Choosing and Using Binoculars: A Guide for Star Gazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Binoculars are life enhancing instruments, uniquely capable of bringing the intricacies of nature into sharp focus. Whether it be birds, majestic lakes and seas, alpine vistas, wild animals or exploring the glories of the night sky, anyone interested in buying binoculars today will be faced with a bewildering number of different models to choose from! This book walks the reader through the fascinating world of binoculars, past and present, while exploring all of the main binocular types, their desirable features, how to test out and narrow down the choices a prospective customer should make, as well as looking at some of the best and most-sought-after binoculars money can buy. Uniquely experienced writer and binocular enthusiast, Dr Neil English, takes the pain out of narrowing down the search for your ideal binocular, whether your budget is $50 or $5,000. Dr English explores many of the timeless beauties of the binocular world, crafted by top European and Japanese manufacturers, such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon, Leica and others. Sumptuously illustrated throughout with full color images, Choosing & Using Binoculars decodes all the technical jargon without sacrificing accuracy and presents the world’s best compendium of binocular literature for the birder, hunter, inveterate traveler, nature enthusiast and star gazer. Don’t leave home without it! Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction: The Joy of the Binocular Contents Part I: A Survey of the Binocular Market Chapter 1: Binoculars 101 Antireflection Coatings Exit Pupil Considerations Eye Relief Interpupillary Distance (IPD) Collimation Considerations Magnification Considerations Aperture Considerations Glass Types Binocular Eyepiece Designs Diopter Adjustment Depth of Field Field of View Porro Prism Binoculars Roof Prism Binoculars Chapter 2: A Brief History of the Binocular The World’s First Modern Binoculars Chapter 3: Pocket Binoculars The Celestron Outland X 8×25 The Pentax UD 9×21 The Kowa SV II Pocket Binoculars The Opticron Aspheric 3 Series A Solid Performing Pocket Binocular from Barr & Stroud A Cute Little Pocket Glass from Eschenbach A Gift from Zeiss: The Terra 8×25 ED A Trusted Classic from Leica: The Trinovid BCA 8×20 Assorted Notes Comparison with Other Premium Pocket Binoculars Comparison Under the Stars Comparisons to a Celestron Trailseeker 8×32 Compact Binocular Bigger Brother: The Leica Trinovid BCA 10×25 A Little Gem from Swarovski: The CL Curio 7×21 What About the Swarovski CL Pockets: 8×25 and 10×25? Could This Be the Sexiest Pocket Glass on Earth? Notes from the Field A Top Performer from Zeiss Vintage Pocket Optics from Kowa And Now for Something Completely Different – The Pentax Papilio 6.5× and 8.5×21 Chapter 4: Compact Binoculars Bargain Basement Compact Porro Prism Binoculars The Opticron Adventurer T WP 8×32 How About a 6.5×32 in the Same Format? A Sweet Deal from Nikon More Sophisticated Porro Prism Binoculars The Remarkable Phenomenon of Stereopsis Economical Compact Binocular from Nikon: The Prostaff P3 and P7 Range An Amazing Performer from Svbony: The SV202 ED 8×32 A High Power Compact Binocular from Vortex Neat, High-Performance 30 mm Roofs from Nikon A Modern High-Performance Binocular from Oberwerk A Neat Folding Compact Binocular from Bushnell Two Classy Compacts from German Precision Optics (GPO) Differences Between the 8×32 and the 10×32 Models A High Performance Porro from Opticron A Wide, Relaxed View from APM A Great Performing Compact Binocular from Kowa An Excellent But Recently Dis-Continued Compact Roof Binocular from Celestron A High-Performance Compact from Opticron A Super Fine Compact Binocular from Leica From Trinovid to Ultravid HD Plus A Stellar Performer from Nikon Top Performers from Zeiss World Class Companions from Swarovski A State-of-the-Art Porro Prism Binocular from Nikon Chapter 5: Full Size Binoculars Ultra-stable Super-Wide Angle Viewing from Nikon A Great Entry-Level 8×42 Roof Prism Binocular from Celestron One of the Best Budget Binoculars on the Market: The Barr and Stroud Savannah 8×42 Low-Cost Porro Prism Binoculars from Olympus A Super Deal from Nikon: The Aculon A211 8×42 Remarkable, Low-Cost 42 mm ED Binoculars from Svbony An Open Bridge Wide Angle 8×42 from Barr & Stroud ED Binoculars from Hawke A Solid Performer from Viking Optical Using the Sky as a Binocular Testing Ground A Flat Field ED Binocular from Celestron A Flat-Field Binocular from Athlon A Sophisticated 10×42 from Vanguard A Wide Angle Binocular from Kowa An Ergonomic Delight from Barr & Stroud Sweet Deals from Zeiss: The Terra ED 42 mm Binoculars A High Class Binocular from the Czech Republic Upper Tier Binoculars from Vortex A Solid Performer from Leupold Engage Your Passion with a GPO Passion HD Two High-Performance Roofs from Oberwerk The Maven B1.2 8×42 A Top Performer Form Opticron Top Quality Glass from Swarovski Optical and Ergonomic Perfection: The Leica Noctivid 8×42 Chapter 6: Low Light Binoculars A Great Low Cost 7×50 from Nikon A Waterproof 10×50 Porro Prism