Evaluate how well binoculars meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in binoculars and you've learned about the different features of binoculars. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of binoculars - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the binoculars available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed binoculars to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well Binoculars meet your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available binoculars in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any binoculars that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any binoculars that clearly exceed your price limit.
When purchasing a pair of binoculars, you will find that they are defined by a two-number designation such as 6x30 or 10x50. The first number is the power of magnification, while the second is the diameter of the lenses (or aperture).
While many believe that the higher the power the better the instrument, often higher power glasses are difficult to keep steady when held in the hand. For this reason, most experts do not recommend handheld options with more than 10 power magnification. The true power of the binoculars, especially when using them for night time viewing, comes from the aperture or the lens that collects the light and brings objects into focus. The larger the lens, the more light that it allowed in and the clearer the view
Tip: If you are only planning to use your binoculars for daytime, using a smaller aperture will be sufficient (25-35). Larger apertures add to the weight of the binoculars and can make them cumbersome to carry around.
The two styles binoculars come in are Porro and Roof. The Porro prism design is a lower priced option, but an excellent choice for night time viewing as they give a brighter image than a Roof prism that has the same glass coating (see below). Roof prism models have an H shape to them and are typically lighter than the Porro version, however they are also more expensive and can be a little more difficult to focus.
Tip: If you're buying a cheaper pair of binoculars, check the quality of the prisms used in the binoculars by looking at the exit pupils. Hold the glasses in front of you about a foot away, the exit pupils are the little circles of light you see in the eyepieces. Aim them at a wall or to the sky. They should have rounded edges (not square) and should be uniform in brightness. They should not create any reflection inside the barrel. The rounder and brighter the exit pupils, the better the prism quality.
The type of coating used on the lenses has a big impact on the quality of your viewing experience. The top of the line models are fully multi colored. By shining a light from behind you into the large end of the binoculars, you should see a colored reflection. Multi-coated lenses increase the transmission of light in the lenses and minimalize the amount of scattered light and hazing when viewing objects. While many models you inspect might have a bright reflection, you are looking for a model with the deepest reflection.
Now take a moment to look deep into the back lenses. You should see a reflection inside of the glasses. It should also be coloured and not white. A white reflection is a sign of uncoated glass.
Check the alignment of the lenses by adjusting the barrels to your eyes and focusing on an object. As you move the barrels away from your eyes the object should not become double. There also should not be any greying or filmy quality to the image. Finally look through the eyepieces and observe the quality of the field of view, the best binoculars offer a wide field of view with little distortion at the edges.
When you were considering your requirements in binoculars it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as optical style, magnification, weight and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various binoculars meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Optical Styles
- Porro
- Roof / folding roof
Aperture Diameter / Magnification / Near Focus
- 20 to 100 mm
- 6 to 25 times
- 15 to 90 feet
Exit Pupil
Eye Relief
- 10 to 20 mm
- Roll down or retract
- Replaceable
Linear Field of View (at 1,000 yards) / Angular Field of View
- 280 to 450 feet
- 3 to 10 degrees
- Specialized wide angle binoculars are available
Prisms Types
- BAK4 - better for astronomical use, most recommended
- BK7
Optical Coatings - antireflection
- Ruby coated - for reducing glare in bright light
- Coated - front and rear lens with a single coating
- Fully coated - all air to glass surfaces coated
- Multi coated - front and rear lens coated multiple times
- Fully multi coated - all air to glass surfaces coated
Warranty
- 2 year limited
- 1 year full warranty
Weight
Other features
- Image stabilization - uses micro processor to automatically stabilize image if shaking
- Fixed focus - No manual focusing required, your eye must adjust to the binoculars (best for people with 20/20 vision)
- Individual ocular adjustment - each eye is manually adjusted separately
- Interior focusing - only internal lenses move when focusing preventing air and dust entering the binoculars
- Digital camera built in
Other Considerations
- Carrying case
- Strap
- Cleaning supplies
- Tripod
- Water resistant
- Fog proof
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your binocular needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in binoculars.
Once you have finished evaluating the binoculars available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the binoculars one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well Binoculars compares with competing Binoculars
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of binoculars that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of binoculars that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which binoculars on my short-list are better priced?
Which of the binoculars are made with better components?
Which binoculars have the best warranty?
Which of these binoculars is the easiest to use?
Which binoculars seem of the highest quality?
Which of my short-listed binoculars has the all the requirements I need?
Which binoculars do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating binoculars that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the binoculars, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the binoculars are put together. Check the assembly - are the binoculars solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the binoculars from the perspective of ease of use. How easily are the binoculars prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the binoculars suit you physically, and they are user-friendly - some binoculars look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use different batteries to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Mechanical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need a tripod, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing equipment, such as your tripod?
- Registration - what are the time frames and costs?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of binoculars that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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