Top 10 Tips for Choosing Binoculars or Spotting Scopes
Every bird watcher needs some sort of optical assistance to maximize birding enjoyment. Whether you choose binoculars, a spotting scope, or both, the most important decision comes with your first purchase. To help you avoid buyer's remorse, here are 10 tips to help you make a good decision when you buy.
10. Spend the money. Whenever I spend a chunk of money on something fun (as opposed to car repairs or dental surgery) I hear my dad's voice saying, “Spend it like you've got it!” or, “Easy come, easy go.” He was being sarcastic, but it never stopped me. There's no more important purchase for an avid bird watcher than good optics. You're investing in your own enjoyment, and that's always a good investment.
9. How does it feel? There are two important "feel" aspects to buying new optics. First is how they feel when you use them. You want to make sure you're buying optics that will feel good in use—to your eyes, hands, and body in general. The second aspect to consider is how you feel about buying the model you've selected. If you're at all squeamish about the brand, the model, the price, the retailer, the warranty, or anything else, run while you still can. If it doesn't feel good now it won't feel any better after the purchase shows up on your credit card.
8. Compare prices. If you ask 12 different retailers about the price of binocular X or scope Y, you'll get 12 different prices. It's good to get a general idea of where the various retailers stand pricewise. Ask them which brands they are able to price most competitively. Ask them too about other costs such as taxes and shipping. But don't spend too much time price shopping. Find a decent price and a retailer you are comfortable buying from, and make your decision. I sometimes base my buying decision as much on my confidence in the retailer as on optics brand or price.
7. Check the warranty. Two words: Lifetime Guarantee. If you see this on your optics, you know you're going to be okay with the warranty. Unfortunately, not all optics manufacturers offer this. Two things to look for are a lifetime guarantee against defects in manufacturing and a contact number for a repair shop. A better warranty is worth paying a little extra for when you're considering two similar brands.
6. Consider special features. Research and field testing can pay off here. These features can include ergonomic design, lens coatings, special construction, waterproofing, and so on. Match your decision with your personal preferences and not with some special feature you'll never use. I was able to compare several high-end scopes on a field trip one summer. Two of the scopes were the same make and model, but one had specially coated lenses and the other did not. The difference in price was almost $1,000, but the difference in color fidelity was remarkable. So the next time I got a scope, I went for the expensive coatings. I never would have if I hadn't field tested it first.
5. Choose a power and model suited to your needs. This is why it's important for you to try before you buy. Make sure the model you select is easy and comfy to use, and be sure its durability and warranty fit the type of use to which it will be subjected. If you are watching warblers in a woodland setting, 7x or 8x binoculars may be better for you than a 10x pair. If you plan to scour distant mudflats for shorebirds, even a scope with a 20x eyepiece may not be powerful enough. A zoom eyepiece on a scope can give you more flexibility.
4. Choose a few brands. After you set your budget, make your list of brands and models that you can afford and start focusing your search more deeply on these targets. But be aware that some optics are marketed under separate brand names. Binocular A may be the exact same model as Binocular B, but marketed under a different name.
3. Set a budget. With optics it's almost universally true that the more you spend, the higher the quality of the product. If you decide you can spend $500, do your research and gather all the names of the products within your budget. If you really love a model that's a few hundred dollars more, my suggestion is to go for it. But don't base the decision on price alone. The binoculars or scope you choose should be a good fit for your hands, eyes, neck, and should feel like the “right” one.
2. Try before you buy. When you ask your birding friends what they like about their binoculars or scopes, also ask them to let you give them a try. This is the best way to field test different makes and models. Keep notes of your experience—it's easy to forget or get mixed up weeks later when you're ready to buy. If you have no local bird club or hotspot where birders gather, consider traveling to a place where birders congregate. It would be worthwhile to attend a good birding festival with the goal of trying out lots of optics and asking questions.
1. Do your research. The first step in finding the right binoculars or scope is to get familiar with what is available. There are many of sources of in-depth information on optics. You can scan the ads for optics in bird and nature magazines, then write or call for information. The Internet is a great source. There are thousands of websites devoted to optics, from manufacturers and retailers to chat rooms and bulletin boards where birders express their opinions. Even better sources are your fellow bird watchers. Ask them what they like about their optics, what they don't like, what their ideal optics would be, and so on.
