best compact binoculars » porro

What Features to Look for in Compact Binoculars

compact — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:53:25 +0000

If you are interested in small, lightweight binoculars, let’s take a look at the features that will help you choose. You can’t go wrong with the Triumph 10 x 25 from Eagle Optics. It is a Porro prism design that weighs in at 10.2 oz. Lighter than a bottle of water, these binoculars won’t bother you when you hang them around your neck, even on a long hike.

Wearing glasses isn’t a problem with these small binoculars either. The eye relief is 18 mm so there is plenty of room for those who use glasses to see the entire field of view.

When you want to see something up close, you can focus as close as 8.2 feet away. Many small binoculars will not be able to match that close focus. If you want to view butterflies, you can get within ten feet and be able to view them as if you’re holding them in your hand! On the opposite end of the spectrum the field of view at 1000 yards is 262 feet.

Although it’s not waterproof the Triumph Porro is a great little field binocular. The outer covering is a brushed metallic surface, so it’s not shiny or slippery.

So, how many features are there? Magnification, objective lens diameter, weight, eye relief, close focus, and field of view are important to compare when you’re looking at the specs of several binoculars. By looking at the numbers you’ll see that many of these parameters vary between brands and sizes of binoculars. That’s why it’s best to pick up a pair and look through them before you make your decision. Visit a camera shop or outdoors shop near you and ask to see the binoculars. Compare the feel and the view of several models to help you choose the best compact binoculars for you.

Nitrogen-filled binoculars are fog-proof

compact — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:23:10 +0000

Cold weather, like at a football game or on a fall hike, is the time that binoculars can get fogged up inside. That happens when moisture enters the binoculars and condenses on the lenses.

Fogged lenses can be a problem for those of us who like to use their binoculars in cold weather. If you’re not going to use your binoculars in cold weather, then nitrogen-filled binocs aren’t important to you.

Nitrogen-filled binoculars resist getting fogged up inside because they are sealed off from the atmosphere outside. Nitrogen gas provides a constant atmosphere in the sealed tubes of the tandem telescopes that make up a pair of binoculars.

Because each tube is sealed, the nitrogen gas won’t escape and moisture won’t get in. Your lenses won’t get foggy.

It is easier for the manufacturer to produce straight-line roof prism binoculars that are nitrogen-filled than the Porro prism design. Over half of the roof prism binoculars are nitrogen-filled, while barely one-fifth of the Porro prism binoculars are.

Nitrogen-filled binoculars are a mark of quality. Always go for quality when you can afford it.

Compact binoculars come in two basic shapes

compact — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:25:53 +0000

Compact binoculars come in two general shapes. The different shapes are due to the type of optics that are inside the binoculars.

The first shape is rather tubular, where the eyepieces sit practically in line with the objective lenses. The image below shows this shape of binoculars, which are known as roof prism binoculars.

The second kind of binoculars have more of a rounded look, where the objective lenses are set wider than the eyepieces. These binoculars are called porro prism binoculars. The drawing at the upper right of your screen is an example of porro prism binoculars.

Of course, each type of binocular has advantages and disadvantages.

When considering compact binoculars, the roof prism type is more common. That is because roof prism binoculars can be folded to a smaller size for compact carrying. Also, they can be made lighter and smaller than the porro prism types. Just perfect for a compact design!