Interested in birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers? Are you a bird watcher who wears glasses? Are you interested in purchasing the best binoculars for birding that meet your needs? Do you plan on wearing your glasses with binoculars? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
This guide will present you with everything you need to know about how to buy binoculars for people with glasses.
I’ll present everything in an easy-to-understand way. You’ll be able to approach your birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers purchasing journey with confidence!
Step by step we’ll learn all about birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers, including:
- If you will need to wear glasses with binoculars
- Best eye relief range
- How eyeglass style impacts eye relief
- Best eyecup choice
- The importance of prism and lens types
- Best binocular magnification and field of view
- Best objective lens diameter
- The tradeoff between quality and price
Birding Takes Off
As young children, many of our first pets were pet birds. I clearly remember the joy I experienced when playing with my yellow canary “Lemon Drop”. I loved all things birds from a very young age, and received my first pair of binoculars in elementary school.
When I grew up and bought my first home, I made sure it was a haven for birds. My garden provided them with nature’s bounty so they would eagerly congregate when looking for tasty treats. I was also very careful to avoid plants that are dangerous for birds to consume.
It’s now quite common to see groups of birdwatchers in suburban parks and woodland, as well as families playing bird games outside. The popularity of gifts for bird lovers has increased as well. Bird-lover gifts can now be easily found on a multitude of websites.
Many birdwatching newcomers now want to invest in a pair of binoculars. For those bird lovers who plan to use binoculars with glasses, they need to know which binoculars will suit their needs. Fortunately, you don’t need to invest in super-expensive binoculars to have a great viewing experience.
My Top 4 Recommendations
My top recommendations for birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers all feature the following:
- Binocular eye relief of at least 17mm, and twist-up eyecups – a must for glasses wearers
- An 8×4 binocular configuration – a favorite configuration amongst many birders
- A close focus of at least 8.2 – allows for up-close viewing of the natural world
- Great field of view – to allow for comfortable scanning
- Are relatively lightweight – for comfortable non-tripod use
- Full multi-coating on lenses- to eliminate internal reflections
- Roof prism phase coatings – for phase correction
- Top-notch lens and prism glass – for excellent optics
- Waterproofing and fog proofing – for protection
- Respected binocular manufacturer – for trust
If you are an eyeglass wearer who is searching for an excellent and affordable pair of binoculars, be sure to use this checklist.
Some of the best binoculars for birding with glasses feature lens protective coating. These will protect lenses from the elements and make cleaning easy.
The more expensive binoculars recommendations also have dielectric prism coatings. Diopters either lock or stay in place.
All of my recommendations are relatively affordable and will please both novice and experienced birders alike.
My birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers selections are also fantastic if you do not plan on using binoculars with glasses and are just looking for the best birding binoculars. Any of these selections make wonderful gifts for bird lovers as well.
#1 Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 | Why You Should Buy:
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#2 Vortex Viper HD 8x42 | Why You Should Buy:
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#3 Celestron Trailseeker ED 8x42 | Why You Should Buy:
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#4 Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 | Why You Should Buy:
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#1 – Nikon Monarch M7 8×42 – Best All-Round Experience
The sleek Nikon Monarch M7 8×42 binoculars feature an astounding field of view (435 ft at 1000 yards). Scanning for birds is a breeze as they scoot from tree to tree and move about in dense vegetation.
For a binocular of this configuration and class, the wide field of view is a total wow.
The optical quality is impressive. You’ll enjoy beautiful images with no perceivable chromatic aberrations.
Quality control is also excellent. The entire view is uniform with no irregularities. When compared to the Viper binoculars (reviewed below,) the color fidelity is truer, though the image is a bit flatter.
Clean-up is a breeze due to exterior lens coating. The locking diopter means you can “set it and forget it”.
When it comes to birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers, this is a great option. 17mm eye relief length, twist-up eyecups, a light weight, and waterproofing and fog proofing round out this choice.
A super choice for a birder who needs to wear glasses when using binoculars.
