binoculars

[SONYEXEC]

I'm looking for some binoculars that are small (the hunting type) and powerful but i dont know how to read the power rating on them....HELP

any brands or models you can forward to me for research would be great. how can i tell if it's the most powerful one in a line??

thanks in advance

[jasonnorcal]

Same as a rifle scope. The 1st # is the magnification, the 2nd # is the objective lens diameter. Anything over 7-8x magnification will be shaky. This is why rifles have bipods. Just google around a bit and you will find a ton of info.

[Dangerous1]

I found out the hard way as always... you get what you pay for. I hear good things about Nikon.

[Jonathan Doe]

I have a Stener 8X21 and I like it. I think I paid about $175. It has a very clear lens.

[tpuig]

I've been looking for binoculars as well. After handling and looking through some at a show, I was pretty comfortable with getting the Nikon Monarch X type. Very nice quality and reasonably priced. I went hunting a couple weeks ago, and the guide had a set of Swarovski's. Wow. My opinion is completely changed. They really are that much better.
I'm certainly no expert, but for an inexpensive set, I'm probably going to get some Nikon Monarch X for about $600, or the Nikon Monarch ATB for about $300. Those are both nice, but they'll be my smaller lighter set for mid day stuff. The Swarovski EL set that I used during the low light hours were so much nicer, that I'm going to bite the bullet and eventually cough up the $1800 or so to get a set. I think the Nikons are really good, but the Swarovskis are just a lot better. It's sort of like which flavor ice cream you like, you'll never please everyone, but I hope this helps.

[SONYEXEC]

all good info....thanks everyone

[aplinker]

Scott from Liberty Optics has excellent info on his website (blog), including reviews.

He also has some of the best deals.

[pax]

While there are many websites with binocular information, go to a shop or show where you can try out different models, ideally under different types of light/shadows. As mentioned previously, you might not want the most powerful magnification if you are hand holding. Some additional factors to consider: Do you wear glasses? How large and heavy are you willing to carry? How much can you afford? You get what you pay for when it comes to optics, the difference is a real eye opener. Consider optics an investment, just like firearms. Right now Swarovski has a 60th anniversary sale, and Leica has a rebate program. Zeiss' promotion just ended, but there will probably be another one.

Here's a link to the 2009 OutdoorLife Optics test.

Learn how to focus your binoculars by adjusting the diopter.

[GW]

I'm looking for some binoculars that are small (the hunting type) and powerful but i dont know how to read the power rating on them....HELP

any brands or models you can forward to me for research would be great. how can i tell if it's the most powerful one in a line??

thanks in advance

Small and powerful aren't necessarily a good combination Small objective (front lens) means less light and high power means difficult to hold steady So IMHO stay away from anything over 12 power unless you have a tripod to mount it on. Also try not to get smaller than 32 mm objective
The bigger the objective, (within reason) the more light you gather
8 to 10 power magnification is usually sufficient
Good luck