What do the numbers on binoculars mean? in 2021
Are you looking forward to purchasing a new pair of binoculars? Then you will come across various options that are available for buying in the market. No matter what, you need to make sure that you go for the best pair of binoculars that can cater to your requirements. This is where you need to pay more attention towards the numbers that you can find in binoculars.
Some of the people tend to buy binoculars for astronomy, whereas others tend to purchase them for birding. No matter what the reason is, you need to make sure that you focus heavily on the numbers. That’s because the numbers that are printed on the binoculars will check whether it is the perfect product available in the market for you to get or not. Keep on reading and you can get answers to the questions that you have.
What is mentioned by the magnification numbers in binoculars?
Let’s start off with the most prominent question you might have in your mind. In every single pair of binoculars that you can purchase from the market, you will be able to discover a magnification number. This is a combination of two different figures. It can be 10×25 or 8×40.
The very first figure refers to magnification power that you can get out of the binoculars. For example, an 8x magnification offers a magnification power of 8 times. In other words, you can use such a pair of binoculars and make an object 8 times closer than they really are. If the number is high, the objects will appear closer through the lenses. In other words, you will be able to get a better view of the objects.
Some of the binoculars are in a position to deliver extreme magnification capabilities to you. For example, they can offer magnification capabilities of 12x and up. It is true that you can get a better magnifying power out of these. However, it is quite difficult for you to maintain a stable view while you are using these binoculars. If you want to keep an image, you will need to mount the binoculars on an object. It can be a wall or table.
On the other hand, you will be able to purchase zoom binoculars from the market. These binoculars are in a position to provide you with an adjustable magnification range. In other words, you will be able to control the magnification power, so that you will be able to end up with securing a stable view
Size of the objective lens
The size of the objective lens in the binoculars you purchase is the same name for aperture. This is the number that you can find after the magnification power in binoculars. It is possible for you to find this number in all the binoculars.
Aperture is an important figure. You should never ignore it when you are spending your money to purchase a pair of binoculars. That’s because it determines the volume of light that the lens of the binoculars will be able to gather. For example, if you can take a look at a 10×50 binocular, you will figure out that it has the ability to gather light via a 50mm objective lens.
It is better to go for a wider lens. That’s because a wider lens can allow more light to flow into the binoculars. However, you should keep in mind that the wider lenses are in a position to make the binoculars more heavy and bulky. If you are a traveler, this is a good choice. Even if you are looking forward to purchasing portable binoculars, you need to keep it in mind.
The width of lens can contribute heavily towards the purpose where you are going to use the binoculars. For example, if you are going to use the binoculars to watch night sky, you will come across the need to get more light to flow into the binoculars. This is where you should go for a lens that has more width. Then you will be able to get the best possible results under low light conditions.
Imagine if you have a 10×50 binocular and a 10×25 binocular. Out of these two options, the 10×50 binocular will be the best option available to use when you want to observe the night sky. The wider aperture will help you to take a look at distant objects clearly.
Angle of view in your binoculars
The next important factor that you will need to consider when purchasing binoculars is the angle of view. The angle of view is the field of view. This refers to the horizontal scenery amount, which is visible when you are looking through binoculars.
The angle of view in binoculars is in degrees. The number that you can see in binoculars is in degrees. For example, most of the binoculars available for purchase in the market come along with an angle of view containing 72 degrees. The number is calculated by multiplying the angle of view along with the magnification value associated with binoculars.
Field of view
You should not ignore the field of view while you are purchasing binoculars as well. It is important to keep in mind that the field of view is not something that is expressed in degrees. Instead, it will be indicated in meters per 1,000 meters or feet per 1,000 yards.
It is better if you can go for a higher field of view. Then you will be able to get a wider image out of the binoculars that you purchase. In other words, you can get a better overall view. In general, the recommended field of view that you need to consider when purchasing binoculars should be in between 300 feet to 375 feet.
There is a strong relationship in between the field of view and the magnification number offered by the binoculars as well. For example, if the field of view is higher, the magnification number will be smaller. That’s because you are bringing the distant objects closer to you. You will be able to get a better understanding about this through calculations.
Eye relief number
If you are a person who wears glasses, you should be mindful of the eye relief number when you are purchasing binoculars from the market. Otherwise, you will have a difficult time when you are watching the objects through your glasses.
Thee eye relief number indicates the distance that should exist in between the eyes and eyepiece so that you will be able to enjoy the complete field of view while using binoculars. Based on this number, you should hold the binoculars while using them. Then you will be able to end up with getting a better experience out of your investment.
Exit pupil number
Most of the people difficulties when trying to understand what is meant by the exit pupil number. In order to make sure that you are not getting confused, you should hold your binoculars around eight inches away from the eyes. Then you will be able to see two dots in the center of the eyepiece, where light can reach eyes. This will provide the ability for you to focus on the images through binoculars.
The number of binoculars you purchase should be a higher value when compared to your pupil. You will be able to calculate this number with ease. All you have to do is to go ahead and divide the diameter of the lens from magnification power. For example, if you take a look at a 10×50 binocular, the exit pupil number would be 5mm.
It is better to go ahead and purchase a pair of binoculars coming with a pupil number higher than 4mm. Then you will be able to get a convenient experience out of it in most of the conditions. However, it is better if you can try your best to go for the highest possible exit pupil number in most of the instances.
Close focus
Last but not least, you must take a look at the close focus. These numbers are indicated in the binoculars that you are purchasing from the market.
The close focus number in binoculars will refer to the minimum distance that it needs in order to receive a perfect focus on an object. For example, you will not be able to focus on the objects that are located closer to you. That’s because the object is located too closer to you than the minimum focus number.
It is better if you can go for a pair of binoculars that offer a minimum focus number of at least 13. Then you can make sure that you are able to get a perfect focus on all the objects that are located at least 13 feet away from you. However, this depends entirely on your requirements. For example, if you are a person who purchases binoculars for night sky viewing, you can go for a higher close focus number and it will never create an impact on the experience that you will be able to receive at the end of the day.
How to purchase the best pair of binoculars?
Now you are aware about all the numbers that you can find in the binoculars that you are about to purchase in the market. While keeping these numbers in mind, you need to understand how to buy the best pair of binoculars available in the market. This is why you need to stick to the following checklist. If you can quickly go through this checklist, you will be able to receive all the support that is needed to buy the best pair of binoculars that you want at the end of the day.
- If you want to view objects under low light conditions, you should go for binoculars that are offering a high objective lens.
- If the magnification power of the binoculars is high, you will only be able to receive a limited field of view.
- You should look for eye relief that is more than 15mm, especially if you are a person who is wearing glasses.
- You need to go ahead with binoculars that offer an exit pupil of at least 4mm when you want to enjoy night sky viewing.
- You should never ignore the short close focus when you are purchasing binoculars to magnify the objects located closer to you.
Final words
Purchasing a pair of binoculars without having any background knowledge would be a waste of money. That’s because you will never have a clear understanding about the product that you are spending your money to get. It will make you end up with wasting your money at the end of the day. That’s why it is important for you to be aware about the numbers that you can find in binoculars. Then you will be able to make an informed decision and purchase the best binoculars available for buy.
Apart from these numbers, it is better if you can focus on the coating of the binoculars that you buy as well. That’s because we often see how people end up with purchasing low-quality binoculars. You are spending a considerable amount of money to purchase the new pair of binoculars. Therefore, you are expecting it to last for a longer duration of time. This is why you should focus more on the coating that you receive out of binoculars.