Understanding Your Optics: Binoculars and Spotting Scopes

Randy Newberg gets a lot of questions about optics. A lot of people get confused by all the different numbers on their binoculars and spotting scopes. In this video, Randy explains what all those numbers mean as well as other features for both type of optics. He classifies binoculars and spotting scopes as "Observation Optics" and will cover rangefinders and rifle scopes in another video.
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[Fresh_Tracks]

Does this help you understand you optics better? What other questions do you have?

[kendallkeil]

Thanks for the vid. What tripod are you using? How does it do when you are moving it with the handle, smooth? Stable in the wind? Looking for a decent one but don't want to spend a thousand bucks. Thanks!

[takurghar]

Randy - good video but could you expound on what the practical guidelines might be for power range and objective size for spotting scopes? By practical, I am referring to hunting antelope or MD in the early fall when temps and mirage are high but then moving to deer in the aspens as the weather cools down. Often the mirage on a early hunt really limits the use of power and pack weight often limits how big/heavy a scope you take.


How do we find the middle ground if we can only afford 1 spotting scope. Your thought would be appreciated.

[davidross]

Maybe i did not catch it but i think you did not mention the function of the diameter. The bigger the diameter the brighter the optic. Here in Germany we mostly hunt between dusk and dawn. That's why most hunters here are using an 8x56 as a standard bino. Rifle scopes are usually around 3-12x56.

[lukefoster]

Could you tell me the difference in bx 4 and bx 5 series Binos .

[varisantonovs]

To get best adjustment: close the right lense by hand or by cover (most binos have for big lenses separate covers), keep both eyes open, than adjust the big mid dial fm max + to when u see clear with left eye. Dont try to adjust up/down. If u mis the sweet spot and catch turning it back and forth just try again to max +. Than cover left lense and open right lense and with the diopter dial do the same. Fm max + to the sweet spot. If u miss it try again.
Its navy method fm ww2 to fight eye strain fm looking too long in bino. Also in that why u can get very sharp picture.

[gauravshrestha]

Hello Randy,
I am looking to buy my first pair of binoculars for hunting elk, mule deer, pronghorn during rifle season. What zoom power binoculars would you recommend? Is 10x enough? Or would you recommend 12x?
Thanks

[mattwells]

Thank you, I've been so confused for so long Haha

[jeffreywestgarth]

thx randy....really appreciate your work. Im just starting my optic upgrade. me old leitz are making me look like the late great marty feldman!

[joakimbornedal]

You're very likable, sir! Good video!

[KC-mm]

Randy I’d love to know your honest opinion on the santium spotter as to how it compares to the vortex razor hd and the Swarovski. I’m currently running the razor 80mm and I love it but after running the vx6 hd 4-24 scope on my rifle and I also upgraded to the bx5 12x50 Bono’s is it worth selling and upgrading. I just fell in love with the quality of the Leupold glass its some of the best I’ve looked threw, so I’m very tempted to sell my spotter and go with the Leupold. Thanks for the help