#2 – Vortex Viper HD 8×42- A Close Second With Bright, Sharp Images
The Vortex Viper HD 8×42 binoculars are a great pair of binoculars that I highly recommend. In fact, they run an extremely close second to the Nikon Monarch M7 8×42 binoculars. The field of view, though not as knock-out as the Nikon 8×42 binoculars, is still impressive (409 ft at 1000 yds).
The Close Focus of “6” actually surpasses that of the Nikon binoculars. If you like viewing grasshoppers and Salamanders, this may influence your purchasing decision.
Where the Vortex Viper HD shines is its optics. The view is bright and sharp, and the excellent depth of field enables you to see deep into the foreground and background. There are some clarity issues around the edges of the view, but you have to really look to see them.
Weight comes in a bit heavier than the Nikon 8×42 binoculars, but still on the lighter side. Dielectric and phase coatings on prisms address phase correction and color fidelity.
The ergonomics are impressive. Indentations beneath the barrels are a natural place to rest your thumbs. This provides stability to reduce image shaking. In addition, the exterior has a textured surface to grab onto.
Water and Fog proofing, complete with Armor Tek ultra-hard scratch-resistant coating, provide protection and makes clean-up easy.
Again, the Nikon 8×42 binoculars are a great choice from the Birdwatching Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers recommendations list.
#3 – Celestron Trailseeker ED 8×42 – Big Bang For The Buck
The Celestron Trailseeker ED 8×42 binocular is a great offering at a very competitive price point in the $300 range.
The wide field of view (426 ft at 1000 yds) is superb and close to my top Nikon Monarch M7 pick. The weight is also super light which means they will be easy to carry and hold even for the most petite birders.
Optics don’t disappoint: ED glass and Bak-4 prisms with phase and dielectric coatings. Images have vibrant colors. and are bright and detailed with no apparent color fringing.
Image focusing is easy since the focus wheel is easy to reach and turn with just one finger.
In addition, the binocular eyecups have a good level of resistance when twisting so they can easily be positioned between full and no retraction.
Eyecups also have resistance when pushing on them which means they won’t retract during use.
As for heft, the Trailseeker feels sturdy due in part to the magnesium chassis. At this price range, cheaper and less sturdy polycarbonate housing is more typical.
Again, another great option for birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers.
#4 – Celestron Nature DX 8×42 ED – Great For Beginners And Travelers
Celestron DX Nature DX 8×42 ED roof prism binoculars are a fantastic choice for new birdwatchers. They are also popular with seasoned birders looking for an extra “travel” pair of binoculars.
For less than $200, you get a 393 field of view, ED glass, and BaK-4 prisms with phase and dielectric coating. Images are bright and crisp without chromatic aberrations.
There is a slight softening of the image at the edges of the FOV when looking at objects with straight lines. However, this is not obvious when birding.
The 17.8mm eye relief and eye cups with 3 stops will work well for the spectacle-wearing bird watcher. However, the binocular eye cups have edges that are a bit flat and so might be a tad harder against the eyes.
If getting up close and personal with butterflies and other tiny creatures is your thing, the close focus of 6.5 has you covered.
If you are hunting for birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers, this is a super choice for newbies, travelers, and budget-conscious seasoned birders.
How To Buy Binoculars – The Top 11 Things You Need To Consider When Making Your Purchase
Birdwatchers who will wear glasses with binoculars and want to know how to buy binoculars that will meet their needs should consider several issues when shopping online.
Learning about these issues might seem overwhelming at first. You might even find some of the concepts boring, and difficult to understand.
To make this process a little less arduous, and a bit more fun, let’s start off with the basics. My goal is to first provide you with a good foundation. This will set the stage as we delve deeper into these concepts.
11 Things to Know When Looking for the Best Birdwatching Binoculars for Eyeglass Wearers
#1. You may not need to wear your glasses with binoculars. You don’t need to wear your eyeglasses if you are near or far-sighted. However, if you have astigmatism, wearing your glasses with binoculars is a must.
#2. Progressive glasses are generally a non-no with binoculars.
If you wear bifocal progressives, consider purchasing line bifocals to use with binoculars. They will be easier to use.
#3. Make sure the binocular eye relief length is long enough.
When looking at binocular eye relief when wearing glasses, look for an eye relief length that is 16mm or more to get a full field of view.
