Best Binoculars of 2013

 

Cornell has published its review of binoculars of 2013.  Vortex Optics models, at various price points, have been mentioned.  Check it out at http://bit.ly/1dO0YEY and then go to www.kingbirdfeeders.com.  We would love to assist you as you rig for the coming year.

Vortex Razor HD

Fall Sale

Vortex 10x32 Fury Binocular

Grab a Fury in a hurry! This mid-sized gem just got better by going on sale. Better be quick—only one left.

List Price: $379.00                          Sale Price: $174.99

 

Audubon 7x18 Mini Binocular


Superb mini binocular with real glass lens. Great Christmas present for kids and grandkids up through 3rd grade. On sale now, while supplies last.

List Price: $39.99                             Sale Price: $24.99


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Confidence

The morning is crisp.  Dawn breaks in fifteen minutes.  The light is yet low, and the fog is patchy but lifting.  Despite it all, you are ready and confident that you will see it all—any movement, any flutter of tail or wing.   Your Vortex Viper binoculars have proved their worth.  Its clarity and crispness of image and color you are assured.  You stand at the edge of the forest opening, binoculars in hand and anticipate a great day.

Review of the Vortex Diamondback Binocular

Since you are considering a new binocular, consider the Vortex Diamondback. First, note that Vortex Optics has implemented argon purging of all its models. This is important because this sets Vortex binoculars above and beyond others. Argon, an inert gas, is used in these models to water and fog proof. Argon does not attack the seals and o-rings. The choice of this gas instead of nitrogen leads to an extended life of the binocular.

The Diamondback is a roof prism type of binocular. This allows for several important advantages. First, it allows for internal focusing which in turn is the reason for such great water and fog proofing. Secondly, its design is ergonomically balanced. It feels comfortable in your hands.

Its large field of view, 420 feet, makes this a binocular that is superb for the novice as well as the expert. With such a large field of view, it becomes much easier to locate even small song birds. This field of view is one of the best on the market.

If you are into searching for and viewing damsel flies and dragonflies, you will be interested in the close focus of 4.5 feet.

The Diamondback is a versatile model. The specifications discussed above make this an excellent choice for astronomy, birding, or butterfly viewing. It is as valuable in the woods as in a marine setting.

Vortex Optics endeavors to manufacture quality products. It is willing to back up this goal with a lifetime no questions asked warranty. They will repair or replace your item without asking for any explanation.

Binocular Basics

What should one know about magnification?

Most binoculars are either 8x or 10x. 8x magnification is well suited for most purposes. It will afford you a view of the item as if you were one-eighth of the distance to it. 10x will give you a little advantage in that it you will now be seeing the object as if you were one-tenth of the distance.

There are other magnifications to consider. 6.5x might be good if one will be doing a lot of hiking or bicycling as these magnifications result in lighter weight binoculars. 12x would be considered if one were checking out large open fields or open water.

What should one know about field of view?

Field of View (FOV) relates to how much area can be viewed in the objective lens. Most of us would do well to look for, at least 300 ft FOV at 1000 yards. If you are a novice, look for something that may have at least 400 ft FOV at 1000 yards as it will make it easier to locate your object.

Should one desire water and fog proofing?

Yes! You want a clear view, with crisp images and color trueness. You are investing in a tool you want to last a long time. The best water and fog proofed binoculars are using argon gas. Argon gas, a noble gas, does not attack the seals and O-rings and, therefore, extends the life of the binocular. For instance, all Vortex Optical binoculars are argon purged.

What should one know about the size of the objective lens?

First, manufacturers use this to classify their products by size. Full size is 42 mm or larger; 32 mm is considered mid-size, and anything less is a compact.

Second, the size of the objective lens is an important aspect of the light gathering power of the binocular. A 42 mm lens gathers quite a bit of light, a 32 mm lens less. In moving from 8x to 10x magnification the light gathering power is diminished. This can be compensated by using a larger objective lens, such as a 50 mm lens.

Finally, in choosing a binocular, consider how it will be used and how often. Also, and importantly, consider the manufacturer and the warranty offered.

Bird Worthy Binoculars

There is not a lot of equipment required to engage or stay engaged in birding. Yet, to think that one can get started using your favorite uncle’s old binoculars leads far more often than not to frustration and failure. It’s too heavy, too hard to hold steady, too slow to focus, too hard to locate the bird in time. So, while everyone else enjoys a grand view of the bird, you come away empty, confused, and maybe a little peeved. So, leave those relics to memories. You need a good pair of binoculars.

What should you know to find the right binocular for you? First, please consider that birding is something that can be enjoyed for many years. That’s the goal. We want to find something that lasts, gives us enjoyment for a long period of time, and is something in which we can engage under many different conditions and circumstances. Invest in a good binocular. There are many attributes that need to be considered before examining price.

