Binocular Numbers

[Prudie]

Can someone please explain to me in very simple terms what the numbers mean on various binocular descriptions? I'm getting
10x25
8x21
20x22
etc

[Baldric]

Any help?

http://www.binoculars101.com/bin-design-name.html

[Baldric]

And maybe ....

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/travel-and-leisure/guides/choosing-and-buying-the-best-binoculars/binocular-basics/

[Old_Geezer]

lens size & magnification

[shoota]

The first number is the amount of magnification you get, the second number is the size of the lens which will impact on the image brightness.
If there is a third number eg 8 - 24 x 40 it means there is a zoom facility from 8x magnification through t 24 x magnification.

[shoota]

What do you want them for Prudie?

[EDDIE51]

The first figure is the magnification, the second figure is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. The larger the second figure the more light the binoculars collect. A large magnification is less use than light collecting.
For looking at stars / astronomy a 7 x 50 is better than a 10 x 50 as the 7 x 50 gets more light in relation to the magnification so the image is brighter.
Also remember that anything over 7 to 10x magnification is going to need a tripod to be much use, as hand holding always causes a slight shake and the higher the magnification the more the shake is magnified.
All in all a 7 x 50 is about the best for general use.

[ladybirder]

For birdwatching I use a pair of Leica 8 X 42's and they are just right for me.

[Baldric]

I use a pair of Greencat 8 x 42 for Birding, great resolution.

[Prudie]

I want pocket size for starters so assume not too big a second number. Mainly for bird watching and holiday use. I'd also like something that's able to focus on things not too far away eg bird in a tree 10 feet away. Balder's first link has been quite helpful.

[shoota]

I have both 'pocket' and full sized Nikon bins and can recommend them. If you stick with a well known camera manufacturer you won't go far wrong and they tend not to be as expensive as the top brands such as Leica and Swarovski.

[Prudie]

I'm not going to pay silly money (as I know they're going to get full of sand like all my other pairs have) but I'm not going cheap either. There are lots on amazon for under £20, I assume they're rubbish.

[EDDIE51]

7 x 30 would be good for a 'pocket size' with a bright image.
8 x 42 is a 'specialist' size for bird watching as it has a greater 'field of view' than most others,in other words you get a wider view.

[shoota]

People tend to look after bins, I have a second hand pair of Nikon pocket bins that are like new. Loads on ebay.

[ladybirder]

Not too wide a view needed though Eddie or if you hiccup or wobble a bit you find you're looking about 50 miles away from the object you were studying;-))

[shoota]

I think these are like mine - I havn't looked at them for a while, they live in the car:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-Sprint-1V-10x21-Binoculars-/391468336486?hash=item5b2554c566:g:4kwAAOSw6btXScCE

[ladybirder]

Funny you should say that shoota. I bought mine secondhand from a specialist shop for £600 around 1999 and I've just seen a pair exactly the same on eBay for £550. So £50 quid for 17 years viewing seems OK to me.

[shoota]

Anything with 'Leica' on it will keep it's value LB - you bought well.

[ladybirder]

Nice to know I got something right for once in my life shoota;-)

[Prudie]

Gosh I'm not paying that!! However ebay is a good suggestion I hadn't thought of.

[EDDIE51]

I found a pair of 'Swift Audubon' 8 x 42's in a charity shop for £9.99. They are regarded a the'ultimate birding binoculars'
I sold them on eBay for £50 the next day!