#4. Eyeglass Frame style will impact the eye relief length you need.
If frames protrude and have thicker lenses, an eye relief length over 17 or 18mm will work best.
#5. Twist-Up binocular eyecups will be your eyecups of choice.
Twist Up eyecups are easier to use than folding-down eyecups. They also provide more setting selections and are less prone to wear and tear than Fold-down eyecups.
When it comes to eye relief length, twist-up binocular eyecups will serve you well.
#6. Roof prism binoculars will make you happy.
Select roof prism binoculars. They have twist-up binocular eyecups, a streamlined shape, and better waterproofing and dust protection.
#7. Binocular magnification of 8x or 10x will do the trick.
Binoculars with 8x or 10x magnification are ideal for bird watching. In fact, it is generally agreed that the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers are 8 x 42 roof prism binoculars.
However, if you plan to go birding in low light, or want to view birds from a greater distance, 10 x 42 roof prism binoculars may suit your needs a bit better.
#8. Go for a field of view that is wide enough for birding scan-ability.
Higher magnification results in a narrower field of view (FOV). A 10 x 42 or 8 x 42 binocular, for example, will hit that FOV “sweet spot” for birdwatchers, allowing them to scan a wide enough area to spot that Black-Capped or Carolina Chickadee amongst the branches.
#9. Objective Lens diameter must balance light and weight.
The size of the objective lens significantly impacts the overall size of the binoculars. A larger objective lens will increase the overall binocular dimensions.
A diameter of 42mm will result in a bright, crisp image while still being light enough for a day of bird watching.
#10. Go for quality if you can
Binoculars with great optical quality don’t cause much more than poorer quality ones. If you can afford it, err on the side of quality.
#11. Adjust before using
Post-purchase, you will need to adjust the binoculars using the hinge, each eyecup, and the focus wheel.
Let’s Take a Deeper Dive
As they say, the devil is in the details and these details don’t disappoint! To be fair, it might be my background in perception and cognition that heightens my appreciation of the concepts we are about to explore together. I truly hope I can pass on a bit of that excitement to you.
Once you understand the following key elements, I guarantee that your appreciation for all things binoculars will significantly increase.
So, let’s take a deeper view of the birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers top 11 issues you need to consider when buying binoculars.
You may not need to wear your glasses with binoculars
Whether or not you need to wear your glasses when using binoculars depends on the specific vision limitation you have.
Most people who wear glasses do so because they are nearsighted, farsighted, have presbyopia, and/or have astigmatism.
The good news is, if you are near- or far-sighted, you probably don’t need to wear your glasses with binoculars. As long as your vision issue is not significant, you can simply use the focus and diopter adjustments on the binoculars to correct your vision and so achieve a clear image.
As for presbyopia, you may be wearing bifocals, trifocals, or progressives.
Wearing bifocals with binoculars may cause some parts of the image to be fuzzy. Wearing bifocal progressives can be even more challenging.
Consider purchasing a cheap pair of lined bifocals with non-protruding frames made just for birding.
The advantage of lined bifocals is that they allow you to see objects at long distances and with less distortion on the edges of the lenses.
Lastly, if you have astigmatism, you will need to wear your glasses when using binoculars since the focus and diopter adjustments on binoculars cannot compensate.
There are benefits of wearing your glasses with binoculars
Even if you don’t need to wear your glasses when using your binoculars, you might want to consider doing so anyway.
When glasses are worn and then taken off while out in the field, there seems to be a lot of wasted energy about where to put them, making sure they are not misplaced and forgotten, and not scratched.
Even putting them in a backpack, safely inside their case, and then taking them out again, is a time waster and a distraction.
Worrying about your glasses is the last thing you’ll want to think about during a bird watching adventure. Just make sure you set your binoculars up while wearing your glasses so you can experience a crystal-clear image with a full field of view.
Eye Relief: Anything over 16mm is preferred
When looking through your binoculars, you will want to place your eyes a short distance from the ocular lens, where the light beams traveling through the binocular come into focus. This will allow you to see the entire image with no shadowing or black rings around the edges.