Okay, first, do you wear eyeglasses? This is a huge consideration. If you do and you wish or need to wear your glasses at all times, then pay attention to eye relief. What is eye relief? It is how far the image is projected out of the ocular lens. A large eye relief is best for those wearing glasses. Look for binoculars with eye relief of 19-22 mm. Those who do not wear glasses can be satisfied with eye relief in the 15-18 mm range.

The next most important attribute of a binocular is its field of view. Beginning birders sometimes struggle finding the bird in the binocular. This effort is greatly assisted when the field of view is large. Field of view is measured in two ways, by degree or by feet. Field of view in feet is most easily understood. It is often stated in feet at 1000 yards, for example 345 feet at 1000 yards. This means that the area being viewed is 345 feet across the binocular objective lens if the area is 1000 yards away. As a beginner, one should consider finding a binocular with a field of view around 400 feet. More experienced birders will do fine with a field of view ranging from 315 to 350 feet. Below 300 feet presents many people with difficulty.

A subsequent attribute to consider is quickness of focus. Look for a center focus in which the wheel can easily focus near to far in approximately one and a half turns. This is critical when viewing such active little birds as kinglets, warblers, and wrens.

Now, let’s look at the numbers. What does 8 x42 mean? Is it better than 10 x 32?

The first number in both the above has to do with magnification. Magnification is somewhat misleading. Bluntly, it does not mean what it says. If it did, then a five inch bird in an 8x binocular would have an image of 40 inches—not possible. 8x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one eighth of the distance. 10 x means that is what the bird looks like in your naked eye at one tenth of the distance. Most of us do quite well with 8x. There are some good binoculars out with 7x and even 6.5 x. Higher magnifications may lend themselves to greater resolution and fine detail, but this decreases the field of view and the light gathering ability of the binocular.

The second number is the size of the objective lens. 42 mm is larger than 32 mm. The size of the objective lens affects the field of view, the light gathering ability, and the weight. There is no hard and fast rule here, though. Manufacturers have been able to affect these three characteristics several ways, such as coatings and the type of glass employed.

Finally, some recommendations—a beginner might start with a Vortex 8 x42 Diamondback for its wide field of view is tremendous. If cost is a consideration, look at the Vortex 8 x 42 Crossfire. If you are a birder that enjoys hiking and weight is something to think about, try the Vortex 6.5 x 32 Fury or the Vortex 8 x 28 Fury. A great, all-around binocular, whether a novice or veteran, would be the Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. High end quality and style at an affordable price can be found in the Vortex 8 x 42 Razor.

Well Equipped

Well equip your birder with an outstanding birder binocular, The Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. This binocular is excellent in low light conditions often present in early morning or evening when much activity is evident. Watching Short Eared Owls frolic across open pastures feeding at dusk is greatly facilitated by the light gathering power of these wonderful binoculars. The Viper has XD glass and XR coatings to enhance image resolution and color accuracy while providing extraordinary brightness. The Viper is argon purged to extend the useful life of the binocular while providing superb water and fog proofing. It is lightweight and possesses excellent eye relief.

Couple the Viper with a wonderful field guide like the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America and your birder is set for a grand experience. The Fifth Edition of this field guide is touted as one of the best guides on the market today.

Binoculars by Vortex Optics

Many articles have been written by this author and others on how to choose a binocular to fit your needs and wants. However, the question that begs answering is how to choose a brand that you can trust and will serve you well for many years? Proposition: buying a pair of binoculars is tantamount to an investment. Most of us buy binoculars knowing these will be something we want to provide us with many years of enjoyment. We do not want a pair to get us through a year or two; we want it to be worthy of ten, fifteen or more years. Ergo, we must also consider that we are buying a brand or company, and that company must be one willing to stand by their product and be committed to customer service.

First, consider the warranty offered. Second, consider access to the company. Third, consider the focus of the company. Fourth, consider the commitment to providing a quality product at a competitive price.

To those ends, Vortex Optics makes a very enticing case as your next brand of binoculars. Vortex Optics offers an unlimited and unconditional warranty. No bones about it, Vortex promises to repair or replace your product free no matter what. That’s pretty straight forward and generates a considerable amount of confidence in the brand. It stands to reason that the buyer can then be confident that a Vortex binocular (or spotting scope) is manufactured to exacting specifications. If you should possibly have a concern about your product know that Vortex Optics can easily be contacted because it maintains an easy to use web site on which is appropriate contact information. One can find a live voice with which to converse. Also, Vortex maintains a good relationship with its dealers facilitating two way conversations that can prove beneficial to the customer. Vortex Optics is focused on providing quality optics. It is not a mega company with several and diverse product lines. Its mission is to provide premium optical products which include features that make a difference between good and great binoculars and scopes. Finally, Vortex is a company that believes it should and can deliver a quality product at an affordable price. Vortex is a company that believes its products stack up well to other brands costing significantly more.

On your next purchase of a pair of binoculars or spotting scope consider that you are buying a brand not just a product.