Binocular FAQ

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Below are some frequently asked questions about binoculars. Selecting the question or the toggle image will show the answer.

FAQ about binoculars
What are the coloured lenses for? Coloured lenses help to reduce glare on a bright day. More information can be found by following this link: Lens Coating. The highest magnification is best, isnt it? Higher magnifications generally mean that the field of view will be smaller and that the image is not as bright. It will also be harder to hold the image steady. More information can be found by following this link: Magnification. What do I get with a more expensive pair of bincoulars? Higher quality bincoulars will give a sharper and brighter image. They are made using finer quality glass for prisms and lenses, and have higher specification coatings on them. How do I focus the image? Details about focussing the image can be found by following this link: Using my Binoculars. How do I attach my binoculars to a tripod? Details about how to attach to a tripod can be found by following this link: Using my Binoculars Is the red lens for night vision? No, this is a coating which helps to reduce glare on a bright day. How far can I see? Anything you can see with the naked eye will be magnified. What do the numbers mean? The first number(s) indicate the magnification, the last number is the diameter in millemeters of the front (objective) lens. More details can be found by following these links: Magnification and Brightness. Why do expensive binoculars tend not to have a red coating on the front? The downside of a red anti-UV lens coating is a slight colour imbalance, particularly when it is dull. Serious users prefer binoculars with more expensive coatings. These coatings do not tend to be red. Why are some bigger than others? Do they magnify more? The physical size of a pair of binoculars depends on the size of the front lens. Often, higher magnification binoculars have larger front lenses, but not necessarily. Can you have polorised binoculars? It is possible, but not easy to manufacture. Polorisation depends on the filter being parallel to the ground so the suns rays meet at a particular angle. As binocular barrels are moved in or out to fit, they move away from the parallel, which would interfere with polorisation. Are focus free/automatic focus binculars suitable for everyone? No, they depend on the individual's eyes. As the ability to focus varies from person to person, a proportion of people do not get a clear image. It is always better to try them out personnaly. What would make a good present for a child? Under the age of about 8 children do not have the ability to focus at magnification. A good first pair would be an 8x21 roof prism, e.g. a GP2. This is a good sturdy model, not too high magnification and the barrels will close enough to fit a young face. What happens if they get wet? With exception to waterproof models which can be fully submerged in water. All of our binoculars will, with reasonable care, resist a certain amount of English weather. If moisture should get inside, put them with the silica gel in a warm dry place(e.g. airing cupboard) for a few days. Prevention is better than a cure! What do I want for a cruise? We would suggest a good 10x25 or 10x30, compact enough to pack and with a good magnification and field of view. What do I want for a safari? We would suggest a good 12x25 or 12x30. It has a good magnification for seeing wildlife at a distance. Anti-UV coating would provide a better image. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a zoom? A zoom binocular will tend to give a darker image and narrower field of view at any magnification in comparison to a fixed magnification binocular. However there may be times when you need a little more magnification, the versatility of a zoom binocular provides this. Why am I getting dark shadows around the edge of the image? This is because the barrels of the binoculars are not the correct distance apart for your eyes. Try moving the barrels closer together or further apart and experiment with how far away from your eyes you hold them. You should end up with a single circle to look through. Do I need to take my spectacles off? Not necessarily, more information can be found by following this link: Field of View Why buy binoculars instead of a monocular? A monocular only offers a 2D image and it can be uncomfortable to keep one eye shut for extended periods. However, monoculars are quicker to use and more compact than comparable binoculars. It is a matter of personal choice. Can I use my binoculars for looking at the stars? You can use your binoculars for looking at the stars. The quality of the image will depend on the magnification and the size of the front lens. More information can be found by following this link: Night Sky use. Why am I getting a double image? Your binoculars have probably recieved a knock at some time misaligning the prisms or lenses. Take them to your local independent camera dealer who may be able to repair them, but it can cost more than a new pair. Will I see a smaller image in a smaller pair of binoculars? The field of view is not determined by the size of the binoculars but by the layout and quality of the lenses within them.