The distance from the front surface of the ocular lens to the point of focus is called Eye Relief and is also referred to as eye relief length.
Eye relief length is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers. This is because your glasses may get in the way as you try to place your eyes at the point of focus. For this reason, you will need binoculars with a longer eye relief length of at least 16mm.
Binocular Eyecups: Go for twist-ups
Binocular eye cups are twist-up or fold-down attachments at the end of each ocular lens.
If you wear eyeglasses, you will want to retract each eyecup so that you have more space between your eyes and the ocular lens (so, more eye relief length!) If you don’t wear glasses, you will want to leave each eyecup extended since you won’t need to increase the length of eye relief.
For glass wearers, twist-up binocular eyecups are preferred since, by slowly twisting up or down, you can place each eyecup in multiple positions in order to find the perfect eye relief length.
In addition, twist-up eyecups are easier to use than folding-down eyecups. Eyecups that fold down can be difficult to bend and can pop back up unexpectedly. They can also rip along the edges over time.
Eyeglass Style: Consider flatter frames and line bifocals
Bird watching binoculars for eyeglass wearers that have an extra-long eye relief length can accommodate eyeglass frames that significantly protrude.
Frames that are thicker, project more from the face and have thicker lenses will require binoculars with a longer eye relief since more space will be taken up by your glasses. This means that you will not be able to place your eye at the eyepoint, or point of focus, since your glasses will get in the way.
Binocular Prisms: Go for Roof prisms instead of Porro prisms
There are two types of binocular prisms: Porro prisms and Roof prisms. Binocular prisms are designed to decrease the overall length of binoculars by bending the light that travels through them, and so allowing the light to traverse through a shorter space.
Binoculars that use Porro prisms have widely spaced objective lenses. This results in an image that is somewhat 3-D, has a wider field of view, and a nice clear image. However, Porro prism binoculars can be awkward to hold, relatively heavy, and primarily feature fold-down eyecups.
Roof prism binoculars are sleeker, more durable, offer better waterproofing, and, importantly, have twist-up eyecups. Higher-end roof prism binoculars have optical quality equal to that of Porro prism binoculars and so they are generally better suited for glass-wearing bird watchers.
Binocular Magnification: 8×42 binoculars are a great choice for birders
Binocular models are often referred to by numbers, like 8×42 binoculars or 10×50. What do these binocular numbers mean?
Since the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers are 8 x 42 binoculars (according to most birding enthusiasts who bird in daylight hours) let’s use these as an example.
The first number describes the magnification of the binocular, and the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens. So, in my 8 x 42 binocular example, this means 8x for magnification and 42mm for the objective lens diameter.
Magnification refers to how many times closer an object appears to us when viewed with binoculars, compared to when we look at the object without binoculars.
For example, when looking through a pair of 8×42 binoculars, the object seen will appear 8 times closer than it normally would.
Since increasing the magnification will also result in a smaller field of view (meaning, you will see less of the image) more isn’t always better. A good compromise is a magnification of 7x or 8x. This is one of the reasons that the 8×42 binocular is also the most popular choice amongst birders,
Field of View is impacted by magnification, eye relief, and binocular eyecups
Field of view describes how much of an image you can see when looking through your binoculars. For example, a wide field of view will allow you to see an entire flock of birds skimming across a pond. A smaller field of view will allow you to see only a few birds within the flock.
Magnification significantly impacts the field of view. As you increase magnification, the field of view decreases, and vice-versa.
In addition, if eye relief is too short or too long when wearing glasses, you may not be able to position your eyes close enough to the eyepiece to get the full field of view, and you will see just the center of the image, with the edges blacked out or in the shape of a crescent shadow.
To obtain the field of view sweet spot, purchase binoculars with a magnification of 7x or 8x (8x is the most popular choice) or 10x if you birdwatch from a greater distance. Also, remember to select binoculars with a longer eye relief length, and twist-up eyecups.
Objective Lenses: Tradeoffs between size and weight
The objective lenses are the large lenses on the front part of a pair of binoculars. Again, when we see binocular models categorized by two numbers, such as an 8×42 binocular, the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens, which is measured in millimeters.
