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When you hardly notice the weight in your hands while you are watching some curious little warbler in the brush, you know you have purchased a good pair of binoculars for yourself. With good binoculars you sometimes feel like you are looking with your own eyes only the view is closer, magnified and clear. How big do you want that image to be? Well, that will depend on many things. How heavy will the binoculars be with extra magnification? Can you hold the binoculars steady if they are magnified more than 10 times (10x)? How heavy will the binoculars be with extra magnification?

While there are many considerations to make when purchasing binoculars, remember to think about the field of view in addition to size, weight and magnification. Field of view refers to how much you will see through the binoculars in relation to a fixed distance from the object you are observing. A broader field of view helps you locate small birds in the brush and across wide expanses of ocean or desert terrain.

If you are wear eyeglasses or have macular degeneration or other uncorrected vision conditions, this is likely to affect which binoculars are best suited for you.While you may need higher magnification for viewing, it is harder to hold those heavier binoculars steady and in focus. Consider getting a tripod to help you keep it steady.

Those numbers can be confusing when you first get started. Here is a simple way to understand them. Let’s say the binoculars are 10×32. The 10 means the bird or other object will appear to be 10 times closer. That is the level of magnification for the eyepiece. The second number refers to the size of the objective lens, listed in millimeters. So in this example the diameter of the lens is 32 mm. The size of the objective lens is directly related to how much light can enter your binoculars to allow you to see clearly. The first number refers to the eyepiece and the second number refers to the lens at the other end of your binoculars.

The very next most important characteristic for me is whether the binoculars are waterproof binoculars and durable and sturdy. Or when they are dropped from the edge of an overlook onto the rocks below? Of course, if you wear your strap around your neck all the time they are less likely to fall, but, just in case, are they sturdy? I have lost a lot of lens covers at overlooks. I also prefer compact binoculars.

If you choose the best binoculars that fit you that also fit your budget and you will be a happy birdwatcher and even have some cash in your pocket for lunch, maybe. Just relax and look around. The binoculars you buy are intended to enhance your field trips or birding expeditions, so don’t stress out over them. Take your time and read some reviews. Every manufacturer has a website full of detailed information and there are plenty of reviews online for you to compare while you are still looking.

Among some of the best binoculars I have used are my favorite Leupold binoculars 10×32. They are a nice compromise size. They fit my eyes and my hands well and I know I have a fine pair of excellent quality binoculars that are waterproof, fog proof and guaranteed for life. They are a little larger than my compact Bushnell Binoculars at 8×25 that I carry with me wherever I go, just in case I see interesting birds, butterflies or flowers in the field.

To tell the just plain truth, when your binoculars feel like an extension of your hands and you can see clearly and well, you have just found your best pair. Remember to stay within your budget and check on the field of vision and depth of field while you are looking. That is what it takes when you get right down to the details.