. Arm fatigue, which can in turn cause soreness, can quickly set in when holding heavy binoculars up to your eyes.

You will also need to pay attention to weight if you plan to take the binoculars on vacation or on a trip. In most cases, they will still be small and light enough to travel with you, but if you want to travel light, you may want to consider bringing less powerful binoculars instead.

Environment

Depending on your location and the time of year, the weather can change rapidly. Even if you plan your trip to coincide with good weather, it is always possible for conditions to shift. You should keep this in mind when searching for high-powered binoculars. Ideally, if you expect to be outdoors in all weather conditions, you should look for waterproof binoculars.

Unfortunately, most often, large-aperture binoculars tend to be water-resistant rather than waterproof, and while this is probably sufficient for short periods, it may not be advisable to spend an entire day (or night) outside in the rain unless your binoculars are adequately protected against the elements.

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