The larger the diameter of the objective lens, the more light can pass through them, resulting in an image with a brighter, sharper image. However, as the objective lens diameter increases, so too does the overall size and weight of the binocular lens.
Objective lenses with a diameter over 42mm may be too heavy to hold, carry around your neck, or tote around in your pack unless you plan on using a tripod or viewing birds from your backyard.
Taking binocular image quality, size, and weight into consideration, a great option for birders is an 8×42 binocular.
Quality & Price: Spend a bit more for a lasting investment
Since Roof prism binoculars are easier and lighter to hold than Porro prism binoculars and have twist-up eyecups that can be adjusted for the perfect amount of eye relief length, they are great for birdwatching. However, they are a bit more expensive than Porro prism binoculars.
Porro prism binoculars do offer a slightly more realistic 3-D optical experience and quality, but higher-end Roof prism binoculars have excellent optical quality equal to that of binoculars with Porro prisms. They are also more durable as well.
If we limit our search to binoculars with roof prisms, higher-quality models, especially those with ED glass, will give us brighter and more detailed images, without apparent chromatic aberration.
The objective lenses of a binocular made with ED glass help to focus the light waves of the color spectrum on your eyes. In this way, ED lenses decrease chromatic aberration which occurs when a light spectrum splits.
When chromatic aberration occurs, the edges of an object seen while looking through a binocular will be fringed with color and the object detail will be a bit blurry. This “color fringing” produces a subtle hint of green, yellow, or violet. In addition, different colors may appear on different sides of the image.
Since high-quality binoculars are not necessarily significantly more expensive than lower-quality models, they are a great investment in terms of long-term enjoyment.
Vision Issues – Past, Present, and Future
Now that you are armed with the “Birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers” facts, let’s conclude with a brief discussion of vision issues and the impact on birdwatchers who use binoculars.
In your experience, do you think vision issues are increasing? My perception is that they are, based on my own anecdotal experiences. Interestingly, the data supports this.
My first memory of not being able to see as clearly as I used to is an old one. At a fairly young age, I remember squinting at the chalkboard in my elementary school classroom, wondering why the letters and numbers I could once clearly see were now indecipherable.
After weeks of silent frustration, I finally asked my teacher if I could sit closer to the board “so I can see what you are writing.” She promptly contacted my parents who immediately took me to the eye doctor.
A few weeks later and… voila. I donned my new John Lennon glasses and was relieved to find that all my friends and classmates wanted a pair as well.
Still, as trivial as my nearsightedness was, I felt different and embarrassed since I didn’t know any other fourth graders who wore glasses. Little did I know that, at that time, around 25% of the American population was nearsighted.
In fact, glass wearing, in general, has increased over time: at this time, around 64% of Americans wear glasses, and that number is up to 80% in Asia, often beginning between the ages of 6 and 14. Just looking at the number of glass wearers in Europe alone is pretty impressive.
Unfortunately, eyesight problems for children and young adults are increasing, possibly due to an increase in devices with smaller screens, genetics, and less time spent in natural sunlight which may stabilize vision.
This alarming trend has resulted in a steep increase in the use of corrective lenses for children which will persist into their adult years.
Now let’s consider the number of birdwatchers in the world – in the US alone there are 41 million “backyard” birders and as many as 18 million birders who travel further afield.
Undoubtedly, a good percentage of these birders are also glass wearers who need binoculars that suit them.
If you are a birder, and plan on wearing glasses with your binoculars, using binoculars that are fine-tuned for birders with glasses will greatly enhance your viewing experience. When it comes to the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers, the Nikon Monarch M7 8×42 roof prism binoculars have the perfect combination of features to do just that, which is why they are my first pick for a great all-around experience.
The super wide field of view of these Nikon 8×42 binoculars will make scanning for birds easy. The twist-up binocular eye cups, generous eye relief, and locking diopter will allow you to adjust for a defined and complete view, without any shadowing around the edges.
Once you use the focus wheel to zero in on that beautiful Belted Kingfisher, you’ll delight in a gorgeous image with true color fidelity and no irregularities or aberrations.
