6 Features That Your Best Travel Binocular Must Have

Whether you like to observe nature or are a birdwatcher, a pair of travel binoculars is undoubtedly a prominent part of your kit. However, how can you tell that the pair you have is the best for your requirements?

In any market, the race is about features. Everyone wants all the fantastic and useful features in their gadget at a low price point; however, in any case, you have to make some compromises, and you gain some benefits.

However, there are some features that you need to have for a quality pair of travel binoculars, the six most prominent of which are going to be explained in today's post. Keep reading to find out what you need to look out for when you are buying a new pair of travel binoculars.

The right magnification:

The first feature that any optic needs to have to qualify as binoculars is magnification. However, the amount of magnification in different binoculars can vary. If you are looking for a travel binocular that is easy to carry, you will need to compromise a little on magnification.

However, travel binoculars with up to 10x zoom are still available in the market. Again, my suggestion would be to go for an 8x magnification pair, because with the smaller lenses, it is difficult to get a clear view at high magnification.

Furthermore, 8x magnification, if enough to view objects, a fair distance away quite clearly. They are more than enough for spotting a bird or deer, and they can be used to experience nature as well.

The right-sized lens:

For any pair of binoculars, two features define its capabilities, one of which is the magnification, and the other is the size of the objective lens. For a pair of binoculars to be effective, and of good quality, these two features need to be in proportion,

Since we are looking for travel binoculars, you can't have a large 40 mm, or 50 mm lens. They can be heavy and awkward to carry around. A 25 mm lens is the best for a pair of travel binoculars, and it will pair perfectly with 8x magnification.

The lens is large enough to let sufficient light in, even at full 8x magnification. While still being small enough to carry comfortably around your neck. Therefore, if you want a decent and effective pair of travel binoculars, look for 8x25 to 8x30 binoculars.

The lens coating and quality:

If you have used a lot of binoculars, you might have noticed that sometimes, pairs with the same size lens and the same magnification can be drastically different when it comes to image quality. This is because the quality of the lens plays a significant role in determining binoculars' performance.

Whether you are using your binoculars for whale watching or bird watching, the lens's quality will make a massive difference. Most high-quality lenses have certain coatings that aim to limit the reflected light. This means that more light enters the lens, and hence a clearer and better image is formed. Quality lenses also ensure that the image has better contrast and is aberration-free.

Furthermore, and another feature the best binocular lenses have is excellent low light performance, this is achieved through high-quality BAK-4 prisms, that maximize the flow of light.

A sturdy and shockproof build:

The lenses and prism in binoculars are delicate, and there is no way around it. However, high-quality travel binoculars have shockproof bodies and durable frames that can allow you to move around with your binoculars on difficult terrains without worrying too much about your binoculars falling and breaking.

You still should handle your binoculars with relative care, if you want them to last for a long time.

The best travel binoculars will also be waterproof; therefore, that is another feature you should be on the lookout for if you want a decent pair of binoculars.

Field of view:

The field of view is that area visible through the lens, and for a good quality lens, the field of view should be significant. It is represented in degrees and depends upon the size of the lens and the magnification. However, you should keep in mind that as you increase the magnification of your binoculars, that field of view will decrease.

Another feature that you should be concerned about is the exit pupil; this refers to the image that is formed on the eyepiece. This value can be calculated by dividing the diameter of the objective lens with magnification.

Ideally, the exit pupil should be 7 mm, but anything above 4.5 mm is decent enough for higher magnification.

The weight

When you are buying a travel binocular, weight is a common concern, because whether you are on a long hike or trekking to spot some birds, you don't want to carry a heavy and large pair of binoculars with you.

It would be best if you found a suitable tradeoff between weight, size, and performance because more significant and more magnifying lenses are generally heavier.

Furthermore, consider how the binoculars react with your eyes. The best binoculars have padded and well-designed eyepieces that are very comfortable to use. Even if you are wearing glasses, however, you may not find the same level of comfort with a lower quality pair. Therefore, before you settle on a pair of binoculars, see if using it is uncomfortable for the eyes.

Final thoughts:

Binoculars are a handy tool, and they are an absolute necessity for people like birdwatchers, hunters, and nature enthusiasts. However, for these applications, no one would want to carry a large and heavy pair of binoculars. That's where travel binoculars come. They are made with intermediate-sized lenses and usually have decent magnification.

Though they may not be the best for long-range shooting or stargazing, they are ideal for moving around and traveling with. Buying a pair of binoculars can be a little challenging; therefore, I have mentioned some of the essential features your best travel binoculars must-have. I hope that you found the post helpful and informative.

Author’s bio:

Mark Taylor is a law graduate working in his uncle's firm. His hobbies include collecting guns, hunting and he loves to take part in shooting competitions. Recently, he has started saving money to open his shooting club to learn more about him head onto https://opticsvilla.com/.