Whether you want to watch birds while sitting on your Charles Taylor garden furniture or by heading out into the countryside, you will need a good set of binoculars.
That might sound easy enough, but there are actually a few factors to consider before committing to a set.
Cost
The price of a full-size adult set of binoculars can vary quite a bit.
For someone who is just getting started with birdwatching, a set costing between £50 and £150 will ensure decent viewing quality. More expensive sets – costing upwards of £350 – are for when you gain a bit more experience, and are committed to the hobby.
Comfort
One issue that many people do not consider when buying binoculars is how comfortable they will be to use.
They should be a weight that you can hold for long periods without tiring your arms, and the focus wheel must be within easy reach.
Finally, check that looking through them does not cause any eye strain.
Magnification
The best magnification will be either 8x or 10x. Magnifying the view any more than this will make it difficult to watch steadily.
8x will be fine for viewing in woodlands, or even from your Outback reclining chairs in the comfort of your garden. You should plan to go with 10x if you are watching birds from open country.
Specifications
The most important specifications will depend on whether you plan to be a garden birdwatcher, or one who travels further afield.
For the former, pick binoculars with strong close focus. For the latter, field of view and magnification will be the more relevant features.