Binocular from Opticron Light Cups from Celestron Great Bang for Buck from Delta Optical A Tough Low Light Binocular from Helios Fujinon Anyone? A Big Roof Prism Binocular from Hawke Engage Your Passion with a GPO Passion 8×56 Low Light Excellence from Zeiss The Ultimate Choice for Low Light Viewing? Chapter 7: Range-Finding Binoculars The Bushnell Fusion X 10×42 A Compact Rangefinder from GPO Laserforce Technology from Nikon A Furious Performer from Vortex Optics High Technology Range Finding from Meopta The Amazing Leica Geovids Top Range Finding from Zeiss The Swarovski EL Range Chapter 8: Astronomical Binoculars Opera Glasses on Steroids Night Sky Testing A Surprisingly Good Compact Astronomical Binocular from Nikon: The Nikon E II 10×35 A Classic Porro Prism Binocular from Nikon: The Aculon A211 10×50 The Trailseeker 8×42 A Sprightly 10×42 from Vortex A High-Class ED Porro Prism Binocular from Oberwerk A Re-designed 10×50 Classic Porro from Pentax A Robust 10×50 from Bresser Stargazing Porros from Opticron A 10×50 ED from APM A Big ED Glass from Svbony Big Roofs from Maven A High-Powered Light Cup from Pentax The Celestron SkyMaster 15×70: Affordable Large Aperture for the Masses Top Performers from Fujinon Realm of the Giants High Power Optical Performance from Oberwerk Giant Astro-Binoculars from APM World Class Performance from Fujinon Chapter 9: Marine Binoculars More Detailed Considerations Possible Alternatives Some Nicely Appointed Binoculars from West Marine A Rangefinding Marine Binocular from Bushnell A Sea-Hardy Binocular from Oberwerk A Sea Friendly Glass from Helios State-of-the Art Marine Optics from Steiner Breaking the Mold: Hawke Endurance ED Marine 7×32 A Sea-Worthy Binocular from Fujinon Chapter 10: Image Stabilized Binoculars Image Stabilization from Fujinon Three Compact IS Binoculars from Opticron High-Powered Image Stabilization from Bresser Could This Be the Cutest IS Binocular on the Market? Part II: Binocular Companies, Classic Instruments, Accessories and More Chapter 11: Leica Binoculars Chapter 12: Zeiss Binoculars Chapter 13: Swarovski Binoculars Chapter 14: Nikon Binoculars Chapter 15: Vortex Binoculars Chapter 16: GPO Binoculars Chapter 17: Opticron Binoculars Chapter 18: Meopta Binoculars Chapter 19: Maven Binoculars Chapter 20: Kowa Binoculars Chapter 21: Pentax Binoculars Chapter 22: Oberwerk Binoculars Chapter 23: Leupold Binoculars Chapter 24: Fujinon Binoculars Chapter 25: Bushnell Binoculars Chapter 26: Popular Binocular Accessories Zeiss Lens Wipes and Microfiber Cloths Neck Straps Rain Guards and Objective Lens Covers Winged Eyecups and Glare Suppressing Devices Antifogging Spray A Lightweight Monocular Monopods and Tripods Binocular Harnesses Notebooks and Journals Chapter 27: Testing Binoculars: Notes from the Field Ergonomics Examining the Exit Pupil Testing for Internal Reflections Collimation Tests Tests for Distortion Tests for Chromatic Aberration Spherical Aberration Field Curvature Coma Astigmatism Illumination Drop-Off at the Edge of the Field Testing for Glare Field of View Estimation Resolution Tests Chapter 28: Top Bargains in Today’s Market Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25 Svbony SV 202 8×42 ED Oberwerk SE 8×32 ED Kowa SV II 8×32 Pentax Papilio II 6.5×21 Opticron Imagic TGA WP 10×50 Barr & Stroud Series 8 8×42 Canon IS 8×20 Helios StarField 2×40 Celestron SkyMaster 15×70 Chapter 29: A Brief Survey of Classic Binocular Literature Exhibit A: The Binocular Handbook Exhibit B: Choosing Binoculars for Bird Watching and Wildlife Exhibit C: How to Become an Urban Birder Exhibit D: Discover the Night Sky through Binoculars: A Systematic Guide to Binocular Astronomy Exhibit E: Binocular Highlights: 109 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users Exhibit F: Stargazing with Binoculars Exhibit G: Observing the Night Sky with Binoculars: A Simple Guide to the Heavens Exhibit H: Handbook of Binocular Astronomy: A Complete Guide to Choosing and Using Binoculars for Astronomers – Whether Beginners or Not-So-Beginner Exhibit I: Deep Sky Observer’s Guide Exhibit J: Binocular Stargazing Exhibit K: Touring the Universe Through Binoculars: A Complete Astronomer’s Guidebook Exhibit L: Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars Exhibit M: Binocular Astronomy Concluding Words Chapter 30: Classic Binoculars The Zeiss Jenoptem 8×30 The Opticron Dioptron 8×32 Classic Porro A Couple of Great Modern Classics from Nikon An Extraordinary Nikon Action 7×35 Widefield from the Mid-1980s A Classic Astronomy Binocular from Takahashi A Blast from the Past: Swift Audubon Porro Prism Binoculars A Neo-Classical Roof Prism from Leica A Well-Loved Classic from Zeiss: The 7×42 Dialyt From Russia with Love: A Classic Tento BPC 7×35 A Brief Exploration of a KOMZ 8×30 Classic Porro A Classic Asahi Pentax 8×40 The Tip of a Proverbial Iceberg Grandfather of the Widefields: The Zeiss Delactis 8×40 Back to the Future Chapter 31: Earth and Sky Correction to: Binoculars 101 Correction to: Chapter 1 in: N. T. English, Choosing & Using Binoculars, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44710-5_1 Binocular Repairs and Restorers Glossary Index