These Nikon 8×42 binoculars will come through for you, regardless of the weather – water and fog proofing won’t deter you from venturing forth on rainy days. In addition, the light weight of these binoculars won’t weigh you down, even after hours of birding.
Finally, the exterior lens coating will make cleaning, after a day out in the field, super easy.
Final Words On The Best Birdwatching Binoculars For Eyeglass Wearers
I hope I have provided you with a sound understanding of all of the attributes that go into selecting the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers. I hope you can now approach your purchasing journey with confidence, whether your purchase is for yourself, or is a bird lover gift.
Our reviews of the top 4 binoculars to consider should make your final selection process significantly easier. The prospect of buying binoculars should now be greatly simplified.
Each of the binoculars we’ve selected has a long eye relief length that accommodates eyeglass frames of various shapes and sizes. These also provide twist-up binocular eyecups with multiple selections that will allow you to achieve the best quality optical image.
Our selections all feature 8×42 roof prism binoculars. These all have objective lens diameters that are large enough to provide you with a great field of view but also light enough so that weight will not be an issue.
Our top pick for the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers is the Nikon Monarch M7 8×42 roof prism binoculars. These feature an outstanding field of view, great quality control, optical excellence, and true color fidelity from a tried-and-true manufacturer.
If you like super bright images, impressive depth of field and, in addition to birds, viewing smaller forms of wildlife, the Vortex Viper HD 8×42 binoculars are a wonderful choice as well.
If your budget is a bit tighter but you don’t want to sacrifice optics, definitely go for the Celestron Trailseeker ED 8×42 roof prism binoculars. It has all the bells and whistles of higher-end optics, with ED glass, BaK-4 prisms, easy focusing, and a sturdy magnesium chassis.
For new bird watchers, or birders who want an extra pair of binoculars for travel, a great bang for the buck is the Celestron Nature DX 8×42 ED binoculars. Like its big sister the Celestron Trailseeker ED 8×42 binoculars, the Celestron Nature DX 8×42 binos features ED glass and Bak-4 prisms. The super eye relief of 17.8mm and close focus distance round out this great choice.
Finally, if you have any questions about the best birdwatching binoculars for eyeglass wearers, both before and after your purchase, don’t hesitate to reach out! The bird watching community is a tight-knit one, and we love to share tips and tricks.
I’d love to hear about the birds you’ve spotted and where your favorite bird watching sights are. I would also love to know what you think the best binoculars for birding and the best binoculars for people with glasses are, if you favor birdwatching spotting scopes over binoculars, and use a birdwatching camera. Perhaps you also use auto-focus binoculars for activities like viewing sporting events.
BTW, I’m Leslie – an avid birdwatcher who is also the principal of Tudor Studios LLC, which owns and operates Birds at First Sight.
See you out in the field!
If you are an eyeglass wearer who is searching for an excellent and affordable pair of binoculars, be sure to use this checklist.
FAQ
What is good eye relief for binoculars?
Good eye relief for binoculars is at least 16mm if you plan on wearing your glasses. If your eyeglass frames significantly protrude from your face, or if you have strong features, then go for an eye relief of 17mm or more.
Should I wear my glasses when using binoculars?
You should wear your glasses when using binoculars if you have astigmatism since the focus and diopter adjustments on binoculars cannot compensate.
However, if you are near- or far-sighted, you may not need to wear your glasses when using binoculars.
Do you need special binoculars if you wear glasses?
You need Roof prism binoculars if you wear glasses since they come with twist-up eyecups and eye relief of at least 16mm. Twist-ups will allow you to fine-tune the eyecup placement in order to achieve a perfect view.
What does 8×42 mean for binoculars?
“8 x 42” refers to the magnification and the lens diameter. The first number describes the magnification of the binocular, and the second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens.
Magnification refers to how many times closer an object appears to us when viewed with binoculars, compared to when we look at the object without binoculars.
For example, when looking through an 8×42 pair of binoculars, the object seen will appear 8 times closer than it normally would.
Are 8x or 10x binoculars better?
Most birders think 8x binoculars are better since they provide both excellent magnification and image stability (the image won’t shake as much when the user moves). However, hunters and birders who use tripods may prefer the increased magnification power of a 10x binocular.