Avoid these Biggest Mistakes Newbies Make When Choosing Binoculars

The most common mistakes I see people new to optics make when choosing binoculars to buy and how not to make them yourself. Below is the complete article, more information, advice on what to watch next and all the links mentioned in the video:

From Choosing the Cheapest Binoculars, too high magnifications, to zoom binoculars and binoculars with digital cameras, I see people new to optics make these mistakes time and time again. Hopefully, this video will help steer you in the right direction.

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Links in The video:

Low Cost vs Cheap Binoculars

Best Binoculars Under $200 (£/€)

The differences between Expensive and Cheap Binoculars

Advice on how to choose between binoculars

High Powered Binoculars for Long Distance Viewing

Choosing Binoculars For Astronomy

Binoculars with Digital Cameras

SnapZoom Universal Digiscoping Adapter

SNYPEX X-Wing SPA1 Universal SmartPhone Adapter

Carson Universal Smartphone Optics Adapter

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Watch Next:
3 Worst Mistakes Beginners Make using Binoculars & How to Avoid Them

Best High Power Hunting Binoculars 2018 - Steiner HX 15x56

100% Honest, Real Reviews, Advice & Opinions
I would like to make it completely clear that like all the reviews and advice that I give on the BBR video channel and website, this is my honest and completely genuine opinion and I am in no way compensated to describe a binocular in a particular way or with a bias.

In other words, if I think a binocular or a feature on it is great, I will say so. If I think it is rubbish or it is weak in certain areas, I will also point them out.

Before writing and publishing any binocular review, I thoroughly research, test and use the instrument in my office as well as out in the field. I also conduct comprehensive comparisons between the binocular under review with a number of benchmark binoculars in both good and bad light conditions.

Whilst I make every effort not to, I do make the occasional error or am sometimes supplied with the wrong details. If you spot any mistakes, please feel free to contact me either in the comments section, via social media or on my site, so that I can rectify it/them.

As always, I love getting feedback and your opinions. it is these that help me improve and continue to supply you with content, advice, and reviews that you actually want to watch.

Recommended Playlist:
Binoculars 101

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[saugghos]

I think no one should go for a binocular which is not fog proof and water proof . They may be good when new. But dust and other things easily destroys the vision within 1 year.

[JVR]

Many years ago when I was on a tight budget, I made the classic mistake of buying a very large magnification bino which was also cheap; it was completely unusable and took away from the experience. I just switched to a Nikon ATB 10x50 which is very useable.

[Crusader]

One of the things you failed to mention about the higher magnification binoculars is that there is an ideal exit pupil one should shoot for when buying binoculars in order to optimize brightness, which is particularly important for astronomical use. Light gathering is most important for astronomical binoculars, so you don't want something like a 10x40 for that. I have a pair that are 9x63 with decent optics that were not too expensive. When you divide 63 by 9, you get the exit pupil diameter, which is 7mm, and is the maximum usable for normal human sight. In almost ALL uses, not just astronomical, the brightness of the image is crucial to having a GOOD image, so I try to stick fairly closely to this ideal ratio. 7x50, 8x56, 9x63, and 10x70 are the ones you can hold in your hands.

[acinonix]

Very good advices, but sound is VERY low.

[ebronjeremiah]

I have Nickon Aculon 8*42.. it's works really fine with me... outdoor, hunting, leisure activities... I recommend This to anyone

[sarahhunter]

My brother had a toy pair of binoculars as a kid and they were weirdly good :) wish we still had them

[chuckmaddison]

This is great advice.
I have a pair of cheap Hanimex, had for a long time 20 x 50 . Not bad new but over time the left and right became out of alignment.
A couple of years ago I bought some Barska 10 - 30 × 50 . Not expensive but wife approved : ). At 30 jitter is bad and tripod is a must . Some fade of image is noticeable.. I live on a hill 5 kilometres from ocean and Rottnest Island is about 19 kilometres off coast . With 20x mag I get a good image of the ships and windmill on the island. The craters on the moon also good at 20 x.

[jimtekkit]

I got my start in binoculars for astronomy recently and bought a pair of Celestron Skymaster 25x70's. They're good quality and they pick up some great detail. With a steady hand I don't even feel like the high magnification and image shaking is a big issue. But the real hinderance as a beginner is that the field of view is too narrow for the task of sweeping through the sky to locate objects and learn the sky. Plus they're quite heavy. So for that purpose I'm opting for an additional pair of solid 7x50's as the default grab-and-go astronomy tool.

[MrCervuselaphus]

Following similar advice I bought 'entry' level Steiner 8 x 30 and they are terrific. Good to hike with all the magnification I need and clear as a bell.
This guy knows his optics thankyou.

[JanPBtest]

Another way to quickly spot low quality binoculars is looking for the "gold" lens coating. Good quality lens coating OTOH is almost invisible, with dark greenish or bluish cast.

[markharris]

My first birding bins were 12x, I made a bit of a mistake there. I now use The Swarovski EL 8x32 hd, I can’t recommend them enough, but make sure birding is for you before investing in a pair.

[ImplantedMemories]

bought the Olympus 10 x 50 DPS-I and I'm very pleased with it. Clear, sharp image. perfect for landscapes and animal watching. As my first binoculars I really like them.

[willparsons]

I think you hit the nail square on when you said it depends on what a person is using the binocular for... Obviously, you're not going to use a 8x42 for star hunting and at the same time - a pair of Celestron star gazers for finding a bird hiding in a nest fifty feet up a tree... Brand name is also a factor to consider as their reputation is always on the line!!

[saugghos]

Excellent advice. I own about 10 binoculars and I feel all he said is to the point

[abozyz]

Best channel for binocular. Thank you very much for providing us with valuable information. I have purchased two binocular. I am very satisfied with them

[smudger]

Some good advice here, especially about the magnification. Strange how people think they will see more with a powerful pair of bins!

[dashcamclips]

Good advice although the sound is very low...
I recently bought a 10x - 30x variable Magnification pair of binoculars.
I quickly learn't (as described in this video) that the higher the magnification is, then the lower the image quality is. Although for the £50 I paid, they seem good so far.
I should have looked up this video 1st... (lesson learn't for any future purchase!).

[randomescu]

now i own some plastic 8x25 i guess, 10 euros, bought just for fun. its not terrible bad, but its not good or at least decent. the best binoculars i ever used are those used long time ago in the army, and my dad also bring same model when i wad a kid. IOR, 7X. impresdive quality for a kid in 1975 or so.
now i ordered Nikon 10-22x50, i also thinked alot to buy Action Ex 16x50. But i know how optics works, i owned a 80x zoom camera. so an only 10x will be better for general use. hope ill be able yo use at 22x without tripod, my hands are steady.
great advices for begginers.

[paolocalloni]

I agree 100%. Do not buy too big and heavy binoculars. You would end up using them 1 or 2 times and then leave them at home because they are too bulky. Better a small one but of good quality. For birdwatching better one with very short minimum focal distance. Remember: the most important feature for good binoculars is the sharpness of the images.

[peterlewis]

It goes without saying
Purchase the very best binoculars you can afford.

Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss are expensive for one reason.
They manufacture their binoculars to the highest standards possible, using only the best optical glass.

Just look through a pair of Leica Ultravids, the image is sublime